going circles

Do I wanna know? If this feeling flows both ways? Sad to see you go, was sort of hoping that you'd stay.

[hunterstein]

sofiamin:

Beyer’s barking caught her a little off-guard. She’d grown so attached to that dog, just like she had the owner. Until she saw him, none of it had felt real. To be standing there with her eyes on this man she loved, scruffy hair from sleeping and all, seemed like the worst torture. She registered his every movement, seeing his face change as the keys came into his focus. He knew and she hung her head. There was a moment of silent after his question, all of the things she’d planned so meticulously in her head were jumbled. “I,” she had to clear her throat to get it out, voice full of frustration at herself because she didn’t have the nerve to look at him again. “I can’t do this anymore.” The end of it was hushed, holding back tears anyway she could. “We can’t go on like this. I’m not well and I need to get better. You deserve someone that’s going to make you happy and I don’t think I can give you that, so this needs to end.” Sof spoke fast so that he couldn’t interrupt her, trying to think of any way to make it seem a little better - she couldn’t. Sofi had never been good with words or knowing the right thing to say at the right time. “There’s no coming back from what happened,” she spoke to convince herself that was the reason, “We were fooling ourselves thinking that we could.” That was the knife she needed to shove into herself to pull away from this. It was only then that she looked at him, trying to feign indifference - but not very well.

His respond wasn’t much, but a nod and a moment of silence. He let out a sigh and ran his hand through his hair only to tousle it even more, he gathered his thoughts and looked at her straight in the eyes. “Yeah.” He agreed. “We were fooling ourselves from the very beginning of this relationship.” He nodded and tried to hold himself back from saying anything further because he knew he was just going to end up hurting both of themselves even more. But he failed, he couldn’t hold himself back, it was like he was finally waking up, from this in love dazed he had been in, from everything and he was waking up to reality and that was reality that moment. Them never really being meant for each other. “I mean, it was too fast, too fast and too good to be even real. I build up this fantasy over you and I knew that couldn’t be it, that that couldn’t be love because I made this whole fantasy of you when I still didn’t get to know you. And to think I was in love with you and you were in love with me, was the biggest deception I made. We couldn’t even function properly and get our shit together as a couple. So, here we are now.” He breathed and shook his head. He took a few step backs and he could hear Beyer whimper, even the dog knew that he and she weren’t fine. “I get it and I accept your decision, at least one of us took the courage to actually put an end to this.” He looked at the key on the counter again, “Take it. Take the keys, you need it to get inside here when you pack your things. I’m leaving too. I’m out of here by Friday night. You can go here Saturday morning or something. And don’t worry about the baby’s stuff, I sent it back to the shop, one less thing you’ve got to take care of.” He then moved toward the door, took his coat and keys from the peg, and Beyer’s leash. He motioned for the dog to come over to him and once it did, he attached the leash to it’s collar. Without looking back, he made his way out of their apartment and started walking with Beyer, only to have it all sink in to him. That was it., it was over, they were over.

[hunterstein]

sofiamin:

It must’ve been about a week since they’d really spoken - all that time was weighing on Sofi’s shoulders. Time to process all that had happened, past and present. She didn’t have a choice. Her mind had been so consumed with sadness that she thought she’d come to the conclusion all by herself. There was no way that her father’s ultimatum could’ve had anything to do with it, right? That’s she had to tell herself as the key turned in the door to the apartment Hunter and Sof had shared. It seemed like a long time ago that she was there last, even longer since there had been a happy memory. “Hunt,” She offered as a greeting, making her presence known now since her vague texts earlier. Part of her wished for him not to be there, that all the coldness she’d worked up inside her to be able to do this to the only person in the world who she wanted happy would go to waste and things would be different tomorrow. “Are you here?” she called out as the door clicked shut, sending a chill down her spine. He deserves better than me. He deserves better than me. He deserves better than me. She echoed in her mind, pretending that she didn’t have a choice. If he saw that for even a second, there wouldn’t be hope of walking away and staying a part of her family like her dad had threatened. If he saw any glimmer of doubt and clung to that, how could she leave him? Her keys to the apartment hit the counter with a metallic sound, unattached from her other keys which stayed in her purse. 

Hunter had been out of shape both mentally and physically. Once her parents took her, it was his job to clean after all of the mess their unhealthy relationship left. He had to send back those things they bought for their baby, had to keep himself on check if whether he was taking his meds, ultimately it was just really taking care of himself. He also wasn’t sure if he and Sofia were still good, he was certain that they were falling out, because that’s what happens sometimes. He just anticipated it coming. Actually, he had been anticipating a break up ever since they started this relationship, so that wasn’t new. Being with Sofia was too good to be true, that he knew that would eventually be over. And the texts that she sent him, it wasn’t even a surprise. He knew that moment it was just it.

He was actually sleeping when she arrived, on their couch, Beyer, sleeping beside him as well (and he needed that comfort). The only moment when he woke up was when Beyer started barking excitedly and he had to open his eyes to shut his pet up, but to no avail it wasn’t. He stood up from the couch and made his way to wherever Beyer was and he was surprised to see her there. This was it, he thought. “Hey.” He said, his voice cold and guarded already. It was like he was the Hunter she seemed to dislike, once again. His brown eyes darted to the counter and saw the keys lying there, and he thought once again, this really was it. “I called your mom the other night, she said you were okay, but she still doesn’t know if you’re coming back here...” He shrugged, acting like he didn’t know what was coming for him. You’re not coming back here. He thought. You’re going to leave me, actually. He licked his lips, “So, what’s the problem?” He looked down and closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Just do it already.

[sofiamin]

The grin on her lips felt like it might start to hurt her cheeks. Hunter speaking to their child making her want to cry tears of joy every time. As if the hormones weren’t enough already, she also had the most perfect guy to experience this with. Her eyes softened, so much so that the greeny blue orbs almost looked sad. “I love you so much,” she practically whispered, wanting to say more but fearing it might be too much for public. “I want what you want. Knowing or not knowing, either way I will be happy if you are.” Hands moving to rest on top of his lightly, she pressed a kiss on his cheek – letting her get close to his ear to whisper. “Either way, we’ll be a happy little family.” Resting her nose against his, the smile never once faded. “The Number One Daddy shirt is pretty cute too.”

[hunterstein]

Hunter had never been keen with the idea of  publicly showing affection (especially when he was sober), but---cliche as it may sound---he didn’t care much when it would come to Sofia. In a way he wanted to show the world how much he loved this woman, he wanted to show that he was one lucky asshole and nobody could say otherwise. He was going to have a baby with her, they would be starting their own family. It was something that Hunter wanted someday and this someday was now. He didn’t know he would live it now with Sofia. His hand cupped her cheeks and he left a butterfly kiss on her lips because he couldn’t help it, “You just want to see me in those, I’m pretty sure.” He laughed. They probably looked like a couple taken away from a movie, or that they looked like they just got married. Marriage. Certainly Hunter had been thinking about that lately, but he wanted to take things slowly. He didn’t want to overwhelm Sofia, so that’s another story to be told next time.

