Chapter 21: The Parents

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The Cameron family, including Tayla, converse in the living room as they wait for the arrival of Lucas and Elena. Not really paying attention to the conversation, Tayla glances repeatedly towards the front door. Rafe rubs her back in circular motions, trying his best to calm her down.

A few moments later, the doorbell rings through the house and Rose scurries towards the door as everyone else follows. When opening the door, they find the two kook adults, who look like they had just come from a fancy and luxurious business trip.

Elena grasps Rose in a tight hug as Lucas goes to Ward and pats his back like an old friend. Rose beams with a smile "It's been so long since we saw you last". 

Ward nods his head in agreement "How long's it been? Four months?".

Lucas mirrors Ward, also nodding "Something like that" his eyes drift toward Tayla "You guys take good care of my daughter?". 

Tayla casts a fake and polite smile upon her face. Rose lets go from her hug with Elena "She's been a joy to have around". 

Elena gives a light smile "That's good to hear".

Tayla watches as her mother walks over to her "How are you, sweetie?". The kook girl's fake smile starts to drift a bit "Just fine, mom, thank you for asking". Rafe looks between the two Madison women, almost in fear of an issue occurring.

Elena gives a short chuckle and opens her arms "Come give your mom a hug". 

Tayla sighs, thinking for a moment "Maybe later". 

Lucas interrupts the awkward interaction "I believe you two have something to tell us" he says smiling as he gestures between Tayla and Rafe with his eyes.

Before Rafe even has the opportunity to speak, Tayla buts in "We're dating, for a while now actually but you wouldn't know that". Rose and Ward take Sarah and Wheezie with them towards the kitchen, sensing an intense talk about to form. 

Elena frowns at her daughter's words "Sweetie, you know we come home as often as we can but things have been really busy lately with work".

She scoffs at her mother "Stop calling me sweetie and work is always busy, that's just an excuse to have the Camerons deal with me". 

Lucas shakes his head "That's not true, we've always wanted the best life for you". 

Tayla shakes her head right back "Your definition of the 'best life' is having money but I would rather have my parents around".

Rafe puts his arm around her, rubbing her arm to bring her back to a peaceful mindset. Elena looks up towards her husband before she looks back to Tayla apologetically "I'm sorry, honey, we will make more time for you". 

Tayla shrugs nonchalantly "I'll believe that when I see it, can we just have dinner?".

Both her parents nod with disappointed looks on their faces. They did love their daughter but their priorities were not in the right place. Tayla wanted to believe what they were saying but knew better than to get her hopes up, she had heard these words from them before.

After the more than awkward dinner, Tayla's parents pull her aside and talk to her for a good amount of time. They gave her a couple of souvenirs from the countries that they had visited in the past couple of months, all gifts they had in mind for her.

They both explained how they thought that she would've had the typical teenager attitude of wanting to be independent of her parents and Tayla explained that she would really like for them to at least talk to her more often on the phone.

Tayla wasn't as upset as she could've been because she enjoyed her life with the Camerons. If it weren't for the life she had, she wouldn't have such a good friendship with Sarah. She wouldn't have a good relationship with Rafe.

After their conversation turned more pleasant, Tayla gets more comfortable "Is it okay if I get Rafe? I know he really wanted to talk to you two about us". 

Lucas smiles warmly "Of course, bring him out here".

Walking through the kitchen, Tayla finds Rafe leaning on the counter, sipping on a glass of water "Have you been waiting here the whole time?".

 "Of course I have, I didn't want an argument to start and you be all alone" he replies quickly as if it shouldn't have been a question.

Tayla smiles at her boyfriend, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him softly "I'm so lucky to have you". 

Rafe shakes his head "It's the other way around, I'm just trying to reciprocate your energy". 

His words make the girl smile more "I wanted to bring you out there, I know you wanted to talk to them".

Rafe nods intently "I do... but not with you". 

This catches Tayla off guard as she furrows her brows in confusion "What? Why?". 

He smirks at her instant concern "It's personal". 

Tayla looks even more confused "Umm... we don't hide things from each other, especially with our parents".

"Trust me, it's nothing bad or negative" he says, looking into Tayla's eyes seriously to reassure her. 

Tayla sighs and lets go of her hold around him "Okay... I trust you, even though this is weird".

The girl's words make Rafe laugh "It's really not, I promise" he says. Kissing the top of her head, he goes outside to the older couple. Tayla watches their body language for a moment but gets bored and goes to find the rest of the Cameron family.


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