Yes, Sir

4.8

•- Laine Bennett -•

I stop in front of Austin's door and let out a tired huff. After an eventful day spent with the world's most beautiful best friends, I was finally able to collapse next to Austin.

I bring my fist to the door as my other hand rests on the handle of my packed suitcase. I'd been too lazy to rip the tags off my clothes and half of my belongings shoved inside were unfolded and compiled with no order.

As I knock, the sound of small padding feet against the hardwood floors draws my attention. There was no way Austin was alone, and although that could seem rather fishy, I knew better.

Austin pulls open the door and monotone look crosses his face.

"Hi?" I ask more than say, and before I know it, two familiar faces leap from around Austin as the door flings open wider.

"Lainey, surprise!" Clover screams as she runs into my legs. She was much smaller than I remembered. But still as beautiful as ever.

I fall down to the floor and embrace Graham and Clover in a tight embrace. "I missed you guys!" I announce as their thick brown hair covers my face.

"We missed you too!" Graham replies as he squeezes me one last time before retreating back to beside Austin.

"Did you get our Christmas presents?" Clover asks as she jumps.

I realized almost immediately that I'd purchased them both something today and it was bound to be in my bag somewhere. I intended to leave them here and just have Chris or Eric deliver them when they came to clean out Austin's I kept fridge while we're away, so I genuinely lucked out.

"I did! They were beautiful. You two are absolutely adorable. Thank you," I smile as Clover wraps one arm around my shoulder, "And conveniently, I have your gifts right in my bag," I wink, causing them to squeal excitedly.

"Can we have them? Can we? Can we?" Graham leaps excitedly.

I nod my head gently as I drop my arms from around Clover's petite waist. "If you give me five minutes I'll get them for you," I smile, causing the two to bolt from our conversation and over to their dads to announce their news.

I stand from my crouching position and face Austin. He smiles fondly at me as he rests a hand on my hip. He pulls my body ever so slightly and presses a soft peck to my lips, resulting in another, and another.

"PDA!" Chris screams, causing Austin to turn around and nearly flip him off before realizing children were in the vicinity.

Once he turns back to me, a playful smile crosses his lips. I raise my eyebrow curiously, but that doesn't result in anything as he takes the suitcase from my hand and uses his free hand to take my own.

He guides me inside and as we stop in front of the island, I'm pulled into an immediate hug from Eric.

"It's been far too long, Laines," he sighs as he squeezes me gently.

I haven't met a handful of Austin's family, but Chris and Eric were the most thoughtful and amazing men. They'd given Austin a good life as far I was concerned, and they gathered their two children with pride and love. It was hard to say how the rest of his family behaved, but this group had brought me a sense of home every time I stepped through a door and met them.

"I agree," I laugh as I hug the man back.

Chris loops around the island and takes me from Eric. "We're so undeniably sorry for your loss, Lainey. However, it shaped you into the woman we all love so dearly," he sighs, parting slowly, "But we're sorry that the news leaked especially. You deserve so much more, my sweet Lainey. But I guess you really aren't part of the family without a headlined name."