forum Next Steps [Private RP — Closed]

Started January 16, 2019 by @Imperfect_Autumn group

tune

Gray’s POV:

“Lucas and Ashley?” I echoed, raising my eyebrows.

“Our best friends,” Eden answered quietly. “My twin brother. Anyway, let’s go.”

Lucas… Ashley… Eden… Why did those three names sound so familiar to me? Shaking it off, I gave him a grin. “Thank you so much for the opportunity to come.”

(Oh no, we forgot Ari. :o Let’s just pretend she didn’t want to go and stayed with Amanda. Lol.)

Eden’s POV:

We checked in (out??) at the airport and finally into our place. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money—my dad’s money, no less, but I ended up booking first class tickets for the four of us. It would be better if we had a comfortable ride.

“I made sure that both of your seats are together,” I said to the other two. “As well as mine and Sterling’s.”

(Whelp…)

Sterling’s POV:

“Looks like mine is next to yours. I think you’ve got the aisle seat, though. Did you want to be next to the window?” I asked Eden after looking at our tickets.

(Whoops)

I stared down at the tickets, my eyes round. “First class? Eden, you shouldn’t have..” I blinked almost owlishly.

Eden’s POV:

I shrugged.

“It’s fine. It’s all right,” I said to her. “I know we all want to ride in the plane in peace.”

I looked at Sterling with a small smile.

“I’m good in my seat. I’m okay with the aisle seat.”

Sterling’s POV:

I smiled and kissed her cheek before giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “All right, then. Shall we head into the plane? I think they’re boarding right now…”

Oh come on….
Is this after they’ve gotten bags?”)

wait, so are they still at the airport or not?)

(alright)

I pulled the last of our suitcases off the belt, stumbling a little from the combined weight of the luggage, heat of Florida, and residual dizziness from the landing. "That's it!" I called to Gray, grinning like an absolute idiot.

Gray’s POV:

I laughed at Violeta, resting my hands on her shoulders to stabilize her before ruffling her hair affectionately.

“That’s my girl,” I chuckled, pressing a kiss on her forehead. Sterling was keeping the suitcases together while Eden was on the phone.

“Ah, you’re here?” I heard her say into the phone. “Where?”

I guess it was her family. Lucas. Honestly, that guy’s name was extremely familiar. Where I’d heard it from, I didn’t know. Eden, Sterling and their other friend—Ashley? Those three seemed weird, too. Judging from the fact that they had no problems in paying for things, I assumed they were from well-off families. But which ones? That was the question.

A small gasp escaped from her lips as she scanned the crowd, tugging on Sterling’s sleeve.

“They’re here!” She looked incredibly excited, which was a sight to see. “I can see your parents, too, Ry.”

I followed her line of vision and my eyes nearly popped out of my sockets.

The families that she was pointing at were not just well-off people. Standing there were the McArthurs, Ainsleys and the Carters.

How on Earth did I not make the connection?

I laughed, taking in the shocked expression largely dominating Gray’s face. “What’s wrong, love?” I asked, a note of amusement slipping from my mouth. I followed his wide-eyed gaze to a cluster of people near the edge of the crowd, and my chuckle died in my mouth.

Oh my God.

The Carters. The McArthurs. The Ainsleys. All three at once, which was literally the equivalent of stumbling upon the Kardashians while grocery shopping.

Eden’s POV:

“Mom, dad,” I breathed out, forgetting about the suitcases as I walked towards my parents, engulfing them in giant hugs. I felt small in their embrace—even though my dad had his arms around both mom and I, we were still squished under his hold. “I missed you both so much…”

“Hi, there, squirt,” dad’s voice—it was dad’s voice. Not from the speaker. In person. “We missed you, too, sweetheart.”

We pulled apart and he gave me a kiss on the forehead before he turned to Sterling to greet him. I, in return, turned towards Sterling’s parents and bowed my head in greeting.

“Mr. and Mrs Ainsley,” I bowed my head respectfully. “Thank you for coming to see us.”

Sterling’s POV:

I watched as Eden’s parents greeted her warmly before she turned to mine. She greeted them almost stiffly, professionally. I wondered how that would play out…

“Oh, darling, please. It’s Caroline or Carol, since your dating Sterling,” my mother greeted her with a smile, reaching her arms out for a hug. “How have you two been?”

Eden’s POV:

I accepted the hug, wrapping my arms around her as well. I didn’t expect such a warm welcome but… I wasn’t complaining.

“We’ve been good,” I answered softly, looking behind me towards Sterling. “He’s been taking really good care of me.”

Sterling’s POV:

I gave Eden a soft smile when she looked at me, winking at her playfully as the pair pulled out of the hug.

“Well, good. He’d better be. I didn’t raise my son to treat women badly,” my mom chuckled, earning an eye-roll from my dad

“You, my dear, should cut our son some slack,” he joked, wrapping an arm around her waist as he gave Eden and me a warm smile. “We’re glad you two have been well.”

Eden’s POV:

I smiled and bowed my head a little again.

“I hope you both have been doing fine as well,” I said before I heard my dad’s voice greeting Sterling.

“Sterling,” my dad nodded, reaching his hand out for a handshake. “Good to see you and my daughter doing well.”

I turned my attention towards them, but wasn’t able to observe much longer because I was pulled into another hug.

“Eden!” Uncle Leo exclaimed, hugging me. “It’s been such a long time. You look wonderful!”

I hugged him back, patting his back lightly.

“Uncle Leo. It’s nice to see you,” I said after we pulled apart, the smile still on my features.