I was scared boarding the plane. I'd never gone anywhere without my dad and it was finally hitting me that I was going to do something huge and he wasn't going to be here with me.

But it's something I needed to do, for myself. Uncle Jiminie is only here as a formality, to soothe dad's nerves. I could do this on my own, I am strong and independent just like my mom was.

But when Uncle Jimin took my shaking hand in his warm comforting one, I was so grateful to have him with me. He was quiet most of the plane ride, letting me stew in my own thoughts until we were just about to land.

"Are you excited, Little Darlin'?"

"I think I might throw up," I deadpan and he frowns.

"Please don't throw up. These are my favorite boots," he says and we both glance down to look at his pristine Chelsea boots

I burst out laughing and he smiles so wide his eyes crinkle at the corners showing off the laugh lines he's acquired in his happy life. He wraps an arm around me pulling me close and I breathe in his comforting scent.

"Do you think they will like me?"

"They'd be crazy not to!"— he says seriously— "you are such a smart, polite, and wonderful girl."

I give a weak smile still not soothed. My phone dings now that I'm finally connected to the plane's wifi.

Vin:

Have a safe trip! I miss you already. Call me as soon as you finish meeting them. You've got this, beautiful, they will love you as much as I do.

"How are you and Vincent?" Uncle Jiminie suddenly asks leaning over to look at my phone with a mischievous smile.

"We are good," I answer skeptically.

"And he's still remaining a gentleman?"

"Huh?"

Uncle Jimin clears his throat and his face turns beet red as he lets the silence stretch between us.

"Well, like you two haven't, you know...taken the next step," he whispers and my eyes bulge out of my head.

"UNCLE JIMIN!" I exclaim loudly covering my face in embarrassment.

"I just have to ask. You, my little darlin', aren't so little anymore," he chuckles and pulls my hands away from my face.

"We haven't," I quietly confirm and he looks relieved.

"You know, there's nothing wrong with it. You just have to be safe and only do it if you really want to. And gosh, if there are any questions please come and ask me and not one of your uncles. Who knows what those overly protective men will do or say," he starts to ramble and I feel myself relaxing as I laugh at him.

"I will, Uncle Jiminie. I'm just not ready for that. I like Vincent but..." my voice trails off as I sigh.

"But?"

"Vincent is nice, sweet, caring and he says he loves me, but I don't know. I'm young, we are young, but is it love? Can I picture growing old with him? No...

I hear you all talk about how much mom and dad loved each other. How they fought to be what the other person needed and how they changed for the better being together. I see you all happily married and in love with my aunties and just, that's what I want."

"Your father and mother had different circumstances than you, little Darlin'. Your love story won't be like theirs because you are different than them. But you are right, you are young and you don't need to be looking for a forever right now. Don't be rushing to grow up, little baby," he says pulling me close and hugging me, and kissing the top of my head softly.

When we pull apart, I pull my phone out again to shoot off a quick text to Vincent, thanking him for the support and reassuring him I'll talk to him as soon as I'm back home.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seats are back and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you."

"We are here," Uncle Jimin says softly but I don't miss the quiver in his voice and the worry that is clear in his eyes.

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"Don't forget I'll be here the whole time, okay?"

I nod my head and let Uncle Jimin reach up to ring the doorbell. As we wait I take in my surroundings. The house is nice, the yard maintained and green, there's a nice white picket fence surrounding it and it looks just like any pristine middle-class suburban home you'd find in movies.

It's hard to believe this is where my mom grew up. My uncles and dad always talk about how my mom was a fighter, a survivor, strong, and very independent. Why would she need to be those things if this is where she grew up?

I'm drawn out of my thoughts when the door is pulled open and a man is standing there. He looks to be in his early thirties, his hair is almost the same shade as mine and he smiles as his eyes land on me.

Recognition crossed happily on his face. I've never seen this man, but as I stare at his smile, I see my mom. He's got the same smile I've seen in the pictures I have of her.

"Hi, Arabella. I'm your uncle Josh," he beams as he goes to hug me, but I instinctively back away behind Uncle Jimin. I see him press his lips tightly together and give a fake smile.

