Family Troubles || Redlyn

Dating

Ashlyn's POV

"Hey!" Big Red sat next to me on my porch. "Ready to go?"

"Not really." I said honestly, not feeling like going on a date.

"Oh. Why?"

"Because of my parents."

"What happened?" He put his arm around me.

"A lot." I sighed, leaning onto his shoulder. "My dad's dating again."

"Oh, I'm sorry..." He hugged me tighter.

"And apparently my mom and Emmett have been together a month now, and apparently he has two kids."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Hey, I'm really sorry." He kissed my forehead. "I honestly don't know what to say, but I promise things will get better. And I'm always right here."

"Thank you." I hugged him silently for a few minutes. "Now... let's go out?"

"You ready to? Because we can talk."

"I... I think so." I nodded.

"Let's switch up our plans a little, then?"

"Sure."

"Come on." He held my hand and stood up.

"Thank you. This was a good idea." I said, holding onto Big Red's hand as we walked through the park.

"Of course. Calm seemed like the better choice today."

"Yeah, I think it is." I smiled. "I love you."

"Love you Ash."

"It's actually a little too calm." I whispered to Big Red, breaking the silence. "Leaves me alone with my thoughts."

"Never alone." He pulled me into his arms. "But I know what you mean."

"It's just all so weird."

"I know, I know." He rubbed my back. "It's alright..."

"I don't want to meet a bunch of people. I want my parents to be happy, I just wish they were happy together."

"Let's not dwell on that, okay? They are split up, as horrible as I'm sure that is. I think it's just worse if you keep thinking about the past. Focus on now, alright? Not what their relationships could be later, not how it used to be."

"I'll try." I nodded weakly. "It's hard."

"You're gonna be okay Ash. I know you, and I know you will."

"Thank you." We kissed. "And sorry for making our date so dull."

"Never worry about that, alright? You come first, don't worry about disappointing me."