p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="f056b06243b6126f4173e735b44cb366"em-/embr /emKat's POV/embr /em-/em/p
p data-p-id="466c77f3480430c514fc19422724f46f"I had just barely opened the door, and before I knew it I was being lifted up into the air and spun around. Something seemed to falter, however, as I was put down rather quickly and a bit unceremoniously. Before I could ask what was wrong, Shawn was already attacking my face with kisses. I giggled at how clingy he was. I had missed him too. I pulled him into a long, slow kiss as I wrapped my arms around his neck./p
p data-p-id="d2b9d652d2db8d6ea6b982433ccb2595"When we broke away, I had to ask. "Am I that heavy?" I joked. "I can see me putting on a few pounds because I haven't been doing anything, but I didn't think it was emthat/em much." He seemed confused, so I added, "You nearly dropped me."/p
p data-p-id="9373dea5d337b581f9b3cf067e7d2a4d"He waved it away. "My knee has been acting up. Don't worry about it."/p
p data-p-id="266b56a4b5149c4132f6fd7fb74eef7b"We stayed in the position we were in as we talked. My hands hadn't moved, but his had wrapped around my waist, pulling me even closer./p
p data-p-id="ea709d3b803b0bde0a2f249159650b0a""Is it bad?" I was concerned for him. But it wasn't like he would have told me if it really was bad./p
p data-p-id="2ab1d5d831612603d0d8bcd9cd30ffda"He just shooed the thought away again. "It comes and goes. I can't feel it anyway." Of course./p
p data-p-id="a8dd8cd7800a4f68c15d8ffcac0e43ce"My brow furrowed. "You should go see a doctor. You could be seriously hurt, and if you keep wrestling on it you are only going to make it worse."/p
p data-p-id="f28b3b31e0cad8de9b64c10cd146c372"He sighed, knowing I was right. He leaned his forehead against mine. "Fine, I'll see a doctor." He knew this was an argument he would eventually lose anyway. "But for right now, the only injured one I'm worried about is you. Are you ready to go?"/p
p data-p-id="b0b088d2a66320d411b5a95ff79c7650"I had been ready for emdays/em. I couldn't wait to be spending a couple days with Shawn and his family. "Sarah and Kyle have been super nice and all, but between you and me, emplease /emget me out of here," I whispered./p
p data-p-id="d8d868f0e571b4c3db1b981a1bdcaddd"He chuckled but agreed. We finally separated, and I immediately felt colder. I missed all the attention and affection I was used to from him./p
p data-p-id="627aa8a2035921ded2057883982bdf2f"Sarah was working, but we bade goodbye to Kyle and little Ellie. I loved that little girl. She made me want to have my own./p
p data-p-id="232453fb2776434bc4c673bb6839af73"I slept through most of the way to Shawn's parents' place. I just couldn't stay awake. Lately I was taking a lot of naps. I was sure my doctor would be proud of how much I was resting. Not that I was hating getting so much sleep, but I did kind of miss staying up for hours with the boys on our terrible schedule./p
p data-p-id="717c26e8ab1f6681343f25652ea663a1"Shawn shook me awake when we were in front of the house. I was confused for a minute; I didn't even remember getting off the plane./p
p data-p-id="13080399e06e89f168e456a30203a7c5"I yawned, finding it difficult to stretch in the tiny rental. I was sure Shawn had told me what happened to my car, but I couldn't remember. It was probably junked. It was a sad thought; that had been a gift from Dad for graduating./p
p data-p-id="d9070f0e5413954b29c5bb4308b19370"I was still trying to shake myself awake as we stood on the doorstep./p
p data-p-id="1270f0b6ee6281334522b5dfddeab8ef"Shawn gave me a glance after I nearly stumbled. "Are you okay?"/p
p data-p-id="53e38af65967026d039f4d7de99a06f8"I nodded. "I'm fine," I assured him with a smile. My rib was already throbbing from all the movement and my head threatened to not be too far behind. I was sure Shawn could see through me, but luckily he went with it. There was no way I was not going to enjoy the day./p
p data-p-id="b3041ebf1375760f6438820e154a575b"We were welcomed in with open arms, literally. I found myself being hugged by people I hadn't even met. But I guess they did know me, in a way. Between Shawn and seeing me on TV, I was sure they very much knew me./p
