"Oh honey step away from that dishwasher!" Emma pops some more plates on the kitchen island telling me off as pick them up to put into the washer.

"Honestly it's fine. It's nice to actually have a dishwasher for once instead of doing it by hand," I giggle, to be honest, I was actually hiding away from socialising, it's making me really anxious and Coltons stepped outside with his brother.

"Gigi," She says more seriously and goes to hold my hand, " I'm honestly embarrassed by my husband and profusely apologise for his behaviour. I really hope he didn't scare you off!" Worry lines her face, I'd only known this woman for a few hours but she's hard not to take a liking too, in these last few hours I'd felt more of a connection with her than my own mother.

"Don't even worry about it, I've dealt with far worse! Thank you for having me tonight, I hope I didn't impose on your family time. Dinner was incredible, the best-cooked meal I've had in a long long time."

" It was amazing mom as always but I have to say I'm impressed with you though Gigi," Jess says leaning her eighteen-month on her hip. I stare at them bewildered, impressed? I'm like the least impressive person here. I'm sat in a room with a doctor, lawyers, CEO's and COO's, I'm just plain little Gigi.

"Yeah, getting Arlo to eat her vegetables, that girl always puts up a fight when it comes to eating her greens, how'd you do it?" I giggle at Emma. Arlo is the sweetest little thing ever, she's the same age as Luca and completely takes after Colton with her cheeky attitude.

"She's the sweetest! I have a younger brother who's the same age, it's a fight to get him to eat vegetables too so I've had to invent innovative ways to get him to eat them,"

They both chuckle, knowing how hard it is to try and feed a stubborn child. We clean up the kitchen and put the dishes away much to Emma's protest and settle at the kitchen island again with all the women in the house. They all welcomed me with open arms, involving me in all their conversations. It's such a relaxed, loving environment one I've never experienced with my own family.

"Is it scary singing to thousands of people? I think I'd shit myself." One of Coltons Aunties asks,

"Oh, I do, honestly it's petrifying. My first show on tour I almost didn't go on... I had such a horrific panic attack I couldn't even stand but Colton managed to calm me down and get me on stage."

It felt so easy opening up to these women, they listened to every word I said and looked genuinely interested.

"Well, I think I speak for everyone when I say you're an amazing artist with a hell of a story to tell," Jess goes quiet, staring at the rim of her mug, "I'm not going to lie when I heard Colt was bringing you tonight... I was a little apprehensive... especially because of all the stories in the media at the moment," Oh no, my heart drops and immediately my palms start shaking. This is it, this is when they chuck me out and tell me never to set foot in LA again, I'm anticipating the words when a soft hand covers mine, stopping my trembles, Jess smiles at me, " But I was completely wrong to judge you based on a shitty tabloid, we all have pasts and demons of different kinds, I should know better than to listen to Twitter tolls." She hangs her head in embarrassment, "But tonight has just shown me how wrong that small minority is and has shown me why you have so many adoring fans, you're literally one of the kindest people I've ever met and I'd love for us to be friends," She smiles warmingly at me and my insides go all fuzzy, this is the furthest thing from what I expected,

"Of course I'd love that!" is all I manage to say through my smile.

"If you ever need anything Love, we're all here, you fit in with the Hemmings perfectly," Grandma Trudy winks causing a blush to erupt on my cheeks. This family... they're that family that's seen in films, they're the family everyone wants to be a part of.

"Thank you, that really means a lot. I don't have a very good... connection with my family so I'm not used to all this loving and stuff but it really does mean a lot," I'm probably as red as a tomato right now but they all just smile at me.

"I'm down for all this family shit but I want to know the real tea," Elijah says strolling into the kitchen catching us all of guard.

"My sons and their potty mouths," Emma sighs, it's a good thing nobody's pissed me off yet, I don't want her catching an insight of my language. Elijah pulls a barstool around and perches right next to me,

"When do I get to officially call you my sister in law?" he smirks as I choke on the air in the kitchen, that's suddenly got very stifling.

"Sorry?"

"Come on, we all want to know," he gestures at the gossip-hungry women all grinning at me, "What's really going on with you and Colt?" I turn ever redder, pretty sure I'm beetroot now, Elijah is very much like Colton, he likes to push buttons and joke about with people, they've even got the same good looking genes.

"Nothing, we're just friends, simple friends." I stutter.

"Friends my ass," Grandma T shouts from the opposite end of the kitchen,

"Mom!" Emma scolds, "But seriously, you two are the least convincing people at 'being friends'" She mocks, " Your eyes light up the same way mine did when I met Amaury... now we're married with five kids and two grandchildren."

