It had been a few weeks after the birthday dinner and Caitlin and Victoria found themselves in Caitlins room. The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains of Caitlin's dorm room, casting a gentle glow over the space. Caitlin stirred first, her eyes slowly opening to find Victoria nestled against her, their limbs entwined in a comfortable tangle.

 The warmth of Victoria's body against hers and the peaceful rise and fall of her breathing brought a contented smile to Caitlin's face. Caitlin gently tightened her embrace, her hand tracing soothing patterns on Victoria's back.

 "Morning, love," she whispered softly, not wanting to disturb the  moment. Victoria murmured something incoherent, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked a few times before a sleepy smile spread across her face. 

"Morning," she replied, her voice still thick with sleep. She shifted slightly, pressing closer to Caitlin, enjoying the warmth and comfort of their cuddle. 

"We have to get up soon," Caitlin reminded her gently, though she made no move to pull away. "We need to head to my house for the barbecue." Victoria sighed contentedly, her fingers lazily tracing along Caitlin's arm. 

"Can't we just stay here forever?" she teased, nuzzling into Caitlin's neck. Caitlin laughed softly, the sound vibrating through Victoria. "As tempting as that is, our families would probably come looking for us," she said, pressing a kiss to Victoria's forehead.

 "Yeah, you're right," Victoria agreed reluctantly. She lifted her head to meet Caitlin's gaze, her eyes soft and filled with affection. "But I wouldn't mind a few more minutes like this." Caitlin's heart swelled with love as she looked at Victoria.

 "Neither would I," she whispered, leaning in to capture Victoria's lips in a tender kiss. They lingered in the embrace, savoring the sweet simplicity of the moment.

 Eventually, Caitlin pulled back, her hand coming up to gently brush a strand of hair from Victoria's face. "We should probably get moving," she said, her tone light but loving. Victoria sighed, a smile tugging at her lips. "I guess so," she replied. "But I'm keeping you close all day." 

Caitlin laughed softly. "Deal," she said, giving Victoria one last kiss before they reluctantly began to get out of bed. They slowly disentangled themselves, sharing soft touches and sweet kisses as they prepared to get out of bed. 

Finally, with everything ready, they headed out, hand in hand. They first decided to stop at a café that had just opened .Inside the café, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. They stepped up to the counter, and Caitlin's arm slid around Victoria's shoulders, pulling her close as they looked over the menu. 

"What are you in the mood for?" Caitlin asked, her voice soft and affectionate. Victoria leaned into Caitlin, a content smile on her face. "A vanilla latte sounds perfect," she replied, her hand finding Caitlin's and giving it a gentle squeeze. 

Caitlin placed their order, and as they waited, she kept her arm draped over Victoria's shoulders, occasionally brushing her lips against Victoria's temple in a tender gesture. When their drinks were ready, Caitlin handed Victoria her latte, their fingers lingering in the exchange. 

Back in the car, Caitlin took a sip of her coffee before starting the engine. As they pulled out of the parking lot, her right hand found its way back to Victoria's thigh, a reassuring presence as she navigated the roads. Victoria placed her hand over Caitlin's, their fingers intertwining. 

They drove in a comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds being the soft music playing from the radio and the occasional hum of the engine. Caitlin's thumb absentmindedly stroked Victoria's thigh, a small but intimate gesture.

"Excited for the barbecue?" Victoria asked, breaking the silence. Caitlin glanced over, her eyes warm. "Yeah, I am. It's always fun when our families get together. Plus, I get to show you off," she added with a playful wink.

 Victoria laughed softly, squeezing Caitlin's hand. "I'm looking forward to it too. It's nice to have everyone in one place." They continued their journey, stopping at a red light. Caitlin leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to Victoria's lips. "Love you," she said simply, her eyes full of affection. "Love you too," Victoria replied, her smile radiating happiness.

 As Caitlin and Victoria pulled into the driveway, the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air. The backyard was already bustling with activity, the scent of grilling food wafting over to greet them. They shared a quick smile before stepping out of the car, hand in hand.

 The moment they walked through the gate, they were greeted with enthusiastic hellos from both of their families, who had long been close friends. Victoria spotted her family gathered near the grill, her grandmother  waving energetically. "I'll catch up with you in a bit," she told Caitlin, giving her hand a squeeze. 

Caitlin nodded, her eyes scanning the crowd for her own family. "See you soon," she replied, leaning in for a quick kiss before they went their separate ways. Victoria made her way to her family, a wide smile on her face. "Hey everyone!" she called out, embracing her grandmother first. "Vic, darling!" Coach Bluder exclaimed, wrapping her in a tight hug.

