On an airplane high above the clouds, slicing through the sky at hundreds of kilometers per hour, a young man sat by the window, his eyes fixed on the vast stretch of fluffy white clouds outside. Headphones on, music filling his ears, he appeared lost in thought, his fingers occasionally drumming softly on his knee to the beat.

This was Travis, a 20-year-old freshly accepted into college in a new state called Naven. A surge of excitement filled him—not just for the unknown adventures and friendships ahead but for the reunion that waited on the other side of the journey. In Naven, after three long years, he would finally be seeing his dad again.

Life had been turbulent for Travis since graduating high school. After his mother passed away unexpectedly, his father, once his bedrock, fell into a deep depression. The grief that had weighed on his father, amplified by the quiet of an empty house, was almost too much for them both. So, when Travis's aunt offered him a place to stay, he agreed, hoping the distance might give his dad space to heal.

Moving in with his aunt meant new routines, quieter days, and a constant ache of missing his father. Though it was hard, Travis kept his focus on finishing school, checking in with his dad occasionally, even if the conversations often felt guarded and short. But just months ago, he had been shocked to learn that his father had remarried. Travis's initial reaction had been one of disbelief; after years of feeling like the man he knew had been buried under grief, he could barely believe his father had found someone new. Yet, the news had warmed him. Rather than feeling upset, he was glad his dad had found light again.

Travis couldn't help but smile as he looked out the window, imagining what life might be like now. After receiving his college acceptance letter, he'd made the decision to study in Naven, near his father and his new family. And here he was now, heading toward them, ready to start a new chapter with the man he loved and the family they were building.

"I'm pretty happy for Dad. I heard that the woman he married has two daughters. Her name is Mariana, if I'm not mistaken. Sounds pretty familiar. Reminds me of the hot MILF I fucked two years ago," he thought.

He was a natural charmer, a playboy through and through. Standing at an impressive 6 feet, with dark hair that had a slight wave and striking yellow eyes that seemed to gleam in any light, Travis had a presence that was hard to ignore. Just one look from him could make a girl's heart race, and he knew it. But beyond his looks, he had the brains to match, graduating high school with top marks and impressing even his toughest teachers. He was as sharp as he was magnetic, with a future as bright as his ambition would allow.

Life was good, filled with possibilities waiting to unfold, and at this moment, his mind was on one thing: seeing his dad. A soft smile lingered on his face as he leaned back, closing his eyes, feeling the gentle hum of the plane beneath him. His anticipation eased into a peaceful sense of comfort as he drifted off to sleep, thoughts of new beginnings and the warmth of family wrapping around him.

...

The plane touched down a few hours later at the bustling Naven Airport. Travis, feeling the excitement build, grabbed his suitcase and made his way out, scanning the crowd while on the phone with his dad. Finally, he spotted him near the exit, waving with a warm, familiar smile that Travis hadn't seen in years. His own smile broke through as he walked over, and they pulled each other into a hug, the kind of hug neither had shared in too long. There was an unspoken heaviness to it, but as men, they kept their emotions in check.

"Come on, let's get you home," his father, Jason, said, his voice a mix of joy and restraint. Travis nodded, his grin growing as they headed toward the car.

When they reached the parking lot, Travis's eyes widened as he spotted a gleaming Toyota 4x4 waiting. He looked at his dad, caught between surprise and admiration.

"When did you get this?" he asked, incredulous.

Jason chuckled, patting the hood. "Oh, this old thing? Gift from the wife," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"For real?" Travis asked, eyebrows raised in disbelief. Jason just nodded, tossing his son's bags into the spacious back.

As they climbed inside, Travis marveled at the sleek interior, running his fingers over the soft leather seats and advanced dashboard.

"Guess Mariana's got some serious cash," he thought, noting the impressive model. "I've never even seen this one before."

With a powerful hum, Jason started the engine, and soon they were cruising down the road, the city skyline stretching out before them as they headed toward the place Travis would now call home.

"So, Travis, how's your aunt doing?" Jason asked, glancing over at him.

"She's fine," Travis replied, smirking. "But pretty mad you didn't invite anyone to the wedding. She made sure I'd tell you—you owe her big."

Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I really do. I should give her a call soon, maybe fly her over for a visit. Spend a day together."

"She'd love that. Could definitely use the break, especially with those kids of hers," Travis said with a grin.

"Speaking of, how are my nephews?"

"They're good. They're in that non-stop talking phase now. Can't keep quiet for a second, but they're still adorable. Crazy how fast they're growing."

Jason laughed. "That's kids for you. One day they're crawling around, and the next, they're about to start college."

Travis chuckled too. "So, tell me about the new family. Anything I should know beforehand?"

Jason's face softened. "Well, there's Mariana, my wife. She's 43, stunning, and, let me tell you, the sweetest woman. I—"

"I meant actual information about them, not a love letter," Travis interjected with a grin, making his dad laugh.

"Alright, alright. Mariana's amazing, then there's Hannah, her oldest daughter. She's working as an intern right now. And then there's Jacqueline. She's your age, but at the moment, she's figuring things out."

"Got it. I'll just meet them and figure out the rest, then. Since you're not exactly filling in the details," Travis teased.

Jason grinned. "Still can't handle surprises, huh? It's good to want a step ahead in life, but why not relax for once? Take things as they come."

Travis rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Fine. Not gonna like it, though."

"Guess only time will tell," he thought as they drove on, the city unfolding around them.

TO BE CONTINUED