My neck heats, skin on fire under all the intense smirks,

"He's gone all soppy, a little lovesick puppy for you. He wouldn't stop gushing about his Gigi outside." Elijah adds.

He was talking about me? A new flurry of heat rises to my face but not all of it completely embarrassment.

"We're really just friends, I think we're too focused on our careers at the moment anyway."

And our pasts. Colton doesn't date and I have too much on my plate to think about getting my heart broken again. Sure, I like him but he probably doesn't like me. I've seen the girls he hooks up with, slim, blonde bombshells, something I'm far from. I came to focus and not get swept up by sexy singing men.

"At the moment. Mark my words- I expect to see you back here for thanksgiving. I'm taking bets, whos in?" Grandma T says again making us all chuckle, I just blush even deeper as Arlo lifts herself onto my lap, I secure my arms around her tiny waist.

"On a serious note though, thank you." Emma turns to me and places her perfectly painted red nails on my arm.

"What for?" Confusion ripples through me, these people are just way too nice.

"Bringing my boy home," She sighs and looks down at the counter, "He's got his spark back and I no doubt have you to thank for that. When he stepped into the kitchen today he had a new spring in his step, something we've all missed. I haven't seen him this happy since... well, since he was about eighteen. I know he loves his job, or at least he did love it but it took away my real Colton." The pain radiates through her face, twisting into a tight-lipped smile like shes trying to hold the lump in her throat, "You've bought him back, he actually came for a family dinner- the first in years. I thought after Hailey he'd never come back. He shut himself off even more, just stopped contact altogether. Maybe that was partly our fault, especially with his dad but.." She takes a sip of her tea and Jess rubs her arm. My heart beats erratically, knowing how hard it was for them I cant imagen how hard it must have been for CJ. My heart breaks thinking about it, no wonder he was such an arse, it doesn't excuse it obviously but being alone can be tiring, you build a defence system when you've been hurt so much. Pretending you're fine all the time can be tiring. But one thing in particular sticks in my mind, Hailey... who's Hailey and what did she do to him, I swear I'll rip this girls hair out if she's the reason behind his pain.

"I wasn't sure our Colt would come back, every morning we'd wake up to a new headline. Constantly seen in clubs with girls, falling over drunk or getting angry and getting into fights. It broke me to see my boy like that." She sucks in air then a small smile reaches her lips, "But I haven't seen anything like that in... months, since march at least! Instead, I've seen his music doing well and pictures of you two out and about... looking happy. You're good for him Gigi. You guys can deny it as much as you want but there's something rare between you two. Hold onto it." She pulls me into a heartfelt hug and I hold her tightly, letting her have some comfort in the shape of me.

"Honestly I can't take credit at all, people have to want to change in order to do it. Although he's a massive pain in my arse most of the time, he's done more for me than anyone before and he'll never know how much he's helped me. I really wouldn't be standing here now if it weren't for him." I watch as her lips turn into a full-blown smile, if I could wish for any kind of mother it would be an Emma, her love for her kids is admirable.

"Honestly Gigi you ever need anything at all, we're here okay! Promise me you'll come to us!" She says, I nod weakly. How is this family so welcoming, they've known me a few hours. I guess not everyone has trust issues, Gigi.

"Can Gigi come and play with me now? I'm bored!" Arlo pouts on my lap making the kitchen chuckle.

"Come on then," I giggle placing her onto the ground as she pulls me by my arm out of the kitchen and through the massive house. We walk past a large room with the door slightly ajar when I hear,

"Gigi, could you please come in here a second," my body freezes recognising Colton's dads' voice, oh shit, my hands slightly tremor.

"You go up, I'll be there in a second," Arlo turns to look at me puppy-eyed,

"Promise?" I nod watching her trundle up the stairs.

I push open the large white door which opens out into a modern-looking study with a large desk scattered in paperwork and a large iMac taking pride position on it. The room is minimal, lined with two bookcases, one containing books and the other full of nicknacks and files. Mr Hemmings swivels in the chair behind the desk analysing me,

"Can I help you, Mr Hemmings?" I ask when he doesn't say anything, I feel like I'm back at Berkeleys again under scrutiny from the man himself.

He sucks in a deep breath and takes a large sip of amber whisky from the square glass on the desk, I let my eyes roam over his slumped body. His jawline is exactly like Colts just covered in a dark five o'clock shadow, he looks young which was helped by his striking blue eyes, obviously passed onto the boys.

"I uh," he coughs uncomfortable with the situation, " I have been asked to apologise, my behaviour at dinner was uncalled for and nasty." He doesn't meet my eyes, he's been forced to apologise not a word of it true.

