▪️O C T A V I A▪️

"Ready to go inside?" Graham asked as he parked his SUV in front of his childhood home.

I had enjoyed the ride here more than I expected, my eyes soaking in every bit of the scenic route. The rolling green hills stretched endlessly, bathed in golden sunlight that made the dew-kissed grass shimmer. The occasional bursts of wildflowers painted the landscape with splashes of violet, white, and yellow, while ancient stone walls lined the winding country road like silent sentinels guarding the past. The crisp blue sky above was endless, dotted with wisps of white clouds drifting lazily across the horizon. The world felt vast yet peaceful, untouched by time, and for a while, I had been content just watching it all pass by.

But nothing could have prepared me for the sight of Graham's family home.

Quickly unbuckling my seatbelt, I stepped out of the vehicle, my breath catching in my throat. The towering Scots Baronial country house loomed before me, its dark grey stone walls standing as a testament to centuries gone by.

I barely registered the sound of Graham's door closing, but I felt him step beside me, his steady presence warm against the cool breeze. Still, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the breathtaking sight before me.

The steep gabled roofs and turrets stretched toward the sky, crowned with ornate finials that gave it an almost fairytale-like grandeur. Ivy crept up the façade, its deep green vines curling around the arched windows and doorways like nature's own embellishment. The massive oak doors at the entrance, framed by intricate stone carvings, exuded an air of quiet authority, as if they had seen generations pass through and still stood unwavering.

The driveway, lined with neatly trimmed hedges and towering elms, curved elegantly toward the house, leading to a cobblestone courtyard where a grand fountain stood in the centre. Water cascaded from the marble basin, its gentle trickling the only sound aside from the rustling breeze. The scent of fresh earth, pine, and faint traces of blooming roses from a nearby garden filled the air, making everything feel both wild and refined.

For a moment, my nerves were forgotten, replaced by sheer admiration. "Your home is so beautiful, Graham!" I breathed, unable to take my eyes off the breathtaking estate before me.

I turned to him just in time to see him glance down at the watch I had given him for his birthday. A soft smile tugged at my lips. I had spent weeks looking for the perfect gift, and seeing how much he adored it filled me with warmth.

The Tissot wristwatch gleamed in the daylight, its design inspired by the clock on the Le Locle church tower. The Roman numerals and finely detailed face were stunning, but what made it special was the engraved case, offering a glimpse into the intricate mechanisms within. I still remembered the way his face had lit up when he had unwrapped it outside my dorm.

"Aye, it is," he admitted, but there was something almost humble in the way he said it. "But to me, it's just home."

I turned to look at him, my brows lifting. "Just home?" I gestured toward the sprawling estate, the towering stone walls steeped in history. "Graham, this place is incredible. The fact that it's been in your family for so long, it's like living inside history. A place with so many stories, so much legacy."

He smiled faintly and followed my gaze, "That's true, as you know, our family's been here for centuries," he said. "The distillery's been running since the early 1800s, and the wool mill's even older than that." He turned his eyes back to me, and something about the way he looked at me made my stomach flip. "Generations have lived and worked here. My grandfather always said this land has a soul of its own."

"You grew up surrounded by so much history," I murmured, reaching out without thinking, my fingers brushing over the sleeve of his coat. "That's amazing."

His expression softened as he looked down at me, his stormy eyes searching mine with a warmth that sent a quiet shiver through me. "It's just home," he repeated, but this time, there was something different in the way he said it—something quieter, more intimate.

The way Graham was looking at me, like I was something precious, something that belonged here just as much as the stones of this house or the land it stood on, made my breath hitch. It was as though, in that moment, he was not just talking about the house at all.

A flutter stirred deep in my chest, my fingers tightening ever so slightly against the fabric of his coat. For the briefest moment, I swore I could feel it, that unspoken connection weaving between us, something deeper than words. And in his eyes, I saw it too. As if, somehow, he was saying that I was home.

My lips parted, but no sound came out.

I scrambled for something to say, anything that could capture the warmth blooming in my chest, the way his gaze made my heart stutter. Before I could find the words, Graham gently pulled me into his arms, his warmth seeping into me, grounding me in the moment.

"I didn't get to thank you properly for my birthday gift," he said. His voice was low, intimate. "I absolutely love it, and I'm going to wear it every day."

I barely had time to react before his lips captured mine in a kiss that stole my breath. It was not just a kiss, it was a claiming, a pouring of emotion that sent warmth flooding through me. His mouth moved over mine with deep, unrestrained hunger, as if he had been waiting for this moment all day, as if he needed this, needed me.

