"Are you really ready for this?" Erin gave her younger sister a questioning look as they stood at the airport. While Jax took care of the formalities, Erin wanted to take advantage of the moment. "You know we can still cancel this."

"No", Caitlin shook her head with a faint smile. "Abel is looking forward to finally going on vacation and meeting new people. I can't do that to him."

"Well, do you still want all of this? Or have you changed your mind and only doing this for Abel?" Erin asked, not quite able to hide her protective side.

"No, I haven't changed my mind." The redhead looked at Erin with a frown. Instead of being annoyed by her many questions, the younger Peters sister was understanding. Erin was worried, nothing more.

"It'll be okay, Erin", Caitlin assured her, smiling, surprised at the sudden optimism she felt.

Two days ago she had already panicked when she just thought that there were only two days left until they flew to Los Angeles. And now she was standing here at the airport and felt absolutely calm inside. Not a storm of emotions bothered her like it did the last two days.

For the last three days she had been busy completing paperwork for their trip. Since she also had the American citizenship thanks to her father, everything was much easier and she only had to fill out a few things for Abel.

Just a moment ago they were at the doctor's to pick up a supply of Abel's medication, just in case something went missing and they needed a replacement. Caitlin simply didn't want to take the risk of having to rely on other medications in an emergency that Abel might be allergic to or anything else.

"If you say so, then I'll believe you", Erin sighed, forcing a smile on her lips.

Caitlin raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms. "Why are you so nervous? Normally you're the one always keeping your cool in such situations."

"Because I'm scared, Caitlin", the older one explained with a slight shrug of her shoulders, the smile slowly fading. "You and Jax seem to like each other."

"And?" Caitlin inquired.

"Really?" Groaning, Erin tipped her head back before her gaze rested on Caitlin again after glancing at Jax and Abel, who were standing at a counter a few meters away. "You already look like a sweet little family. If I didn't know that nothing was going on between you and him, I would definitely think that you were a normal family. I'm afraid that's exactly what will happen at some point. That you, him and Abel are becoming a family."

"That's bullshit, Erin, and you know it", Caitlin grumbled with a thoughtful frown.

Erin, who was anything but relaxed inside, pulled her lips into a thin line. "Is it? Can you assure me that you and Abel will come back with me?"

"Yes, of course", Caitlin answered quickly, not realizing how unsure she sounded.

Caitlin was aware that Erin was the typical big sister who always wanted to protect her and her nephew. However, the younger sister had never noticed how much fear Erin had of losing her and Abelᅳ but the redhead clearly noticed from Erin's dismissive attitude how much fear and insecurity her older sister held inside her, which Erin probably wouldn't admit so easily.

"That doesn't sound so sure." Erin exhaled deeply, but accepted Caitlin's answer for now. "It's important to me that Abel is happy, and he seems to be happy right now. But you should also be happy."

"I am", the redhead hummed as she tugged at the piece of paper taped to the handle of her suitcase. "You know I'm happy when Abel is. And that's exactly why I'm doing all of this. He deserves to meet his family."

"I know." As much as she wanted to object, Erin had to admit that Caitlin was right. Sighing, she shrugged and lowered her gaze. "He should get the chance, get to know his family. I have no idea why this is stressing me out so much."

"Because you're worried, like always." Sighing, Caitlin leaned against Erin, resting her head on the brunette's shoulder. "You have to stop worrying all the time. I'm not a child anymore, I know what I'm doing."

No, she had absolutely no idea what she was doing if she was honest. But Caitlin was a person who was better at thinking positively than Erin, who had been disappointed more than once in her life. And despite the hurdles Caitlin had to overcome, she still believed in the good.

And Jax was good for Abel. Her son should have a father and why should she stand in the way of that? It would be stupid of her to take away Jax and Abel's chance to form a real bond. Well, there already had been a bond between themᅳ which only further proved that Jax was a part from Abel, whom she now had to accept.

A soft laugh fell from Erin's lips as she wrapped her arm around Caitlin and hugged her, pulling her closer against her side. "You say that so easily. You will always be my little sister. I don't care if you're fifteen or fifty. But I know that it's your lifeᅳ and therefore your decisions. I just don't want you to rush things."

"And I won't", Caitlin promised firmly as she looked up at Erin. "I'm coming back home with you."

And right now she actually still believed that, ignoring the emerging longing to get closer to Jax again, to feel him again and to be close to him. But the man also had a certain charm that was hard to resist.

ᚔ

Charming, California. Here they were, in a small town in Los Angeles. An absolute dream, at least for Caitlin, who couldn't stop staring at everything for at least a minute.