p data-p-id="c7d09300bbe9ba7b4876b9d0a19bed95"Shawn wrapped an arm around an older woman that I had assumed was his mother. "This is Mama. She gets the credit for making me who I am today." He smiled. Genuinely smiled. "Mama, this is Katherine."/p
p data-p-id="e29b3f5443d27791bf7e113788649ee3"I held out a hand for her to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hick-"/p
p data-p-id="719700f85318c4603f80c855a4405a46"She surprised me by ignoring my hand completely and pulling me into a strong hug. "Call me Mama. Any family of Shawn's is family of ours."/p
p data-p-id="aa41982f9ecb103b1fb0d53b63b9e580"I couldn't stop smiling. She was so sweet and welcoming. Shawn's dad was very nice as well. His sister was a little overwhelming, but I found myself comparing her to Steph. She had the same type of energy./p
p data-p-id="d6270f5e97e8faac615d3e4d768dcf24"Shari was extremely excited to be "finally" meeting me, as she put it. She managed to give Shawn a slight glare as she did so. I couldn't stop laughing when Shawn got all embarrassed because she started telling stories from when they were kids./p
p data-p-id="08ee80b304cc27d5586b7aa15c984f79"I couldn't figure out why Shawn had been so worried; I immediately felt accepted among them. His family was in no way as bad as mine. I would have to tease him about it later, telling him how I definitely won in the "bad family meeting" department./p
p data-p-id="103a8a7fb7d5c3376fcad3ca736a0b4c"At my parents' house, I was on edge. I was supposed to act a certain way. Mom expected me to dress a certain way. Everything was uniform. Here I could relax./p
p data-p-id="ebeb8f2ec2d802d8c65059ca2c4a2e16"I was curled up on the couch, resting my head on Shawn's chest, just listening to all the talk around me. I felt very comfortable. Shawn told me the only reason I was so comfy was that his brothers weren't around. I didn't believe him. I was sure I would be fine even with all of his family around./p
p data-p-id="099c2bef7b9019f841f2f330c924a0b8"Mama came around with a camera at some point. She told Shawn and I to smile. He groaned, so I slapped him playfully on the chest. What a dork./p
p data-p-id="ee844b13310884d874bcc0290af6dae9"He managed to make us happy and smiled for the picture. Mama smiled back at us at first, but she frowned slightly as she lowered the camera./p
p data-p-id="6a0aa7be148056e060a30bd5052b7980""You don't smile like you used to," she told Shawn. She looked concerned for him. "You've lost your smile."/p
p data-p-id="c55451296d78d5de42fb4a41f0092ea6"I could tell Shawn took that to heart. He was silent for a while, which was rare. He really listened to his mother. They were close like I hoped one day to be with my mother./p
p data-p-id="60284c326873d127515145500b4177d6"They were all excited when I showed off my ring. Shari told Shawn he "better not fuck this one up" when she thought I wasn't listening. I tried not to smile, letting them know I heard./p
p data-p-id="153c75bdb83c82fb4df8d8c0da2a8108"I fell asleep when all the talk became a bit too much. They didn't disturb me as I slept, just kept chatting amongst themselves. I only woke when it was time to leave./p
p data-p-id="ba2eec2c35bff0f409f746e774630097"I thanked them all for being so kind, they really had been very helpful. Mama had especially made me feel better, like I belonged. I got warm hugs in return. I was smiling the whole way back to our house./p
p data-p-id="53ba6001340e2415940f31eb891df13e""So?" Shawn questioned as I collapsed onto our own couch. "What did you think?" He leaned over the back of the couch./p
p data-p-id="13951f6b8fced15a213fd93b448fc24e"I grinned up at him. "Your family is the best."/p
p data-p-id="5666d1502e891110062c7bc936654622"He laughed. "That's just because you're new. They aren't as nice to me."/p
p data-p-id="752021532767070c6f66216fbdb2f48e"I smiled mischievously. "Maybe they just like me better." I had to duck as he attempted to throw one of the couch pillows at me./p
p data-p-id="a21ccc89cb2a7b15ff1e4a3902dfbb70""I hate you," he said, laughing./p
p data-p-id="f92d958ad9b2cbce93b3197c6fedbf49"I shook my head. "No you don't. You hate that I'm right."/p
