JUST FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND FOREVER

GOING HOME

I spent all night thinking about what Cara said.

“Hey lovelies,” I cooed at my five year olds and their giggles were like music to my ears.

“We are going home to see grandma, she will love to see you too,” i said to them but they clearly did not understand me, all they did was repeat grandma multiple times. I made sure to show them their grandparents pictures whenever I could.

“So, you've decided to go home now, right?” Cara asked me.

“Yeah, like you said it’s about time and since I can’t run forever, I made the decision. Do you want to come with me?” I asked her with a smile.

“Um, no. You have a lot on your plate already.” she replied with a smile of her own while helping me with packing my babies’ luggage.

Packing seemed to take forever and since it was for three and we were going for a long time, I knew we could not afford to pack light. I had managed to get myself signed up for some online classes and jobs that would help me earn during the holidays.

You should live for yourself…

The words echoed in my mind as we got into the taxi for the airport. I had managed to book a flight for me and my girls.

The flight was easy and smooth, I was going back home to Florida and I knew everyone would be so surprised to see me and my kids. We arrived at the airport and carefully alighted from the plane. I was hoping to catch a flight to my parents’ home but what I did not expect to see was my father standing with a placard saying, “Welcome home, Charlotte or Charlie!”

The words on the sign were so funny i bursted out laughing. trust my dad to make light of every situation, “Dad,” I called out to him playfully while walking towards him with a smile.

My dad looked at me with a smile of his own and even more with his eyes smiling especially at the two bundles of joy in the stroller.

“Charlotte, or should I say Charlie?” my dad called out and extended his arms for a hug. I let go of the stroller and gave him a hug. My dad smelled like he usually does, a mixture of wood and coffee. His scent had always calmed me and smelling him after a long time brought some tears to my eyes. I didn't know I had missed him so much and then I started to cry.

“It’s okay, Charlie, I understand. Are these the little munchkins?” he asked me after the hug was over.

I managed to get in touch with my parents yesterday before going off to bed. We spoke at length, talking about why I left without a trace but I promised them the whole gist later. Trying to protect their fragile hearts, I immediately informed them of my twin daughters. They had their questions, especially my mother but they held it all down for when I returned home.

“Yes,” I replied to him as I gestured to the girls already asleep in the stroller.

“They look so peaceful,” my father said, “let's get you guys home first, your mom must be at the edge of the seat with anxiety right now.” he continued to say and that caused a light chuckle from me amidst the tears.

The drive home was filled with light talks and a dance around the topic which we would have addressed. It wasn't long into the drive that I fell asleep only to be awoken by my dad’s voice.

“Charlie, we are home,”

Groaning and jet lagged, I woke up and looked at the place I once knew and called home. I started to think to myself. I left here in search of something for myself and when things went south I could not even return to the comfort of my parents.

They seemed to love richard. They claimed he brought out the best in me and even though i didn't see it that time, and also thought he was the best for me, I did not think he made me who i was and am. He was in a way a controlling jerk but I told no one of it, instead I called it love and was happy he wanted to take me out of my little town in florida. He paid so much attention to me that I called it love.

“Are you good over there?” my dads voice called out, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, yes, I'm okay. Let me get the kids out of their seats and I will meet you inside." I replied to him and made a move to get out of the car but his voice stopped me.

“Your mom has been expecting you, Charlie. Trust me she misses you and wants to see you, so you don't have to look so conflicted. Trust me, she wants to see you.” he said to me with a smile before stepping out of the car and rounding to my side to get the car door open for me. Seeing my dad do that reminded me of how Richard never did that to me, instead he would walk ahead and even raise his voice at me when it takes me too long to get the door open.

I took out the car seats and set the girls on the ground, their little legs ran towards the door like they knew where we were.

My dad took my luggage and went after them. I stood in front of the house taking it in before I walked to the front door. I heard my mom already kissing my babies’ cheeks and just as I stepped in, I saw my mom who had a smile on her face with tears falling down her face.

Then I saw him… Marcus, my childhood friend and crush and i thought to myself, my world is about to turn upside down again.