 "It's so good to see you, you need to come around to practice more"

 "Good to see you too, Grandma," Victoria replied, turning to greet her parents and sibling with equal enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Caitlin spotted her parents and brothers near the picnic tables. Her heart swelled with happiness as she rushed over. "Mom! Dad!" she called out, throwing her arms around them.

 "Caitlin!" her mother said, hugging her tightly. "We've missed you, kiddo," her dad added, ruffling her hair. Caitlin laughed, moving on to hug Colin and Blake. "Missed you guys too," she said, feeling a wave of warmth and nostalgia wash over her. 

After catching up briefly with her family, Caitlin glanced around to find Victoria. She spotted her over by the grill, chatting with Coach Bluder and her parents. Victoria's eyes met hers across the yard, and she excused herself to join Caitlin. Victoria walked over, her eyes lighting up when she saw Caitlin's family.

 "Hey, everyone!" she called out, giving Caitlins parents warm hugs. "It's so good to see you all." Helen smiled, returning the hug. "It's great to see you too, Vic. How have you been?" "I've been good, thanks! How about you?" Victoria replied, turning to give Colin and Blake high-fives. 

Blake grinned. "We're great. Ready for another epic barbecue?" "You bet," Victoria said, laughing. She turned to Caitlin, slipping her arm around her waist. "Your family always throws the best ones." Caitlin beamed, leaning into Victoria. 

In the spacious backyard, Caitlin, Blake, and Colin had started a spirited game of soccer. The trio, known for their competitiveness quickly turned the friendly match into an intense showdown.

 Caitlin, darted across the makeshift field, her eyes focused and determined. Blake and Colin, equally competitive, matched her energy with fierce determination. "Watch out Colin there's Cait!" Blake called, passing the ball to Colin. Colin skillfully maneuvered the ball, dodging Caitlin's attempt to steal it.

 "You're not getting past me, Caitlin!" he teased

 "Oh, we'll see about that," Caitlin shot back, lunging to intercept the ball. She managed to block Colin's path, sending the ball rolling. The game intensified, with all three siblings pouring their energy into every move. The friendly banter turned into competitive shouts as they argued over points and fouls. 

Eventually, the disagreement reached a peak. "That was definitely out " Blake insisted, crossing his arms. "No way, it was still in!" Caitlin argued, hands on her hips. "Colin, back me up here," Blake demanded, looking to his brother for support. "I'm telling you, it was in," Colin said, shaking his head. 

Frustrated, they turned to Victoria, who was sitting nearby, laughing at their antics. "Vic, we need a tiebreaker," Caitlin called out, a grin spreading across her face. Victoria stood up, still chuckling. "Alright, what's the problem?" Caitlin wrapped her arms around Victoria's waist, pulling her close. "Come on, you love me. I'm right, aren't I?" she asked playfully, looking up at Victoria with a teasing smile. 

Victoria shook her head, her laughter bubbling over. "Nope, sorry Cait. Colin and Blake won this one fair and square." Caitlin gasped in mock betrayal. "Traitor!" she exclaimed, a playful glint in her eye. 

Without warning, she used her height and strength to scoop Victoria up off the ground. "Hey! Put me down!" Victoria laughed, her arms instinctively wrapping around Caitlin's neck for support. "Not until you change your mind," Caitlin teased, spinning them around while the others laughed. 

"Alright, alright, Caitlin, you're right," she said, her voice playful. Caitlin finally set Victoria down gently, grinning from ear to ear. "That's more like it," she said, giving Victoria a quick kiss. "You're ridiculous," Victoria said, still laughing as she straightened her clothes. "You love me" Caitlin replied with a wink, wrapping an arm around Victoria as they walked back towards the rest of the family.

As Caitlin and Victoria walked back towards the rest of the family, the scene had not gone unnoticed. Both families had been watching the playful interaction with fond smiles and knowing glances. Anne, Caitlin's mother, leaned over to vic's grandmother, a warm smile on her face. "Those two are really something, aren't they?" she said, her voice filled with affection. Coach Bluder nodded, her eyes twinkling. "They certainly are. They balance each other perfectly," she replied.

 Caitlin's dad, chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "I've never seen Cait so happy. Victoria brings out the best in her." Victoria's mother, standing nearby, added, "And Caitlin does the same for Vic. They just fit, you know? Like they were meant to be together." 

Blake and Colin, who had followed Caitlin and Victoria back to the gathering, overheard the conversation. Blake grinned and nudged Colin. "Told you Cait and Vic were the real deal," he said. Colin nodded, watching his sister and Victoria with a smile. "Yeah, they're perfect together." 

As the barbecue continued, Caitlin and Victoria found a moment to sit down at one of the picnic tables. The lively chatter and laughter of their families surrounded them, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

Caitlin sat down first, and Victoria settled next to her, their hands naturally finding each other's. Caitlin smiled, slipping her arm around Victoria's shoulders and pulling her closer. "You having a good time?" Caitlin asked softly, her eyes shining with affection. 

