A couple of months had gone by, Robert and Ashley were starting to get a little more serious. He and Ashley had talked about potentially meeting their families as a couple. Ashley had wanted Robert to meet her family first. Robert woke up one morning and stretched. It was Saturday and he and Ashley didn't have class. He grabbed his phone and saw a text from Ashley.
Are you awake?
Robert smiled. He knew that she was nervous about him meeting her family that day. As was he. Robert texted Ashley back.
Yes. Are you coming to me or am I coming to you?
Robert sat up in his bed. His phone vibrated.
Coming to you
Robert smiled. He got up and got ready for the day. An hour later, Robert's doorbell rang. He walked to the door and Ashley was in his arms.
"Hey" Robert said.
"Hi" Ashley said.
Ashley looked up. Robert kissed Ashley's lips.
"How are you feeling about today?" Robert asked as the couple walked deeper into the apartment.
"Nervous. But I know that they will love you" Ashley said.
Robert smiled.
"How do you know?" Robert asked.
"Because you are loving, you are sweet, you are caring, and you are funny" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He kissed Ashley's lips softly.
"So, when do you want to head out?" Robert asked.
"In a little while" Ashley said.
"Okay" Robert said.
The couple sat on the couch and watched television for a couple of hours. They then packed a bag and started driving to Las Cruces. During the drive, Gabriella had called Robert.
"Hello?" Robert answered.
"Hi honey. Are you guys driving?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah. We are going up to Ashley's parents' house. What's up?" Robert asked.
"Nothing. I just was checking on you. I haven't really heard from you the past week" Gabriella said.
"Sorry, mom. I've been really busy with school and then Ashley and I have been doing stuff too" Robert said.
"Oh. Where are you guys off to?" Gabriella asked.
"We are going to Las Cruces. Ashley's family lives up there" Robert said.
"Oh" Gabriella said.
"Yeah, next week I will come home with her" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled through the phone.
"Okay. Have fun" Gabriella said.
Robert and Gabriella ended the call. Ashley looked at Robert and smiled.
"She misses you" Ashley said.
"Yeah. I miss them too. But I have been busy. We've been doing stuff" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"Yeah" Ashley said.
"Next week, if you want, we can go to your parents' house" Ashley said.
Robert smiled.
"Are you ready for that?" Robert asked.
"Yeah" Ashley said.
"Okay" Robert said.
Robert and Ashley continued to drive to Ashley's parents' house. Once they arrived, they set their stuff down in Ashley's room. Ashley looked at Robert and smiled.
"You ready?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah" Robert said.
"Don't be nervous. They are going to love you" Ashley said kissing Robert's cheek.
Robert met Ashley's parents and sisters. They had dinner together. In Albuquerque, Easton was getting ready for the wildcats' big game.
"Are you ready?" Jack asked his grandson.
"Yeah" Easton said.
"Are your mom and dad coming?" Jack asked.
"Yeah and Everly. Rob is spending time with his lady friend" Easton said.
Jack chuckled.
"When are we going to meet his lady friend?" Jack asked.
"Mom said that he was meeting her parents last weekend. I think he will be coming home this weekend" Easton said.
"Grandma and I will have to stop by and see him" Jack said.
Easton nodded. That night, Troy and Gabriella heard the door open. Robert walked into the house.
"Wow, it's been forever since I've seen you" Everly said jokingly.
Robert chuckled.
"I've been busy, Ev" Robert said.
Gabriella hugged her eldest son. Everyone's eyes widened when they saw that Robert did not come home alone.
"Hi" Ashley said.
"Hi" Gabriella said.
"I'm Ashley" Ashley said.
"Hi Ashley, I'm Gabriella" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"I'm Troy" Troy said.
"Hi" Ashley said.
"What are you guys doing here?" Gabriella asked.
"We were in the neighborhood. Eli is home for a couple of days, so I wanted to see him. Also, I wanted you to meet Ashley" Robert said.
"Okay. Did you guys eat?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah, we ate before we came" Ashley said.
"Okay. Rob, you can show Ashley where your room is so she can put her stuff down" Gabriella said.
"Okay" Robert said.
Robert and Ashley walked upstairs. Gabriella looked at Troy.
"Wow" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled.
"They are so cute together" Gabriella said.
Troy chuckled.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, babe. They just started dating" Troy said kissing Gabriella's cheek.
