Never let you go

Chapter 67

Grey:

Sam drives us home in her car and the nearly four hour car ride wasn't as bad with Hunter with me. I was still anxious and terrified but I managed to get through it without any medication. I could tell that Hunter was feeling the same type of things that I was and I think that helped me to be brave. It was nice having someone to be scared with.

When we pull up to my large house on our private road I feel nerves bubble up inside me. I tell myself to breathe and remain calm but it's difficult. I can't believe I'm doing this. I hope my parents approve of Hunter the way Ashley did. I think they will, but of course there is always that irrational fear that they won't. I'm not sure what I'll do if that happens. I'm trying not to think about it as Sam puts the car in park.

"You okay?" Hunter asks as he holds me close to his side in the backseat. I nod because I can't manage much else.

He doesn't say anything else as he opens the car door and then holds out his hand to me to help me out. I take it graciously hating being an inch away from him for even an instant. We walk around to the back of the car and he grabs our bags from the trunk. Sam quickly hugs both of us goodbye and tells us that she'll see us later. I appreciate how she is giving Hunter and me this time alone with my parents. I know they'll understand too why she didn't stick around to say hello.

As Hunter and I walk towards the front door I appreciate how he hasn't mentioned how large my house is like countless others have. I could care less how big my house it. I mean of course I appreciate living in it, but I just hate the way I was able to afford it. I think Hunter understands that and that's why he doesn't mention it.

I pause in front of the doorway just like I always do and Hunter just squeezes my hand reassuringly. I look over at him and as our eyes lock together I feel a sense of calmness come over me and it gives me the strength to open the door.

"We're home!" I yell quietly into the large foyer.

My mom and dad immediately round around the corner as soon as they hear me and I wonder if they had been hiding there and waiting for my signal that the coast was clear.

"Grey!" my mom yells happily as she quickly walks towards me and I reluctantly let go of Hunter's hand so I can hug her. I do have to admit though it feels good to be in her arms again.

"Hey mom" I say quietly but happily.

Once she releases me I hug my father as he wraps me in his big strong arms. I missed him too. He's not much of a talker but his calm and stoic exterior has always been a pleasant constant in my life. Besides, he's always been there for me when I've needed him and he has always supported me.

"Hey daddy" I whisper into his ear.

"Welcome home baby" he whispers back to me and he sounds like he's holding back tears, but that can't be right. My father doesn't cry. I've only seen him cry twice in my life, when I woke up from the accident and the day I slit my wrist.

As I pull away and look into his eyes I can see that he seems to be holding it together but I have a sneaking suspicion as to why he is getting choked up as I see him glance in Hunter's direction. I never really thought too much about what a big deal this must be for them too. Their daughter was finally moving forward and dating someone new.

I take a step back and grab Hunter's hand as I look up at him and smile. He seems to be calm but I know him well enough to know that he is secretly freaking out on the inside. I can't say I blame him. After looking at him one last time I take a deep breath and say, "Mom, dad this is Hunter. My boyfriend."

My mom is the one to step forward first and she offers Hunter a warm smile and I exhale a breath I had been holding. "It's so nice to meet you Hunter" she says warmly as she moves to hug him. "Grey has told us so much about you."

It's true I had been talking to my mom more and more about Hunter over this past month since he met my sister. I figured it was time I started opening up to her again about what was going on in my life. She was happy for me.

As I watch Hunter hug my mother I fight the urge to laugh and cry. I want to laugh because watching Hunter who is over six feet tall hug my barely five foot mother is pretty funny, and I want to cry because I'm so grateful she seems to be accepting him with open arms and because this moment reminds me a little of the first time my mom met Jason. It's all making me a little sentimental.

My father steps forward next and he holds out his hand to Hunter who accepts it willingly. I'm predicting my father is going to say something intimidating like he usually does to any boy who seems to be showing an interest in either of his daughters (Ashley more so than me since I only ever had the one boy), but he doesn't. Instead he says, "It's nice to meet you Hunter. It's nice to meet the boy who is making my daughter smile again."

I feel tears form in my eyes again and I fight to hold them in. I was not expecting that from my dad and I don't think my mom was either because I see tears forming in her eyes as well.

Hunter nods and offers my father a gentle smile. "Thank you sir, it's nice to meet you too. Both of you" he says as he looks over at my mother. "I've been waiting a long time to meet the people responsible for Grey's existence and I just wanted to say thank you to both of you for raising such an amazing woman. I'd be lost without her."

As he looks over at me a tear slips out of my eye and down my cheek. He really did have a way with words and by looking at him you would have no idea that he could be this sweet. I was so lucky to know him. I'm so lucky to love him.

My mother is tearing up too but she quickly wipes at her eyes to cover it up and then she says, "Come on, let's get you two settled in."