p data-p-id="760ab4bb9e9efac8b11cc338fb58dba7"He rolled his eyes. "You're emalways /emright. They loved you. Shari thought the two of us were the cutest things she'd ever seen." He tried to play it off like he was annoyed, but I could tell he was just as excited as I was with how they'd taken to me./p
p data-p-id="67e56ff7ccc355e145bd066b08f69150"Shawn made his way around the couch so he could sit next to me. He cringed as he sat, probably from his knee./p
p data-p-id="dc87e0691c5e908eb8e623cf4219e31c""You need to go get that checked out," I announced. Again, he tried to play it off, but I wasn't buying it. "You are going to the doctor tomorrow. I don't care where you need to be, Dad can suck it. I'm worried about you."/p
p data-p-id="a494ac6879887d20fa9c9c26c9aaebef"He was worried too, which wasn't a good sign. He wasn't going to admit that too me, though. Especially if he thought it was really bad, he would try to ignore it for as long as possible./p
p data-p-id="3138c724658cba9a0294b5db4bb92337""But-"/p
p data-p-id="9c9ecb942508151b61037a40b6e2e429""No. You're going tomorrow, or I'm taking you." I was adamant about it./p
p data-p-id="82fb67a7219fccfb3cc175c76cea46c7"He argued for a while, but eventually just gave in. He had no chance in arguing against me. He always gave in./p
p data-p-id="a045adde9515c72647f5f52f63636d8a""Fine," he replied, finally. He sighed, exasperated./p
p data-p-id="69856004f2ea17c63bc510ae4818c28a"I crawled my way into his lap. My goal was to get him to see a doctor, but it wasn't to aggravate him./p
p data-p-id="4e446b55f39bfa0aa99df42e7bbe6614"I kissed him softly, just enough to make him want more./p
p data-p-id="5df8d4af112e9ab925a1e4efde516465"He couldn't stay mad at me. He slowly broke into a smile when he realized what I was doing. "You're such a tease, Kat."/p
p data-p-id="64dcbfda8513bcbe7833b1d544b4e507"I giggled and stood, earning a pout from him. "Only because you're so fun to tease."/p
p data-p-id="26f7b43d5d916009db91719571350651"He pulled me back down to him, smashing his face against mine. "I missed you so fucking much." He told me between kisses./p
p data-p-id="85865cd84c555ad88c86238d6a7dc533"I could say I definitely felt the same./p
p data-p-id="466c77f3480430c514fc19422724f46f"I had just barely opened the door, and before I knew it I was being lifted up into the air and spun around. Something seemed to falter, however, as I was put down rather quickly and a bit unceremoniously. Before I could ask what was wrong, Shawn was already attacking my face with kisses. I giggled at how clingy he was. I had missed him too. I pulled him into a long, slow kiss as I wrapped my arms around his neck./p
p data-p-id="d2b9d652d2db8d6ea6b982433ccb2595"When we broke away, I had to ask. "Am I that heavy?" I joked. "I can see me putting on a few pounds because I haven't been doing anything, but I didn't think it was emthat/em much." He seemed confused, so I added, "You nearly dropped me."/p
p data-p-id="9373dea5d337b581f9b3cf067e7d2a4d"He waved it away. "My knee has been acting up. Don't worry about it."/p
p data-p-id="266b56a4b5149c4132f6fd7fb74eef7b"We stayed in the position we were in as we talked. My hands hadn't moved, but his had wrapped around my waist, pulling me even closer./p
p data-p-id="ea709d3b803b0bde0a2f249159650b0a""Is it bad?" I was concerned for him. But it wasn't like he would have told me if it really was bad./p
p data-p-id="2ab1d5d831612603d0d8bcd9cd30ffda"He just shooed the thought away again. "It comes and goes. I can't feel it anyway." Of course./p
p data-p-id="a8dd8cd7800a4f68c15d8ffcac0e43ce"My brow furrowed. "You should go see a doctor. You could be seriously hurt, and if you keep wrestling on it you are only going to make it worse."/p
p data-p-id="f28b3b31e0cad8de9b64c10cd146c372"He sighed, knowing I was right. He leaned his forehead against mine. "Fine, I'll see a doctor." He knew this was an argument he would eventually lose anyway. "But for right now, the only injured one I'm worried about is you. Are you ready to go?"/p
p data-p-id="b0b088d2a66320d411b5a95ff79c7650"I had been ready for emdays/em. I couldn't wait to be spending a couple days with Shawn and his family. "Sarah and Kyle have been super nice and all, but between you and me, emplease /emget me out of here," I whispered./p
