Meet The Parents

Meet the Parents

18+ account - minors do not interact

carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader

Word Count: 3.5K

Rating: E

Summary: Carmen deals with anxiety as he prepares to meet your parents for the first time and the pressure of making a good impression weighs heavily on his mind.

Warning: anxiety, insecurity, angst-ish (carmy's internalized thoughts), established relationship, language, slight jealousy/possessiveness, praise, dirty talk, pet names, oral sex (f receiving), implied p in v sex, soft!carmy <3, fluff y’all

A/N: This feeds as a one-shot for my Collection of Moments and is apart of my Wine & Dine universe However, it can be read as a stand-alone as well. So, I rarely write in the other POV – I literally have only done it once before. I usually always write from the reader's perspective, but for this, I felt it was necessary to be in Carmy’s mind. I can’t tell if I like it, but here it is. Also, as we can see, I’m terrible at drabbles… Also, I've been having problems sharing this story as its not appearing in the tags so I hope this third try will work...

xx

You sat on the couch in Carmen's living room, phone pressed against your ear as you talked to your mother.

"Oh, this weekend? Yeah, I can make it out for the barbeque on Sunday,"

As you spoke, Carmen walked into the room and sat beside you. He could hear snippets of the conversation but didn't want to eavesdrop.

"Mmhm, yeah Mom, he'll be busy at the restaurant. So no, he probably can't make it,”

Carmen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at those words. He had been with you officially for 3 months, and you two had known each other for practically a year, but he still hadn't found the time to meet your family. You had met his entire family, even met Donna informally who had been stopping by the restaurant more often since her granddaughter had been born.

After you finished your conversation after a few minutes and hung up the phone, he turned to you hesitantly, trying to sound casual. "Hey, why did you say I couldn’t come this weekend?"

Thoughts raced through his mind – Were you embarrassed by him? Did you not want him to meet your family? Did you have doubts about your relationship?

You chuckled slightly, "Because I’m going to be spending the night at my parents on Saturday, which is the busiest night at The Bear,"

Relief washed over Carmen when he realized he had jumped to conclusions, but still felt a twinge of guilt for not making time to meet your family sooner. Carmen made a mental note to clear his schedule for the weekend and finally make the effort to meet your family. Sydney could handle it. He wanted to show your parents that he was serious about your relationship and that he cared about you deeply.

Carmen shook his head, determination shining in his beautiful blue eyes. "But, I really want to meet your family,"

"You don't have to push yourself too hard, Carmy. I know how busy you are, and I don't want to add more stress to your plate,”

"I understand," Carmen replied, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. He was so busy all the time that he realized he had created a narrative that made you assume he could never be easily available. You’re a fuckin’ asshole Berzatto. “But, it's not about stress. It's bout’ makin’ time for the things and people that matter most to me. And you… are at the top of that list,” he insisted.

You felt a rush of emotion at his words and leaned in to give him a tender kiss. "Okay,” you smiled brightly, feeling grateful that he was open to the idea. You knew family stuff… was hard for him. “But seriously, no pressure,” you reminded him.

Carmen nodded, feeling reassured by your words. “I love you,” he said shyly. It had only been a few weeks since you two had started saying those words. But every time he looked into your eyes; he could feel the words bubbling up inside of him. If he was honest, he had fallen in love with you way before you two had even started dating.

As he thought back to the first time he accidentally blurted out "I love you" in a grocery store, he couldn't help but smile. He had been so scared of your reaction, but you had surprised him by simply leaning in and kissing him on the cheek.

You then whispered in his ear, "I feel like I’ve loved you for so long," And in that moment, all his fears and doubts had melted away. You were so fucking perfect.

“I love you too Carmy,” he heard you say as he returned to the present, and his heart raced when he heard you say those words. There was the weight of those three little words – they held power—the power to heal, to connect, to change everything.

Carmen had never been good at first impressions; he stumbled over words and fumbled with handshakes. But this was different. This was about proving himself to you, to them, and maybe even to himself. He knew he needed to prioritize you and be there for you in ways that transcended busy schedules and work commitments. He wanted to be more than just “that chef” you were dating at The Bear. He wanted to be the man who held your hand at family gatherings, who laughed with your parents, and who fucking showed up for you.