The moment they left the airport in Los Angeles and stepped outside the huge building, her eyes were permanently wide, enjoying the new world she was in. The crowds, the beautiful weather, the palm trees, the beach. And they also had restaurants on every street corner. This was exactly how she had always imagined Los Angeles.

Her stomach did one flip after another as she enthusiastically absorbed everything she could. Also, one enthusiastic gasp after the next left Abel's mouth, his hands always glued to the window of the taxi, as was his face.

Only when they actually arrived in Charming and the crowd slowly died down did Caitlin's nerves slowly calm down and Abel also became a little more quiet again. Nevertheless, even Charming seemed friendly and welcoming in contrast to cold, rainy and foggy Belfast.

The American houses they drove past, the small shops and restaurants. All of that, that typical American flair, found their way straight into Caitlin's heart.

She also enjoyed every vacation with her father in Boston, although she already preferred California. The weather simply suited her more. She was a summer person, someone who could spend time at the beach permanently, and that would probably never change.

During their ride, Jax had always explained where they were and what interesting things there were. He had promised Abel a trip to the beach in the next few days and Caitlin couldn't wait to jump into the ocean. And Abel would definitely keep asking when they would finally go to the beach until they were actually there.

Only Erin had been reserved throughout their ride. She had quietly observed Abel's but especially Caitlin's reaction to the new surroundings. And as feared, Caitlin felt right at home here. Another reason for Erin to be afraid that she would only see her sister a few times a year in the future.

"Here we are." The grin on Jax's lips only grew wider as he held the door open for Abel and Caitlin to step out of the car.

They were actually here. Here at his house. In his hometown. It wasn't until they were on the plane that he was able to relax because he knew there was no turning back anymore. Until a few hours ago he was worried that Caitlin might change her mind again and stay in Belfast.

But she didn't, for which he was sincerely grateful and it showed.

"Is this your house, daddy?" Abel pointed to the small house in front of which the taxi had stopped while the almost four year old climbed out of the car.

"Yeah, this is my house, buddy", Jax nodded eagerly, his heart skipping a beat when Abel called him daddy instead of Jax, which the little boy had been doing for a few days now that he knew the truth. And yet it still made Jax' heart race every time he was called dad.

He had exactly two weeks to convince Caitlin that California was the right place for her and their son. Yes, their son. Abel was his, bit also Caitlin's. So, Abel was their son; it was that easy.

"It's so big!" Abel padded towards the house with wide eyes, but was still a little reserved, politely waiting for the others.

"You even have your own room", Jax smirked at the boy, who gasped excitedly again.

"Really?" Caitlin asked surprised, to which Jax nodded slightly.

"I never had the strength to throw away his stuff, it wouldn't have felt right", he said a little quieter. Jax didn't want Abel to see how traumatizing him getting kidnapped back then still was for Jax. "It's still the old stuff. His old crib, changing table, baby toys and such. So we'll have to get new things for him in a few days but at least he has a room for himself."

"Oh..I understand." Caitlin lifted the corner of her mouth before she put a hand on Jax's arm, trying to comfort him a little. "We can do that, getting him new stuff I mean. But what's more important is that Abel can spend time with you and get to know the rest of your and his family first."

For another moment she looked into his blue eyes, in which, alongside joy, there was now also deep pain after he had mentioned Abel's room. How could she bring herself to go back to Ireland with Abel? Basically, she would just hurt Jax and reopen old wounds by taking Abel away from him.

Although she wouldn't kidnap Abel and would allow Jax to have contact with him at any time, he would still be away from Abel again. Even though it wasn't exactly her problem, she was still overthinking it and trying to find a solution.

"Thanks again. For doing all of this, Caitlin." Jax's hand found its way to Caitlin's hip before pulling her into a loose hug, his hand slipping to her back.

"You don't have to thank me all the time", she whispered, suddenly starting to feel a little nervous after she slipped her arm around his waist.

Why did she enjoy being around him so much? Why did a hug turn all her feelings upside down? Despite the long flight, she could still smell the perfume he also wore the night they slept together. The flashbacks that played out in front of her eyes only made it harder not to fall for him again. She quickly broke away from the blonde and cleared her throat awkwardly to escape the beautiful thoughts that tortured her.

Jax ran a hand over his slicked back hair, some strands falling to the side that hadn't survived the long flight. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean toᅳ"

"No no. You didn't do anything wrong", she immediately assured him, clearing her throat again. "Uh, you can go inside with Abel and show him everything if you want. I'll take care of the suitcases with Erin."