"It's fine, honestly... uh thank you for having me, your home is beautiful." He gives me a small nod and a straight smile, his lack of interest in this conversation is grating, "Well, I better go find Arlo," I lean my weight from leg to leg and when he directs his attention back to the computer I go to leave, I reach the door wavering from opening it.

Don't poke your nose in. Don't poke-

"Look I know it's not my place and I really don't know the in's and out's of your relationship with Colton but you should be proud of your son," I turn around, his features harden slightly taking another sip of his whisky, "I know he didn't go down the career route you would have wished him too and he hasn't been very... present... but it wasn't because he didn't want to be. He really did want to be but the industry we're in, its harsh- cutthroat. Even more so at sixteen, especially when you're considered the underdog. Your career is an easily replaceable one, there are ten more people in the next room waiting for an opportunity like yours. People like Tessa and Castro are scary, trust me I know, they have the power to take away your career in one phone call. Colton wanted to be here but it's easy to get manipulated in our line of work. This past week he's been petrified to come home, he was scared everyone would hate him so he stayed away. I know he's not a COO or a big-time lawyer but he's a multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning artist who works harder than anyone I've ever seen. He's crazy talented and one of the most caring people I've ever met." He looks at me blankly, he deserves to know the truth about his son, " It's such a rewarding but intense industry. We feel its better to push people away than drag them into our problematic lifestyles, it gets lonely and sometimes all we need is support from the people we care about most." He looks down at the keyboard and I heavy silence fills the room, I turn to leave,

"He admires you, he always has. It's hard to find a good bond between parents and their children but you and your wife, you have it, your family is loving and warm. Don't let that go over past mistakes. Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them."

I open the door,

"Wait," Coltons dad stands up from his chair quickly, " Please call me Aumary," He sighs sitting back in his chair, "Thank you, I... never knew how much I needed to hear that. You're a great girl, good for my boy." He chuckles hopelessly, " Being stubborn is a virtue when you're right; its only a character flaw when you're wrong. I really do apologise for my behaviour at dinner, it really was unforgivable." He smiles softly at me,

"Don't worry about it, Colt was the same when we first met, a massive arse." I snicker, as does he. I can feel the tension escaping through the window, he's becoming a lot more relaxed.

"I like you," he declares quietly, "Perfect for him," he mumbles. I blush slightly, Coltons perfect for me too, just the right amount of sane for my crazy but it still wouldn't happen.

"I best get to Arlo, I told her I'd play with her." He nods and waves me off,

"Thanks for coming tonight, you're the like this lighthouse this family needed." He says as I reach the door, I smile back at him and slither out of the door into the hallway feeling lighter, looking down at the charm dangling from my wrist. Colton deserves to be happy, he deserves to find his way back onto his path.

I spent god knows how long playing with cars and barbies, driving the barbies around the room on monster trucks before Arlo started to get sleepy and wanted me to read her a book, she picked one from her lilac bookshelf and handed it to me. We're both snuggled under her tiny duvet in between the mountains of stuffed animals, she rests her tiny head on my chest, her dirty blonde wisps of hair delicately rest under my chin. Her giggle is melodic when she begs me to portray the different characters with different voices, I've had tons of practice with Luca so I'm pretty much a pro at these things now... not to blow my own trumpet.

Her giggles gradually get quieter until they're replaced with soft snores, I smile down at her as her eyelashes flutter against her cheeks, stroking her soft hair I try and wriggle out from under her, being careful not to wake her. She stirs a few times but doesn't wake, pulling the duvet up until shes covered I place a small kiss on her cheek and walk out of her room, closing the door quietly behind me.

Scaring the shit out of me a pair of arms snake around my waist, lifting me off the ground. I let out a small yelp but stifle it with my hands remembering Arlos just behind the door. A familiar scent covers me making me relax as a soft kiss is placed on my neck.

"Hey," Colt whispers making my skin tingle,

"Hey, how long have you been here?" I whisper back as he places me onto the ground, turning me to face him.

"Hmm, long enough to hear your Mr Hippo impression," he snickers as I thump him in the chest, "Chill, it was adorable, you are adorable." I rest my head against his chest in embarrassment and groan.

"Shush now Colt," I say into his shirt, he just chuckles.

"I mean it doll, you're adorable." He brings my head up to meet his and his eyes flit from my mouth to my eyes. He's going to kiss me.

