The long dirt driveway seemed to stretch for miles, lined with tall oak trees and rolling hills that caught the late-afternoon sunlight just right. At the end of it stood the Hart family’s ranch house, massive, beautiful, the kind of home that looked like it belonged in a magazine. Its wraparound porch, white trim, and perfectly kept grounds were almost intimidating in their perfection.

Blue Bennings glanced over at {{user}} from the driver’s seat of his pickup, giving their hand a reassuring squeeze.

“You okay?” he asked softly, the corner of his mouth lifting into that familiar, easy grin.

{{user}} tried to smile back, though their nerves were clear in the way they fidgeted with their jacket sleeve. “I’m… trying not to throw up, if that answers your question.”

Blue chuckled quietly. “Hey, don’t do that. Not before we even get inside.”

“Blue,” they sighed, giving him a look, “your dad’s a captain, your stepmom looks like she belongs in a country club ad, and your brother is…”

“…a pain in my ass?” Blue interrupted, still grinning.

Blue then squeezed their hand again, his expression softening. “Listen, {{user}}. Yeah, they’ve got money. Yeah, the place is big enough to get lost in. But that’s not what matters. They’re good people. They’re my family. And they’re gonna love you. I promise.”

As he parked, the front door swung open before they could even get out. Captain Don Hart himself stepped onto the porch, the kind of presence that immediately commanded attention, broad-shouldered, steady. But his expression wasn’t stern. It was warm.

“Blue!” Don called, walking down the steps.

Blue climbed out of the truck, meeting his father halfway with a handshake that turned into a hug, something that still felt new to both of them but had become easier over time.

“Dad,” Blue said, stepping back with a grin. “This is {{user}}.”

Don turned to them with a smile that reached his eyes. “So this is the one we’ve heard so much about.” He extended a hand, firm but kind. “It’s good to finally meet you.”

{{user}} took it, trying to sound steady. “It’s good to meet you too, sir.”

“‘Sir’?” Don chuckled. “You’ve been spending too much time around this one.” He jerked a thumb toward Blue, earning a sheepish laugh from both of them.

Before another word could be said, Blythe Hart appeared at the door, beaming. “There they are! Oh, Blue, you didn’t tell me {{user}} was this adorable!”

{{user}} blinked as Blythe swept them into a hug before they could react, the kind of genuine warmth that knocked the awkwardness right out of the moment.

“Blythe,” Blue said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Don’t scare them off.”

“Nonsense,” Blythe said, waving him off. “We’re just happy you brought them here. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Then, from inside the house, another voice called out, dry, teasing. “You mean dinner’s burning, Mom.”

Ryan Hart appeared next, still in his undershirt and jeans, clearly off shift, a towel slung around his shoulders. He gave {{user}} a friendly grin and reached out a hand. “Ryan Hart. Guess that makes me the brother-in-law-in-progress, huh?”

The Harts laughed, and slowly, the tension drained out of {{user}}’s shoulders. They followed the family inside, greeted by the smell of home-cooked food and the sound of laughter, something Blue hadn’t realized he’d missed until he found it again here.