We reached Hunter's parent's house 20 minutes later. They lived inside Livingston in a smaller sunflower yellow home with white accents and a small front porch, the yard gated with a white picket fence.

"Aw this house is adorable," I sighed happily.

"It's the home they got after me and Hazel moved out. We lived in a huge house, but they didn't need all that room anymore, so they got this one," Hunter smiled, parking in front.

"I'm scared," I muttered.

"It'll be fine. Just be yourself."

"What if they don't like me?"

"We already do!" A small voice popped up from outside of my window and I turned to find Hazel, "hi, little brother!"

"Hi," I snorted, "were you eavesdropping?"

"If you mean was I spying to see if you were talking about anything I could use to blackmail Hunt, then yes. But you weren't. Which is boring."

"Zee, you're so fuckin' rude sometimes," Hunter laughed and I looked at him surprised, "what?"

"You gave me shit for cussing this morning because I couldn't get my shoe on and here you are. I'm mad at you."

"No you're not," he poked my nose.

"No. I'm not. Ugh," groaning, I opened the truck door and let the step down, climbing out and giving Hazel a gentle hug.

"He's more comfortable with you now," she whispered softly in my ear.

"I noticed that too."

"Y'all are really keepin' secrets' from me? Really?" Hunter rolled his eyes as he came around the truck, carrying the gifts for me.

"We always keep secrets. What are those?" Hazel pointed at the two gift bags.

"My mom told me when I was a kid the first time you go to someone's home you bring a gift. So I had Hunter go pick up what I wanted. I'm gonna pay him back for it," I smiled at him.

"No you're not," he shook his head.

"Yes. I am."

"No."

"Hunter I swear to god," I crossed my arms across my chest, staring up at him, "yes. I am."

"Fine," he shrugged, heading up the steps.

"Holy. Shit. You won an argument against Hunter," Hazel gasped, clearly in shock.

"Is that surprising?"

"Uh. Yeah. He's the most stubborn man on the planet. I can use you to beat him in arguments. Good."

"Zee," I laughed, hugging her again, "I don't appreciate being used like that. But also, my leg is killing me so I need to go sit."

"Ah shit, I forgot. Also, love your hair," she giggled, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into the house.

As I took a seat on the couch, Allison came from the backyard at a light jog, a gentle smile on her face.

"Grayson," she cupped my face, "how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. I can't stand long still but my arms and side don't hurt anymore. My throat is basically healed. So I'm okay. It's just my thigh."

"You had me worried," she sighed softly and kissed my forehead.

"What was that for?"

"I'm a mom. I was offering warmth. That's all."

"I miss when my mom would do that. Thank you," I smiled at her, “it’s been a long time since I had affection from a mother.”

“I have plenty to give. Are you feeling up to going into the backyard? We tend to sit out there while Hunter and Judah cook. Talk. Robin is making drinks. I know you can’t until you’re off the pain meds, but she made lemonade too.”

“I’d love that. Can I lean on one of you though? Every time I bend my knee, it causes the stitches to pull.”

“Come here,” Hazel pulled me up carefully, wrapping an arm around my waist and we made our way to the backyard.

The backyard was simple, nothing grandiose, but it was beautiful. There were deep green outdoor couches and chairs, a glass outdoor table between them. A long dining table sat on the other side of the deck that Hunter and Judah were cooking on, the perfect amount of chairs for everyone here tonight.

“Gray? Are you okay?” Hunter called over his shoulder, watching Hazel help me down the few deck steps.

“Just the stitches pulling. I’m fine. You always worry too much.”

“I always will so shut up about it,” he huffed, his cheeks pink as he turned back to the grill.

“Ooh,” Hazel wiggled as I sat on the couch, “y’all are so cute.”

“Shush. You’ll kill Hunter,” I laughed.

Allison sat next to me on the couch as Hazel took a seat on the other across from us.

“Where’s Robin?” Allison looked around, confused.

“I’m over here Ma!” Robin came walking from inside the house, “sorry, needed a new cup. I broke one. I’ll replace it.”

My jaw fell open for the second time today as I got my first glimpse of Robin. She was tall, only half a foot shorter than Hunter, her hair a beautiful dark brown, cut in the same style as mine. She had deep blue eyes, glittering in the sunlight and I smiled as she handed me a glass of lemonade before she took a seat next to Hazel.

