A/N: The next chapter will be longer than this one, I solemnly swear. This one is just a filler chapter.

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❝ F I V E  Y E A R S  A G O ❞

"Aurora isn't answering her phone!" Corbyn exclaims, bouncing his leg anxiously. "What if she's hurt? Or-"

"Corbs-" Addilyn cuts him off, placing a reassuring hand on his leg in an attempt to stop it's movement. "Jonah would've told us by now if she was hurt. Besides, it's four in the morning, I'm sure she's just sleeping."

"You're right," the blond sighs, staring out the plane window. "I just wish we could get there already.

"I know." She entwines her hand in his, trying to think of a way to take his mind off of the  subject. "Do you want to watch a movie? We've got a long flight ahead of us."

"I'd rather get to know more about you," Corbyn smiles slightly, looking over at Addilyn, his worries momentarily pushed to the back of his mind. "Like you said, we do have plenty of time."

"What do you want to know?" Addilyn questions. "I'm an open book. You can ask me anything."

"Where did you grow up?" He starts simply.

"I moved around quite a lot while growing up," the girl admits. "Dad was in the Army so Carson and I were living in a different town every few months or so."

"Carson?" Corbyn furrows his eyebrows confusedly. He briefly recalls hearing Jack say the name earlier as they left the house.

"My big brother."

The blond nods, processing the new information. "Where does he live?"

"He has an apartment here in LA," she informs him with a small frown. "But, he joined the Army when he turned eighteen so he's hardly around."

"I'm sorry," Corbyn mutters, instantly berating himself for being the cause of the sad look on her face.

"Don't be. He's away for a good reason," Addilyn dismisses his apology, resting her head on the boy's shoulder. "What's your next question?"

"If your dad is moving you around so often," Corbyn begins tentatively, hoping he wouldn't cause another negative reaction. "Why have you stayed in LA for so long?"

Addilyn doesn't answer immediately, instead looking down at their entwined hands.

"Nearly five years ago," she finally says, her voice dropping to a low murmur. "The nanny taking care of Carson and I at the time - I believe her name was Stacy - received a call. The person on the other line told her Dad had gone MIA. So, our bags were packed again and we moved to LA in order to be with Dad's sister, Aunt Kendra and her husband, Uncle Ben."

Silence surrounds the couple as Corbyn sits back in shock, his grip subconsciously tightening on Addilyn's hand. He can't help but wonder why, after what happened with their father, her brother would still want to join the Army.

"That's enough about me," Addilyn states, surprisingly lighthearted. "Where did you grow up, Corbs?"

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Corbyn knocks on the door loudly before taking a step back to stand next to Addilyn.

Moments later, footsteps can be heard and the front door swings open, revealing an emotionally exhausted Aurora. She gasps as her gaze lands on the familiar couple, her mood brightening drastically.

"BLONDIE!"

Corbyn drops all of the bags he insisted on carrying as Aurora throws herself into his arms, instantly becoming engulfed in his comforting embrace.

"I'm so glad you're okay," the boy mutters, squeezing her tightly. "I was worried sick."

"Tis true," Addilyn conforms as Aurora releases Corbyn to hug her. "He nearly had an aneurysm when you didn't answer your phone.

"Aurora, who's here?" Jonah calls out. Appearing in the doorway, he looks slightly taken aback as his eyes land on Corbyn and Addilyn. "I didn't think you were serious when you said you had booked a flight."

"You should know better than to doubt us," Addilyn teases through a yawn, grabbing her luggage and crossing the threshold. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I am in desperate need of a nap."

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"ADDI, WAKE UP! I WANNA BUY TOYS!"