I love you, so I forgive you.

ILYsoIFY 9

Finally we finished cleaning the house and we just sat down on the couch, catching our breaths, as the door bell rang. I feel soooo tired and dont wanna stand up, but at the same time I am soooooo excited to finally see my cousins again!! So I jump off the couch and run to the door as fast as I can.

"Denniiiiii!!!! Tiffannyyyyyy!!!!" I scream and pull them both at the same time into my arms. They are happy as well and hug me back, jumpin up and down, screaming and giggling, like little girls do. "Rileeeeeyyy!!! You have to see what we learned in dance class!!" "I can play the piano!" "I have made you a painting!" "Look what I got for Christmas!!" "Come on, Rile!! You HAVE to see this!" they won't stop screaming! Omg they are to funny hahaha!

I quickly greet my aunt and uncle and run to the girls in the living room, laughing. I meet Christie in the hallway who's there to greet Marya and Nicholas as well. "Maryaa!! Sweet sister! Hey Nicholas! Welcome to our home... Or actually.. Riley's home... Anyways, welcome! Feel at home!" she hugs them and takes their bags.

A few hours later it's calm again in my house because everybody has told their stories and showed each other what he or she had to show. Everybody is just relaxing now. Nicholas is having a shower and Tiffany & Denni are coloring in their books they got for Christmas.

I was talking to Marya and Christie about my school, boys, their work and Leah Remini.. Yupp, Marya wanted to know everything in detail about that ;)

I didnt mind talking about it, even though it was kind of awkward to tell her how much I care about Leah since that one night we talked at McDonald's. Now that Leah feels like some kind of aunt for me, it's weird to tell Marya. Since she is my real aunt. Just like Christie, but Christie knows Leah in person, so she knows how Leah is.

Marya doesn't seem insulted about the whole thing, tho, so I guess it's okay.

Denni just learned a song to play on the piano so she necesarily wants to play it all the time. I don't mind, because I love to play the piano too. I taught her a few more tiny songs that are easy to play.

We are laughing so much and actually she can play the piano pretty well! She learns quick! It sounds beautiful. I close my eyes and listen to the laughter of my family. I can feel the warmth of our love.

Suddenly the phone rings. Christie picks it up "Hello, this is Christie!" pause.. "Hey!!! Oh my...!! Yeah, yeah.. Of course!" she then turns her head to me "Rile, it's for you!" she hands me the phone and I talk "Hello, this is Riley..?" I hear a brief silence.

"Hey Riley... It's your dad."

"DAD!!!" I scream and get all teary-eyed. I missed his voice so much!!

"I can't use the phone at midnight, so I thought.. 'Let's call my daughter in bright daylight to tell her Happy Newyear!' So here I am, calling you, my beautiful daughter. Happy newyear honey!"

"Thankyou dad!! I love you!" I can't talk normal anymore.. I realise I'm crying. Christie rubs my back and kisses my cheeck. Denni and Tiffany look at me curiously and with pity. They don't really understand whats going on, but I can see they feel sorry for me. "Don't cry, Riley.. It makes me cry too." Tiffany whispers.

I smile. "Sorry sweety.." and to my dad I continue "daddy, when can you leave? How are you?"

"I'm fine, sweetheart! Rehab is going well but I do need to stay for a while. How are you?"

"Im good, dad, Christie is taking good care of me. Nicholas and Marya are here now with Denni and Tiffany. I love you dad, please come home soon.. Healthy."

"I will, honey. Oh God, I will. I am so sorry for who I was.." he cries too now. I want to hug him. "Please, dad. Don't cry! It wasnt your fault! I never thought it was. I love you, okay? Stay strong!"

"Lordy, Lord, how did my girl grew up so wise? I'm proud of you, Riles. I will come back soon, healthy, and I will NEVER leave you or let you down again."

"I love you too dad, take care!"

And we hang up. Christie and Marya hug me and Denni and Tiffany come sit one my lap. They are so sweet. Suddenly Denni starts singing. "Sitting here tonight..."

Then Tiffany sings along and they sing togeter "Byyyy the fire light.. It reminds me I already have more than I should."

"I don't need fame. No one to know my name. At the end of the day, Lord, I pray. I have a life that's good!"

I know the song too - from Nashville, sang by Lennon and Maisy Stella- so I also sing along with them. Marya starts filming it. Usually I am shy, but I dont want to ruin this sweet moment.

"Two arms around me, heaven aground me and a family that always calls me home. Four weels to get there. And all the love to share and a sweet, sweet, sweet song."

"At the end of the day, Lord, I pray. I have a life thats good."

We smile and everybody starts clapping.

"Oh my gossshh!! Girls! That was beautiful!!!" Everybody smiled and I feel soooo happy. I cant stop thinking about my dads call. I love him, so I forgive him. His behavious is not his fault. Its nobodies fault. Life is just not always easy. I am happy to have a loving family around me. I am blessed.