- the sound of which spoke louder and clearer than I could with the lump in my throat.

- never felt right… until now… And that realisation should frighten me. I should want to run… but I closed my eyes, my hands moved to hold him as we began to move in time with the music. Not saying another word because he’s picked the perfect song… -

- in the mirror and saw that lost girl with empty eyes looking back?

Collin always knew he belonged, and even with that some part of him kept looking for a face in the sea of people. Never finding the one that fit… and me… I was lost and walking in a live that -

- I always needed to love, to live in search for a part of me that always felt lost. And I never knew if I would be able to live without moving from place to place. And now… when had been the last time I’d even considered leaving? About running? When was the last time I looked at myself -

- called to rejoin them downstairs, but I couldn’t stop my mind and heart from jumping back in time.

How often had I had this conversation with my dad, or Jenna, and Kenz. How many time had I told them how I felt that I didn’t belong. How my feet never felt stable on the ground at Thompson. -

I hadn’t expected the windfall of emotions and realisations to flood me. However, here we stood. How lips brushed mine, and sure there was a small part of me that was fully aware that we were standing in Collin’s parents home. And that any moment now we could be -

- which to describe the warmth in my heart. Until….

“Wait… who are you imagining in this home with you?” Until his words rang true in my mind again.

‘𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪.’

“Me…. You imagine me in this home with you and Nova?”

- Who thinks that far ahead for a person who isn’t even in their life yet.” It was a rhetorical question. “Someone who has a dream they want to share.” Biting the corner of my lip, my hands moved to rest over his around my waist. “I just…” I couldn’t find the words in -

- Right?” It came so naturally to tease and play with him.

Everything came so naturally and without for thought. And not in a bad way too.

“It’s beautiful, Collin…” eyes moving over the aspects he highlighted. “The location, the design, the porch, even the garage. -

- So much thought had gone into it, the changes he’d made over the time span made me smile to myself.

“Uhm…” leaning back into his hold, resting my head into his as he held me. “What you mean to say is ‘That is the only correct way for spices to be kept.’ -

Why did those words make my heart flutter like a million butterflies were ready to fly freely? Was it the meaning behind them? Or was it his close proximity to me? Or even the way his arms engulfed me right now, as my eyes took in the image of Collin’s dream home before me.
-

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- a sketch… over the desk… Why was this calling to me?

- And then I stood to turn again. My eyes catching on the wall again.

Tilting my head to the side as one of the drawings caught my attention. It called out to me. That tug in my chest was back. The one that drew me closed to Collin…

However this time it was to the drawing… -

- on there. He really did love what he did. It wasn’t hard to see it.

Turning on my feet, my dress moved with me as I faced his bed. Seeing the hand crafted dream catcher, leaning down to take a closer glance at the totem beside the lamp. “So pretty and delicate.” Whispering to myself.
-

- shelved. A soft chuckle escaping my lips. And then I bite down on them.

I walked to the desk…. Once again take note of things set on it, and the way his things were looked after. Care was taken with them. At how his awards were placed with pride. Smiling as I noticed the corkboard and the plans-

-
A baby….
A toddler…
A young child….
A teenager…
Cousins… Friends…. Sister….

All those memories on his walled as I took small steps around the perimeter.

My fingers danced over the spines of the books, leaning in to read the titles, the authors names, and then realising how they were-

- own history until later in their respective relationships. So… I felt honoured to be trusted.

I didn’t say anything. Not a word as Collin kissed my hand dropping it to step back. I didn’t have to glance towards him to know he was giving my time and space to see into his past.
-

- With our hands entwined we stepped into his room, and I couldn’t help feeling privileged. This was something my friends had missed out on when it came to their partner. “The missing piece”, as Jenna had called it.

Both Seth and Dam had come into their lives, they had been so far away from their -

- looking family! Ana had the same eyes as Collin, and I was sure anyone could see the resemblance.

Seeing the art work, to the way his mom had decorated. Everything in these walls spoke of a childhood filled with love. A family together, dealing with whatever challenges they faced hand in hand.

Following him without questioning felt so comfortable, I was an inquisitive person by nature, however listening felt more natural than asking for more information. We walked step in step, as though in solidarity, exploring Collin’s family home.

My gaze moved over the photos they were a very good -

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Nights Like This YouTube video by St. Lundi - Topic

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- your mom and dad that is. And you too.” Something giddy came over me. The knowledge that I could see into Collin’s past, to learn about this wonderful man I was feeling so close too. It was enlightening.

- they and their son made me want to have more days like this. It was new. The thought came and was pushed away at how in another lifetime I’d have found reasons to run away. Now I felt grounded.

His mom’s voice broke me free making me nod. “Of course I would love a tour. If it is okay with -

All those small touches, the kisses, the way our bodies found ways to connect, the warmth coming from him making my cheek redden even when there was no reason. It all spoke volumes.

I hadn’t stopped smiling since walking into his parents home. This easy way I sat here in their living room, as -

- and check in.

Nova placed a paw on my knee, asking for my attention, which I gave her openly. “Sorry baby girl, I am not giving you the correct amount of attention? Let’s fix that.” Rubbing her behind her ear as I gazed down to her and then back up to her dad.

- seeing into your family’s home. Even if there was more to our relationship. It still hade to be something in his mind to fear, right? “Do you think I’m making a good impression on them?” I could feel they were easy to read people just as my dad and I were. However, it didn’t hurt to ask -

- “I couldn’t have asked for a better first impression.” His family were doing their best to make me feel comfortable and welcomed.

“How are you doing?” I asked back. “Still glad you brought me into your family home?” The question genuine. It was a big step forward to bring someone you are -

- the door his parents had gone through. “Your mom is delightful, as is your dad. They love you and want the best for you. I cannot hold that against them. They want to make sure you are making the right choices when it comes to who you are dating.” I knew they didn’t know the full story... yet. -