In the corner of his eyes, he had spotted the sales clerk eyeing them (not in a judge-y way, but in a way that said ‘aw, customers’), so Hunter kissed Sofia one last time before whispering. “We gotta escape the sales lady.” Then he took her hand and began  walking, “Maybe we should check out the baby bottles or are you planning on having our baby breastfed?” He looked over her and smiled. “We hadn’t talked about that yet, huh?”

[sofiamin]

Turning back to the table, lined with perfectly folded clothing which seemed smaller than her head, Sofia found herself consumed in thought. Fingertips traced the stitching, Hunters voice sounding like quiet music in her ears. He was going to be the best father, she could just feel it in his presence. It took her a little too long to respond, smiling like and idiot down at the funny sayings sprawl on the tiny, tiny shirts. “I think we buy it as it grows. Considering how tall we both are, bub might not even fit into this,” Her hand rested on one she could only see fitting a tiny newborn, the way her stomach felt so large already convincing her that their kid was probably bigger than that even now. Teeth digging into her bottom lip, she gently placed her hand on the small of Hunters back and glanced at him. “We can find out the sex today, that’s what google said. If you don’t want to find out, I guess we can just get he yellow ‘I Love My Dad’ one?” she beamed, reaching across the table for it and looking at it in her hands, maybe hoping she’d strike something in him. This was just once table in the store, the racks and shelves around seemed to overwhelm her into taking just this small selection in for the moment. The sales assistant was finishing up with another customer, which Sofi was thankful for. She wasn’t quite ready to be bombarded with customer service, just wanting a moment with her handsome man and their future plans. 

[hunterstein]

Hunter turned around to face Sofia and then he put both of his hands on her stomach. “Bub’s probably going to make you burst soon.” He started rubbing his hand against her stomach and smiled to himself. “God, daddy can’t wait to meet you, you little rascal.” He chuckled and then he looked his girlfriend. “I don’t know,” He looked back at her stomach once again, “I’d like to be surprised but at the same I want to know.”

[sofiamin]

With one hand resting on her stomach – which she wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to – she felt content just walking around quietly with him as they killed time. His voice was a welcome sound after a couple minutes of just the sounds of the city. Her eyes wandered to exactly the same place, a smile on her lips. “Yeah, that would be nice,” she hadn’t been into one of those stores yet. The most she’d bought was the pair of stretchy band jeans she was wearing. “Let’s have a look,” she confirmed, heading in the direction and into the store. Her eyes lit up once she was through the door. Shopping was one fun thing, but shopping for a baby… well, it was a different game altogether. “Hunter, look how cute..” she trailed off, reaching for the closest onesie she could grab and showing it to him.

[hunterstein]

There were so many baby things around that Hunter didn’t know where to look first. When she showed the onesie, a smile came to his lips. “It is.” He looked at the rest of the clothing and his brows furrowed with each other as he saw there was a section; zero to three weeks, one to two months, and it went on. He realized it indicates the size of the baby, “Do we have to buy one from every sizes in just one go, or every month we go shopping for our little one?” He looked at Sofia in wonder.

[hunterstein]

Hunter had his arm wrapped around Sofia’s middle as they strolled down the streets of New York City after they had their lunch, he was looking around, his eyes passing by stores and such. When his eyes landed on a store, which obviously sell baby stuff, he looked at Sofia. “Babe, wanna go check that out?” He nodded his head to the direction of the store.

[hunterstein]

text messages sent to 'Cowardly Sof ♥'

01 - 21 - 16

Hunter: beyer found his soulmate earlier at the park. [sent 6:47 a.m.]

Hunter: also i bought coffee, but no one's answering the door? [sent 6:50 a.m.]

Hunter: hey, i'm worried, you're not answering my calls. [10:09 a.m]

Hunter: idk if your phone's even turned on, but i'm not going to be home tonight. i have a gig [3:21 p.m.]

Hunter: sofia [9:44 p.m.]

Hunter: baby [11:11 p.m.]

Hunter: :( [11:48 p.m.]

01 - 22 - 16

Hunter: you're still not talking to me are you? did i scare you off? were we moving too fast? i couldn't stop thinking about this, sofia. at least just a fucking hello will suffice but you're not really fucking talking to me what the hell is that? unanswered calls, unanswered messages. god, you're a real pal. [2:23 p.m.; unsent]

01 - 23 - 16

Hunter: r u brealskding up wihf nem? [12:45 a.m.]

Hunter: sutj go pn wirh iy [12:46 a.m]

[sofiamin]

Time went on as they enjoyed the company of his family. Her smile hid just how real what they were saying was. But, how could she expect to tell him when she couldn’t even pinpoint a word for how she felt about him in this whirlwind. He was everything she’d never known she’d wanted– watching him interacting with the people most important to him that she couldn’t help but fall harder for his honest openness and kindness more and more by the second. This picture of the future with him was now so ingrained in her mind that she couldn’t help but to ponder on it some more. What she felt for him was so true and unexpected that hose things just made sense; not as a hassle or just the way things should go, because she wanted it to go that way.

It made her feel so vulnerable, feeling the way she did even with the little reassurances she’d picked up on. Maybe she would ask him what he saw in the future for them. Yet, Sofia was too nervous. Even with the anxiety of meeting his family totally gone, she was still keeping something from him. That was getting harder and harder to hide. From the way she’d turned down the wine which had received many jokes in return to the silence that fell as they left the table, her hand clinging to his like if he let go she might slip away. Her thoughts were so stuck on the secret that she didn’t understand who he meant, just going along with it and fixing her dress.

She stopped at the bottom of the staircase, tugging on his hand so he would too. Her eyes fell on him like sad, secretive blue orbs as she took advantage of this private moment. “Hunter,” she voice caught, two things she could very easily admit at war for which should leave her lips first. When she did speak, neither came out. “I just.. I want you to know how much all of this means to me, you wanting me to meet your wonderful family and involving me in this part of your life.” Sofia kept rambling, hoping that somehow something would slip out without a second thought. “And I have so much respect for all of them and you. And they’re all so funny and I just really need you to know that.” Her hands trembled, angry at herself for not being able to be honest with someone she cared so deeply for. How could she stand there wishing so hard to one day get to a place where she could call herself part of this family while she was basically lying to him. “I’m sorry, I cut in,” she shook her head, peering up into his brown eyes and catching herself hoping that their child inside of her might have those eyes too one day. Oh, how she hoped. “Who am I meeting?”

[hunterstein]

As he was stopped it was as if the sadness was pulled away from him and it was replaced by a gut wrenching feeling, it was as if he was thrown into a whirlwind and it had gotten him dizzy. The air was knocked out from him and the only thing he was able to give her was a smile; a genuine, cheek aching smile. It was enough to show her how he appreciated her, it was enough to show her everything he felt for her that he couldn’t express into words, he believed so at least. Honestly, he could only shake his head at her apology, he didn’t mind; she could cut in every time and he wouldn’t mind. She had cut in, in his life and he didn’t mind, not ever. Once she had thrown that question though, the smile faltered slightly, and the wave of melancholy hit him again.