“Robin, this is Grayson,” Allison introduced us and I waved.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she smiled, nodding, “Zee talks about you a lot.”

“How?” I laughed softly, “she barely knows me.”

“I ask Hunter what you're doing and he tells me since you never check your freakin' phone," Hazel laughed softly.

"Not used to having people to talk to. Plus Hunter is the only person I see on a regular basis and we use the walkie-talkies or I sit on the deck with Bear and watch him work when I need a break from planning the gender reveal," I shrugged, taking a sip of my lemonade, "thank you, Robin."

"You're welcome," Robin smiled, "so. I was wondering where you were from?"

"I was raised in Billings from the time I was two but I was born in North Dakota."

"Family?"

"Ah," I fidgeted for a moment, taking a sip of lemonade, "no. Not anymore. It was just me and mom. Until a year ago. Sometimes my granddad but he passed when I was 18."

"Oh… I'm sorry I asked," she looked awkward and I shook my head.

"I don't mind talking about it. It's not hard to talk about. I only have a few memories of her. She worked 4 jobs when I was a kid. So I never saw her. But when she was home it was amazing. We'd play board games, go to the park, and dance in the living room. I adored her. She was only 37 when I lost her though."

"That's so young… wait she had you really young then?"

"Mhm. She had just turned 16 when I was born. I'll be 22 a week after she would have been 38. Hunter made me a cross for her and took me out there before we came here. He got wildflowers for me too so I could place them for her."

"He did that?" Allison looked at me surprised.

"I promised Gray I would so he could get proper closure and I did," Hunter's voice came from behind me and I tilted my head back to smile up at him. He carefully ran his fingers through my hair, "How are ya feelin'?"

"I'm fine. I told you if I were hurting I'd let you know. I always do. So stop worrying," I stuck my tongue out, making him laugh.

"Fine, fine. You're so bossy."

"I thought you were used to that by now."

"Hm… I am but I don't like it," he rubbed my cheekbone with his thumb and left us once again, going back to the deck.

I looked back at Hazel, Robin, and Allison and they were staring at me in surprise, "What?"

"Is he always like that with you?" Allison whispered softly.

"Like… what?"

"Touchy. Honest. Sweet."

"Always."

"Well… I'm glad. Surprised, but glad. I'm happy we met you. You're bringing out a part of him I never thought I'd see."

"What part?"

"The side of him that opens up to someone," Hazel called softly, "he's incredibly shut off from people on purpose."

"But why? He's so sweet. Gentle."

"Let him explain," Allison gently rubbed my shoulder.

"Dinners ready," Judah called from the deck as Hunter approached me.

"Need my help?" He smiled, holding his arm out.

"Technically? No. Will I take it? Yes," I laughed and took his arm, letting him pull me up and assist me to the table.

Hunter took a seat next to me, Hazel and Robin across from us, and Judah was on my left, Allison on Hunter's right.

"Thank you… for inviting me along," I smiled at Judah.

"You're part of us now. The only reason you can't be here is if you're sick. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. My thigh is the only one that hurts but I think it's because you restitched it."

"I don't want to do that again so be more careful."

"Trust me Hunter won't let me do more than go from the couch to my bed, then to the kitchen. I have been able to get on the deck without him noticing."

"Hey. I'm not about to find ya again, bleedin' out. I've seen enough of your blood to last me a lifetime," Hunter pushed me softly and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Hey, be nice or I'll stop planning the gender reveal."

"You wouldn't dare," he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Try me."

Everyone else started to laugh and I looked around before looking back at Hunter who looked equally as confused as I was.

"Why are y'all laughin' at me?" Hunter pouted.

"We're not. We just… never thought we'd see you like this," Robin smiled.

"Like what?"

"Oh no, I'm not telling you. No one is. You have to figure it out."

Hunter huffed quietly and leaned back in his seat and I laughed softly.

Judah and Allison started serving dinner and I grabbed what I knew Hunter would want, setting his plate in front of him before serving myself.

"Ya didn't have to get mine," he whispered quietly in my ear.

"You were busy pouting and I know what you like. I don't mind."

"Well… thank you," he gently squeezed my knee, "oh! I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

"It's fine," my cheeks grew warm and I started to eat.

