Crys' POV

So today's the day!

We're currently on a plane with the twins, heading to Harv's hometown. My anxiety is so high that I'm surprised I haven't had an attack yet, but I have to try and keep it together. If Harv thought I was about to have a panic attack or something, he'd put us on the first flight back to campus. That wouldn't be very fair to anyone.

It's weird to think that we have only been together for a few weeks with how close we are, but he was my friend for a couple of months beforehand too. It all feels like so much longer, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Us being friends is half the reason I think we are so comfortable with each other already, we already know so much about each other. I know that his dad served his country but also lost his leg, and got PTSD afterwards. His mom stayed home to raise him and his sister, but wanted to be a writer or poet when she was younger. He's even told me about his sister, and her drug addiction that she recently got out of rehab for.

I hope I get given a few stories to hold over his head though, the twins have happily supplied him with tales from my childhood. Like how I used to be scared of big bird and his snoring, or singing so loud during my preschool Christmas production that no one else could be heard.

"We are about to start our descent, please ensure your belongings are all put away and seat belts are securely fastened." A polite captain's voice announces above my head, causing me to jump slightly.

"Hey, are you alright?" Harv asks, concern etched onto his handsome features.

"Yeah, of course." I chuckle at him. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, aside from the fact that you've been practically crushing my hand the entire flight." He smiles, before indicating the strong hold I didn't realise I had on his hand. "I can also see it in those beautiful blue eyes, that you're not as alright as you are pretending to be." He says with a small smile.

"Oh shit!" I quickly pull my hand from his, watching as he flexes and shakes his hand. "I'm sorry Harv, I'm just a bit nervous." I say with a sad smile.

I don't want to be nervous, but I need to make a good impression on these people. They mean the world to Harv, and I would hate it if they didn't approve or hated me.

"It's okay to be nervous, you know?" He whispers to me, holding my hand gently. "But you don't need to be. They are really nice people and I know they're going to love you." He says before giving me a smouldering kiss that halts all thoughts racing through my head.

As he pulls away, I feel the plane touch down onto the tar. I can't believe the calming sensation that this man provides for me. Even just sleeping next to me at night provides such a level of safety that my nightmares stay away.

"Come on you two! Let's get our bags." Jeremy cheerfully jumps from his seat, gaining a few odd looks.

Holding hands, Harv walks next to me as the twins lead the way to the baggage belt. After we get through the hustle and bustle of the airport's exit, we all pile into a taxi to take us to his house.

The three men just talk of all the things they want to do while they're here, and how they have to go Christmas shopping. We brought some presents up with us, but I suspect Jeremy left it til last minute.

It takes about fifteen minutes to drive to the house, which apparently we're surprising with our presence. Pulling up to a beautiful Victorian style house, I can't help but admire the beauty of it. It has a simple white and grey colour scheme with a porch our front, but the Christmas lights and fake snow around the windows just adds to the homey feeling it gives off.

Grabbing our suitcases out of the car, we all walk up the the front door that has a wreath hanging on it. I try to hide a bit behind Harv as much as I can without looking like a loon, as he rings the doorbell.

"Oh who would that be?!" A woman's voice huffs from the other side of the wood.

The door is pulled open to reveal a petite woman with light brown hair and forest green eyes. She's wearing jeans and a blouse, though the smell of bleach was wafting off of her.

"Ohhh! You cheeky devil! You said your flight wasn't until tonight!" She screams before hugging Harv tightly.

I let go of his hand so they can have a moment, and move so I'm behind James as quietly as possible. He knows this is something I'm just not comfortable with yet, family in general is a bit of a sad subject for us. Feeling two hands grab onto my own, I look to see the twins holding one of mine each.

Giving them a grateful smile, I'm broken from my momentary comfort by another squeal.

"Oh Jeremy! Look at you, growing more and more each time I see you!" She says, yanking him into a hug as tight as the first.

"Hey Barb, How have you been?" He says muffled in her shoulder.

"We've been great. John is back to his old self and Carrie is here for Christmas too." She gushes before letting him go.

James passes me to Harv, giving him a pointed look that I can't help but roll my eyes at.

"And you James. Look at the strapping young man you've become."

"Thanks Barb, you're looking wonderful as always." He smiles before kissing her cheek.

"Hey! Get those lips off my wife!" A deep voice booms from behind the petite woman.

"Oh shush, John." Barb scolds, laughing at his joking antics.