“Just let me show you.” He then took step by step gingerly. He was somehow worried that she would notice the shift of mood in him. He just hadn’t talked about them as much to anybody, not even to his brother, it was such a sensitive topic for him to tackle about, but he intended to let Sofia be introduced to his family, and family was still family even if they were six feet under them already, especially that without them he wouldn’t be there. He had turned to the left hallway, a place he hadn’t went to for a long time since every picture frame he passed by reminded him of how much loss he had. Now it wasn’t as painful as before, nonetheless still painful. It was almost bearable. 

Then he stopped on his tracks and he turned to face the wall where the huge picture frame was hanged on, it featured an eight year old version of him with his mother, father, and his younger brother, they all looked so formal. He couldn’t even remember as much, but they were all smiling. His father seemed so happy with the way his eyes crinkled, they were blue, piercing blue. Then his mother looked so perfect, she didn’t even look like a mother of two, she was looking at his father in this loving way, like he was her universe. It made him wonder if it would be so disgustingly sweet to look at them still so in love if they were still with them. Probably. Meanwhile, he was looking straight into the camera, an awkward smile on his face, his hair was pushed back with the help of a hair gel, some of it though, were left curling on the sides; he was holding Ben’s little hand. “That’s me.” He pointed out, he was trying to start slow, but she probably had figured it out. “And Ben...” Then the next words had gotten caught up in his throat. 

“My mom and dad,” He took in a deep breath, planning on regulating his breathing. “I-if they were here, they would love to meet you. Especially my mom. I know she didn’t stay long enough for me to actually know that, but she would, she definitely would.” He bit his lower lip and blinked repeatedly to avoid any tears that dared coming to his eyes. “She’s full of good and love, she always sings me to sleep. Then dad, he’s such a happy man, he smiled a lot, at least that’s what I remembered of him. They made me so happy, all they really wanted was for us to be like that. so they’d love you. How can’t they?” He then looked at her in the eyes, “You make me happy.”

[sofiamin]

Finding a more delightful family would’ve been a stretch. Sofia made her way around the group with Hunter, giving off her very best quiet confidence as she met everyone. It made her realize what she’d missed out on, not having parents with siblings who were close or even a mother and father who were still together. It was all very genuine from her, she wanted so badly for Hunters family to like her for who she was that feigning the smile would’ve been more difficult. So, she laughed along with their jokes and made a point of remembering each name, repeating them to herself in her head. Of course, when she met Gustav, she could see parts of him in Hunter. It made her remember the two people that she couldn’t meet today and suddenly she felt much more grateful for every person here. 

Love wasn’t a word Sofia threw around (except for when she spoke about food or songs she liked.) It meant a lot to her, ingrained as this thing beyond her grasp until now as she felt Hunter tense beside her. She’d told herself a number of times that she was falling for Hunter, but to her that was very different than how she felt now. They may sound the same, yet in her head she felt that it was so much stronger. Falling in love with Hunter Stein. It sat so well in her thoughts that her stomach fluttered. “Honestly, I feel very lucky that no one snatched him up before now. He’s pretty great.” Aunt Tina made Sofia crack a grin, “Childbearing hips too, as my mom says.” It felt lighthearted. What she was saying was actually almost too real for Sofia. It made her wonder if she really could be a good mother, since that was happening right now inside of her.

The tenseness left her once she finally got to meet the man she had admired without even having met him before. He seemed like the pinnacle of everything and somehow Sofi felt more calmed than intimidated as they approached. “Yes, Happy Birthday,” she chimed, along with Hunter. It was so grounding and sweet to hear that someone spoke of you to people who mattered in their lives. The way she looked at Hunter as he blushed made how it made her feel very obvious, to not only Hunter, but everyone who still had eyes on them. Wrapping her arms carefully around him, she couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. “Thank you so much. That really means a lot,” she spoke kindly as she pulled back, taking Hunter’s hand almost immediately as they continued their conversation. 

Just as things were getting interested, Sofia felt a small tug on her coat. Looking down, she saw Katelyn who so clearly wanted to steal her away from the way she tugged her hand. Her childish voice made her smile, pulling Hunters hand to her lips to press a kiss before she let go. “Is there somewhere I can put my coat before I overheat hanging out with this little angel?” she laughed. Feeling herself being dragged a little while she tried to escape from her winter jacket and reveal the dress she’d searched for just for this night. Once it was off, she was away. Missing having Hunter by her side but having a stupid amount of fun with this little girl she was so fond of. Sof couldn’t help but think that her thoughts were being brought on much faster than she’d thought. Whitney had once told Sofia that she couldn’t stay with anyone that she couldn’t see a future with and now she understood it. Hunter was someone that, even if it was early on, she could see that with. She could picture growing old and watching each other as they did. Sofi, who typically thought of aging as a bad thing, never thought wrinkles and greying hair sounded more appealing.

As the night went on, she seemed to miss Hunter every chance she had to find him – being swept up by another conversation. It wasn’t a bad thing, she was enjoying herself and already wondering when she’d be able to see them all again after this. Word moved through the crowd that dinner was ready and she made her way to take her seat; the best seat in the house, right next to Hunter. “You have the most beautiful family and I’m so glad you invited me,” she whispered in his ear as she sat as if nobody was watching them. It wasn’t until she saw the wine glasses on the table that the thoughts of what was really happening in her life right now became real. It was like reality set in that instant and truth that she’d been pushing down all afternoon sunk in. There was a shift in her, but the smile didn’t fade from her face.

[hunterstein]

There were people you keep and there were people you let go. Sofia---she’s definitely belonged to the former, especially now that there was this mutual agreement (although somehow silent) within his family that they approved of her; they were very fond of her and he was definitely glad that he was right about all of it from the very start. After all she was the first one he had ever introduced to them, this really mattered to him, she mattered to him. He intended to keep her with him since he wanted that; he could not even thought of any alternative future, but with her; he hoped that it was the same for her though.

It maybe be crazy to think that way, especially that their relationship hadn’t lasted for a month yet. It seemed fast paced, but if there was one thing Hunter was quite sure of, it was what he felt for her, although he wasn’t quite sure of what it was exactly. He felt it in every part of him, how strong the feeling was; he realized that as time passed by and as they moved forward, it grew stronger and stronger that it made him fear of the what ifs that may suddenly enter their relationship without their permission. The what ifs, the inevitable, oh the inevitable what ifs; they all scared the living crap out of him---to consider they were unfathomable---that he wished, hoped, and prayed that he would have all the courage to stay away from those (the negative possibilities). Then again things were out of his control, he hadn’t had any idea what may come tomorrow and so on, all he could do was hold on to this for as long as it may last and cherish everything that was still there. He just had to have a good grip on everything, like with the way he gripped Sofia’s coat in his hand.

