Risk & Reward

Thirty-Six

"For the record." Shi turns to Calum as she switches the ignition to off. "This was not how I planned on you meeting my family."

"I didn't assume it was." Calum chuckles, looking far too large for the small car they drove to Bakersfield in. "But, it is how it's happening and your safety matters to me, Shi. So this is how it will be, and that's okay."

"Ya. Come on."' She sighs, taking a deep calming breath before pushing out of the car, Calum doing likewise.

"Hey." Calum grabs her by the waist as she heads past him towards the front door, curling her into his body easily. "I'm on your side, and I love you, baby. We're going to figure this out, together."

"Thank you." She nods, toeing up slightly to kiss him.

"You're the strongest person I know, Shi. You're going to get through this, and you're going to do it with grace and poise."

"And some tears I'm sure." She laughs.

"One more dance and one more cry, forever." Calum smirks.

"Endlessly in love with you." She nods, a knowing smile playing at her lips.

"Come on, we have things to figure out." Calum nudges her, getting her back to focused on getting inside.

"Welcome to my childhood home, I still spend like half my time here." Her tone has lightened some, but the worry is still present in her expression.

"Shi!" Calum is surprised by just how high pitch the squeal is. Two small people barreling into them as soon as they step across the threshold.

"I was only in LA for five days." Shi laughs for real this time, hugging tightly who Calum can now see are her little sisters.

"Too long! I lost a whole tooth while you were gone." The younger of the two states, making Calum chuckle. The small girl's eyes are immediately drawn to him, brows creasing in a way that makes him feel on the spot. "And who are you?"

"Arianna, that was rude." Calum glances up to see a man near his height with dark hair but similar light eyes to Shi walk into the room. His educated guess would be to assume this man is Paul, and despite the fact that he's got laugh lines and graying sideburns, Calum is pretty sure this man could get rid of him if he wanted to.

"Ari, Lexi, Paul. This is my boyfriend, Calum." Shi's hand hits his chest softly as she turns to beam up at him, pride in her eyes that pulls on something deep in his chest.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound mean." Ari offers softly, looking down at her feet and rocking slightly as she does.

Calum can't help but crouch down, tipping her chin up with a light touch. "I appreciate your apology, but I am also very protective of Shilo, so I understand." He adds a wink with the last part, grinning back as her small face splits wide with one.

"I like him." She declares loudly as he stands back up, latching herself, to his surprise, onto his arm.

"I like his horse shoe tattoo." Lexi finally speaks, and though an odd first statement, Calum takes it as a good sign.

"He doesn't have horses, so you don't have to ask." Shi laughs. "Lexi loves riding and goes to classes twice a week at a local stable." She adds for his benefit.

"Dang it..." Lexi almost looks disappointed.

"It's nice to meet you finally, Calum. Shilo's told us a lot about you." Paul finally greets him properly, holding out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you guys too, Shi talks so highly of you and your family." He shakes Paul's hand, noticing how firm a grip he has.

"So what's the plan?" Shi asks quickly once the introductions are done.