"Hey boys, what a nice surprise." He smiles at them all, before his brown eyes land on me. "And who do we have here?"

Harv pulls me forwards with him, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Mom, Dad, this is Crystal. My girlfriend." He beams, looking down at me like I'm some kind of precious jewel.

"Oh my word! Crystal, it is so nice to finally meet you. Your brother's have spoken about you so much I feel like I already know you! I'm Barbara but you can call me Barb." She gushes, before pulling me in for one of the suffocating hugs.

"Nice to meet you both, and please, Crys is fine." I say politely to both after she released me.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm John. Harv seems to have fallen very hard for you, if his phone calls are anything to go off." He smiles at me, making me look at Harv questioningly.

Seeing him with tinted pink cheeks is certainly something he won't be living down anytime soon.

"Thanks a lot old man." He mutters. "Is Carrie home?" He asks, looking behind them.

Everyone seems to realise this little reunion has happened on the front porch, and shows us through to the kitchen.

The inside of their house is just as beautiful as the outside. Floor boards in every room with cream painted walls, pictures adorning all the walls to show the happy family they were.

"Why don't you all go to your rooms and freshen up? Dinner will be ready at 6:30, so just be down by then." Barb offers, knowing everyone seems to have a room each here.

Following behind Harv, I can't help the anxiety that crawls its way back into my system. Am I supposed to go to a room or do I go with Harv to his room? Would they think I'm a tramp for wanting to sleep with him? A prude for wanting to have my own bed? Should I go back and ask where they want me to sleep?

Before my thoughts go any further, a door is being closed behind me and a lock set in place. Looking around, I realise we must be in Harv's room. With his band posters pinned up, and the typical Harv vibe his room has, much like the one back home.

"Stop over thinking. They love you, just like I said they would." He whispers from behind me, his warm breath sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"Shouldn't I go to the room I'm sleeping in?" I whisper back, almost scared to talk any louder.

"You are." He tells me before placing light hot kisses down my neck, and shoulder.

"B-but won't your parents mind?" I breath out, my focus solely on his lips.

"No, they won't. I am twenty two after all." He chuckles before walking around so he's in front of me. "Come on, let's have a bit of sleep before dinner. We were up pretty early."

As he says this, we walk over to his freshly made queen size bed. Taking our shoes off, Harv pulls the covers back for the both of us to slide under. As soon as I'm laying next to him, he pulls me close to his side. The action is not even thought about anymore, before it's done.

"Seriously though, how are you handling today?" he whispers after a moment.

Looking over to his chocolate eyes, all I see is the caring man I'm falling for. He didn't have to bring us with him for the holidays, he could have come here to enjoy it alone. We would have happily spent it together in the apartment, but he didn't even think twice before including us with his family.

I think mom and dad would have really liked Harv and his parents. They're all so friendly and welcoming, the kind of people our parents were before they died. Despite the lawyer profession, they were the most easy going people at home. Christmas was one of our favourite times of the year, besides the birthdays we always made a fuss about.

I wish they were here with us still.

I can't help but feel like I'm the reason they're not, regardless of what people try to tell me.

If it wasn't for me, they'd never have been killed.

"I'm alright." I whisper, realising I haven't replied. "Your parents are really nice, you're so lucky to have them. I can't wait to meet Carrie." I try to smile over at him.

"Come here, beautiful." He says with a knowing look, pulling me tight against him.

He hugs me in his warm strong arms that don't waver for a moment. Him whispering "you're okay" into my ear while rubbing my back, is all I needed before I started to sob into his chest. He's seen me at home when I have my low days about our parents, and he knows they are missed this time of year.

If you've ever lost someone who you love, you'll understand why it feels like a piece of your heart is always missing. Why sometimes you will just feel sad or upset, and how nothing can compare to the pain in your heart at knowing you'll never get to see them again. I can't hug my parents, or talk to them when life feels hard, I can't introduce them to Harv, and I can't fight with them if I think I'm right about something.

A piece of yourself that will always be missing.

"Get some sleep, babe. I'll watch over you." Harv whispers when my crying slows down to hiccups.

"Thank you Harv, for everything." I mumble before closing my eyes to get a much needed nap.

"Always, Crys. I'll always do anything I can, to make you happy." He tells me as I'm drifting off to sleep.

The last thing I feel is him giving my head a gentle kiss before darkness takes over.

I think I'm falling for this guy, and as scared as I am about that.

I don't want to fight it.

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