You peppered his neck with soft kisses and ran your fingers along his chest. He tried to focus on the sensation of your touch, but his thoughts kept pulling him away, his mind lost in a maze of worries. What if they didn't like him? And worse…what if one day, you would wake up and realize he wasn’t enough?

xx

Carmen gripped the steering wheel tightly, his brow furrowed in concentration as he sped down the highway. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, causing a knot to form in his stomach. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard and cursed under his breath. He had called you to let you know he was going to be late, and listened to your unwavering patience and understanding on the other line, which felt like an oasis in a desert of chaos. But he still felt like shit. He wanted to believe you when you said, ‘Carmy, it’s totally fine, get here safely’, but there was a voice—the one that echoed his mother’s harsh words, his father walking out on him, his old boss in New York. It told him that he was broken, and that he would ruin everything eventually.

He had been looking forward to today, but everything had been falling apart. The problems at the Bear had started earlier that day, with one disaster after another piling up, and it delayed him from getting to you. First, the delivery truck arrived late, throwing off their entire prep schedule. Then, one of the new line cooks working with Ebra, overwhelmed by the fast-paced environment, quit on the spot, leaving them short-staffed during the lunch rush. As if that wasn’t enough, the walk-in cooler malfunctioned, causing some of their fresh ingredients to spoil. That fucking walk-in cooler was the bane of Carmen’s existence.

Sydney had assured him that it was fine, that she could handle things at the restaurant with Sugar and Cousin as he prepared to leave. But as he looked at the clock and realized how late he was, he couldn't help but feel like he was letting everyone down. He felt torn between his responsibilities at the restaurant and his commitment to you.

As he navigated through traffic to get to Naperville, he couldn't shake the sinking feeling in his chest. You had left for your parents’ place earlier that day to grab lunch with them and he had told you he would meet you there after lunch service and spend the night in Naperville with you. He should have just left with you and questioned why he had gone into the restaurant today. Because you’re a fuckin’ workaholic.

He finally pulled up to the address of your parents' house and stepped out of his car feeling nervous. He straightened his collar and took a deep breath before mustering the courage to walk up the front steps and knock on the door with a bouquet mixed with roses, lilies, sunflowers, and irises for your mother.

As he stood on the porch, he could hear his heart pounding in his ears. The door swung open, and you appeared, a warm smile on your face. His breath caught in his throat. You were wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, but you looked absolutely stunning. He couldn't tear his gaze away from you, completely blown away by how effortlessly beautiful you looked.

"Hey, you made it," you said, stepping out to greet him.

“I’m so fuckin’ sorry I’m late, I just –,”

You reached up and planted a soft kiss on his lips cutting him off, and he felt the tension ease from his body. Your touch was like magic, calming his nerves and reminding him why he was here in the first place.

"It's okay, don't worry about it," you said, giving him a reassuring smile. Why the fuck were you so understanding all the time? The guilt creeped in—the insecurity that he wasn’t always easy to love, that he carried baggage from a dysfunctional past.

He traced the curve of your jaw. “Why are you so patient with me?” he whispered. “I don’t deserve it.”

You shifted to face him, your eyes soft. “Carmy! You literally had someone quit on you today and you still showed up. You didn’t have to be here today. Can you please stop being so hard on yourself?” you said, pulling him in for a hug.

Carmen felt a wave of relief wash over him as he held you close, feeling your warmth and hearing your comforting words. He knew you were right, but he still felt bad.

“Of course, I had to be here,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Thank you for bein’ you,”

“I know, I’m kind of awesome,” you smirked.

He straightened his posture and ran a hand through his hair, trying to appear confident in the face of this intimidating situation as a bead of sweat formed on his brow. His heart raced as he envisioned the impending introductions and the scrutinizing gaze of your parents. He swallowed hard, attempting to calm his nerves as he mentally rehearsed what he should say.

You gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, sensing his anxiety "Don't be nervous, they're going to love you."

"Thanks," he said, feeling grateful to feel your hand in his. "I think… I’m ready,"

xx

As he spent the evening with your parents, laughing and sharing stories, Carmen felt a sense of belonging that he had never experienced before. Your parents welcomed him with open arms, making him feel like he was a part of something special. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have you in his life. It was a stark contrast to the chaos he was used to. His own upbringing had been marked by shouting matches, broken promises, and a sense of impermanence. But here, in this cozy living room, everything felt different.