"You sure?", Jax asked, who seemed a lot more relaxed than Caitlin. Which didn't mean he didn't notice how nervous the redhead suddenly seemed.

"Yeah, I'm sure, I need a moment anyway", she assured him with a wave of her hand and forced a cheerful smile on her lips. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay darlin'. But if you need help, just say something", he told her, winking at her before he took Abel by the hand and brought him inside to show him the house.

"So from the looks of it, your knees are pretty weak now, huh?" Erin grinned from ear to ear as she walked over to her sister after she had watched the scene from a distance.

As much as she was afraid of losing Caitlin to Jax and California, she still wanted Caitlin to confide in her if she developed feelings for someone. And if she had to, Erin would bite her tongue to avoid saying something stupid.

A overwhelmed whine filled Erin's ears, eliciting a laugh from her. "Oh wow, that bad? I thought I had nothing to worry about."

"You don't", Caitlin muttered with a shrug, fishing for her pack of cigarettes that was in her bag that hung over her shoulder. "But did you see that wink? And he smells so good, God.."

"Okay, too many details", Erin chuckled, who also stole a cigarette from Caitlin's pack. "I didn't know you were smoking again?"

"Just every now and then", Caitlin answers, who took a long drag of her cigarette, letting the nicotine fill her lungs, before she handed Erin the lighter.

There was silence for a long moment as the women were lost in their own thoughts. Caitlin was preoccupied with how this would all continue and how the meeting with Jax's family that was planned for tomorrow would go. And Erin was already wondering how she would be able to afford all the plane tickets she would need to America if Caitlin actually stayed here.

"What should I do, Erin? I can't just go back again." Caitlin's soft, uncertain voice rang out after she threw the butt of her cigarette on the ground and put it out with the sole of her converse sneaker.

"No, you probably can't", the brunette replied with a sigh. "I knew at the airport that you would get doubts, even if you were still convinced that you would come back with me."

Caitlin was silent again for a moment. Apparently Erin knew her better than she sometimes knew herself. "Would you be mad if I considered staying?"

"No, I wouldn't be, just..sad", Erin finally admitted, still looking into the other direction so her younger sister wouldn't see how much this was actually affecting her. "And I would really miss you and Abel."

"Nothing has been decided yet", Caitlin replied, her voice only a murmur. "Besides, it's not that easy. I have to go back anyway, even if I decide to stay here."

"That's correct." Erin quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks before looking at her sister with a forced smile. Then she ran the back of her fingers over Caitlin's rosy cheek. "I know you will make the right decision. And I support you no matter what it is."

"This means a lot to me, Erin." Caitlin looked into Erin's glassy eyes, and tears began to gather in her eyes too.

Why did it have to be so difficult? No matter what decision she would make, she would hurt someone. Either Erin or Jax, and probably Abel at that. She just wanted her mom back, who always had advice.

Erin finally spoke up again and took a deep breath. "Is it okay if I stay in a motel while we're here?"

"What why?" Perplexed by Erin's wish, Caitlin had a hard time stopping her sister if that was what she wanted.

"I think I would just feel more comfortable there. I want you to be able to spend time as a family. I don't wanna bother you guys." Erin ran a hand through her wavy hair and looked at Caitlin reassuringly. "There's one right around the corner, I'm still close enough."

"You know you're not bothering anyone." Sighing, Caitlin lowered her shoulders, but then straightened them again and finally nodded. "But if you want, that's okay with me. We still see each other every day, right?"

"Duh? Do you really think I won't check on you and Abel? You still don't know me?" Erin asked with a grin to lighten up the mood a bit.

"Right, my mistake", the redhead laughed softly before pulling Erin into another hug. "Love you, Erin."

"Love you too, sweetheart." Shortly afterwards the older Peters broke away and grabbed the handle of her suitcase. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, I definitely wanna be there when Abel meets his family."

"I wouldn't go without you. You still don't know me?", Caitlin asked with a challenging smirk.

Erin snorted a laugh before rolling her eyes. "Well played. I'll call you later!"

Caitlin watched Erin leave until she disappeared around the corner. The redhead enjoyed the silence for a moment before she grabbed the two remaining suitcases that belonged to Abel and her and walked towards the house.

ᚔ

authors note; Hi guys! I published my first original story in a long time. It's a horror short story [haunted house flair. Will have about ten chapters]. The main characters are portrayed by Charlie Hunnam and Kennedy Walsh. It would mean a lot if you could check it out! 🖤