Chapter 29
The skyscrapers and the mountains were reflected off of the port that sat in the center of the city. The sun added a golden hue to the clear sky, turning it slightly pink. Blurs of commercial shuttles and vehicles were found hovering just over the water, creating white ripples in it.
Rose eyed them, her fingers moving restlessly in her lap. Her forehead was almost touching the glass of the window, as she looked down at the water. She was trying to avoid looking at the skyline of Vancouver. It would just make her more nervous. She inhaled deeply with her nose, smelling Kaidan's husky scent and the ginger ale that was grasped in his hands.
He was leaning across her so he could see out the window, smiling widely as he watched Vancouver get closer and closer. "God," He said as leaned back into his seat. "I'm so excited." His fingers reached to interlace with hers, but he found that Rose's fingers were already intertwined into a knot. Looking down at her lap, his eyebrows furrowed together. "What's wrong?"
Rose gulped, before quickly unraveling her fingers. "Nothing." She added a smile, before putting her hand on top of his and looking out at the water again.
"Babe, don't even try that." He placed his other hand on top of hers now, sandwiching them. Rose pushed back onto her headrest, feeling Kaidan's eyes on her face.
"I'm nervous. I've never done anything like this before."
"Flown? Uh..." Kaidan asked in confusion.
"No. Kaidan, I've never met anyone's parents before. I've never been brought home by someone. It's kind of...nerve wracking." The last word was a mumble, as she had started to chew her lip since her hand was being held captive.
"Rose, it's not like I'm bringing you home for inspection and approval. Meeting my parents is not an interview. You've already got the job." He gave her a tender smile, before letting out a soft chuckle. "My mom already loves you. And my dad can't believe that I can even handle a badass like you."
She raised an eyebrow at him, but his smile just grew wider. "I swear on my life."
"Rose, I thought I would never be able to love anybody more than I love my family. And then I met you." His caramel eyes flickered as the sunlight streamed through the window. "And I'm going to have all of you there at once. I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to me."
"Well, the anticipation is killing me. I want to see this view of the Bay from your balcony already. I've heard enough about it." She let out a quiet laugh, before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his softly.
"Estimated arrival in two and a half minutes. Please be aware we are now landing." An AI voice spoke over the intercom, causing the other passengers on the shuttle to lift their heads up and listen. The familiar feeling of pressure began to fill Kaidan and Rose's ears - something they had long grown used to.
Trees were a blur of dark green on the side of the newly paved road. The wind blew in through the open truck windows, the breeze smelling like salt water. Kaidan held onto the wheel loosely, looking out the windows rather then the windshield. He had driven down this road so many times, he knew he did't need to look. A smile spread across his face as he looked over at Rose. She had her arm awkwardly placed on her door, he blonde hair twisting behind her neck in the wind. She was smiling, but still seemed unsure of herself. It was her first time in a land vehicle like this. When Kaidan told her she would be driving them, she was expecting a Mako. He had bought the truck for himself when he was stationed in Vancouver. It wasn't the most popular model driven on Earth, but he liked it either way.
"So," Kaidan breathed out in his husky voice, "What do you think of it so far?"
Rose took one last glance out of the window before answering him. "It's a lot better than the Embassy." She let out a half-hearted laugh, remembering her pain stricken days stuck inside her tiny complex. "I love it so far. All the trees. I feel like no one could find me out here." Letting her hand fall out of the window, the breeze whipped playfully through her fingers, waving them.
"Hah, yeah you could get lost in here if you wanted." He scratched the stubble growing on his face. "A lot different from any were else you've been, hey?"
"Oh, for sure. But I love it. I could definitely get used to it."
Kaidan switched hands on the steering wheel, so he could place one on Rose's thigh. He rubbed it in reply, before turning his eyes back on the road. They were nearing the house now, the trees getting a little less dense as they made their way closer to the residential area. Rose let out a gasp as they turned into the neighborhood. It wasn't like any of the colonies she had seen - silver living quarters, bunkers with cafeterias. Each house was individual, colourful with little yards of grass in the front. Kaidan slowed down as a couple walked by with a little boy on a hover board. It was like something out of a vid. She felt her heart melt as she stared at them, as she fell in love with Vancouver all over again.
"Oh yeah. I can definitely get used to it."
