Standing on their doorstep in the early morning darkness, I greeted a confused Mr. and Mrs. Broughton. Freshly out of bed, still in their pyjamas and robes, they frowned groggily.

      "Hello." I smiled much too enthusiastically for the hour.

      "Hello?" Ed returned the greeting.

      "I'm a little early."

      "You don't say," Mei laughed, squinting at the barely rising sun.

      "This won't be of regular occurrence," I promised. "Is Lexi still asleep?"

      "I'm afraid so," Ed answered. "And probably will be for another hour, unless—"

      "Perfect!" I interrupted.

      Ed and Mei shared a puzzled look. "Perfect?"

      "No need to wake her up. I was actually hoping to speak to the both of you."

      "Without Lexi?" Ed confirmed.

      I nodded.

      As confused as they were upon first opening the door, Ed and Mei stepped aside, welcoming me inside.

      "You want to drive our daughter across the country?" Ed asked dumbfoundedly.

     "To Saskatchewan, yes." I swallowed nervously.

      "For some University program in Regina?" Mei added.

      I nodded again.

     "But you don't want to tell us which program?" She clarified.

     "Correct," I agreed. "I'll tell you if you feel that you need to know, but I think it would be best if she told you."

      "I'm assuming Lexi doesn't know about it yet?" Ed inquired, lips twitching into a smile.

      "She knows of the program. She wanted to apply but missed the deadline," I explained. "She specifically told me not to meddle, but I couldn't help it. I believe in her... And I believe she needs this."

      Mei twirling her coffee and Ed flicking the corner of his newspaper, they contemplated my request. I waited patiently, very much aware that I was asking a lot of them.

      "What's driving there going to do?"

      I was relieved to note that the man wasn't questioning out of malice, but rather genuine curiosity.

      "I made arrangements with the secretary," I said warily. "She's going to break a few rules to let us in to meet the panel, so that I can convince them to make an exception for Lexi."

      "You convinced a stranger to break rules for you?"

      "I'm told I can be quite persuasive, and Susan believes in Lexi too."

      Ed shot me an approving smile, rubbing his hairy chin thoughtfully.

      "I think it's great you want to help..." Ed started carefully.

      "But you hardly know me?" I finished for him. "And I'm basically asking you to let a near stranger drive your daughter across the country?"

      Tentatively, Ed and Mei nodded.

      "I take no offense," I assured, suddenly rambling. "Your fears are completely reasonable, and there's really no way for me to say I'm not a serial killer without sounding suspicious. But I'm not. Obviously—I mean I've been alone with her on multiple occasions and nothing bad has happened... I'm really not approaching this well. I shouldn't have put those ideas in your head. I don't want you thinking those ideas are in my head! I only brought it up because I too am concerned for her safety—Not in my presence of course! Just other people... people that I would never allow in her presence. I would never hurt her. I care for her a lot. A lot more than you or she probably knows. But not in a concerning way! I'm just...

      "I—I really hope I didn't completely mess this up. I'm sure I did. But please hear me out. I'll take every possible precaution. Like physical safety wise, not... You know? Not that I wouldn't do that either. It just won't be necessary." I clamped my mouth shut, face flushing red as too many words escaped my lips.

      Ed and Mei watched me seriously for a few moments, blinking absent-mindedly before bursting into fits of laughter.

      "Breath, Jaxson," Mei laughed. "You haven't messed this up."

      "Of course, we'll hear you out," Ed added.

       I relaxed in my chair. As suggested, I took a calming breath before launching into my plans for the weekend. I forced my words to come out at a normal pace. No more rambling.

       "I plan on driving," I started cautiously. "I already have the route mapped out. My car is up to date on all repairs. I'll show you my licence if you wish. My grandfather can attest to my driving skills. You can also call him to discuss things further. You'd be able to call me or Lexi at any time. We'll make sure to check in every few hours, or as often as you want. And I'll gladly let you place those tracking apps on our phones."