My body melted against his, my heart hammering against my ribs as I kissed him back just as eagerly. My hands slipped up around his neck, fingers threading through the short strands of his hair, desperate to hold him closer. His embrace tightened in response, his grip possessive yet tender, as if he never wanted to let go.

Gratitude, longing, something deeper that neither of us had dared to name yet—it all pulsed between us, electrifying the air, making me dizzy. The taste of him, the warmth of his breath mingling with mine, sent shivers down my spine. A soft moan escaped me, swallowed instantly by his lips, and he let out a sound that was somewhere between a sigh and a growl, like he was losing himself in me just as much as I was in him.

For a moment, it was just us—Graham and me—locked in a kiss that spoke louder than any words ever could.

The rest of the world disappeared.

Until—

"Oi! Get a room, you two!"

We jerked apart so fast, the sudden separation leaving me breathless, my chest heaving with the intensity of the moment. I nearly stumbled, caught off guard by the abruptness of the break, my mind still spinning from the kiss. Graham looked just as stunned as I did, his eyes wide, mouth slightly parted in disbelief before his face morphed into something that was equal parts sheepish and exasperated.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stood by the now-open front door, grinning like he had just walked in on the funniest thing he had ever seen. His hazel eyes sparkled with mischievous delight, making it clear that he had absolutely no shame in his unexpected interruption.

The moment I saw him, it clicked.

I had heard so much about Gavin, and as our eyes met, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Knowing how important he was to Graham, I had dreaded the possibility of seeing a sudden, gruesome end for him. But instead, Gavin's future was one of calm and peace, his final moments surrounded by a quiet stillness that only came with old age.

Before I could dwell on it any further, Gavin's voice rang out again.

"Have some manners, mate! Stop ravaging the poor girl in the driveway!" he said with an exaggerated eye roll.

Mortification hit me like a tidal wave. My heart raced in my chest and my face tingled as I felt the heat rising up my neck. Gavin's words hung in the air, each one sinking deeper into my skin.

I had hoped for a graceful first meeting, but this? This was a disaster.

"Oh no..." I whispered, horrified.

Graham let out a low chuckle, wrapping an arm around my waist in reassurance. "Relax, love," he murmured. "It's only my idiot best friend, Gavin."

Still grinning, he strode toward us, his confidence practically radiating off him. Gavin was the kind of guy who seemed to light up a room without even trying, his energy filling the space around him. He extended a hand to me, his smile warm and inviting.

"Hey there, gorgeous. Name's Gavin. I'm so happy to finally meet you in person, Octavia," he said, his voice filled with playful charm as he held out his hand.

I hesitated for half a second, still feeling a little flustered. "Nice to meet you, too," I managed, forcing a small smile as I greeted him.

As Gavin took my hand, his smile grew even wider. He lifted my hand gently and placed a soft, teasing kiss on the back of it. His lips lingered there just long enough; the kiss was almost playful. But what caught my attention more than anything was the way his gaze flickered toward Graham, his grin widening as if he knew exactly what he was doing.

I could almost see Graham's muscles tense, his jaw tightening as he fought the urge to interrupt his best friend's little display. It was a small thing, but I could tell it was precisely the kind of thing that would get under Graham's skin.

Gavin straightened, not missing a beat, and winked at me, clearly enjoying the effect it had. It was a playful teasing, but I could sense it was also a way to poke at Graham, just enough to make him feel a little possessive, a little on edge.

Now that I was seeing him up close, I understood why Kyung-Mi was always talking about him with such fascination. Gavin had that effortless appeal about him, a confidence that radiated with every movement. His hazel eyes sparkled, and there was a kind of warmth in his smile that made it impossible not to like him, even if I had only just met him.

With a shake of my head, I said, "Wow, you're a charmer, aren't you?"

"You mean more like a predator," Graham grumbled, his brow furrowing as he shot a dark look at Gavin, clearly wanting to drag me back into his arms.

Gavin just shrugged it off with a laugh, "Don't mind him, he's just being jealous," he teased before launching himself at Graham, wrapping him in a big bear hug. "Happy birthday, you old bahooky!"

I held in a laugh at the word "bahooky" as it was an oddly affectionate nickname for "bum" and the way Graham groaned in response only made it more amusing.

"Yeah, yeah," Graham muttered, trying to shrug out of the embrace.

At this, a soft giggle escaped me at the playful exchange between them. Even though they were both such imposing figures, seeing them like this made them seem less like adults and more like frisky toddlers.

Gavin was clearly the outgoing one, the life of the party, while Graham remained more level-headed, though I could see his usual calm breaking as Gavin's antics wore on.