Please kiss me

He moves in closer, teasing me with time,

I want to feel his soft lips against time again

"Right, time for bed Ar-" Emma walks around the corner, interrupting whatever that was. In a flustered state, I jump away from him putting distance between us,

"Uh sorry, she fell asleep whilst I was reading her a story," I say apologetically, Emma smirks at us raising a brow,

"She must love you, bedtimes always a struggle, its always one more story or one more song." She says with a wide smile, "Right, now the terrors in bed, we're having a bonfire in the back yard if you two want to join." We both nod eagerly much to Emma's excitement. She wanders back downstairs, leaving me and Colton in the empty corridor drowning in silence. I want nothing more than to kiss him, feel that fire again but before I can he's linking our fingers and dragging me to the back garden.

What is wrong with me! Keep your emotions in check woman!

Colton leads me into the back garden which is more the size of a golf course that overlooks the hills, the stars seem so close. I just want to reach out and grab one. The whole family is gathered around a fire pit, drinking, eating and laughing but Colt pulls me in a different direction, placing us down in a garden chair a little further back from everyone. The chairs a large one-seater but Colton pulls me down onto his lap, resting his arm around my shoulders, I don't protest enjoying the warmth and security. He grins at me, his eyes glint under the moonlight on the clear night. He looks happy, content. That makes me smile.

"My family love you," He chuckles watching them fight over random sticks to throw onto the fire.

"More importantly they love you!" I counter watching his smile widen a little more,

"Thanks for doing this with me Spiller, I couldn't have done it without you," He kisses my knuckles.

"Eh, what can I say? I'm just amazing at everything." I giggle,

"That you are." He states smiling at me. I rest my arms around his neck scooting in closer to his chest so I can rest my head upon it. I listen to the soft beats of his heart, ignoring all the chatter from the others. The glow of the fire heats my bare legs, it's not a cold night but the extra warmth is always appreciated. I stare up at the stars watching them twinkle, I try and pick out different shapes I could make from them but one thing still sat on my mind,

"Colt can I ask you something?" I look up at him to find he's already looking down at me,

"Yeah of course," I bite my lip.

"Who's Hailey?"

I immediately feel him tense beneath me, his once steady heart now beating fast and erratically. He stares off into the distance, jaw tensed.

"Sorry, it's okay you don't-" He lets out a deep breath through his nose, and squeezes my hand.

"No. it's okay, you deserve to know Gi, you've been honest with me." He smiles lightly at me but his eyes tell a different story.

"It's okay, take your time,"

"I've never really spoken about this with anyone. I just pushed it under the rug and covered it with alcohol and rage." He tentatively rubs his forehead, I pull his hand down and stroke it calmingly.

"Hailey is my ex, Hailey is one of the reasons I'm a complete dick," He chuckles remorsefully, "I figured you'd find out about her soon enough. Hailey was my first proper girlfriend, we met when I was twenty. She was a struggling model at the time, working at an event I was invited to. When we met we hit it off, she was like this breath of fresh air, she didn't care about me or what I did. At least I thought she didn't." He takes a sharp breath, uncomfortable. His knuckles turn white gripping the chair.

"I was lonely, away from my family and friends, working constantly trying to keep up appearances and demands. Hailey was there... she was my haven away from it all, she became like a lifeline. She came with me to events, sat with me at meetings, travelled with me. She was always with me, it felt like she was filling that void I had, the loneliness. I became dependant on her but what I didn't realise she was actually doing was isolating me, she stopped me seeing my friends, always distracted me when my mom rang. I was too blind and naive to see it, I just thought she wanted to spend time with me, she'd tell me I ignored her too much and I was always away with work. The label liked it at first, it bought a lot of publicity, especially when we became the 'it' couple." He chuckles sinfully, bobbing his knee up and down, "She met my family once, the last time I properly came round, it was Christmas and I practically had to drag her here. She was rude and manipulative- I was rude and manipulative. She led me to believe she was all I needed so I tried to push my family away. It was a disastrous Christmas, I swore I would never come back and after we broke up I felt too embarrassed too,"

"Your family love you no matter what, you know that right?" I pinch his chin,

"I do now," He smiles and places a light kiss on my forehead," Anyway, we were together for two years, I thought she was the one, my everything," I know this was the past but I can't escape the sharpening pain in my chest when he talks about other girls, " We were living together, I was going to propose, I had the ring and everything." He stops himself, no emotion present in his eyes, he just stares off his grip on my hand tightening my thigh.

"What happened?" I whisper, playing with a strand of his hair, twirling it around my finger. For a moment I don't think he's going to answer when he nuzzles in closer to me. Instead of pushing me away like when we first met, he's letting me in, trusting in me.

