𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎 ~ 𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚕𝚢𝚗 𝚊𝚞

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎: 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎

"Mom!" Ashlyn called through her mom's house in Salt Lake City. "We're here!"

"Great!" Ms. Caswell came over, giving each Ashlyn and Big Red a hug. "Come on in."

"Thanks for letting us crash here tonight." Big Red, following Ashlyn, walked inside and set down the few bags they had already gotten out of his car. They settled in the living room, Ashlyn's arm quickly going around his waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Anytime! Why are you here on such short notice? Anything special?"

"No, I just needed a break." Ashlyn started. "I've been super busy lately. I missed everybody. And Salt Lake just gives me a sense of privacy."

"Gonna catch up with anybody?"

"Yeah, a few friends. Biggie's family. Probably dad." She replied. Big Red rubbed her back, aware how much her parents' divorce, while almost five years ago, had affected her. "I'm off work for awhile."

"Sounds fun!"

"Yeah."

"So how have you guys been?" Ms. Caswell asked.

"A little overwhelmed lately, but our relationship is..." Ashlyn started.

"Amazing." He finished, ruffling her hair. She giggled under her breath.

"I'm glad, you're practically family."

"He is family." Ashlyn corrected, winking at him. "Even if he doesn't have the guts to propose."

"Ash."

"I kid, I kid. Someday."

"Someday." He nodded, resting against her. They caught up with her mom for awhile longer, before eventually heading to his parents' house.

They caught up with his parents. They discussed the past few months, because it had been quite some time since either couple visited the other.

Eventually, the two went out for coffee. They enjoyed the alone time, as well as revisiting one of their favorite local coffee shops. Hands interlocked, they conversed.

"Thank you so much for pushing me to take time off. I needed it." Ashlyn smiled. "It's great to be home."

"I'm glad it feels good. I think you could use a break."

"I love you." She mumbled, planting a kiss on his neck.

"I love you more." He kissed the top of her head. "Ash?"

"Mhm?"

"My parents, while you were in the bathroom, asked me if I had any plans to propose. Um... should I?"

"Babe, I don't care. We'll get married at some point."

"I'm not sure now is the time..." he admitted quietly.

"I agree. We're in a weird time. I want things to be really good."

"Me too. You always get it."

"We're soulmates." She shrugged. "Hey, uh..."

"Yeah?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"We should visit my dad, shouldn't we?"

"I guess. You want me there?"

"He's gonna have to deal with it. You're family wether he likes it or not."

"Which he doesn't." Big Red pointed out.

"He likes you..."

"He doesn't like us."

"It's rude not to visit, isn't it? I mean, I love him. It's just annoying he doesn't really like you... as a partner for me." She specified. "He does like you as a person."

"He puts up with me as a person, he doesn't actually like me."

"Let's just... you don't have to come."

"No, I will. Even if he hates me for last year."

"Yeah... maybe making out in the guest room on Christmas Eve wasn't the best choice." She blushed.

"I mean, no regrets." He kissed her neck again.

"That's not true."

"Fine, I wish your dad liked me."

"It doesn't matter what he thinks." She assured him, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Come. It'll be okay. We won't stay too long." She offered. He nodded. "I know Seb's in town, Eej and Gina, and Kourt and Howie."

"Where's Carlos?"

"Out of town." She answered. "So we should catch up with everybody."

"Yeah."

"Especially considering the last day EJ and Gina were in LA they were hungover and I was having a mental breakdown." She tried to make a joke, one which didn't land.

"Hey, you're good." He rubbed her back lightly.

"I know." She smiled lightly. She turned to him, giving him a gentle kiss on the lips, before they both went back to their drinks.