Snowflakes and Second chances

APOLOGIES

“When Julian told me you came back yesterday I thought he had been joking.” Sebastian voices snapping me out of my thoughts and the butterflies in my tummy immediately quiets down as my mind involuntarily reawakens the memory of all that had gone down between us.

“Oh yeah, well, that's Julian for you, jokes so much you don't know when to take him serious.” I joke in reply, trying to keep the atmosphere lively, although I'd much rather not be having a conversation with him anymore.

“Well I come by almost every day, and it crossed my mind-” he doesn't get to complete his statement as Mandy returns cutting him off unintentionally, and I'm much thankful for the distraction as I quickly excuse myself before either of them can say anything hurrying to the bathroom.

Sebastian Hernandez had been the first boy to have my heart, just as he'd been the first one to crush it as well. The surprise of seeing him so soon looking more handsome than ever had almost made me forget that bitter memory, but now it was afresh in my mind, and I'd better avoid him for as long as possible.

I finish from the bathroom and wash my hands taking deep breaths at the mirror and praying that Sebastian had left already so I wouldn't have to be forced to remain civil with him for the sake of staffs and other patrons present in the diner, I head back out.

“I know we only just met yesterday and I may not know you well enough, but what was that tension between you and Sebastian? He tells me you guys used to be friends and all with him, always around the house hanging out with Julian.” Mandy probs gently as I rejoin her in refilling the glass counter display of pastries.

Much to my relief, Sebastian was no longer standing there, and I really hoped this would be the last time we'd have to interact with each other because next time, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep my anger towards him in check.

“Uhm yeah, but I wouldn't call us Friends per se, he's Julian's best friend so he was always around. I don't think he saw me as anything besides his best friend's awkward little sister with funny braids.” I coat the pain of my statement playfully earning a giggle from Mandy who groans softly before rubbing her tummy.

“The baby's been killing my waist this past week, can't even enjoy a warm bath because sitting in the tub feels like punishment now.” She states and I give her a warm smile.

“Maybe you need to go get it checked out, it's not meant to hurt that bad, is it? How far along are you?” She smiles at my question, taking her hair out of the bun on top of her head to redo it.

“Three months now, I'm just showing really fast, it's something that's common with the females in my family, by six months, I'll be looking like I might pop any day now. I did go to the hospital to complain about the pain, the doctor said I need to work out more.” She explains and I hum in understanding.

“You're basically glowing so much already, pregnancy suites you so much and if it's okay by you, I try to go for runs early in the morning or in the late evenings so maybe we can go together?” I suggest and she nods enthusiastically crushing me into a hug.

I had wronged my family once, hurt everyone I cared for by forcing them to relive the memory of how my mother had left just as I later ended up doing, but now that circumstances had forced me to return, I was going to try everything in my power to fix it.

It wasn't given how many days, weeks, or months I planned to stay for yet as I hadn't received any feedback from the divorce lawyer yet and one of the perks of owning the company you worked out was being able to leave without it having much of an effect as long as it remained supervised.

Jacob had affected my life, thoughts, and decisions for too long already and now was the time to finally find a standing on my own.

The pain from his and Rita's betrayal might as well never leave my mind, but I wouldn't be doing myself any good by letting that tie me down or drowning in self misery and pity.

Knowing the type of person my scum of an ex-husband was, he'd want to take everything we had worked so hard for away as his alone, but the selfish bastard had to be idiotic if he believed I'd sit back and let him step all over me anymore.

The weak, spineless woman he'd shaped me into with years of hits and abuse was now dead, she died the minute I walked out of our house into the rain that day, Jacob was going to pay for everything.

I manage to drag Mandy away from working at the diner to rest for a while because even though she had supposedly taken the week off at work, she was still too stubborn to stay back home and rest and continued to insist on assisting dad at the diner.

Dad who had been out all day running errands joins us at the table I had dragged my sister-in-law and forced her to seat at for a much-needed break while having lunch, and although he doesn't say anything, I can see it clearly in his body language that he was struggling with the curiosity eating him inside, and I knew better than anyone that he deserved an explanation and numerous apologies.

“I know my presence is very unexpected, and I'm genuinely sorry if it affects anything in any way but I just didn't know what to do, and you're all I have left, so I just-” I begin to rant nervously, and he cuts me off grabbing my hand in his with a warm smile.

“Your presence here is just perfect, and you never have to apologize, you're my daughter and this is your home, I'm just delighted you're back, we all are.” Mandy nods in agreement as they both smile at me.

I'm about to open my mouth and say something, swallowing the lump of emotions clogging my throat before a new presence cuts me off.

“Sorry to sound rude pops, but I'd appreciate it if you spoke for yourself only because I won't pretend like it's all peachy and rosy for you to suddenly just waltz back here after everything.” I don't need to turn back to know that my brother had now joined us, and I find myself taking in deep breaths and praying that I'd be able to face him now without bursting into tears.