"I was on a press tour in Europe but I wanted to surprise her by coming home early, I was going to propose that night. I got home and went straight over to our place only when I got there she wasn't alone," he speaks through clenched teeth, " I walked in on them together, her and her boyfriend." I gasp quietly, anger surges through me, "Turns out she'd been using me for the past couple years, I really helped her modelling career take off. Just a shame she took my heart with it," he chuckles slowly and scoffs, shaming himself. I pull him into a hug, rubbing my hand up and down his back.

"After that, I completely shut everyone out, became this complete dick to everyone and everything. The label got harsher on me since Hailey twisted the breakup and started spreading shit about me, it bought a lot of negative press, ever since Tessa likes to make sure I stay single. I completely fell off the fucking wagon, I just drank and punched things. I feel so far down this black hole and here we are today, still lonely and lost." His voice wobbles and we switch positions, I pull his head onto my chest and gently run my fingers through his hair.

"Firstly CJ, Imma find this bitch and rip her hair out, she's completely unworthy of you. What she did is disgusting and it wasn't your fault she was a manipulating prick okay!" His low chuckle rumbles across my chest, "and secondly you're not alone. You have your family and your friends who love you so much and... you have me, I'm always going to be here for you. I'm not going anywhere so you better get used to my annoying arse,"

"I love your ass, it's so-" I slap him in the chest which causes us both to laugh,

"And lastly, you may feel lost but I promise you, you are finding your way back. It really shows in your music and just generally you. You've changed so much in the last few months, I don't even recognise the prick who's shirt I 'ruined' " we both giggle, he looks at me through his thick eyelashes. His glassy eyes vulnerable and doe-like. " Where words fail music speaks right?" I get up abruptly, he looks at me confused. I drag him out of the garden and into one of the big rooms enclosed by bookshelves, he follows me over to the giant Yamaha grand piano I saw in here earlier. I sit down at the stool running my hands carefully over the keys.

"This is for you, everything I want to say but I can't find the words so I'll sing it instead," I let out a breath and start playing the intro to Emeli Sandes River.

My fingers delicately hit the keys, I can feel him looking at me, his fiery gaze pushing goosebumps to my skin. This Is for him,

'If you're looking for the big adventure,

And gold is all that's on your mind,

If all you want's someone to take your picture,

Then I won't waste your time

See maybe I'm too quiet for ya,

You probably never noticed me,

But if you're too big to follow rivers,

How you ever gonna find the seas

So follow me, I'll be your river river,

I'll do the running for ya, follow me,

I'll be your river river, I'll move the mountains for ya,

Follow me, I'll be your river river,

I'm here to keep you floating, follow me,

I'll be your river river, river river, yeah

I look up at him, he's hopped onto the piano and is glaring down at me, my heart flutters in my chest. I wonder what he's thinking.

If all you want are answers to your questions,

And you can't seem to find no love for free,

If you're looking for the right direction,

Then darling look for me

See, I can't make the load much lighter,

I just need you to confide in me,

But if you're too proud to follow rivers,

How you ever gonna find the sea

So follow me, I'll be your river river

I'll do the running for ya, follow me,

I'll be your river river, I'll move the mountains for ya,

Follow me, I'll be your river river,

I'm here to keep you floating, follow me,

I'll be your river river, river river yeah

Wherever you're standing I will be by your side,

Through the good through the bad, I'll never be hard to find

I said wherever you're standing I will be by your side

Through the good through the bad, I'll never be hard to find

So follow me, I'll be your river river

I'll do the running for ya, follow me,

I'll be your river river, I'll move the mountains for ya,

Follow me, I'll be your river river,

I'm here to keep you floating, follow me,

I'll be your river river, river river yeah

Wherever you're standing I will be by your side

Through the good through the bad, I'll never be hard to find'

I take my finger of the last key and look up to find the whole family crowding around the piano, looks of awe on their face. Colton smiles brighter than the sun and that's when I realise he understands, I'm not going anywhere, I'll be his river there to keep him running.

I want to be the only one to keep him running.

Hey guys first off I just want to say a happy birthday to @-eham- 🖤 thank you for being such a loyal and supportive reader!

Sorry this updates slightly earlier than usual but I have a driving lesson later!

I hope you guys are all well and keep safe! Let me know what you all thought of the double update!
I'm writing like crazy right now so I can do extra updates around Christmas, also I've just mapped the end of TTS and I think we're going to have about 65 chapters :( I'm currently writing chapter 53 so it's coming to a close 🖤

Thank you all so much for reading, I updated the playlist regularly so please check that out for new music!

Iz x