"I know. But I feel like she's the one for him" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. He kissed Gabriella's lips. Gabriella pulled back slowly.
"We don't even know her yet" Troy said.
"Yeah, but I have a feeling" Gabriella said.
"Okay" Troy said.
The couple heard footsteps and Robert and Ashley came into the living room.
"So, do you guys have any plans this weekend besides seeing Eli?" Gabriella asked.
Ashley looked at Robert, who looked back at her.
"I was going to take her around town" Robert said.
"Okay" Gabriella said.
"I think Grandpa Jack wanted to come to see you too" Troy said.
"Maybe we could stop by the gym and watch East play" Robert said looking at Ashley.
Ashley smiled and nodded.
"Yeah" Ashley said.
"Okay" Robert said.
The couple left the house. They got into Robert's car. Robert looked at Ashley.
"So, what did you think?" Robert asked.
"They are really nice" Ashley said.
Robert smiled softly.
"I think they like you too" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"I hope so. Where are we going?" Ashley asked.
"We are going to go see my grandpa Jack first. He's with Easton at school" Robert said.
"Okay" Ashley said.
Robert drove to East High. He parked his car. The couple got out of the car and walked into the gym. Jack was walking down the sideline with his whistle in his mouth. The wildcats were doing their drills. Robert helped Ashley walk up the bleachers and sit down. Jack smiled when he saw Robert and Ashley.
"You look just like your dad did when he would bring your mom here" Jack said.
Robert smiled. He introduced Ashley to Jack.
"Are you here to watch Easton?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, how's he doing coach?" Robert asked.
Jack chuckled.
"He's moving. But we just need a championship" Jack said.
"When's the game?" Robert asked.
"Two months. You and your dad need to make sure that he is well prepared" Jack said.
"He has you also" Robert said.
Jack smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Ashley. I need to get back to the boys" Jack said.
"Nice to meet you too" Ashley said.
Jack walked away. Robert looked at Ashley and smiled.
"I know that there are a lot of people" Robert said.
Ashley shook her head.
"They are all important to you. I liked meeting everyone because it let me get to know you more" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He leaned over and kissed Ashley's lips softly. Ashley pulled back and smiled.
"The only people that are left that you need to meet are Easton. You met Everly" Robert said.
"Everly is your sister, right?" Ashley asked.
Robert nodded.
"She was kind of in shock to see us. She didn't properly introduce herself" Robert said.
"Bolton" Jack said.
Robert looked up automatically. He then saw Easton missing a three-pointer.
"How old is your brother?" Ashley asked.
"Easton is sixteen. He and Everly are twins" Robert said.
"Really? I didn't know that" Robert said.
"They don't really like being in the same category as each other" Robert said.
"Oh" Ashley said.
Jack blew his whistle and the wildcats huddled up. A couple of minutes later, the wildcats dispersed. Easton saw Robert and Ashley and walked over to them.
"You could have made that three-pointer, East" Robert said.
"Yeah, but my foot was about to give out" Easton said.
Robert shook his head.
"Ice it at home. Ashley, this is Easton. East, this is Ashley" Robert said.
"Hi. I would shake your hand, but I am really sweaty" Easton said.
"It's okay. It's nice to meet you. You played well" Ashley said.
Easton raised his eyebrow and looked at Robert.
"Don't even try" Robert said knowing what his little brother was about to say.
Easton sighed.
"Let me take a shower and I will be ready" Easton said.
"Go quick" Robert said.
Easton walked away. Robert turned back to Ashley.
"He was going to use what you said against me" Robert said.
Ashley shook her head.
"Children" Ashley said.
Robert shook his head.
"Babe, it was an easy three-pointer" Robert said.
"Show me a three-pointer" Ashley said.
Robert got off the bleachers and walked down to the court. He picked up a ball and stood at the three-pointer line. Robert bounced the ball and then shot it into the hoop. He looked at Ashley and held his arms out.
"Yes!" Robert said.
Ashley walked down to the court and giggled as Robert continued to cheer for himself. She walked up to him and kissed his lips. Robert instantly kissed Ashley back. He kissed her back and pulled away. Robert leaned his forehead against Ashley's.
"I'm ready" Easton said coming back into the gym.
Robert and Ashley pulled away. Ashley took his hand in hers and entwined their fingers together. Robert smiled.
"Come on lovebirds" Easton said.
