The Memories of Us

Chapter 15

Throughout the whole ride to the airport, I was trying to suppress my tears. Once we walked through the front doors reality seeped in. Ivy's gigantic family was busy bidding goodbye to the only female Albert-Reed baby. Emily was being smothered into a careful hug by Eli, and even Jules and Mace bro hugged it out. I walked up to my best friends for a bitter-sweet farewell.

"You're going to be okay flying back to Chicago, Em?"

She rubbed the sleeve of her cashmere sweater, "yeah I'll be fine, I'm hardly showing."

"Well still yell at any fucker if you need to, you're entitled being pg and all." Ben laughed as he put an arm around Emily. She moved in and hugged him.

What? I raised an eyebrow at her. Her cheeks went rosy as she tried to move away and burrowed her head farther into Ben's chest.

"Ben, I swear to god if you infect my best friend or my future godchild with your ideocracy, I will end you." Ivy narrowed in on her brother.

"God, I'm going to miss all of you! Here come the damn waterworks."

"Oh boo", Eli came and wrapped his cumbersome arms around me. "I'm speaking for everyone, that we have to keep in touch. In no way are we all meeting up in similar circumstances."

"Yeah, honestly".

"We won't".

"Never again".

Flight 146 to Chicago, please come to gate 3.

"Well I guess that's me!", Em's blue eyes began to water.

"Oh Emmy!", I hugged her and felt the familiar feeling of a group hug.

Vigorously, Em wiped at her eyes. "It's the hormones, y'all. I'm going to keep everyone in the loop with the baby okay?"

We nodded in synchronization. My eyes filled with tears for what seemed like the hundredth time today. Emily strutted away, pulling her marble printed suitcase. It didn't take long until her petite figure became a mere blur.

"She better invite us for when the baby is born! I love the smell of fresh babies."

I looked at Ivy as if she had three heads, much like the rest.

"And you better send us invitations to the wedding, Ivs". Mason nudged her, earning an eye roll.

"Yeah, Yeah,".

"Eli?"

Eli's mom walked towards us with an uncertain smile.

The tension could be felt through the air. Mrs. Jones's chestnut hair was wild as she attempted to flatten it. All the guys buffed out their chest in protective mode. I looked over at Ivy who's gaze was darting between Eli and his mother.

"Mom"? Eli's voice broke a bit as he saw the women in front of us.

"Can I talk to you baby?"

He drew in a deep breath and contemplated his decision, before nodding.

Eli's Pov

I almost couldn't recognize the lady who was standing in front of me. Her brown hair was down instead of her usual tight bun. And there was a slight sheen to her forehead, proof that she was in a hurry. The last time I really observed my mom was when I was home around five years ago. Now I was several inches taller and towered over her. The crow's feet near her eyes were much more visible than I last remember. Internally I frowned at the tiredness that was evident in her expression.

"Eli, were you really going to leave without saying goodbye?"

Even though we had a fallout, she still managed to make me feel guilty. Her eyes glossed over, and her lip began to wobble. Despite being an only child, I was never close to my parents. I think their righteous dedication to strict religion, divided us. I can remember being an early teen, awkward and pubescent, sitting on those stiff uncomfortable pews. While the priest talked about homosexuality being a sin. I looked down the row to my parents and saw them nodding, agreeing with amens. I was definitely going through my experimental phase then, deep down I knew I was attracted to men. But seeing my parents and everyone in that church agree, filled me with hatred not only towards them but myself too. It took years till I was able to accept myself. And then when I came up with enough confidence to tell my parents, it resulted in their denial, that put me over the edge. At Ivy's house, when I told my dad off, a weight lifted off my shoulders and I finally felt like I forgave myself for not sticking up all those years ago.

"Well, you didn't really seem to want anything to do with me, the last time you saw me". My voice came out blunt.

A tear slipped out and splattered against her flush cheek. Soon if she kept crying her face would become splotchy and swollen; something that I inherited. I sighed, not wanting that for her.

"I'm so sorry Eli Beli, I love you, baby. You know that?"

"But you don't love that I'm gay." I deadpanned, pointed out the obvious.

"It's just everything against what I was taught. But seeing you with Julian, I- I don't think I've ever seen you so happy." She smiled genuinely.

For the first time since I saw her today, I smiled. Because she was completely right. I have never been as happy as I am now with Jules. We get along so well. He's supportive, kind, humorous, generous, everything anyone could want in a partner. Even though we have only been together for a year, I could definitely see us starting a future together. In fact, I think we are beginning to write it presently.

"Your father is really, you know, stuck in his ways. But he will come around. You mean the world to us, Eli. You are our world."

It pained me to look into my mother's eyes as she spoke. I merely nodded at the floor. In spite of everything we've gone through, I did love my parents, obviously, I mean who doesn't?

"Thanks, mom, I really appreciate it."

Her grin reached her eyes and she smothered me into a mama bear hug.

"Flight 378 to Los Angles will now start boarding."

"Well, I guess this is goodbye mama." I could almost physically see her heartbreak.

"I guess it is Eli Beli." She reached in for another hug, "I just want you to know that we love you. I love you so much, baby; I'm incredibly proud of you."

"Thank you", her words truly meant a lot to me, probably more than she will ever know.

"I think you should visit me in LA, stay with Jules and I. We could show you around, you know, and we could bond."

"I'd love that baby."

"I love you mama", the sincerity in my voice, affirmed my words.

"Hey babe, we should probably get going." Julian smiled at us as he patted my shoulder. I nodded.

"You be good to my baby Julian; I cannot wait till I can come and visit!"

My boyfriend politely smiled, "of course Mrs. Jones."

And with that, I left my mom and my best friends with a heartfelt goodbye. I could almost see their beaming smiles and waves from our departure gate. Ivy, Jules, and I boarded our plane and I felt happy. Happier than I had in a long time. I was grateful for my mother's unexpected farewell but I'm glad we came to terms. Jules' large hand found its way onto my knee, pulling me out of my trance.

"It went well then with your mother?"

"Better than I could have ever expected."

"Good, I'm glad, you deserve happiness, Eli Jones." He leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on my cheek.

"You bring me happiness," I smirked, cheesy as hell. He returned my smile and interlocked our hands.

"And what is this about her coming to visit?" I laughed at his quizzical eyebrow.