She might had moved away from his side, and he had hung the coat on a rack, but her scent lingered on. And the smile she brought to his lips remained where it was supposed to be. Although he was dragged by some, half of his attention still belonged to Sofia, he couldn’t help it, no matter how much he put effort on concentrating on whatever conversation he was currently having with somebody it still wouldn’t be enough, since he still caved in to the urge of looking at the wonder that he now call his girlfriend. She was way more distracting than usual especially with Katelyn by her side. His thoughts keep on straying to the future: would she be as good as with her children, and would her children be his as well? His heart ached, it ached for the idea of them lasting longer. He was so distracted by these thoughts that he kept on getting teased by anybody he was having conversation with. And all of the teasing actually got him tongue-tied and how he just wanted to wipe off those knowing looks they had on their faces when they do. It was as if they know something he didn’t, and it was as if they were right with their presumptions, then in a snap, it had gotten into Hunter.

 Possibly they were right, possibly, and if they were; he shouldn’t. It was too early. And if they were, and if he felt it, he couldn’t say it to her, not ever, not until it was actually a logical time to profess. He couldn’t afford to scare her. He may had started caring for her way before, he may had noticed her before she even actually noticed him, he may had thought he had liked every idea of her; but he was still knowing her, everything about her, it was too early for anything. The last thing he wanted was to burden her of knowing when it wasn’t still mutual. And Hunter couldn’t afford being assumptive when it came to these things. His family were not really helping with that, they made him hope so much, since they really liked her, they probably even liked her way more than they liked him. Yet another reason for his smile to get wider.

At some point he thought that his jaw and cheeks were going to get the rest they deserved since it just hurt smiling for so long, but then dinner came and he was reunited with her and that smile just came back in an instant. His heart beat started moving faster and he felt so intoxicated of her, all she really had to do was be beside him. He would never get over this kind of high, the Sofia Amin high. He was addicted to it. “Uh---” He started, but he was a little distracted and he couldn’t form coherent words, he was being such a fool. “Yeah...thanks. And you’re important to me, you deserve to meet the people who are equally important in my life.” He was so consumed in the little bubble that they were in that he stole a chaste kiss from her lips, he interlaced their hands together and put his attention to the rest of the occupants of the whole table. Different conversations went on the whole dinner, and unfortunately he hadn’t dodged talks like ‘are you finally going to give gramps’ a great granddaughter?’ or ‘she really has good genes ’ and some of those were accompanied with eyebrow wiggling. He bet even if the wine wasn’t getting into their heads, they would still embarrass him. He’d jump to saying, “Don’t scare her, it’ll come.” And acted cool and collected, although it was pretty obvious he was panicking in the inside. He just really didn’t want to scare her off with things like that.

He was just really grateful the moment dinner was over and that he’d find the excuse to tour Sofia around, he had squeezed her knee before he stood up and went on. Once they were alone on the way towards the flight of stairs, he looked at her and then he realized she hadn’t met the two last people in his family and they were great importance to him. “Baby, hey...” He reached out for her hand. “You hadn’t met everybody yet, come on.” He then offered her a smile, albeit a little sad.

[sofiamin]

Hunter wasn’t wrong. Sofi had been so distracted by the flustering heat that came from seeing him so relaxed and delightful around this gorgeous little girl that she’d forgotten the chill, even in her coat. Nothing was making her happier right now than seeing Hunter being completely himself. It was freeing, his playfulness still making it’s way to the forefront and his brilliance and charm showing so brightly. This was him, everything she would see and everyone she would meet had played some kind of part in his life to make him the way he was. That was how Sofia saw family, bits and pieces of people scattered to form others. For a moment she wondered if one day they would have this many cars parked out front coming to celebrate their birthdays, pieces of Hunter and herself just like the ones here now. 

Her hand squeezed his, the nerves replaced with excitement and anticipation. There was a newfound confidence in her as they moved through the door, still shadowing Hunter a little as she found her feet inside. “Hey, Katie,” she said in surprise once her tiny hand found Sofia’s. Children were something that Sofia adored, and typically they adored her too. She’d learnt how to be around them from being the eldest; how to make them smile and understand their youthful ramblings. They chatted as they walked, Sofia not pausing but giving Hunter a smile back over her shoulder as Katelyn lead the way. When they turned a corner, she was suddenly faced with a group of people. She instantly put names to faces from what Hunter had told her, yet she waited for Hunter before she said anything. It’s what she would’ve liked herself in this situation, to be able to introduce Hunter to her family and being there. That wouldn’t happen for her – the only gathering they had were friends. Sofia’s family were never in the same place at once like this, it made her feel like she’d missed out on something. A whole new world had been opened up to her and she was so ready to dive in; to immerse herself in Hunters world and figure out if or how her (and someone who would come along with her) would fit. 

[hunterstein]

There were noises ahead of them, it seemed like nonsense buzzing at that distance, but as they got closer to the open spaced room, Hunter could identify whose voice belongs to who. The nervousness he felt as they had entered the gate was far way gone, now he was only thinking about the glorious moment where he would stood greatly and proudly as he introduced Sofia to his family. This was really important for him, for their relationship; this introduction was more that just an introduction, it was an indication to his family that he was serious about this girl, an indication that he would not mind having the privilege of his heart getting broken by her, also it was some sort of welcoming for Sofia, this meant—all of this meant that she was going to be a part of the family now. It was going to be official, and now they had reached the room, his family before him.

“We’re here!” Keira mused excitedly as she moved to greet everybody with hugs. There were about seven people in the room (not including them). His gramps, his two uncles and their wives, then his two aunts, the other one widowed, the other divorced; his cousins and Ben were probably inside the rec. room, no matter how old they get it was still their favorite place to be. Now that Keira was done with her greetings and was beside her father, everybody’s eyes shifted on him and Sofia and little Katelyn who was still holding Sofi’s hands. He had taken in a deep breath and put his hand on the small of Sofi’s back, as they all witnessed that little gesture, a smile was put upon their faces, especially with his aunts. They all looked at him expectantly, and he felt like he was on stage. It was such a pressure, especially when they weren’t saying anything, he had caught his Aunt Gemma’s eyes though, urging him to go on. At least he felt the support.

It made him smile, “Everybody, this is Sofia—” He shifted his gaze from them to her, and suddenly his eyes were full of adoration and love. “—Sofia, this is, well, everybody.” He tore his gaze away from her, there was a hint of reluctance in there. He just wanted to look at her the whole time. He was about to introduce them one by one, but his Uncle Dorian just had to make a hilarious comment.

“We were starting to worry you weren’t serious about anybody, Gav.” His uncle said with a chuckle and god how Hunter cringed as they used their nickname for him. Way before, his heart always hurt whenever he heard them used that. They all called his father ‘Vin’ short for Gavin, and he was named after his father, hence the nickname 'Gav’. The nickname was just one of the things that reminded him of his father, Hunter had gone numb at that point now that it didn’t hurt as much hearing it. Anyhow he still had laughed at the statement.

