Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 51~

~Raelyn~

~June 13th~

About a month later, Me and colby were headed to Kansas to meet his family. We packed up our stuff and woke up the next morning. The anticipation bubbled inside me like a champagne toast waiting to happen.

Meeting Colby's family was a milestone in our relationship, a step closer to understanding the layers of his life. I felt a cocktail of emotions—nervous jitters because first impressions were crucial, yet a buzzing excitement to embrace the warmth of his mom and siblings. Colby's stories painted them as embodiments of kindness, a stark contrast to the shadow cast by his father's reputation.

The incident in the bunker had shaken me and knowing I wouldn't have to face Colby's father was a secret relief. I didn't need to confront the source of my fears, not on this trip. My heart was lighter, unburdened by the dread of meeting him. Instead, I could focus on the positive—the loving embrace of a family I hoped to call my own one day.

As I packed, each item was a token of hope, a silent wish for acceptance and belonging. The flight to Kansas City was a bridge between my old life and this new chapter, each mile a thread weaving me closer into Colby's world. I was ready to meet the people who shaped the man I loved, ready to understand the puzzle that made Colby who he was—except for the piece that was his father, who I was content to leave missing.

~Colby~

The Kansas plains stretched out beneath us as the plane began its descent, a quilt of greens and browns that promised a different kind of warmth than the one we knew in LA. Raelyn's hand was a gentle weight on mine, her eyes wide with a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Hey, Rae," I whispered, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're going to love them. And they're going to love you."

She offered me a tentative smile, her voice barely above a murmur. "I know, Colby. I just... what if they don't?" She fiddled with the hem of her baggy sweatshirt that concealed her baby bump well.

"They will," I said firmly. "Mom's been asking about you non-stop. Kalani and Gigi too. And Daisy's going to adore you."

The mention of Daisy seemed to brighten her up a bit. "I can't wait to meet your niece. She looks so cute in the photos."

As we touched down and made our way through the small airport, I could feel Raelyn's tension. I couldn't blame her; meeting your boyfriend's family is daunting enough without a history like ours. But I was determined to make this a good memory for both of us.

We grabbed our bags and headed for the exit, the Kansas air greeting us with a gentle breeze. "You ready for this?" I asked as we approached the car rental.

Raelyn nodded, her resolve setting in. "Let's do it."

~

The drive to my mom's house was filled with an easy silence, the kind that comes when you're comfortable just being with someone. As we pulled up to the familiar house, my heart started to race. This was it.

"Colby!" My mom's voice rang out as she came barreling down the porch steps, her arms open wide. "And you must be Raelyn!"

Raelyn was out of the car in an instant, wrapped up in my mom's embrace. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Brock."

"Please, call me Lesa," Mom insisted, pulling back to look at Rae with tear-brimmed eyes. "I've heard so much about you."

Gigi and Zane emerged from the house and next was Kalani, bouncing Daisy on her hip. Kalani said beamingly. "Hey Colby!" I smiled and came up to hug her. "Hey K!"