Without warning, I reached down and gave her ass a hard smack.
"That's for spray painting my car," I said.
Her breath hitched, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. "You're such a caveman."
"Caveman? How about this?" I said, smacking her...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Esmeralda's POV
The days that followed our conversation with Caleb's dad were a whirlwind of emotions. I felt lighter, unburdened by the weight of secrets, yet apprehensive about what lay ahead. Caleb and I had made a promise to each other, and now we were preparing to confront my mother—a formidable force when it came to family matters.
As I paced the living room, I couldn't help but replay the moments we shared. The softness of Caleb's touch, the way he looked at me as if I were the only person in the world, the sweet weight of his confession, "I love you." It resonated deep within me, a melody that drowned out the noise of doubt.
"Are you ready for this?" Caleb asked, breaking me out of my reverie. He stood by the door, looking as handsome as ever, his expression a mix of determination and concern.
I nodded, forcing a smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
"Then let's go."
With a shared glance that ignited a rush of warmth, we stepped out into the cool afternoon. The walk to my house felt like an eternity, each step echoing my racing heart. I could feel the butterflies churning in my stomach, the uncertainty hanging over us like a storm cloud.
When we arrived, my mother was in the kitchen, her back turned as she ordered the cooks who were preparing dinner. The smell of roasted vegetables and herbs filled the air, a comfort amidst the tension. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding against my ribcage, as I called out, "Mom, can we talk for a minute?"
She turned, surprise flickering in her eyes as she took in the sight of us together. "Sure, sweetheart. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything's fine," I assured her, though I could feel the tremor in my voice. "Caleb and I need to tell you something important."
Her brows knitted together in concern, and I stepped closer, intertwining my fingers with Caleb's for strength. I could feel his warmth radiating through our joined hands, grounding me.
"Okay, what is it?" she asked, her tone shifting to one of curiosity.
"We're together," I stated, trying to keep my voice steady. "As in... a couple."
Silence enveloped the room, thick and suffocating. My mother's eyes darted between us, disbelief written all over her face. "You're what?"
"Mom, we're in love," I clarified, my heart racing. "We know this is unconventional—"
"Unconventional? Esme, you're step-siblings! This is serious!" she interjected, her voice rising with concern.
"We understand that," Caleb said, his voice calm yet firm. "But our feelings are real. We care about each other deeply. I love her."
The weight of his confession hung in the air, and I could see the conflict warring within my mother. Her expression softened slightly, but uncertainty still lingered. "I just want what's best for you both. You have to understand, this complicates everything. What will people think?"
"Mom, I don't care about what people think," I said, my voice gaining strength. "Caleb makes me happy, and I want to be with him. Isn't that what matters?"
She took a step back, crossing her arms as she processed my words. I could feel the tension rising, my heart hammering in my chest as I waited for her response.
"Esmeralda, I raised you to be strong, to make your own choices," she finally said, her voice softer. "But this... this is not something I can easily accept. You have to understand the implications. Our families... they are intertwined."
"I know, but we can make this work," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my tone. "We want to try. I want to try."
Caleb squeezed my hand tighter, his presence a constant source of support. "We're ready to face whatever comes our way, together. We just need your support, Mom."
My mother's expression shifted, a mix of concern and resignation. "I need time to think about this. You're my daughter, and I just want to protect you."
"I understand," I said, my heart heavy but hopeful. "Just know that I love him. I want to be with him, no matter what."
With that, I felt a wave of vulnerability wash over me. I was laying my heart bare, and all I could do was wait for my mother's reaction.
After a long moment of silence, she nodded slowly, her expression softening. "I can't promise I'll accept this right away, but I'll think about it. Just... be careful, okay?"
Relief flooded through me, and I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around her. "Thank you, Mom. I love you."
As I pulled back, I glanced at Caleb, who wore a soft smile, pride and affection shining in his eyes. I knew we had a long way to go, but this was just the beginning.
Later that night, as Caleb and I sat on my bed, the moonlight casting a gentle glow around us, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. We had taken the first step toward being honest with our families, and despite the challenges ahead, I was determined to face them with Caleb by my side.
"I love you, Esme," he said, his voice low and sincere, sending shivers down my spine.
"I love you too, Caleb. Always," I replied, leaning in for a kiss, knowing that together we could overcome anything—even the complexities of our blended family.
As we wrapped ourselves in each other's arms, I felt a warmth spread through me, a deep sense of belonging that I had never known before. Whatever the future held, I was ready to embrace it—step-siblings in love, defying the odds, and writing our own story together.