“I am, and here she is.” He looked at her once again and he couldn’t help himself, he just had to kiss her on the temple before he introduced them to her. He started with Uncle Dorian, since he was the first one to speak, he made a joke about how Sofia shouldn’t be fooled with the heartbreaker rockstar look Hunter—or Gav, he used the nickname still—had since he was just a true loser in the inside, and that acquired a nudge from his wife, Aunt Lila. She was sweet and warm, even silent, the total opposite of his uncle, she moved closer to them to give Sofia a welcoming hug. It kind of looked cute since Sofia was way taller than his aunt Lila. Then they moved on to his Aunt Jane, the widowed one, she looked so caring and gentle, a genuine smile plastered on her face and it was as if she was looking at one of her own daughters as she looked at Sofia. She told Sofia how beautiful she was and that how lucky Hunter must be to have her, before letting them go, she gave a hug to Sofia then pinched Hunter’s cheek as if he was still the little boy she took care of at some days. Then there was his Aunt Gemma, who gave Sofia a hug before anything else, and said, “hun, if he’s going to mess up and make you cry out of sadness, tell me, and I’m going to whoop his ass” she had that same humor his Uncle Dorian had, maybe a little intense than he was. She left a punch on Hunter’s stomach and he just laughed and made his pecs move in a dance saying, “You can’t touch this, Gem.”

Now Hunter took a deep breath as he turned towards the direction of his Uncle Gustav, the twin brother of his father, the father of Keira, the grandfather of Katelyn, the man who tried his best to be a father to Hunter; and his teen-angst bullshit self hated this man because in every aspect of it, he reminded Hunter of his father. Hunter could easily be seen as this man’s son in all honesty, just with the way Hunter looked like the man, for pete’s sake they were almost the same height, but Gustav was taller than an inch. “Son,” He began with that paternal smile on his face and it was messing up with Hunter’s emotion. This all felt like he was introducing Sofia to his actual father. It was so surreal.

“Pops,” Hunter smiled, he actually called his Uncle that, he couldn’t remember why but he did. “This is Sofia…”

“The woman you love?” He said all in a joking manner, but it made Hunter froze that he didn’t respond after that. Gustav took the matters in his hand and smiled warmly at Sofia. “I’m really glad to meet you, we were excited about this, especially when you’re the first ever girl this bastard bring here.” He said, putting his hand behind Hunter’s neck, all smiling. He then introduced his wife to her, Aunt Tina, she smiled at Sofia and started talking about how Katelyn already seemed too attached to her, telling that Sofia, by the looks of it, were great with kids that she said, “Gotta keep her, son.” To Hunter.

And now, this was it, he was finally going to introduce Sofia to his gramps. For somebody who was as old as his gramps, he seemed fit and healthy, still standing tall and having those muscles on him. After all their family was quite athletic. “Happy Birthday, Gramps.” Hunter started.

“Thank you, still got another year to live.” He smiled and his aging eyes shifted to Sofia, “Hunter can never stop talking about you.”

“I do not!” Hunter blushed, feeling like a kid at that moment.

“You do.” Gramps laughed and gave Sofia a hug, “Welcome to the family, Sofia.” And as he heard that from his gramps, he had the reassurance that this night was going to be just fine, or even better than he had expected.

[sofiamin]

It was finally time. She knew by the way that the tugged on her hand that he was feeling the same nervous excitement that she was. The way Sofi cared about him was so new to her and with that would come new things like this; new firsts to share with him. The house was grand, but that didn’t intimidate her, it was the little girl that came running towards Hunter which slowed Sofia’s walk. A smile brimmed on her lips as she watched him maybe a little too intently, snapped out of it by the click clack of heels. The same woman she’d glimpsed in the car was suddenly before her and speaking so warmly. If his family was anything like her, this would be more fun than she’d anticipated. “Hi, it’s so nice to meet you, I’m Sofi,” she chuckled at her self introduction and welcomed her with open arms. Keira certainly didn’t smell like what she thought moms smelt like, it was a little reassuring. 

In this moment all of her awkwardness was gone, “You could be sibling’s, I see it.” Good genes, she couldn’t help but think now. But all the while, her attention was on Hunter and Katelyn. She was so precious and so was he, the way he became so soft around her almost making the overly emotional girl cry. She was sure anyone could see it in her face, the intense feeling that she couldn’t describe as anything other than love in that instant. “It’s so nice to meet you, Katelyn. Hunty here has told me all about you,” she spoke to the little girl with a soft, kind voice, looking her in the eye and familiarising herself with her tiny features before her gaze flicked back to Hunter. Hand brushing over his other shoulder, she relaxed even more (for more than one reason). Sofi was so lucky and she couldn’t contain it. Her eyes searched for Kiera, “She’s so beautiful,” she grinned, looking back at the tiny human in his arms, “You really are!”

[hunterstein]

Amusement masked Hunter’s face as he looked Katelyn’s, she was so in awe of Sofi; well at least he wasn’t the only Stein who had fallen into Sofia’s charm. “You’re too beautiful” The little girl said but the way she said the word sounded like ‘booty-full’ and it sent Hunter laughing. If anything Sofia was beautiful and booty-full. And how right Katelyn was, so no one could really blame him as he wrapped his free arm around Sofi’s waist and let his hand rest near her butt. “She is, Kate, she really is. But you should say that word as beautiful not booty-full, but she’s kind of both so we really don’t have any problem.” He then sneakily squeezed Sofi’s butt and smirked. And in the corner of his eyes he could see Keira narrowing her eyes at him.

He focused his eyes on Katelyn again, there was confusion in her eyes for a moment, but then she suddenly looked like she had gotten it all figured out. “You’re both, Sofi-ah.” Katelyn giggled and hid her face on Hunter’s shoulder, seeming like it was where she wanted to be the rest of her life. Hunter then started to continue to walk towards the door of the house, “C’mon,” he said to the two girls. “It’s getting chilly here.”

Keira then lead the way and as she did, Hunter reached out for Sofia’s hand. He then moved and kissed her on the temple, “You’re doing really great, baby, you’ll strut this whole thing.” He whispered encouragingly and when he looked ahead, he saw Keira smiling at them as she opened the door. He held it open for them and got inside himself, he then crouched and put Katelyn down. He then watched as his niece giggled and ran towards Sofia to take her hand. And all he could really do was was watch them with so much adoration in his eyes.

[sofiamin]

His lips were soft against her hand. It felt strange for Sofia, she couldn’t remember what her hand had felt like before he’d held it; her lips felt like before he’d kissed them; her body had felt like before he’d held it. She didn’t want to. Hunter was sweet, kind and full of surprises. Catching herself staring at him, she found herself wondering how she hadn’t seen these things before; those little endearing things that she admired so much about him now. Driving fast down this road, there were so many times where she could have admitted what had happened today. The words got caught in her throat.

I’m pregnant, Hunter – Hunter, I’m pregnant – It’s yours – I’m having your baby, what do you think we should do?

This dinner was going to be the start of something. Of something wonderful or the start of the end. She hoped with all her heart for the former. The horn made her jump, so on edge about this night that she was easily startled by it. She leant herself forward and smiled over at the stranger, glad to put a windblown face to a name. The whole thing unfolded so fast that Sofia couldn’t really react, giving a limp wave as the sped off. “One down,” she parrotted, squeezing his hand and laughing along with him. His laugh had become her favorite sound; when it was true, it sounded more beautiful than any song or sound. When she eyed the gate with the car they’d just seen, her heart began to pound so hard that she thought it might jump from her ribcage and roll all the way back to her apartment - it was terrifying. His admission both helped to ease her and frighten her. They were in the same situation.

