Connor's childhood home in Forest Hill smells like roast beef, rosemary, and impending doom.
Hudson is wearing the most conservative outfit he owns: navy blazer, white button-up, khakis that actually fit, hair tamed with enough product to survive a hurricane.
He still looks like he's about to walk the green carpet at the Teen Choice Awards. Connor's mom, Theresa, opens the door and immediately pulls Hudson into a hug so tight his spine cracks.
"Finally! The famous Hudson! You're even prettier in person."
Hudson squeaks, "Thank you, Mrs. Storrie."
Connor, behind him, mutters, "Mom, oxygen."
Theresa waves him off. "I birthed you, I get to embarrass you. It's the rules of this house."
Inside:
- Dad (Mike) at the grill, pretending he's not freaking out
- Little sister Ava (16) live-streaming on TikTok the second they walk in
- Nana Storrie (82, Italian, zero filter) sitting at the head of the table like the Godfather
Nana takes one look at Hudson and announces, "Bellissimo. You picked a good one, Connor. Nice hips. Strong babies."
Hudson's soul leaves his body and ascends directly to the CN Tower.
Dinner is served.
The interrogation begins.
Dad: "So, Hudson… that photo. Was it planned?"
Hudson opens his mouth.
Connor: "Dad."
Dad: "I'm just asking!"
Ava, not looking up from her phone: "Half the comments on my TikTok are asking if you're adopting me."
Theresa: "Ava, put the phone down."
Ava: "Never."
Nana slams her wine glass like a gavel. "Enough. I have questions."
Everyone freezes.
Nana leans forward. "Who tops?"
Theresa gasps. Mike drops a potato. Ava screams, "NANA, SAME ENERGY!"
Hudson makes a noise like a kettle about to explode.
Connor pinches the bridge of his nose. "Nana, we're not—"
"Answer the question, Connor Matteo Storrie."
Hudson, voice two octaves higher than usual: "It's… fluid?"
Nana nods approvingly. "Good. Versatility is important. My third husband was verse and we never had problems."
Mike whispers, "Mom, please."
Theresa is crying laughing into her napkin.
—
Ava stands up. "Okay, I made a presentation."
She connects her phone to the TV.
Title slide: "Connor + Hudson: A Saga (by your favorite sister)"
Slide 1: the original leaked photo
Slide 2: Good Morning America butter slip
Slide 3: Chicago penalty-box security footage (blurred but not enough)
Slide 4: Miami baby-oil carry
Slide 5: the Fallon blindfold kiss
Caption on every slide: "My brother is a WHORE and I have PROOF."
Connor tries to tackle her. Ava dodges. Hudson just sits there crimson, occasionally whispering, "I hate everything."
Time for dessert. Theresa brings out tiramisu. Nana pulls out a ring box from her purse.
Inside: two simple black bands.
"These were your nonno's. He wore one. I wore the other. When he died I kept both. Now I'm giving them to you."
Dead silence.
Nana: "You're getting married. I decided. I'm old, I get to decide things."
Hudson's eyes fill with actual tears.
Connor looks like he's been shot and proposed to at the same time.
Theresa: "Mom, they've been together, like, two weeks publicly—"
"Two weeks, ten years, same thing. Look at them. They're disgusting. It's love."
Ava is filming again. Live. 400k viewers.
They're supposed to stay the night but They did not.
At 10:37 p.m. Connor drags Hudson out to the driveway claiming "early flight."
The second the front door shuts behind them, Connor shoves Hudson against the rental SUV and kisses him like he's drowning.
Hudson is crying and laughing into the kiss. "Your nana just proposed for you."
Connor, forehead against his: "Say yes."
Hudson blinks. "What?"
Connor pulls one of the black bands out of his pocket (he stole it when no one was looking).
"Say yes."
Hudson's voice cracks. "Here? In your parents' driveway?"
"Better than a Jumbotron."
Hudson laughs so hard he snorts. "Yes. Obviously yes."
Connor slides the ring on Hudson's finger with shaking hands.
Hudson slides the second one on Connor.
They're both crying now. Ugly crying. Snot and everything.
Ava opens the front door and screams, "MOM THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED IN THE DRIVEWAY!"
The porch light flicks on.
The entire family piles out.
Phones up.
Nana is already planning the wedding.
Theresa is sobbing into Mike's shirt.
Ava's live has 1.2 million viewers and climbing.
Hudson hides his face in Connor's neck. "We're engaged and it's on TikTok Live."
Connor kisses his curls. "Welcome to the family, baby."
—
They're both staring at their rings like they're radioactive.
Hudson whispers, "We're getting married."
Connor grins so wide it hurts. "We're getting fucking married."
Hudson tackles him in the backseat the second the driver raises the privacy screen. They don't make it to the hotel bed until 3 a.m. Vancouver is tomorrow. Hudson's mom still has questions, and the NHL still has no idea they just accidentally got engaged on a 16-year-old's TikTok Live.