āHey, let him speak! I want to know what he has to say, especially since you donāt seem like you want him to tell.ā she said when Brennan interrupted Jax, her curiosity only further piqued when he wouldnāt let his younger brother finish.Ā āAnd just for the record; I am pickier. And he barely made the cut.ā the brunette quipped, biting on her lower lip in a playful manner as she looked at Brennan, waiting for the annoyance to show on his features.
Josephine lowered her gaze until in rested on their intertwined fingers. Oddly enough, she didnāt mind the closeness. If anything, she only felt drawn to him even more despite the time that had passed ever since they met, despite telling herself that they should go separate ways time and time again ⦠But her need for him only ever got stronger, something that was scary at first, but she slowly came to terms with it. He was a new chapter in her life, one that no longer built on anger and loss only. Now there was something else too, something she had been sure she had lost forever.
āHe still does ā¦ā Josephine thought, looking at Brennan as Jax kept talking, not once imagining that a family reunion would play out like this. Brennan looked much more at ease, the constant frown on his features softening. She knew that once heād have to face his father and step-mother that would most likely change, but still ⦠it was a refreshing sight, something she would have never expected to see. She squeezed his hand gently, feeling how this domestic scenario was also influencing her own mood before looking at Jax again as they all made their way to the house. āYou can be sure that I will take you up on that offer.ā the girl returned, smirking at the younger Walker son, eager to find out everything about Brennanās past.
Jax smiled brightly at Josie, his braces filled teeth making him look more boyish. "Yeah Ren! You brought your girlfriend for Thanksgiving and you /don't/ expect me and Kit to share embarassing stories about you?" His little brother laughed as Brennan shoved him. "To be fair," Jax started again, "why pick him. Look at his--" But before he could continue Brennan shoved him straight into the neighbor's fence, laughing a little as Jax's long limbs tangled together and he fell over. "Not funny," he grumbled as he got to his feet.
Brennan glanced back at Josie as his brother tried to get himself back in order. He watched her face, trying to make sure she wasn't too awkward or scared about everything so far. Kit and Jax were probably the easiest ones to meet first and he was grateful that they managed to get out here. "You alright?" he asked softly.
When Jax finally got back to them, he started punching Brennan's arm, but paused. "What happened to your hand?" Brennan stuffed his three fingered hand into his pocket and shot his brother a sharp look. Jax put his hands up. "Alright geez. Dad's gonna--" But as they finally reached the white picket fence of his childhood home, the door burst open and Cassie bolted down the steps.
"Brennan!" she called running to him and wrapping her arms around his waist with such a force that he stumbled backward. Brennan laughed warmly at her and returned her hug, running a hand through her messy copper curls. "Hey Cas," he murmured as she looked up at him with complete adoration. After a moment, Cassie looked over and spotted Josie, a smile very much like Brennan's spreading over her face. "You must be Josie!" she said excitedly, finally releasing her brother. "I'm Cassandra."