The couple and Easton left East High. That night, Robert and Ashley were in Robert's room. It was the first time that they would be spending the night together. The couple had gotten ready for bed. They got into bed and faced each other.
"Are we going to go back to school tomorrow?" Ashley asked as she snuggled into Robert's chest.
"Yeah. I have some papers to do" Robert said.
"Okay" Ashley said.
"Did you have fun?" Robert asked.
"Yeah. I am happy that I came. I feel closer to you" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips softly. Ashley kissed Robert's lips and pulled away. The couple fell asleep. The next day, the couple left the Bolton home. Once the couple left, Gabriella looked at Troy.
"So, what did you think?" Gabriella asked.
"She's very sweet. She's very mature" Troy said.
"They are in love" Easton said.
Troy smiled.
"Grandpa said that they reminded him of you and mom" Easton said.
Gabriella smiled.
"How?" Gabriella asked.
"He said that you guys used to come watch practice when you were both in college" Easton said.
"We did" Troy said wrapping his arms around Gabriella.
Gabriella wrapped her arms around Troy's neck. Everly walked downstairs.
"Did they leave?" Everly asked.
"Yeah" Gabriella said.
"Are you going to dance?" Troy asked looking at his daughter.
"Yeah. Tori is going to pick me up" Everly said.
"Okay" Gabriella said.
An hour later, Tori picked Everly up. Troy looked at Gabriella.
"East, do you have practice today?" Troy asked.
"Yeah. I'm going to go hang out with the team in a little bit" Easton said.
"Okay" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled.
"Why are you trying to get the kids out of the house?" Gabriella asked.
"Because I want to have some alone time with my wife" Troy said.
Gabriella giggled. She leaned in and kissed Troy's lips.
"I love you" Gabriella said.
Troy kissed Gabriella's lips again.
"I love you too" Troy said.
A couple of months passed and Everly and Easton were finishing their sophomore year of high school. Robert was also finishing his sophomore year of college. He and Ashley were still going strong. Robert had officially asked Ashley to be his girlfriend. He wanted to make it official even though they already called each other boyfriend and girlfriend. Troy was almost done with his human resources program and was excited to be potentially working closer to home. One day, Everly came home from dance and saw that Robert and Ashley were at the house.
"Hi" Everly said walking in the door.
"Hey Ev" Robert said.
"Hi Ashley" Everly said hugging Ashley.
"Hey Ev" Ashley said.
Ashley and Everly had gotten close in the time that Ashley and Robert had been dating.
"What are you guys doing here? It's Wednesday" Everly said.
"We wanted to come to see Easton's game" Ashley said.
Everly nodded.
"What's going on, Ev?" Robert asked.
"Nothing" Everly said.
Robert raised his eyebrow.
"How's dance going?" Robert asked.
"It's fine. We have a couple new people" Everly said.
"When's your next show?" Ashley asked.
"November" Everly said.
Ashley nodded.
"Are you guys moving out of your apartments?" Everly asked.
"Soon. We are looking for apartments that are close enough so we could go back and forth" Ashley said.
"Oh" Everly said.
"No boys, Ev?" Robert asked.
"Nope. Just focusing on dance" Everly said.
Robert smiled. A month later, school was over for the summer. Ashley and Robert had been together for six months. To Robert, his relationship with Ashley felt different than those that he had in the past. Both of their leases had been up, and they moved into apartments that were closer together. One night, Robert knocked on Ashley's front door. Ashley opened the door.
"Hi" Ashley said.
"Hi" Robert said.
Ashley kissed Robert's lips.
"I have something for you" Ashley said.
"What?" Robert asked.
Ashley handed Robert an envelope. Robert looked at the envelope and then looked at his girlfriend.
"Open it" Ashley said.
Robert opened the envelope and smiled when he saw a key.
"What's this?" Robert asked pulling out the key.
"I was thinking that since we live closer to each other. You could have a key to my apartment" Ashley said.
Robert smiled.
"You mean moving in together?" Robert asked.
"No. Just to have. Since you spend a lot of time here" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"What do you think?" Ashley asked.
Robert smiled.
"I'm thinking there is more to this than just the key" Robert said.
Ashley blushed. Robert chuckled.
"You are cute when you blush" Robert said.
Ashley giggled. But then looked at her boyfriend. She took her hand in his.
"Ashley, talk to me" Robert said softly.
"I love you Rob" Ashley said.
Robert's heart warmed. He leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips softly.
"I love you too" Robert said.