      The Broughtons nodded thoughtfully. They weren't upset as I had expected them to be. I was incredibly thankful that they were genuinely considering my request.

      "I'm assuming you'll be stopping for rest?" Ed asked.

      I nodded, pulling at my collar for air. We were treading conversation topics that I desperately wished to avoid. Trying to act casual I nearly knocked my glass of water off the kitchen table.

       It was a long drive to Regina. I'd have no choice to stop. I reckoned it was a bad idea to drive heavy-eyed. I may have been killed in a tragic car crash, but I didn't intend for Lexi to share my fate.

      "I've already found a hotel in a safe neighborhood. We'll book two rooms of course."

      Ed nodded, lips twitching and eyes shining. Frowning, I turned my gaze towards Mei, only to find her biting her lip, just barely suppressing her giggles.

       "I feel like I'm missing something," I said, brows still furrowed. They were trying not to laugh at me. What was so funny?

      "Oh, Jaxson." Mei did laugh this time. "You're just making a big deal out of something insignificant."

      "I'd hardly consider Lexi's future insignificant," I contended hotly.

      Ed snorted. "That's not what we meant. Of course, her future is significant. It's more that you're making an unnecessary big deal out of the possibility that we don't trust you."

      My brows remained furrowed, slowly analyzing the situation.

     "So... You do trust me?" I finally tried.

      "Of course."

      "Really?" I failed to mask my surprise.

      "Unless you think we should think otherwise." Ed tilted his head.

      "Of course, not!" I hid my face in my hands, unable to repress a chuckle as the man's words reminded me of Lexi's a few weeks back. Why did I keep saying the wrong things?

       "Your only problem will be convincing Lexi."

      "I got that covered." I beamed confidently.

      After going over more of my plans with Mr. and Mrs. Broughton, I stayed at the kitchen table. Even when the couple left for work, I lingered in the wooden chair, enjoying my hot cocoa. I had been invited to wait for Lexi, so of course, I did exactly that.

      Alarms and upstairs shuffling announcing the 6 Broughton children's awakening, I waited anticipatingly for Lexi.

      The first to come down, as if she had been eager to escape the upstairs chaos, I thought her dishevelled state quite endearing. In blue pyjama bottoms, a purple robe and bunny slippers, she descended the stairs half-asleep, brown curls sticking out wildly. I tried not to laugh.

      Taking few moments to spot me, when she did, brown eyes soared open. Inhaling sharply, Lexi seized the railing in terror. When the initial panic faded, wide eyes narrowed in confusion.

      "Jaxson?" She rubbed her eyes tiredly.

      "Morning," I greeted, sipping my cocoa with a grin.

      Lexi spluttered incoherently.

     "Hot cocoa?" I offered her a mug, pulling out the chair next to mine. "It's freshly made."

      Tentatively accepting the mug, she fell into the chair. She took a few moments to collect herself, before speaking.

      "Not to sound unwelcoming, but... What are you doing here?"

      "Just wanted to have a chat with your parents." I spoke quickly, hoping she wouldn't question me more. Why on earth had I believed it would be a good idea to stay for breakfast? I should have left with her parents. I should have left long before she woke up. I was an idiot. "How did you sleep?"

      She didn't fall for my diversion.

     "A chat about what?" she asked suspiciously, shoulders tensing in anticipation.

      "Nothing that concerns you."

      Lexi snorted. "Yeah, right."

     "It's nothing to worry about."

     "What did you do?" she accused.

      Making the mistake of meeting her eyes, I panicked. I felt myself surrendering... Stairs creaking, I shot my head sideways, breathing a sigh of relief.

      "What's up Beau?" I jumped at the chance of a distraction.

      With the chaos brought on by the five other Broughtons, Lexi didn't get the chance to bring up the chat again. I was saved by her siblings, but they wouldn't be by my side all day. I'd have to find another distraction.