While Dub and Maia attend Luca’s wedding, Mase is on a different mission. He finally meets Zoe’s sibling/legal guardian, Londyn, and Londyn’s wife, Macy, tonight. After spending the entire day getting ready, which includes drastically changing his appearance, Mase arrives nervously at the Old Quarter restaurant in Windenburg, where Zoe and her family greet him.
Once inside, they look over their menus. Londyn insists on taking care of the bill, so out of respect, Mase is careful not to order anything too expensive but not too cheap to avoid insulting them.
After quickly taking everyone else’s order, the waiter lingers while taking Macy’s. Macy seems to like the extra attention. Londyn tries to ignore the prolonged interaction.
Londyn: So Mason—
Mason: Oh, you can call me Mase.
Londyn: *corrects themselves* Mase, we’ve heard much about you. You’re the only thing Zo here seems to talk about these days.
Mason: My family could probably say the same thing about me regarding Zoe.
Londyn: Is that right? I’m glad she means as much to you as you do to her.
Londyn finally notices the waiter still chatting and flirting with Macy.
Londyn: Okay, thanks. You’ve taken the orders; you can go now!
Damian: Yeah, of course. My name is Damian. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Damian seems to be talking directly to Macy, making the situation even more awkward.
Londyn: You’re here to serve all of us. Not just my wife!
Damian: Oh, your wife. I didn’t realize; my apologies.
Zoe is embarrassed about the small conflict brewing between Londyn and the waiter and takes some time to apologize to Mase quietly.
Zoe: *amused* Sorry, but you’re the one that insisted on meeting them. I tried to spare you.
Mason: Family is family – no one’s is perfect.
After the waiter has finally walked away, Macy pulls out her phone. Londyn looks over, disapproving.
Londyn: Really, babe? I thought we agreed – no phones at the table!
Macy: I know, but I can’t just leave my clients hanging. Good customer service means being available 24/7.
Londyn: They can manage without you through one dinner. We‘re here to meet Mase.
Macy reluctantly puts her phone away.
Londyn: *to Mase* So, tell us something that Zo hasn’t already told us a million times.
Mase wonders how he’s supposed to know what Zo has already told her family about him.
Mason: Uh, I’m a biology major in college.
Londyn: Right, and you plan to take over your family farm when your father retires.
Mason: Yes, and I have two—
Macy: *fills in* brothers, one named Drake and the other is named Wade.
Mason: Right. My mom is a –
Londyn: Mechanical engineer, and both of your parents graduated from Foxbury.
It sounds like Zo has covered everything. Mase isn’t sure what else to talk about. Luckily the waiter brings the food, giving him some time to think.
If Londyn and Macy already know so much about him, maybe Mase can play it safe by discovering more about them.
Mason: Uh, so – what do the two of you do?
Macy seems happy to talk about her career.
Macy: I’m a style influencer and consultant to some of the biggest celebrities.
Mason: That sounds like a fun job. What about you, Londyn?
Londyn: Nothing as glamorous as wifey here.
Mase detects a little animosity.
Londyn: I’m a handy person. If something breaks at your house, call me up.
Londyn glances over at Macy.
Londyn: I hope you don’t eat with your mouth open like that in front of your clients.
Macy: How am I supposed to eat if I can’t open my mouth?
The tension between Londyn and Macy is thick, like two people who just spent some time arguing but are now doing their best to hide it. It’s the perfect time for Mase to get a big swig of his wine. Zoe reaches for her glass at the same time.
Londyn’s attention is back on Mase.
Londyn: I’m glad you could join us for dinner. It was very nice putting a face to everything we’ve already heard about you.
Mason: Thanks for inviting me.
Londyn: You’re welcome. Zo says you two have plans after you leave. We don’t want to hold you up.
Mase and Zo are both glad to hear that. Everyone grabs their things and leaves the table. After some last-minute ‘goodbyes’ and ‘nice to meet yous, ’ Zo and Mase leave the restaurant. Once they are safely outside –
Zoe: Sorry about those two. Believe it or not, despite how they sometimes behave- they love each other.
Mason: Nothing can get you riled up like family.
Zoe: True
Mase and Zoe’s plans for celebrating New Year’s Eve include an evening at the Windenburg Inn, as Mase’s brother Wade suggested. Mase and Zoe are thrilled to finally spend some significant alone time together. They take a selfie, then enter the bar just in time for the New Year’s countdown.
Zoe and Mason: *together* Five, four, three, two—one! Happy New Year!
They share a kiss in celebration.
Mason: Ready to see our room?
Zoe: That’s why we’re here. Right?
Mase is almost overcome with nerves as he leads Zoe up the stairs. This could be it, he and Zoe’s first time woo-hooing. They talked about it and agreed that it’s time. But now that it’s finally going to happen, Mase wishes he had asked Dub more about the actual process.
But as they enter the room, he realizes that it’s the first time for both of them. Zoe is just as inexperienced as he is. They can learn whatever they need to know together. They sit on an ottoman at the foot of the bed and snuggle for a while.
Mason: I’m glad this moment is finally here. I couldn’t imagine it being with anyone but you.
Zoe: Yeah, me too.
Mason: Are you okay? Any second thoughts?
Zoe: No. I love you, Mase, and I want to do this.
Mason: I love you too.
They kiss and hold each other before finally taking their time to undress and climb onto the bed.
Mason: You are incredibly beautiful, and I’m lucky to be here with you.
Zoe: Thank you. You’re beautiful, too.
Mase and Zoe climb under the covers and spend the first part of the New Year in each other’s arms.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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