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10

As we walked out of the courthouse and into the car, I had no words to describe what had just happened. Buckling up my seatbelt, I began to cry, tears streaming down my face.

"Aria?!" Josh asked urgently, concerned.

"These are happy tears." I laughed. Josh bought his hand to my face gently and used his thumb to swipe away the falling tears. 

"You're happy?" Josh asked.

I nodded. "Thank you so much." I cried, more tears streaming down my face.

"Oh Aria," Josh chuckled, pulling me into a hug. "It's okay."

As I wiped away the rest of my tears, Josh spoke up.

"Ready to meet my family? Or should I say — our family?"

Knocking on the door of Josh's family's home, I was nervous.

"Will they even like me?" I asked.

"Aria, what type of question is that? Of course they will." Josh said. 

"Are you sure?"

"They'll love you. You'll be friends with my sisters in no time. You'll be taking their clothes, singing around the house, you'll be besties."

"Is there a list of things you should never say again?"

"No, why?"

"Because besties should be on there."

"I knew I liked you for a reason."

"Josh! Oh and Ali isn't it?" A woman answered the door.

"Aria." I smiled shyly.

"Oh I'm sorry, Aria."

"Aria, this is Ashley. Ashley, Aria."

"Hi." I smiled.

"Come in you two. Mom's cooking lunch."

Josh's house was big. There were pictures all over the walls, family portraits, and some awards too.

"Joshua! Aria!" We were suddenly engulfed in a hug, knocking the breath from my lungs. I grabbed onto Josh's shirt quickly.

"Woah, mom, stop, calm down!" Josh raised his voice the slightest bit.

I could feel myself breathing heavily from the shock as I hid behind Josh so I wouldn't be almost tackled to the ground again.

"Mom, I'll be there in a second. Hold on a moment." Josh waited for his mother to leave before he turned around and sat down, pulling me down beside him.

"I'm sorry." I choked out, placing my head in my hands.

"No, don't be sorry. You're not the only one." Josh grabbed my hand and placed it against his chest, so I could feel his heart. It was beating just as fast as mine.

I sighed, almost happily. I felt more normal.

"Did mom attack you guys?" A pretty girl who resembled Josh quite a lot turned the corner and saw us sitting there.

Josh nodded, pushing hair out of his face.

"Josh," she tilted her head and narrowed her eyes in question. "Have you been taking your anxiety medication?"

"Not for the past two days, and Abbi, please don't make a big deal about it. I got told off by Tyler enough today for it, I don't need you on my back. Thank you for looking out for me, but I've had more important things to focus on. It's only natural that I might've forgotten."