As the car stopped, so did her breath. Sofi took in the house slowly b’efore she turned to him with a nervous grin on her face. “I’m ready. I’m so ready. Let’s do this,” she psyched herself up. “Wish me luck?” she shrugged, cupping his cheek for a moment and brushing her thumb over his lip. Her other hand pushed the mirror visor down, only turning from him to check her face. Once she was sure there was no eyeliner smudges or things in her teeth, she let out a sigh. “Okay, okay,” She opened her door, taking her bag and jogging to his side of the car to get one last shred of comfort from him before they went in. Waiting for him to get out, she rocked on her heels until she could place her hands on his waist and smile up at him. “I promise I won’t embarrass you,” she chuckled, hands gripping the side of his shirt.

[hunterstein]

If there was something Hunter couldn’t understand, it was his nervousness. Why was he even nervous, it was only his family, they weren’t harmful? And for all the times nervousness would hit him, it him in the last minute. He took in a deep breath and gathered his composure. He was going to walk into the house and strut the whole thing. He was with his girlfriend, everything was going to be fine. He loved her, they would definitely love her too. She was a gem. So for the second time he took in a deep breath, grabbed the gift he bought for his grandpa and had gotten out of the car to meet Sofia. She looked so perfect, she’s perfect, if he saw it they would see it.

“Honestly, I’m more worried of them embarrassing me to you.” He cracked a grin and kissed her on the forehead. And then he began to wonder what if his father was here, what if his mother was here; he hadn’t remembered much of them anymore, but he was very sure his mother would love Sofia. In the first place they all said Hunter’s got his mother’s heart. His mother gave him his gentle side, something no one ever expected of him. He was thanking her for that, without it Sofia probably wouldn’t even think of liking him. No one can consider liking a monster that really doesn’t have a gentle side.

Taking her hand, he took her hand and sighed in that contended way. They could do this, he knew of it. “It’s time.” He said and then he locked the car and started making his way towards the door of the house, dragging Sofia with him. As they passed by the fountain placed in front of the house, he had stopped as he saw a little girl running her way towards him. Katelyn. He loved this girl so much. He let go of Sofia’s hand and crouched down and welcomed his niece in his arms, then engulfed her in a hug. “Katie,” He smiled and then looked up at Sofia.

“Hunty!” The little girl exclaimed as she pulled out of the hug. “I miss you so much. Where were you?” She pouted and that made him laugh.

He scooped her up in his arm and stood up, he then took Sofia’s hand. “I missed you too. I was busy, but I’m here now.” He then looked at the side as he heard the clicking of heels. It was Keira, Katelyn’s mom. She was approaching them.

“Looks like all my advice to Hunter worked, huh?” The petite girl asked, her eyes on Sofia. “I’m Keira, Hunter’s sister...” She joked, “I’m kidding, we’re just cousins. We’re always mistaken as siblings though. Anyway, I’m so happy to finally meet you!” Ah, Keira was always so enthusiastic and a hugger, so it wasn’t much of a surprise as he saw her gave Sofia a hug.

And he just stood there watching them, all of his worries washing away. This was going to go so smoothly. “Who’s the pretty lady, Hunty?” He heard his niece whisper and that definitely made him smile again.

“Oh, the pretty lady, that’s my girlfriend, Sofia.” He said loud enough for the two other girls to hear. “Do you want me to introduce you to her?” He asked and Katelyn nodded shyly. He looked at Sofia, then his gaze momentarily met Keira’s before he put his attention to the child in his arm. “Well, Katelyn, this is Sofia; Sofia, this is Katelyn---the infamous Katelyn.” 

[sofiamin]

No one Sofia had ever been with or dated had stuck around long enough for her to meet their parents. They’d all either peaced out after they’d met her family or even before that. She had started calling it the “fourth date” curse. But Hunter and her were different. She’d never really felt this way about someone before. They were not even a month into this and they were already so past that, in fact they’d skipped all that. It made sense for them and how it had all come together. “Yeah, really,” she blushed. This was huge for her. The expression on her face gave that away.

Sofia’s brow furrowed as he spoke about what had happened. Even though she didn’t particularly like hearing him talk about being with another girl, her heart hurt for him. Sofia was so torn about whether Hunters Gramps would like her. She kept hoping they’d be friends, but Hunter saying that he might not’ve liked someone else made her second guess herself. Suddenly it sprung back to her, Hunter’s grandfather would be the great-grandfather to this child just at its beginnings. Ben would be it’s uncle. His family would be it’s family. What would she do if they didn’t like her? The family to this maybe child hating her. “So, we’re both having a bit of a first right now?” The idea eased her, 

Often, Sofia forgot that Hunter had liked her before all of this. Never did she really think about people liking her. It didn’t seem realistic. Yet, he was sitting right there, the realest thing. She supposed there was a security in that. He had feelings for her, he liked her and hopefully that meant she wasn’t falling for someone who wasn’t doing the same thing. “Hunter, that’s so sweet,” she cooed, laughing just a little. “I just have to be myself right and just hope that I will get chummy with Gramps,” Sofi reassured herself, somewhat hesitantly as she looked down at her dress and wondered if it was a little too booby? Had they gotten bigger? She was sure it was just her mind playing tricks on her, surely that wouldn’t be happening yet. “I just like you so much, Hunt. I want this to go well,” she admitted, clenching her jaw.

[hunterstein]

A smile crept its way to his face as he heard her words. It just really felt so surreal. Everything was so unexpected. Maybe their friends saw it coming, but he never did. Whenever he was around her before he didn’t know what was the right thing to do, so he always had ended up sounding and seeming like his asshole self. He thought that the longer he had stayed with Sofia the easier she would hate him, obviously he thought wrong. And now here they were, nearing to the place where Hunter called home, to the place where he had became the man that he was now, to the place where he had stayed and felt welcome and not quite so lonely when his parents passed away. He was showing her another part of him. It was a huge step in anybody’s relationship. He always had these discussions he didn’t quite welcome before with his gramps, he always talked about how Hunter should bring a girl home with him to meet them when he knew and was very certain that he was serious with this girl, so once they would step into his home it was basically saying: this is the one, this is her. And god, he would do anything and everything just so that he would never lose her. He was that serious with this relationship, early as it may seem, but no one could dictate what he should feel, not even himself.

He was fine with this though, he was more than fine with what he was feeling for this girl this time. She was feeling something for him and that was enough, it was a spark that was enough to keep him going. He just wanted to hold onto this. He wanted to tell her that but he couldn’t find the right words, so instead of saying anything he just took the hand that was on his thigh and interlaced it with his hands. It was symbolic, right? He then dragged it closer to his lips and left a soft kiss on it. “You’re going to be fine.” He murmured against her lips and focused his eyes on the road. As they were getting closer to his gramps’s place, the fewer cars that were there on the road, so he had sped up a bit. And then a car were on the other side and was honking.

He didn’t want to bother, but it kept on honking so he looked at the side and was so surprised to see Keira rolling down the window. He almost laughed, he rolled down his own window.