I found myself fascinated by their interaction and I wondered what their younger days must have been like. They were both so ridiculously handsome, I could only imagine how the women must have flocked to them.

Once they parted, Gavin, still grinning, asked, "So, ready to go show your woman off to the family? I heard talks of a wedding."

"Aw, bloody hell!" Graham exclaimed, grabbing my hand. "It's not too late for us to head back."

I raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Ashamed of me already?"

Gavin chimed in, laughing, "I like a woman with a sense of humour."

Graham sputtered, clearly trying to find his words, "No! I just know how overwhelming my family can be. I don't want to scare you off."

I stepped closer to him, meeting his eyes, "I'll never leave your side, Graham, at least for as long as you want me."

His expression softened, and he whispered, "I'll always want you."

"Damn," Gavin muttered, clearly impressed. "No wonder there's talk of marriage. You two are clearly crazy for each other."

Graham shot him a look, grumbling, "Way to ruin the moment, eejit!"

"That's what I'm here for!" Gavin said with a smirk. Then, he added, "Now, let's go inside before you two end up having sex in the driveway."

At his words, my cheeks burned. The thought of being intimate with Graham, especially somewhere as public as the driveway, made my heart race and my thoughts scatter. I quickly turned my head to the side, my eyes finding a random spot on the ground, anything to distract me from the rush of feelings that swirled inside me.

Graham sighed, "Could you try and not vocalize every indecent thought that pops into that big head of yours?"

Raising his hands in defeat, though still smirking, "Since it's your birthday, I'll comply. Pardon my manners, Octavia."

I tightened my grip on Graham's hand, as we made our way toward the manor. His hand felt like a steady, reassuring presence in mine. His thumb brushed lightly across the back of my hand, sending tiny shivers up my arm, and I could not help but glance up at him. He smiled down at me, a small but knowing smile, as if he could sense how much I needed the reassurance.

As soon as we stepped inside, a loud chorus of "Happy Birthday!" erupted around us.

I had been warned there would be a lot of family in attendance, but the sight of so much red hair in front of me still caught me by surprise. The sea of vibrant, fiery strands seemed endless, like waves of ginger cascading in every direction. I blinked a few times, taking it all in—rows of freckled faces, matching expressions of curiosity, and the distinct feeling that I had just walked into a family gathering straight out of a storybook.

Unable to hold back, I mumbled, "So... much... red..."

Graham chuckled softly, his fingers briefly tightening around mine, "Easy now, love."

I felt a little overwhelmed, but I kept my attention focused on the sea of people in front of us as they rushed toward us in a tidal wave of energy.

"Hi, I'm Paisley, Graham's twin sister," a sprightly redhead said, practically bouncing as she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. "And mine's the only name you really need to remember, besides mum and dad, of course!"

Before I could even get a word in, Graham's strong arms came around Paisley from behind and lifted her up as if she weighed nothing.

"Keep the heid, Pais! Let her breathe!" Graham urged as he pulled his sister off of me.

"Aww, come on, little bro, don't be so greedy! He never did like to share," Paisley said, glancing over at me as her feet finally touched the ground.

Gavin laughed, chiming in with, "So true! He's always been a greedy one!"

I could not suppress a small snicker at the scowl on Graham's face. His expression was a mix of exasperation and resignation, but I could see the hint of a smile lurking beneath. It was clear that Paisley and Gavin enjoyed teasing him, and I could not blame them. There was something endearing about how easily they could get under his skin.

But before Graham could retort, Paisley kissed his nose and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Happy Birthday!"

"You too," Graham said, returning the hug.

As Graham was swept away by more of his relatives, I suddenly felt like I was being swallowed by the crowd. Faces flashed in front of me, and before I could fully process them, the names of Graham's older siblings—Kamrynn, Neil, Douglas, and Collin—seemed to be thrown at me all at once.

They were a good-looking bunch. Tall, too.

I barely had time to register the details of each person before I was introduced to Graham's parents, and I immediately understood where his siblings got their good looks. His mom, Christy, was graceful and elegant, and his dad, Ainsley, was tall and commanding. Despite their height difference, they looked perfectly suited for each other, leaning into one another in a way that made their love seem so natural.

"Welcome to our home, Octavia!" Christy exclaimed warmly as she approached me, smiling brightly. "I'm so happy to meet you, and forgive me for saying this, but you're an absolute beauty!"

Her words gave me pause, and I could not help but feel a little flustered as I caught her gaze. Christy took her time, her eyes lingering on me with an intensity that made me shift awkwardly on my feet. She admired every detail, from the soft teal of my sweater, which I had chosen deliberately, thinking it would complement my golden skin tone, to the way my long, curly hair cascaded down past my shoulders. It was as if she was taking in every inch of me, her gaze not just seeing, but truly appreciating me.