p data-p-id="d8d868f0e571b4c3db1b981a1bdcaddd"He chuckled but agreed. We finally separated, and I immediately felt colder. I missed all the attention and affection I was used to from him./p
p data-p-id="627aa8a2035921ded2057883982bdf2f"Sarah was working, but we bade goodbye to Kyle and little Ellie. I loved that little girl. She made me want to have my own./p
p data-p-id="232453fb2776434bc4c673bb6839af73"I slept through most of the way to Shawn's parents' place. I just couldn't stay awake. Lately I was taking a lot of naps. I was sure my doctor would be proud of how much I was resting. Not that I was hating getting so much sleep, but I did kind of miss staying up for hours with the boys on our terrible schedule./p
p data-p-id="717c26e8ab1f6681343f25652ea663a1"Shawn shook me awake when we were in front of the house. I was confused for a minute; I didn't even remember getting off the plane./p
p data-p-id="13080399e06e89f168e456a30203a7c5"I yawned, finding it difficult to stretch in the tiny rental. I was sure Shawn had told me what happened to my car, but I couldn't remember. It was probably junked. It was a sad thought; that had been a gift from Dad for graduating./p
p data-p-id="d9070f0e5413954b29c5bb4308b19370"I was still trying to shake myself awake as we stood on the doorstep./p
p data-p-id="1270f0b6ee6281334522b5dfddeab8ef"Shawn gave me a glance after I nearly stumbled. "Are you okay?"/p
p data-p-id="53e38af65967026d039f4d7de99a06f8"I nodded. "I'm fine," I assured him with a smile. My rib was already throbbing from all the movement and my head threatened to not be too far behind. I was sure Shawn could see through me, but luckily he went with it. There was no way I was not going to enjoy the day./p
p data-p-id="b3041ebf1375760f6438820e154a575b"We were welcomed in with open arms, literally. I found myself being hugged by people I hadn't even met. But I guess they did know me, in a way. Between Shawn and seeing me on TV, I was sure they very much knew me./p
p data-p-id="c7d09300bbe9ba7b4876b9d0a19bed95"Shawn wrapped an arm around an older woman that I had assumed was his mother. "This is Mama. She gets the credit for making me who I am today." He smiled. Genuinely smiled. "Mama, this is Katherine."/p
p data-p-id="e29b3f5443d27791bf7e113788649ee3"I held out a hand for her to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hick-"/p
p data-p-id="719700f85318c4603f80c855a4405a46"She surprised me by ignoring my hand completely and pulling me into a strong hug. "Call me Mama. Any family of Shawn's is family of ours."/p
p data-p-id="aa41982f9ecb103b1fb0d53b63b9e580"I couldn't stop smiling. She was so sweet and welcoming. Shawn's dad was very nice as well. His sister was a little overwhelming, but I found myself comparing her to Steph. She had the same type of energy./p
p data-p-id="d6270f5e97e8faac615d3e4d768dcf24"Shari was extremely excited to be "finally" meeting me, as she put it. She managed to give Shawn a slight glare as she did so. I couldn't stop laughing when Shawn got all embarrassed because she started telling stories from when they were kids./p
p data-p-id="08ee80b304cc27d5586b7aa15c984f79"I couldn't figure out why Shawn had been so worried; I immediately felt accepted among them. His family was in no way as bad as mine. I would have to tease him about it later, telling him how I definitely won in the "bad family meeting" department./p
p data-p-id="103a8a7fb7d5c3376fcad3ca736a0b4c"At my parents' house, I was on edge. I was supposed to act a certain way. Mom expected me to dress a certain way. Everything was uniform. Here I could relax./p
p data-p-id="ebeb8f2ec2d802d8c65059ca2c4a2e16"I was curled up on the couch, resting my head on Shawn's chest, just listening to all the talk around me. I felt very comfortable. Shawn told me the only reason I was so comfy was that his brothers weren't around. I didn't believe him. I was sure I would be fine even with all of his family around./p
p data-p-id="099c2bef7b9019f841f2f330c924a0b8"Mama came around with a camera at some point. She told Shawn and I to smile. He groaned, so I slapped him playfully on the chest. What a dork./p
