Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 67

December 13th, 2019

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Neo asked me, his eyes shining with concern as he glanced over Alan and Eli, who were standing by the door awkwardly.

I'd tried to convince them that I could go by myself, but they'd insisted on coming. I think Alan just wanted to rub it in, but he wouldn't admit it.

"Yeah," I whispered back. "I am,"

He had not been happy when I'd shown up this afternoon, having been worried sick all night. He still had his doubts about me moving in with them, and he hadn't tried to hide it either. He'd been glaring at Alan since we'd got here.

"Alright," Neo said, squeezing my hand supportively. "I trust you,"

Alicia latched around my waist, her head buried in my side. "I don't want you to go," she cried.

I smiled down at her softly. "I'll still visit,"

She glanced up at me, sniffling. "Promise?"

"Promise,"

Alicia let go of me, stepping back and grabbing on Neo, who chuckled.

I made sure to hug everybody - even Felix, who actually hugged me back.

Ma had a teary smile on her face as she pulled me into a tight hug. "Good luck," she whispered softly.

"Thank you," I replied, smiling. "For everything,"

"I know you have your own family now, but you'll always be a part of ours," She gave me one last hug before we pulled apart.

Javi and Alicia were clinging to each other, giggling.

"Come on you two," Neo rolled his eyes, herding both of them towards the door. He glanced back at me. "I'll walk you out,"

I nodded, grabbing one of my bags while Eli grabbed the others.

"You don't have much," he commented to me quietly.

"I know," We followed the others out to the car after I waved one last time to everyone, putting the bags in the boot.

"I can't believe you're leaving," Neo shook his head sadly.

"I'll still see you," I promised him. "All the time,"

He nudged me, a grin on his lips. "Good," he said. You'd better," He grabbed my waist, pulling me in for a kiss.

Both Alan and Eli muttered in disgust, while the kids just laughed.

"Alright," I told Javi, pulling away from Neo with a smile. "Time to go,"

Neo squeezed my hand as I left, offering me a supportive nod. He took Alicia's hand as the rest of us climbed into the car.

Eli had been demoted to the back seat since I was driving, and under no circumstance would Alan let him sit in the passenger seat.

Javi was excited to sit with Eli though, and he talked to him practically the whole way home.

***

We'd spent the afternoon unpacking and rearranging things so that everyone had a place.

Cato had chosen to move out to give me the main bedroom, taking the guest room for himself. Eli and Javi were sharing a room now too.

I felt a little bad about having them accommodate us, but they'd assured me it was fine.

Cato had taken Javi to buy a bed and some other things for his new room, and he'd been over the moon with happiness.