The Weight of Family

Normally Skylor wouldn't have clocked out so early but tonight was different. It was special; or at least it was for Kai, for her it was the most stressful thing ever. It was one thing to meet your boyfriend's parents but when his parents and your own were enemies it was excruciatingly worse. Dusting the flour off her hands and hanging up her apron she took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what lay ahead. Skylor knew this meeting was bound to happen eventually, but she'd hoped for a little more time—time to figure out how to explain the family history, time to prepare for any awkward confrontations that might arise. But Kai was persistent, and as much as she loved him, his confidence was both comforting and terrifying right now. Grabbing her coat she walked outside where Kai was leaning against his car waiting for her. Kai looked up as she approached, his trademark grin widening as he took in her anxious expression. "You look like you're headed to a battlefield," he teased, reaching out to pull her into a hug.

Skylor managed a tight smile, wrapping her arms around him. "It kind of feels like one," she admitted. "I mean... Kai, what if they can't look past the family history? What if—" she paused, biting her lip, unsure how to finish.

Kai brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his eyes warm and reassuring. "Hey, my parents aren't going to care about any of that. You're not your father, Skylor. You're you. And that's what they'll see. Skylor the beautiful, badass noodle cook." Skylor couldn't help but let out a small laugh, feeling a bit of the tension melt away at Kai's words. His optimism was infectious, even if she wasn't sure she could fully believe it herself. She stepped back, taking a deep breath as if trying to inhale some of Kai's confidence.

"Okay," she said, trying to steady herself. "But if your mom or dad starts talking about my dad's... past, promise you'll step in?"

Kai gave her a mock salute. "I've got your back, General." Then, softening, he added, "Besides, I already told them about your dad. They know you had no choice in following him and that you chose a different path. You're not responsible for his actions."

Skylor's shoulders relaxed a little more. Kai's parents knew—and they still agreed to meet her. That was reassuring. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was about who she was now, not who her father had been. Still, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that tonight would dredge up ghosts she'd long since tried to bury.

The drive was quite safe for the radio which had been adjusted to a lower volume to avoid any more distractions than necessary. Skylor glanced out the window, watching the city lights blur past, each one reminding her of the countless memories she shared with her father, both good and bad. She tried to shake them off, focusing instead on the steady hum of Kai's car and his hand resting on hers, grounding her.

Kai must have sensed her tension because he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You know," he started, his tone soft, "my mom was actually pretty excited to meet you. She made a big dinner and everything—probably enough to feed a small army."

Skylor let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "I guess that's comforting," she admitted. "Though I'm not sure I'll be able to eat much with all these nerves."

Kai chuckled. "Well, my mom won't take no for an answer. Once she starts piling food on your plate, you're done for. She once made too much food for even Cole to finish off, and you know that's saying something." Skylor couldn't help but smile at the thought, her nerves easing slightly at the image of Kai's mom fussing over everyone with piles of food. It sounded so... normal. Like a family she might actually want to be part of.

Once they had finally arrived in Ignacia the sun had started to set, casting a golden hue over the many rice fields. The view was breathtaking, but it also reminded Skylor just how far she was stepping into Kai's world. She'd always thought of Ignacia as a place she only heard about in passing—a distant realm of warmth, fire, and a proud lineage that rivaled her own family's, albeit for very different reasons.