Your parents were impressive, it was intimidating. They had immigrated to this country during their university years. Your father was a successful partner at a prestigious law firm, while your mother was a respected professor at the University of Chicago. As Carmen listened to their stories, he marveled at the normalcy. The way your parents teased each other, finishing each other’s sentences. The way they held hands, a silent affirmation of their bond. It was like watching a heartwarming movie—one he’d never imagined could exist beyond the screen.

Dinner was a feast—a spread of homemade dishes that tasted like love, and your parent's stories about growing up in a small village transported Carmen to another time. They asked about his life, his dreams, and listened intently, as if his words mattered.

And then there was you—the reason he was here. You sat across from him, your smile radiant. You’d shared stories about your family—their quirks, their imperfections. How your father at first was not on board with you trying to become a Sommelier after you dropped out of law school. But now, seeing them in action, he understood. Your parents weren’t perfect, and your father, in particular, had high standards and expectations. But they were real. They seemed to love fiercely, forgive freely, and had created a haven of stability for you and your siblings.

By the end of the night, they started calling him Carmy… and he couldn’t be happier. Tomorrow for the barbeque, he would meet your brothers, the twins who were known for being fiercely protective of you, since you were the youngest. He had already met your sister briefly at the wine shop, and that had gone well. She would be there tomorrow with her husband, whom he hadn’t met yet, along with your niece and nephew, who he knew you adored. It was shocking to him that families actually wanted to spend time together, that they could support and love each other without the constant undercurrent of tension and conflict he was used to. Is this what your future would be like once you two got married and had kids?

He realized how crazy he was for thinking that. But… you were it for him.

xx

Later, he laid in your childhood bed waiting for you, the room was bathed in a soft glow—the moon peeking through the curtains, casting shadows on the familiar posters that adorned the walls. You had excused yourself to the bathroom, leaving him alone as he absorbed the moment—the scent of lavender from the sheets, the creaky floorboards under his weight.

When you returned, wearing an oversized T-shirt with just your panties and your hair pulled back, he couldn’t help but smile. You climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged in front of him.

“You know,” you said, breaking the silence, “I’ve never had a boy sleep overnight in here before.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Never?”

You shook your head. “Nope,”

You leaned in closer, your hand sliding down his chest and onto his lap. He sucked in a sharp breath, his body reacting to your touch, feeling himself get hard immediately under his briefs. His heart was pounding as you pressed your body against his, the urgency of your movements making his head spin.

He leaned in to kiss you and shoved his tongue in your mouth and couldn’t help but savor the taste and smell of you– the minty freshness of your toothpaste mingled with the sweet, floral scent of the lavender lotion on your body, creating a deliciously intoxicating flavor and smell that he couldn’t get enough of.

When you moaned, the thought of your parents just down the hall flashed through his mind. "We shouldn't... not here," he managed to say between kisses, trying to push you off gently.

You pulled back, a hint of disappointment in your eyes. "Seriously?” you whispered, your breath warm against his skin. It’s not like you were teenagers, you were grown adults.

"I-I just don't want to be disrespectful in your father's house,” he stammered, feeling the weight of your gaze on him.

“It’s also my mother's house,” you said, arching your eyebrows.

He chuckled nervously and reached out to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing against your skin “You’re right, that was incredibly sexist of me to say. I just… you know what I mean… I think they like me, and I don’t wanna be caught fuckin’ their gorgeous daughter in their house,”

You paused as if considering his words. "Fine, you win this round Carmy," you pouted, with a small smile playing on your lips.

He pressed his forehead to yours, breathing in your warmth. “If you think for one second, I don’t wanna bury myself in your tight little pussy…”

You laughed and felt your cheeks heat up, “Good to know," you winked at him. "Okay, time for bed,”

You both settled into bed together, you snuggled close to Carmen as he turned off the bedside lamp. After a few moments of comfortable silence, you both drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms. The soft rhythm of your breathing filled the room as you sunk into dreamland.

But at 3 a.m., Carmen woke you up with a gentle shake. You groggily opened your eyes to see him hovering over you, with a bashful look in his eyes.

You blinked in confusion, still half-asleep. "Carmy?”