“Hey loser,” his cousin said and then gasped as if she just saw someone really important. “Oh my god, Hunter---”

“I’m fucking driving, K, and you have your kid with you.” He said, looking back at the road.

“Please, I’m not driving, but is that Sof---” She got interrupted by something inside of her own car.

Hunter just laughed, “Focus on your baby, Keira!”

“Katelyn, behave.” He could hear his cousin say although the wind was roaring in his ears. “Hunter!” He turned around to look at her again. “Say hi to your girlfriend, for me, will you?” She smiled and then waved at Sofia, assuming the other girl would see. “Bye!”

Then he watched the other’s car zoom forward, ahead of them. He rolled back his window and glanced at Sofia. “So, that’s one down.” He laughed and slowered down as they had neared the gate. Keira’s car was in front of them, entering through the gate and that was when nerves hit him. “Fuck, I’m suddenly nervous.” He laughed off and hit the gas slowly as they finally entered the place. He looked at the bunch of cars parked in front of the mansion and he found a nice spot, and parked there. He let the engine die out and he looked at his girlfriend, once again. “You ready?” He asked her with a small on his lips.

[sofiamin]

It was becoming easier and easier for her to push it down; to repress the entire fact that Hunter and Sofia had a child that was just beginning to grow inside her. Her hand rested on her stomach, feeling a little ill from all of this at once. As they moved down the stairs, she was oddly quiet - for her anyway. “It’s all going to be fine,” Sofi’s mind strayed to whether or not his Gramps would really like her. Could she make him laugh? God, this person was probably the most important in Hunter’s life. He already meant so much to Sofia and they hadn’t even met. 

Hunter was good at this, calming her. A true smile on her lips as she watched him walk around his car then she got in. This car was becoming something of a familiar place. Although hers was in the same parking garage and really not that for from his, she liked driving with him in his car. It felt so nice, hand on his thigh and nice music just quiet enough to talk over. But Sofia wasn’t talking. Concentrating on her breathing as her gaze moved from his face on the road, to her flat stomach, to the city moving past outside the window. No matter how hard she tried, she kept making excuses to reassure herself that now wasn’t the time. Would there ever be a right time to tell him? As she looked at him, her emotions got caught at the back of her throat. So much she wanted to say, but she couldn’t. “I’m shaking,” she covered her ready to speak lips with that, despite him probably being aware with the way her hands shifted on his leg. “I’ve-” She sighed, changing what she was about to say as she started, “I’ve never met someones family before.”

[hunterstein]

There were times when Hunter wanted to read somebody’s mind, especially when they were silent around him. So that time, he wanted to know what she was thinking of exactly. It was so ironic to consider that Hunter, a guy who rarely really talked as much to anybody, wasn’t fond of silence when he was around Sofia; not that kind of silence, at least. It was nerve wrecking. Or that he really wasn’t used to silence anymore because of her. She had changed that really. He loved talking as much as he loved listening when he was around her. He was ready to break the silence, truly he was, but there weren’t anything that was coming into his mind. Instead he just began thinking about how the situation would go when they would reach his Gramps’ place, the place where he had grown up. He started constructing the sentence he should be saying later on when he would finally introduce her.

This is Sofia. My girlfriend. Hey, uh, this is---

His thoughts were interrupted as he finally heard her voice, he glanced at her and then put his attention back on the road. “Really?” He asked her with a smile on his face. So this was her first. It explained the anxiousness from her. Anyhow he felt special that his family was the first family she’d meet, maybe there were the times she had met Whit’s mother or something, but still, he thought that this was special. He promised himself that it would be great for her, he wanted her to enjoy her time with his family especially now that he had known of that. “I hope this one will be great for you. The first time I met someone’s family, it was shit.” He said and then he wondered if that was a good idea, so he added. “The dinner wasn’t shit or anything, it was actually good. It’s just that I hated her family’s behavior, subtle and all but I saw through their bullshit; they were the worst family one could ever meet. I was being a good guy, really, they found out about something---well, since I told her about it, it was big deal to me and she told her parents and they made her break-up with me.” He laughed a bit as he recalled his first girlfriend, “Good thing she did though, Gramps would probably hate her anyway.” He glanced at her for a moment. “You know, I didn’t...” He cleared his throat, “I didn’t really bring someone to meet them before, like the idea just didn’t come to me.” He looked at the road, and then turned into a certain direction. “I mean Gramps basically know the idea of you because Ben kept on bringing up how I’m like a middle school kid who has a crush on someone way before we even happened. So I said to myself, hey if I actually manage to get this girl, I’ll bring her home to like maybe show her off to my cousins, and make her meet gramps so they’ll get chummy.” He said, trying to make a joke out of the truth.

[sofiamin]

The anxious girl was left staring at her hands. A single, “Yeah,” all she could muster as he entered her view again, mindlessly eyeing his body. Their bodies had got them here; to this moment; to the moment that their lives were going to be forever changed. Yet, Sofia kept telling herself that he couldn’t know yet. Sharing this terrifying thing on such an important night would’ve been careless of her, or so she thought. No longer would he be introducing Sofia, Hunter’s girlfriend. He would be introducing Sofia, the girl he accidentally got pregnant which might ruin his life. She knew from having younger brothers how much babies change things and she couldn’t lump that on him, not tonight. His reaction held her back more than anything. They were still finding their feet, working out where they fit in each others live and it was going so well. Would this mean the end of them? Would he hate her - for real?

It was ironic, the pregnant pause she left with her silence. Ironic too was the fact she was sweating, clammy hands avoiding contact as she got to her feet when he kissed her. Could she stand to lose this before it’s time? She saw them as so full of potential to be something extraordinary. Her heart pounded when she finally gave him a smile. “Yeah,” she let out a stressed sigh and shook her out when she reached for her bag, “let’s go.” Sofi’s hand reached for his, pulling him towards her almost clumsily and kissing him full on the mouth with enough passion that she could feel a shiver down her spine, free hand finding the back of his hair. “What if they don’t?” She started distracting herself again with questions about the night, they were true concerns and somehow meant more than one thing, but still a distraction. Indeed, what if they didn’t like her? What then? What if her relationship with Hunter was fine once she told him but his family resented it. It was so obvious how much they mean to him. “Will I be on the next train to ex-land?” Her tone was playful, despite her hand shaking as she held his and moved towards the door.

[hunterstein]

Ex-land. It sounded funny, but the idea of it wasn’t really something Hunter liked. Whenever he had thought of the future ever since he and Sofia had gotten together it was always her with him. He never thought of them separating ever, the world would be such a dull place without her by his side. He could live without her, he truly can, but without her he’d be miserable at best. So ex-land was some terrifying idea he never want to think about again. At that point Hunter just wanted to think of something else, but he couldn’t, he just kept on wondering what if, what if they would break up, what if Sofia would hate him at some point, what if Sofia realized he was the wrong guy to begin with; just------what if. As the thoughts started racing in his head, he tried to get himself together. It was just a thought and it wasn’t going to happen, unless it would.

He sighed and said: “Not on my account.”