Victoria laughed softly, resting her head against Caitlin's shoulder. "I am. It's perfect," she replied, her voice filled with contentment. Caitlin's other hand came up to gently brush a strand of hair from Victoria's face. 

"I'm so glad you're here with me," she said, her tone tender. 

Victoria looked up at her, her eyes sparkling with love. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," she said, her smile radiating warmth. Caitlin's heart swelled with affection, and she leaned in to press a gentle kiss to Victoria's forehead.

 "You mean the world to me, Vic," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Victoria's laugh was soft and sweet. "You're so cheesy," she teased, her eyes twinkling. "Only for you," Caitlin replied with a grin, tightening her arm around Victoria and giving her a squeeze. 

Their families watched from nearby, sharing knowing smiles and soft murmurs about how well-suited the couple was.

As the sun began to set, the barbecue wound down and families started packing up. Hugs were exchanged, and goodbyes were said, the day having been filled with joy and laughter. Caitlin and Victoria, hand in hand, made their way back to the car, ready to drive back to school. 

However, once they were in the car, the atmosphere shifted. Caitlin and Victoria found themselves in the backseat. Victoria straddled Caitlin's lap, their bodies pressed close together. Caitlin's hands rested on Victoria's waist, her lips capturing Victoria's in a deep, passionate kiss. Victoria responded eagerly, her fingers tangling in Caitlin's hair. The world outside the car faded away as they got lost in each other. Caitlin's kisses trailed from Victoria's lips to her jawline, then down to her neck, making Victoria groan.

 Their breathing grew heavy, the intensity of their kisses increasing. Caitlin's hands roamed gently, exploring the familiar curves of Victoria's body. Victoria reluctantly pulled back, her breath coming in short gasps as she rested her forehead against Caitlin's. "We need to go back to school, Cait," she panted against Caitlin's lips, her voice a mix of longing and practicality. Caitlin sighed softly, her hands still resting on Victoria's hips. "I know," she murmured, her eyes searching Victoria's. 

"one second" Victoria laughed softly, her lips brushing against Caitlin's in a gentle kiss, " we've got to get going." Caitlin nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Alright, let's go," she said, her voice filled with reluctant acceptance.

As they prepared to leave, Victoria found herself unable to resist Caitlin.  She turned to Caitlin, her eyes filled with longing, and murmured, "Okay, yeah, one last kiss." Leaning in, she captured Caitlin's lips in a needy, passionate kiss. Caitlin laughed softly as they parted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Can't get enough of me, huh?" she teased, her fingers gently tracing Victoria's jawline. Victoria's grin was unapologetic as she leaned in for another quick kiss. "Shut up " she said laughing, her voice filled with affection. Their playful banter continued as they reluctantly prepared to leave. 

As Caitlin and Victoria walked from the car towards Caitlin's dorm building, they couldn't shake off the uncomfortable feeling caused by Connor's creepy stare, who was leaning against a wall staring at them. Connor was the typical annoying frat guy, he did nothing but annoy girls at parties. 

Victoria glanced over her shoulder, frowning. "Dude, he's so creepy." Caitlin tried to lighten the mood, joking, "Hey, don't worry. You're safe with me." She winked, earning a small chuckle from Victoria. 

"Yeah, but seriously," Caitlin continued, her tone turning more serious. "I hate him. He's just so annoying. The amount of times I've wanted to throw a basketball at his head are insane." 

Victoria burst into laughter at Caitlin's blunt remark, leaning into Caitlin's side for support. "I wouldn't put it past you," she teased, her laughter easing the tension of the moment. As they entered the Caitlins dorm, they both made their way towards Caitlins bedroom.

After Caitlin settled into her bed with her phone, Victoria disappeared into the bathroom for a quick shower. Moments later, she emerged, her hair still damp and a towel wrapped snugly around her body. 

As Victoria began to change, Caitlin couldn't resist stealing a glance, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Looking good over there," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

 Victoria rolled her eyes playfully, tossing the towel at Caitlin. "Stop being a pervert," she joked, her laughter echoing through the room. 

Chuckling, Caitlin caught the towel and draped it over her head, feigning innocence. "Who, me?" she replied, peeking out from behind the fabric. As Victoria finished changing into her pajamas, Caitlin watched her with a soft smile. 

Once she was done, Victoria climbed into bed beside Caitlin, cuddling up close to her. Caitlin wrapped her arms around Victoria, pulling her close. "I love you" she whispered, pressing a kiss to Victoria's forehead. Victoria snuggled closer, resting her head on Caitlin's chest. "I love you too" she murmured, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment wash over her in Caitlin's embrace.