"So Gray," Allison called to me and I swallowed quickly, looking at her, "Did you go to college?"

"No," shaking my head, I sighed, "I knew what I wanted to do, but my mom couldn't have helped and I didn't want to go into debt."

"What did you want to do?"

"Large animal vet tech. I was supposed to take over my granddad's farm but it ended up being sold to pay off debts. So it didn't matter. I just wanted to be able to take care of the animals on the farm, without having to use a vet unless absolutely necessary."

"You could still do that ya know?" Hazel smiled, "Bozeman has a great school for that. It only takes like 3 years. You live on a farm now. Those skills will come in handy."

"I… have other things to worry about…"

"Gray?" Hunter rubbed the nape of my neck.

"Can we… talk about it later?"

"Absolutely."

"Thank you."

We all finished eating, talking about easier subjects, my past coming up now and again. I was open, unashamed of how I had spent the better part of a year living, knowing that I had made it through.

"Hunter," I patted his arm, "can you get those bags?"

"Of course," he smiled and headed inside, coming out with the gift bags and handing them to his parents.

"What's this?" Judah smiled.

"My mom always told me when you first visit someone's home you should bring a gift. It's also a thank you for taking care of me," I smiled, "I told Hunter what to get, and wrapped it myself. I hope you like them."

They both opened their gifts and Allison gasped, "Oh. Oh, this is a beautiful throw! Thank you, Grayson."

"I wanted to make sure it was a neutral color to match your house. Nothing too bright. Same with the mug. And Hunter told me you like chocolate. Judah was far harder to buy for, but Hunter picked."

"Thank you, son," Judah gently squeezed my shoulder as he pulled the bottle out, "Oh. My favorite. I was almost out. You're so sweet."

"Just… my way of saying thank you. I know I've said it a lot with words, but it's not the same."

"You're taking care of my son. That's more than I could ask for."

"I'm really not. He's taking care of me," I smiled at Hunter and he smiled back, rubbing my hand with his fingers.

"We take care of each other," Hunter whispered and I pat his cheek.

"Oh!" Hazel smiled, "Baby is kicking."

"Can I feel? I've never got to!" I smiled and she nodded.

Carefully, I went over and placed my hand on her stomach, giggling when I felt the movement under my hand.

"So strong. I can't wait to hold the baby. I never have before. I'm scared but I'll do my best."

"Are you going to help Hunter babysit?"

"Mhm. I already promised. Plus you're due just after my birthday. Baby will be my best friend."

"I thought I was your best friend," Hunter laughed.

"Are you really jealous over a baby?"

"Yes."

Snorting, I went over and sat back down, laying my head on his arm, "You're my best friend."

"You're mine too."

"I know. I'm tired," I whispered.

"Do ya wanna head out? No one will mind."

"Okay."

"Mom, Dad, we're gonna head home. It's about time Gray takes his meds. We'll see ya next weekend though."

"No, you'll see me Tuesday to take Grayson's sutures out. Bring him to the hospital in the afternoon okay?" Judah smiled, coming over to hug both of us, "Get home safe."

"We will. Thank you for dinner," I smiled, carefully getting to my feet, "Allison, let me know how those chocolates are. I should have gotten myself some."

"I'll save you one," she laughed softly and kissed my cheek before doing the same to Hunter, "take care of each other."

"We do, Mom. Zee, the party is nearly ready. I know we got 3 weeks, but Gray’s been working hard. You'll love it."

"I'm sure," she smiled, leaning against Robin, "love you."

"Love you too. Love you, Robin."

"Love you, baby bro," Robin waved, "Gray, I'll have Zee give you my number. If you decide to go to school, let me know. I'll help."

"Right. Thank you," I nodded.

Hunter and I left, my arm linked through his for support and as soon as we were in the truck, I let out a quiet sigh.

"Are you okay?" He rubbed my arm carefully.

"I like your family. A lot. But it's still really hard for me to be around people for this long. Outside of you."

"I know. Let me take ya home. We can get in warm clothes and lay out on a blanket with hot chocolate like I promised."

"Well, you do owe me. So yes," I laughed, "Hey Hunter?"

"Hm?" He smiled as he started the truck.

"Thank you."

"Anything for you. As long as it makes ya smile."