He reached for the door knob and twisted it to opened the door, he let her out first before he had gotten out himself and locked the door. He looked at her again and thought about the reassuring things that he could say to her. And he began to wonder how his family would even hate Sofia, he literally couldn’t think of one reason why they would hate her. Perhaps he was being biased because he was totally head over heels for this woman. “Stop worrying, Gramps is totally so excited to meet you. Ben is very fond of you. Seriously, if my grandpa and my brother are excited to have you with us then the rest definitely are excited as well.” He said, trying his best to reassure her. He then kissed her on her temple before he made his way down the stairs; the faster they leave and get there, the faster Sofia’s anxiety over meeting his family would go away. At least that was what Hunter thought.

Passing by a neighbor of theirs that Hunter always played Basketball with, he smiled and then rolled his eyes as he caught the teasing look on the other guy’s look. He shook his head and moved closer to Sofia. Once they were out of the apartment complex, he lead her to where he had parked his car and opened the door for her. He looked at her and then wrapped his arms around her waist, “You’re going to be fine, okay?” He said and then he slightly squeezed her butt, before he went to the other side of the car and entered it. He glanced at her before he started the car.

[sofiamin]

Sofia couldn’t breathe. This was just meant to be a quick sit down to tell her everything was fine, yet the look in her doctors aging eyes told a different story. He’d said her name a few too many times since she had sat down that she couldn’t avoid asking the question, “What’s wrong with me?” Her voice was hoarse, staring right at him with a heaviness in her ribcage.

“Sofia, you’re pregnant.”

The lifting of the weight was only momentary, a split second later what he had just said clicked. “I’m what? But, I’m on the pill and we-” Halfway through her words Sofia put her fingers to her mouth, releasing the saying they’d always been safe wasn’t true. At least for one night. How had this happened? What was she going to say? She lingered on that as the doctor explained her options. It sounded like a funny word. Options. There was life growing inside of her that she hadn’t known about and he was explaining things as if was easy. Abortion was a dirty word in her family, but Sofia herself wasn’t sure this was completely her decision. There was no questioning who the father was, it was whether or not Hunter would react horribly. 

She left the office with her hand on her stomach and a mind full of questions, but it hadn’t sunk in. What could she say to him? She couldn’t say anything. Not yet anyway, not until it stopped feeling like a shock and she could process. Sofia walked up the stairs as if her life hadn’t just changed, feeling so terribly about the way she’d been acting now even if she wasn’t sure about what was going to happen. Three weeks pregnant sounded so insignificant and so significant all at once.  

This was the night she met the family, that was wearing on her nerves enough that she could blank this out for now. Greeted by a kiss, she looked him up and down with a grin as if nothing was wrong. ‘The doctors? It was fine. Told me I’m surprising healthy for someone who eats as much processed foods as I do,” she laughed, sitting on his bed and looking down at her phone. “No, we still have enough time for you to primp, princess,” she teased, glad she’d gotten ready before; having too now would’ve ended in tears. “Do you think they’ll like me?” There was more behind that question, they had to like her and she would try her hardest to make a good impression. Hoping he’d put her acting strange down to nerves, she picked at the hem of her dress. 

[hunterstein]

Hunter’s family was a welcoming bunch, they were warm and kind; the people who had met them always wondered why Hunter was so cold and blunt when he belonged to a family like that. He never really explained why, and in the first place he didn’t have to explain himself, if they wanted to they could deal with him being cold. Yet, truly the cold exterior was only an exterior, it was some defense mechanism of some sort. And Sofia got through that so easily. She definitely wouldn’t have any problems with his family, they were all easy to please. The only difficult one was him, really.

So he gave her a reassuring nod and answered, “I think?” He smiled. “I know they would.” After all Sofia was that kind of girl you’d immediately want to bring to your family, Sofia was that kind of girl you’d be proud of, Sofia was that kind of girl his family would like---no, Sofia was that kind of girl his family would love. Although he can be a shitty person, he didn’t have shitty taste with choosing the people he should surround himself with. Looking at Sofia, the blonde beauty, in front of him made him quite confident with that fact; and well she made him think of how much of a lucky asshole he was to even have her in his life, really have her in it.

“I’d be quick.” He told her before he kicked his closet door open and had gotten inside it. He wasn’t really kidding when he said he would be quick. He was only really planning on changing his shirt. His jeans was fine, and his shoes were as well, and it was his family they didn’t really bother about how he looked. He grabbed his body spray and sprayed it all over himself before he grabbed a shirt. As he wore it he made his way out of the closet, he looked at Sofia and buttoned his shirt. “Are you nervous?” He couldn’t help but ask.

Meeting the family of the person you’re in a relationship with was a huge deal, so he couldn’t blame her if she was indeed nervous. In fact the idea of him meeting Sofia’s family actually made him want to shit his pants. He really liked her, and he would really like it if her family liked him as well, approved of him. Hunter only had three girlfriends all throughout his life time and one of them was Sofia. His first girlfriend, the moment she had brought Hunter to a family gathering for him to meet them, it was a disaster; they were those kinds that wanted to associate themselves with rich people, and Hunter really hated that, if they hadn’t heard of his family name they would have pushed their daughter away from him. After a couple of months she had broken up with him, only because she found out he was suffering from depression and anxiety disorder, she told her parents about it and they immediately demanded of her to break things with him.

Because of that occurrence, Hunter’s confidence in terms of meeting his girlfriend’s family was pretty low. He knew how bad it was to get so nervous about it, and he really didn’t want Sofia to fret that once he had grabbed his phone, keys, and wallet he moved closer to her. He held her by the waist and kissed her on the forehead, “I promise you, they won’t even make you sweat.” He looked at her, his adoration over her showing in his eyes. “So, let’s go?” 

[hunterstein]

There was a heavy feeling hanging on Hunter as he made his way upstairs to the floor of his apartment, and he was quite certain it wasn’t because of gravity, it was something else. He just couldn’t really point out what it was. As he finally reached the supposed floor he lived at, he let out a huge sigh and dragged himself towards his door and opened it with his keys. He entered and closed the door, leaving it unlocked. He dropped his bag on the floor and grabbed his phone out from his pocket to check if Sofia had texted him. No messages, still. He was beginning to worry, but he didn’t want to seem annoying, so he just didn’t send her any text message. He wanted to play it cool. He pushed his phone back into his pocket and then made his way to the bathroom and took out the usual medicine he took when he would have a flu. He popped it into his mouth and got on his bed, he plopped down on it and later on he was joined in by Beyer, who cuddled him.

He totally had forgotten about the dinner at his Gramps and that he was supposed to go there with Sofia. All that he really was thinking about was going to sleep, a few minutes later he drifted to sleep. He only woke up when he heard the knocking from the door and Beyer barking at it. Disoriented, he stood up from his bed and walked over to it and opened it. He was surprised to see Sofia and then it hit him; he was supposed to be getting ready at this time. He gave her a guilty smile and then moved forward to kiss her on the lips, “Hi, I fell asleep. How was it?” He then stepped aside to let her in. He then started moving towards his closet. “We aren’t totally fucking late, though, right?”