I could feel a warmth creep across my skin under the weight of her scrutiny, and I was not sure whether I should smile or shrink back. She tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a smile that was equal parts kind and knowing, as if she could tell how nervous I felt, but was making me feel completely seen in the best way possible.

A part of me wondered if this was just how she was, someone who truly took the time to observe and appreciate the people around her, especially those she welcomed into her home. Or perhaps because I was Graham's guest, there was a bit more to it.

"Thank you," I managed to say, after a few moments.

"Stop staring and say something, Ainsley!" Christy nudged her husband playfully.

Clearing his throat, he stepped forward, his face slightly red. "I'm Ainsley."

"I just said that!" she laughed, shaking her head. Then, turning to me, she added, "He always gets nervous around a pretty face."

"Err, yeah, it's nice to finally meet you, Octavia," he said with an awkward but kind smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you so much for inviting me to your lovely home," I replied politely.

Before anything else could be said, one of Graham's nieces suddenly burst through the crowd, her energy practically radiating off her. She darted toward me with the kind of enthusiasm only a child could possess, her feet barely seeming to touch the ground as she practically bounced with excitement. Her bright smile lit up her face, and her wide, sparkling eyes were filled with curiosity as she approached.

"Hi, Octavia! I'm Katy!"

"Hi Katy."

"Oh wow! Your accent is so beautiful! Where are you from?" she fired off, her words coming so quickly that I could barely keep up. Before I could answer, she exclaimed, "I really love your hair! I want my hair to look like yours! It even has a shade of red to it, look, da!"

With that, she dashed off, her little feet pounding against the floor as she ran to pull her father, Collin, into the conversation.

"Look how pretty, da! Can you do my hair like yours, pretty please?"

I chuckled softly at Katy's energy, looking at her thick strawberry blonde hair with its subtle waves. She was so adorable, and her excitement was contagious.

"Sure, nothing some curlformers and hair foam can't fix," I replied with a smile.

Katy's blue-green eyes widened with excitement as she squealed, "Eek! Can we do it now?"

Collin stepped in, smiling warmly. "Maybe another time, Katy. Today is Uncle Graham and Aunty Paisley's birthday, remember?"

The little girl pouted but nodded, though she still looked up at me, hopeful. I gave her an apologetic smile as she reluctantly turned away. But before I could take a breath, two of Graham's other female cousins approached and immediately began asking questions about where I was from, also intrigued by my accent.

Before I could finish answering one of them, another of Graham's older aunts suddenly appeared and blurted, "So when are you and my nephew getting married? Graham's getting old, and he's yet to have any children. In fact, he's the only MacAllister of this line that doesn't have any yet."

My eyes went wide, and I felt as though I could not breathe. I did not know how to answer. The question caught me off guard, and I struggled to find words. Thankfully, Graham's voice rang out, saving me from having to respond.

"Noo jist haud on! Aunt Edith, please!" he huffed as he made his way toward me.

"What? I can't enquire about my nephew now?"

Graham's arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him, "What is this, a birthday party or an interrogation?"

His brother Douglas chuckled and said, "What do you expect, Graham? It's the first time you've brought a woman home."

"I second that!" Gavin bellowed, clearly enjoying the moment. "Let's hear it for the beautiful couple!"

Mirth filled the room, and glasses clinked as everyone cheered. The warmth of the moment seemed to sweep through the room like a wave, but I could not help but notice the subtle shift in Graham's posture. His arm stiffened slightly around me, and I could see the tips of his ears turning a deep shade of red, as if he were trying to hide the sudden flush that spread across his face.

I leaned in to whisper, "I'm going to kill Gavin later."

"Not if I do it first," he muttered then sighed. "I'm so sorry, Octavia."

"There's nothing to apologise for," I leaned into him even more, "I can tell that they love you a lot."

"More like they're just nosy and want to know my business," Graham grumbled.

I giggled, "Well, that's what families are for, right?"

Just then, Christy's voice rang out above the chatter, commanding everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, the food's ready, let's go!"

Her voice was surprisingly forceful for such a short woman, but I supposed it was necessary to keep this boisterous family in line. As the crowd began to move toward the dining area, I tightened my grip on Graham's hand, grateful for his presence as I tried to adjust to the whirlwind of continued introductions and questions.

With Graham by my side, I felt like I could handle anything that came my way.

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A/N: Aww... 💖

Scottish Slang Translations:
"Bahooky" means backside or bum
"Noo jist haud on" can equate to "now just hold it", "slow down" or "take your time"