Soulmates

63

Once I was finished with the cake I joined everyone in the living room. I was trying to give them time as a family without me while I cleaned the kitchen up.

I felt bad that I was intruding on their family time even though they all reassured me that wasn't the case. I just knew they didn't have much time together so they deserved some alone time.

"So, Violet. Do you have any thanksgiving traditions?" Colby's mom asked as I sat on the couch next to Colby. "Umm...we would usually just cook all day. My dad made the best sweet potatoes. We would just spend time together and visit my grandma since she was in the nursing home." I said and aimlessly played with Colby's rings.

"Did you want to make your dad's sweet potatoes? That way a little piece of your family will be there tomorrow?" Colby's mom asked as I smiled. "I don't want to intrude." I said quietly. "For the last time, you're not intruding, V." Colby said as I looked up at him.

"I just don't want to force anyone to do anything special, ya know?  I'm a guest in your traditions." I defended as he leaned over and kissed my head. "Your parents should be involved though. Grams too." He said as I shrugged.

"Fine, I'll be happy to make the sweet potatoes. I'll also be happy to help in any way that I can." I said as Gage stood up. "Good, now that that's settled...I'm gonna get some cake." He said then left the room.

We ended up spending the next couple hours hanging out. We started watching home videos from when the boys were younger. They ranged from school science fairs to when they would make up dance routines in the garage with the neighborhood kids.

I loved hearing stories about Colby from his childhood, it made me feel like I was a little bit closer to him.

"Alright, well we have a big day tomorrow so I'm gonna head to bed." Colby's dad said as he stood up. "Me too, did you need anything before we go to bed?" Colby's mom said as she stood up. "We're good mom." Colby said as she smiled and went over to kiss him and Gage on the cheek.

"I missed you boys." She said which warmed my heart. You could tell how much she absolutely loved her sons and how much they adored her right back.

It was really cute.

Gage, Colby, and I stayed up for a little while longer before we all went to bed. Colby helped me get situated in the guest room.

"Are you sure you'll be okay in here?" He asked as I changed into my pajamas. "I'm sure. I slept without you for many years ya know." I said with a laugh as he came over and pulled me into his arms. "Yeah, but not right after getting kidnapped and married against your will." He said as I shrugged.

"It's been a couple weeks, I'm doing better now. Promise." I said then looked up at him as he held me. "Okay. Sleep well, beautiful." He said then kissed me. I melted into the kiss for a second, letting him just hold me.

When he pulled away I frowned slightly causing him to chuckle. "I'll see you in the morning." He said then kissed me quick one more time before walking out of the room.

I sighed then turned to get in the bed. It was actually really comfortable considering it wasn't a bed that people usually slept in, so I was able to fall asleep fairly quickly.

I walked downstairs to see Colby and his parents sitting at the table eating breakfast. "Good morning guys." I said causing them to look up. "Hey!" Colby said and opened his arms so he could hug me. "Are you excited for today?" He asked as his mom set down a plate of food for me. "Yeah." I said then looked down.

I looked down at the plate of mac and cheese which made my stomach turn slightly. It looked like the crusty mac and cheese that Peter would feed me.

"Thank you." I whispered then brought my shaking hand to the fork next to me. As I brought the macaroni to my mouth someone pounded on the door.

"Oh! They're here!" Colby's mom said then skipped to the door. I could feel the anxiety bubbling up as she opened the door to reveal a couple. "Come in! Oh, how have you been?!" Colby's mom exclaimed and hugged each of them as Colby and the rest of his family swarmed them.

I stood back and watched as they all hugged eachother, then felt my heart drop when I realized who it was.

"This is my girlfriend, Violet." Colby said as Daisy and Peter came over to me. "We know." Peter said then grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the house causing me to scream.

I bolted up, stopping the scream that was in my throat. I didn't realize that I was crying until tears dripped off of my face and onto my lap.

"Fuck." I breathed out and wiped my cheeks as I tried to catch my breath. I knew why I had the dream, but I guess it didn't help me get over it at all.

I got out of bed and shook my hands out, suddenly feeling very unsafe in my surroundings. I felt like an actual idiot that I couldn't sleep by myself without having a nightmare.

I wanted to just be normal.

I felt the sudden feeling of someone watching me as I looked around the room. "He's in jail. He's in jail." I whispered to myself as my eyes darted through every detail of the room.

I was fully panicking at this point though.

I found myself looking around the room for a while as the paranoia kicked in. I unfortunately needed Colby to help me get through this.

I quietly walked out of the room and went down the hallway before making it to his room. When I got there I quietly opened the door to see Colby sleeping in his bed.

I sighed then walked over and crawled into bed with him, causing him to stir. "Hmmm." He mumbled as he started to wake up. "Sorry." I whispered as he opened his eyes and frowned. "You okay?" He asked as I shook my head. "Woah, hey..what's going on?" He whispered and sat up, pulling me into him.

"Just the paranoia." I said and snuggled into his chest. "I know it's hard, just breathe." He whispered as I nodded and tried to breathe.

"Can I stay here?" I whispered as he nodded. "Of course." He said then kissed my head.

We sat like that for a while before I pulled away. "Did you want to talk about it?" Colby asked and rubbed his eyes. "I just had a nightmare about meeting your family." I said as he frowned.

"V, they're gonna love you." He said and brushed my hair from my forehead. "I hope so." I said as he chuckled. "I know so, they're gonna think you're so strong and smart and beautiful and they're gonna ask me how I got such an amazing girl to love me." He said causing me to laugh.

"You're such a dork." I said as he shook his head. "Just being honest." He said as I nodded. "They won't be Daisy and Peter, or at least I would hope not." I said as he frowned. "Was that your dream?" He asked as I nodded. "They're in jail. Both of them. You don't have to worry about them." He said as I nodded.

"I know. My subconscious just can't let it go." I said quietly. "Well you suffered two very traumatic things from them, it's gonna take a while to get through it." He said as I nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I'll be okay." I said then cupped his cheek and kissed him.

"Let's go to bed." I said as he nodded. "You're okay?" He asked as we got situated in the full sized bed. "I'll be okay." I said and laid my head on his chest. "Wake me if you have another nightmare." He said then kissed my head.

"Okay. Goodnight, I love you." I said and closed my eyes. "I love you too." He said then reached over and turned the light off.

I laid against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. I knew my subconscious was being ridiculous and I hated feeling so weak but Colby was right.

What happened to me was going to be with me for a long time, just like when my parents died. I was going to get through it but it was going to take a while.

It was okay though, because I was strong.

I was going to get through this.