summary : taking your boyfriend macklin to your family bbq, he ends up becoming your little sisters favorite person.
The second Macklin stepped through your parents’ front door, the house was already buzzing with conversation.
The smell of barbecue drifted in from the backyard, your cousins were laughing over a card game at the kitchen table, and your uncles were gathered around the TV watching baseball. It was one of those loud family parties where someone was always talking over someone else.
You reached for Macklin’s hand and smiled.
He squeezed your fingers. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You’ll be fine. They’re going to love you.”
“I know. I’m just hoping I can remember everyone’s names.”
You laughed softly before leading him inside.
“Everyone!” your mom called from the kitchen the second she spotted you. “They’re here!”
Within seconds, nearly your entire family had wandered over.
Your dad shook Macklin’s hand first.
“It’s great to finally meet you.”
“Thank you for having me, sir.”
“Oh, none of that,” your dad chuckled. “Call me Mike.”
One by one, Macklin introduced himself to your grandparents, your aunts, uncles, and cousins. Even though there were way more people than he’d expected, he stayed relaxed, smiling through every introduction and making conversation with everyone.
You could already tell your family adored him.
Your grandma leaned toward you while Macklin was talking with your uncle.
“He has wonderful manners.”
“What? I’m old, not blind.”
Everything was going perfectly…
Until the front door burst open.
A tiny pair of sandals came flying down the hallway.
“There she is,” your mom sighed dramatically.
Your three-year-old sister, Lily, ran straight toward you before stopping dead in her tracks.
Her big eyes slowly traveled upward.
“Lily, this is my boyfriend, Macklin.”
She continued staring at him with complete seriousness.
Macklin bit back a laugh.
Until she was standing directly in front of him.
She reached up and poked his arm.
She thought about this for approximately two seconds.
Then held both arms straight up.
Before you could finish, Macklin had already picked her up effortlessly.
The entire family burst into laughter.
Lily decided Macklin was her favorite person in the entire world.
She refused to let him put her down.
When he sat on the couch…
She climbed into his lap.
You hadn’t spoken to your little sister in almost twenty minutes.
She was too busy introducing Macklin to everything.
“And this is my pink chalk.”
“And this flower is named Daisy.”
Later, everyone gathered in the backyard to eat.
You finally managed to steal the chair beside Macklin.
“You’ve officially been adopted.”
“You’ve known Lily for half an hour.”
“I think she’s hired me.”
She handed him a scribbled drawing.
It consisted of what looked like four stick figures.
The fourth might have been a dog.
Macklin smiled like she’d handed him priceless artwork.
“And that’s your sister.”
“What about this little one?”
“You don’t have a puppy.”
After lunch, your cousins started a game of soccer in the yard.
“Macklin!” one of them called.
Your dad whispered to you,
“This should be interesting.”
Every cousin had stopped trying to score.
They were all helping Lily kick the ball because Macklin kept cheering louder for her than anyone else.
She sprinted over and hugged his leg.
As the afternoon went on…
You caught yourself simply watching him.
He talked hockey with your uncles.
He laughed with your cousins.
He helped your grandma carry drinks.
He offered to clean dishes without anyone asking.
He treated every member of your family like he’d known them for years.
Your heart melted a little more every time you looked at him.
Your mom quietly stepped beside you.
“I haven’t seen Lily like this with anyone.”
You glanced toward your little sister.
She was currently attempting to braid Macklin’s hair.
Considering he didn’t exactly have enough hair to braid…
She was trying very hard.
He stayed perfectly still anyway.
“…I don’t think there’s anything there.”
Later, your dad brought out marshmallows for the fire pit.
Everyone settled into lawn chairs as the sun slowly disappeared behind the trees.
Lily climbed into Macklin’s lap again.
She looked absolutely exhausted.
He wrapped a blanket around her.
She yawned halfway through the word.
She rested her head against his chest.
Your entire family noticed.
Your aunt quietly whispered,
“If I wake her, I’m doomed.”
For nearly forty-five minutes…
Macklin barely moved a muscle.
Even after his marshmallow had burned.
Even after his drink sat out of reach.
Even after his foot had clearly fallen asleep.
He simply held Lily while she slept peacefully.
Your mom eventually walked over.
“I can take her upstairs.”
“You’ve been sitting there forever.”
Your mom’s expression softened.
Her little eyes blinked open.
She looked around sleepily.
Then looked up at Macklin.
“I forgot you were here.”
As everyone began cleaning up for the night, your family slowly started saying their goodbyes.
Your grandparents hugged you both.
Your uncles thanked Macklin for coming.
Even your teenage cousins admitted he was “actually pretty cool.”
Lily immediately realized what was happening.
“We’ll come visit again.”
She wrapped both arms around Macklin’s leg.
“I have hockey practice.”
She thought for a moment before asking the most serious question of the day.
“You come back tomorrow?”
She sighed dramatically, like this was the greatest inconvenience she’d ever experienced.
She held out her tiny pinky.
He linked his pinky with hers.
Only then did she finally let go.
The drive home was quiet for a few minutes.
“I think your sister likes me.”
You laughed so hard you nearly cried.
“Likes you? She practically tried to adopt you.”
“I’ve never had someone inspect my arms, make me a princess braid, hand me artwork, and then refuse to let me leave all in the same day.”
He reached over, intertwining his fingers with yours.
“I had a really good time.”
You smiled, resting your head against the seat.
“I think you’ve officially passed the hardest test.”
He looked over curiously.
“Earning Lily’s approval.”
“I’ll treasure that pinky promise forever.”
And somewhere back at your parents’ house, Lily was already asking everyone the same question every ten minutes.
“When’s Macklin coming back?”