p data-p-id="ee844b13310884d874bcc0290af6dae9"He managed to make us happy and smiled for the picture. Mama smiled back at us at first, but she frowned slightly as she lowered the camera./p
p data-p-id="6a0aa7be148056e060a30bd5052b7980""You don't smile like you used to," she told Shawn. She looked concerned for him. "You've lost your smile."/p
p data-p-id="c55451296d78d5de42fb4a41f0092ea6"I could tell Shawn took that to heart. He was silent for a while, which was rare. He really listened to his mother. They were close like I hoped one day to be with my mother./p
p data-p-id="60284c326873d127515145500b4177d6"They were all excited when I showed off my ring. Shari told Shawn he "better not fuck this one up" when she thought I wasn't listening. I tried not to smile, letting them know I heard./p
p data-p-id="153c75bdb83c82fb4df8d8c0da2a8108"I fell asleep when all the talk became a bit too much. They didn't disturb me as I slept, just kept chatting amongst themselves. I only woke when it was time to leave./p
p data-p-id="ba2eec2c35bff0f409f746e774630097"I thanked them all for being so kind, they really had been very helpful. Mama had especially made me feel better, like I belonged. I got warm hugs in return. I was smiling the whole way back to our house./p
p data-p-id="53ba6001340e2415940f31eb891df13e""So?" Shawn questioned as I collapsed onto our own couch. "What did you think?" He leaned over the back of the couch./p
p data-p-id="13951f6b8fced15a213fd93b448fc24e"I grinned up at him. "Your family is the best."/p
p data-p-id="5666d1502e891110062c7bc936654622"He laughed. "That's just because you're new. They aren't as nice to me."/p
p data-p-id="752021532767070c6f66216fbdb2f48e"I smiled mischievously. "Maybe they just like me better." I had to duck as he attempted to throw one of the couch pillows at me./p
p data-p-id="a21ccc89cb2a7b15ff1e4a3902dfbb70""I hate you," he said, laughing./p
p data-p-id="f92d958ad9b2cbce93b3197c6fedbf49"I shook my head. "No you don't. You hate that I'm right."/p
p data-p-id="760ab4bb9e9efac8b11cc338fb58dba7"He rolled his eyes. "You're emalways /emright. They loved you. Shari thought the two of us were the cutest things she'd ever seen." He tried to play it off like he was annoyed, but I could tell he was just as excited as I was with how they'd taken to me./p
p data-p-id="67e56ff7ccc355e145bd066b08f69150"Shawn made his way around the couch so he could sit next to me. He cringed as he sat, probably from his knee./p
p data-p-id="dc87e0691c5e908eb8e623cf4219e31c""You need to go get that checked out," I announced. Again, he tried to play it off, but I wasn't buying it. "You are going to the doctor tomorrow. I don't care where you need to be, Dad can suck it. I'm worried about you."/p
p data-p-id="a494ac6879887d20fa9c9c26c9aaebef"He was worried too, which wasn't a good sign. He wasn't going to admit that too me, though. Especially if he thought it was really bad, he would try to ignore it for as long as possible./p
p data-p-id="3138c724658cba9a0294b5db4bb92337""But-"/p
p data-p-id="9c9ecb942508151b61037a40b6e2e429""No. You're going tomorrow, or I'm taking you." I was adamant about it./p
p data-p-id="82fb67a7219fccfb3cc175c76cea46c7"He argued for a while, but eventually just gave in. He had no chance in arguing against me. He always gave in./p
p data-p-id="a045adde9515c72647f5f52f63636d8a""Fine," he replied, finally. He sighed, exasperated./p
p data-p-id="69856004f2ea17c63bc510ae4818c28a"I crawled my way into his lap. My goal was to get him to see a doctor, but it wasn't to aggravate him./p
p data-p-id="4e446b55f39bfa0aa99df42e7bbe6614"I kissed him softly, just enough to make him want more./p
p data-p-id="5df8d4af112e9ab925a1e4efde516465"He couldn't stay mad at me. He slowly broke into a smile when he realized what I was doing. "You're such a tease, Kat."/p
p data-p-id="64dcbfda8513bcbe7833b1d544b4e507"I giggled and stood, earning a pout from him. "Only because you're so fun to tease."/p
p data-p-id="26f7b43d5d916009db91719571350651"He pulled me back down to him, smashing his face against mine. "I missed you so fucking much." He told me between kisses./p
p data-p-id="85865cd84c555ad88c86238d6a7dc533"I could say I definitely felt the same./p