"Well uh, come in you two, we are all excited to have you here," he holds the door open wider allowing us to pass by.

I hold onto Uncle Jimin's hand like he's my only lifeline and without him, I'll drown. Jimin makes small talk as we are led through the house and my eyes are darting around quietly taking everything in. The hallway is lined with photos of family trips and special moments, but I can't help but notice there isn't a single one of my mother.

"Oh my goodness, you look just like Jillian," I hear a soft voice exclaim before I'm pulled into a firm embrace, forcing me to let go of Jimin. The smell of vanilla engulfing me and causing my body to tense and my face to crinkle.

"Hi, Mrs. Harris. Thank you for having my Uncle Jimin and I here," I say timidly not forgetting the manners Uncle Jin has instilled in me my whole life.

"Psh, call me Grandma, cupcake," she says with a huge smile. Her eyes take me in leaving no part of me unchecked.

I can't help but feel nervous under her inspection and step closer to Jimin who wraps an arm around my shoulder keeping me close.

"Mom let her be, you're being weird,"

Another guy walks into the room followed by an older man who must be my Grandfather.

My grandma scolds the man and he laughs at her, not minding the little swats she gives him.

"I'm your uncle Ben," he says cheekily.

"Nice to meet you," I say shyly, still feeling uneasy as I take a seat next to Uncle Jimin.

They have been welcoming, but for some reason, something feels off. Uncle Jimin has barely said two words and I can tell how tense he is as he sits beside me with an insincere smile.

"Tell us about yourself, young lady. How have you been growing up?" Mr. Harris finally speaks as the others sit around on the couch.

"Uh, well, I'm a sophomore in high school, I make good grades and I'm on the varsity basketball team. My uncle Yoongi has been my coach since I was little and has taught me everything I know," I start and then pause as I see his face scowl at the mention of Yoongs.

"That's great! You must be a great player to be on the varsity team so young," one of my uncles says trying to draw my attention away from Mr. Harris.

"And your father? Has he remarried?" I hear my grandma ask softly and I pout.

"Um no, he hasn't. It's just us two," I croak out.

"Oh, you poor baby. I'm sure it must be hard and lonely to be without a mother figure," my grandma says with a sad smile and I quickly perk up to deny that.

"It's not! I'm actually never lonely. We have a very big family and I've got a lot of cousins. My aunties all help me and teach me things my mom can't."

Mr. Harris scoffs and my grandma's eyes dart to him angrily. My two uncles look tense and have grown rather quiet themselves.

"Well, I'm glad you have grown up well with lots of love. You seem like a lovely girl."

"I really have. I love everyone very much and couldn't picture my life without any of them. But...I do have lots of unanswered questions, about my mom. I only know what my uncles have told me, but you are her family so I was hoping you could shed some light for me," I turn to my two quiet uncles and they tense up.

"Was she a good sister? Was she whiny like my other uncles claim?" I hear uncle Jimin snicker clearly recalling my mom. "What's your favorite memory with her?"

They both sit there silently and then frown.

"We didn't grow up with your mother...we never had a chance to meet her before she passed," Josh says sadly and I can't help but be shocked.

I know she was older than them by like 17 years but surely they should know her.

"But that makes no sense," I mutter out.

"It does if you knew your mother. She abandoned us and never looked back," Mr. Harris speaks up.

"Don't you dare!" Uncle Jimin stands to his feet quickly and I'm more than a little intimidated by the sound of his voice. I've never seen him angry or even raise his voice but right now he looks like he could kill Mr. Harris.

"That's not the truth," my grandma timidly speaks up, standing to her feet to walk over to me.

Mr. Harris grabs her arm and she shakes him loose to crouch in front of me.

"Do you think you would be okay to come into the kitchen and speak to me alone?" she asks gently and I look up at Jimin questioning with my eyes if it would be alright.

He nods and I take her outstretched hand and follow her into the kitchen.

"Shout if you need me, little Darlin'. I'll be right here," he reassures me.

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