❝ E V E N  I F  I  T R I E D ❞

"You don't have to go through with this if you're not ready to," Addilyn reassures Corbyn, who's fingers are nervously drumming along the steering wheel. "We can always do this another day."

Mr. Quackington honks indignantly, flapping his bandaged wing in disagreement.

"Oh, hush," she chastises, glancing at the duckling in the backseat. "You're only saying that because the vet gave you a shot today."

Having finally scheduled an appointment with the nearest veterinary clinic, Addilyn and Mr. Quackington had ventured there this morning, a trip that the duckling soon regretted taking.

After poking and prodding for thirty minutes, the vet had reassured Addilyn that her duckling was healthy and growing perfectly fine, according to their growth charts.

"I'm ready," the blond decides, flashing her a falsely confident grin. "Now, do I turn left or right?"

"Left, she answers. "It's the last house at the end of this road."

The couple was on their way to Addilyn's aunt and uncle's house, Corbyn having decided that he was ready to meet the people that had practically raised his girlfriend.

"They're going to love you," she states as he parks the car, allowing Mr. Quackington to waddle into the palm of her hand.

"What makes you so sure?" Corbyn questions, taking her free hand in his as they walk up the short sidewalk.

"Because it's impossible not to," Addilyn places a chaste kiss on his cheek, throwing the front door open as he takes a deep breath.

"Addi! Addi! Addi!" Devon chants, immediately running down the hall and latching himself onto her leg, barely paying Corbyn any attention. "Mommy said you got a pet!"

"I sure did," the girl chuckles, lowering herself to the four year old's height and showing off her duckling. "His name is Mr. Quackington."

She sets him down on the hardwood floor, but, the small bird chooses to hide behind her leg instead of facing the loud child. Pushing herself back up, she leads Corbyn to the kitchen.

"Are you ready?"

"I was born ready."

"There's my favorite niece!" Uncle Ben booms, pulling her into a hug and causing her hand to fall from Corbyn's as soon as he spots the two. "And you must be Corbyn."

"Y-yes, si-"

His answer is cut off as her uncle pulls him into a bone crushing hug as well. "Welcome to the family!"

"Don't scare the boy off, Ben," Aunt Kendra chastises, hugging Corbyn once her husband let's go.

"My bad," the man laughs. "I'll leave those honors to you. I'm sure he'll run for the hills if they stay long enough to taste your cooking."

****

Nearly an hour later, Addilyn naps peacefully on the couch with both, Devon and Mr. Quackington, curled into her side.

Sitting on the loveseat across from her, Corbyn's attention is drawn away from the beautiful girl as the seat next to him is taken. He glances over, already knowing it's Ben, considering Kendra had been paged by the hospital twenty minutes ago.

"Don't worry," Ben chuckles, noticing the worried look in his eyes. "I'm not here to threaten you, I'll let Carson do that. I want to talk to you about something else."

"I'm all ears," the blond says, relief washing over him. He had taken a liking to the small family immediately, feeling beyond welcomed and at home with them, and didn't want to do anything to mess it up.

"Kendra and I are thrilled that Addi has you in her life. We worried she wouldn't fall for a good person. Most parents do, you know?" He starts out, trying to think of a way to ease into the topic. "But, there is something you need to know."

Corbyn nods, not managing to say anything as a million thoughts race through his mind. Addilyn shifts on the couch, bringing Ben to hesitate briefly.

"Addi loves her brother to death, they've been best friends since she was born. So, naturally, when he joined the Army, it took a certain toll on her" he continues. "She's not very emotionally stable, especially after losing her father, and Carson's decision only made that worse. As I'm sure you know, he's due home around Christmas time. When he leaves, she's going to try to shut you out. She's going to draw in and isolate herself, won't realize that that's what she's doing, but she will. It's going to be really hard on you, but, I need you to promise me that you'll still be there for her and that you won't leave her during that time. It's obvious you two care about each other a lot, I don't think she could handle losing you too."

"You don't have to worry about me ever leaving her," Corbyn reassures him with a soft smile. "I couldn't do it even if I tried."

****

"I think they like you," Addilyn giggles, happily slurping on her peanut butter milkshake.

"I am pretty likeable," Corbyn says, sliding into the seat across from her in the crowded Dairy Queen

"Conceited twat," she sticks her tongue out. "Did I miss anything interesting while I took a nap?"

"Not really," the blond shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. "Other than your uncle warning me that Carson will threaten me with my life when he meets me."

"Oh! I forgot to tell you," Addilyn claps her hands together excitedly. Corbyn's face lights up, instantly enthralled by her excitement. "Nick, Carson's boyfriend, called me the other day. He wants to propose to Carson on my birthday!"

Corbyn furrows his eyebrows together, realizing that he had no idea when her birthday is. "Which is when?"

"January first."

"Aww," he coos. "You're a New Year's baby."

"Yeah, yeah," she dismisses his excitement with a wave of her hand. The girl absolutely hated her birthdays and wasn't about to let it become the topic of their conversation. "So, what do you want for your birthday? It's only a couple weeks away."

"Just promise to come over," he states simply. "That's more than enough."

"But, I'm over nearly every day!" Addilyn sighs exasperatedly. "I want to get you an actual gift."

"You don't have to," Corbyn pleads, not wanting her to spend any of her money on him.

"Yes, I do," she argues. "Because that's what good girlfriends do."

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"No-"

"Fine," Addilyn huffs. "I'll just get Aurora to help me find you something."