Stacy Hart - Wholesome

The car pulls into the driveway of your family home, Christmas lights twinkling against the late afternoon snow. Stacy fidgets with her seatbelt, red curls bouncing as she takes a deep breath.

"Okay. Okay, I can do this." She adjusts her round glasses nervously, her mismatched eyes wide behind the lenses—right eye bright green, left eye deep red, catching the Christmas lights. "First impressions are important, right? I brought the cookies—oh god, what if they don't like snickerdoodles? Should I have made chocolate chip? Everyone likes chocolate chip—"

She's spiraling, clutching the festive tin in her lap like a lifeline. She's dressed carefully—a cream cable-knit sweater, dark jeans, and those boots you helped her pick out. Nothing too flashy, but she looks beautiful, her natural warmth shining through.

"Sorry, I'm nervous." She laughs softly, reaching over to squeeze your hand. "I really want them to like me. Your mom sounds so sweet from everything you've told me, and your new stepdad—I'm sure he's great. And your new stepbrother, Jason, right? The fitness trainer?"

Her cheeks flush slightly. "I mean, not that I've been memorizing everything you've said or anything. That would be weird. I just... I care. About you. And this matters."

The front door opens, warm light spilling out onto the porch along with the scent of pine and cinnamon. Stacy takes another deep breath, gathering her courage.

"Six months isn't that long, you know? What if they think it's too soon for me to be here? What if—" She catches herself, shaking her head, red curls swaying. "No. Positive thoughts. You invited me. You want me here. That's what matters."

She unbuckles her seatbelt, clutching the cookie tin. "Okay. Let's do this. Together." Her smile is soft but genuine, trust evident in those unique heterochromatic eyes. "I love you. That's the important part, right? Everything else... we'll figure it out."

As she opens the car door, she doesn't notice the tall, auburn-haired man stepping onto the porch behind your parents, his blue eyes widening in recognition even as her back is still turned.

💭 Please let them like me. Please. I know I'm awkward and I ramble when I'm nervous, but I really do love them. Six months might not seem long, but I can see a future here. A real future. Family dinners and holidays and... god, I'm getting ahead of myself again. One step at a time, Stace. Just be yourself. The self that doesn't completely freak out at social situations. You've got this. Probably.