“I can’t stop thinkin’ bout’ you,” he whispered, and you felt the heat rise between your legs at his words. His hand wandered lower, tracing patterns on your thigh, sending shivers down your spine. Suddenly, you felt his lips on your neck, trailing kisses down to your collarbone, igniting a fire within you.

You gasped as he moved down lower, his fingers teasing you through your panties. "Carmy, what are you doing?" you whispered, trying to suppress a moan as his lips grazed your skin.

He looked up at you, his eyes dark with desire. "I can't help it, I need you right now,” he murmured, his voice husky with need.

He had found himself unable to fall asleep, his mind was consumed with desire for you, a burning need that had been building for days. You both had been so busy with work and life that you hadn't had a chance to be intimate in a few days. But the real reason he couldn’t sleep was because of the comment you had made about never having had a past boyfriend fuck you in this room. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy whenever he reflected on your past relationships. You had experienced deep, long-lasting connections with some of your exes, something he had never truly known. He sometimes wondered what it must have been like for you, to share such intimacy and build a life with someone over the years. His own romantic history was just a quick series of brief flings in Europe and New York, with only one serious relationship with Claire that barely lasted three months.

You chuckled softly, teasing him about his earlier hesitation. “Well, what about my parents? Aren’t you worried about ‘disrespecting’ them?" you taunted.

His lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Baby, if it means I get to taste you, I'll happily go to hell and back.” The thought of being the only man to have you in this sacred space of yours made him feel a primal urge like never before. The idea of taking you in here turned him on in a way he had never experienced. He knew it was slightly possessive, but he didn’t care.

You couldn't help but chuckle at his boldness. But the way he looked at you, with hunger and need in his eyes, ignited a fire inside you.

He leaned in, pressing your lips to his in a heated kiss. And he moved lower, trailing kisses down your neck and stomach, you could feel the anticipation building. You gasped as he slid your panties down, his fingers teasing you, sending waves of pleasure through you. "Carmen, please," you moaned, unable to contain the desire building within you, and not caring if you sounded pathetic.

He hated when people didn't use his nickname, but ironically, he loved it when you called him Carmen during sex, and it made him fucking crazy. He would replay the way you said his name breathlessly all the time, hell it distracted him at work all the time just thinking about you saying his name. But it was nothing in comparison to hearing it in the bedroom like right now when you were horny and desperate for him.

He smirked as he positioned himself between your legs, his eyes locked with yours. "Tell me what you want, baby," he said his voice low and sultry.

"I want your mouth on me," you breathed, your body arching towards him, craving his touch.

And with that, he buried his face between your legs, his tongue exploring every inch of you, driving you wild with pleasure. You covered your mouth with your hand and writhed beneath him, grasping at the sheets with your other hand as he brought you to the brink of ecstasy. The truth was you had never had a man go down on you like this, Carmen always seemed to be desperate for this… for you. He always groaned against you, as if he was the luckiest guy in the world to be between your thighs as he would hungrily lap at your cunt like a man starved. It didn’t matter how many times he did this, it never failed to surprise you at how good he was at this.

Tonight (or shall you say this morning) he brought you to the edge, over and over again, expertly teasing and tantalizing you until you were begging for release. And finally, with one final, intense flick of his tongue, you shattered, crying out his name into your pillow as wave after wave of pleasure washed over you. He loved watching you fall apart for him; it made him feel like a man. As you came down from your high, he crawled up your body, his lips brushing against yours in a soft, intimate kiss and you could taste yourself on his lips and tongue.

"Fuck, love when you say my name like that," he whispered, and then reached between the two of you and stroked himself before placing his cock at your entrance.

As he positioned himself above you, his eyes dark with desire, he leaned in close to your ear, his voice a low, throaty whisper. "You're gonna have to be quiet, baby, or I'm gonna have to stop,” he said, his hand covering your mouth to muffle any potential sounds of pleasure that might escape.

You nodded, biting your lip to stifle any noises as he slowly pushed himself inside you, filling you completely. His eyes met yours and he was met with a sight that took his breath away and couldn't help but think how fucking lucky he was.

You looked so beautiful… and you made him feel so good, so alive, and so utterly consumed.

xx

Guys, posting this story has been dramatic AF, so I have removed tagged folks for now...

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