Right Time, Right Place

Part 40

Carmen - 15, Blake - 7 months old

Monday, January 17th

Amelia's POV

I'm sitting down in the airport scrolling on my phone waiting for my mom to show up. I lift my gaze upwards and see a bunch of people walking out so I stand up.

"Amelia!" My mom says to me as she walks towards me with her arms open. I half smile and hug her still a bit unsure of this entire thing. "Just you today?"

I nod, "The rest of the crew is at home. Carmen should have went to school today but we let her stay home to see you on your first day."

"Oh how nice" My mom smiles and I carry her bag for her. We start driving home and I glance over at her, "Oh I need to tell you something about Carmen."

"What's that?"

"Well she was really close with Owen's mom, and she isn't comfortable calling you grandma. Can she just call you Carolyn, or Mimi perhaps? People do that."

My mom chuckles, "Anything is fine. I really don't mind. I am just glad you all are letting me into your life."

We pull into the driveway later and Owen comes outside immediately to greet us. "Hi Carolyn! I got your bags." He smiles and carries them in for her. We walk into the house and see Carmen and Blake sitting on the floor playing. "Mom! We think Blake might wanna start crawling!"

I gasp, "Did I miss it!" Owen laughs and shakes his head, "No, we wouldn't let her try without you here. Let me take these bags upstairs then we can try."

I lead my mom into the living room and sit down on the floor with the kids. Owen joins us later and sits behind me, I lean against him and I catch my mom smiling at us.

Carmen goes across from us and sets Blake on her hands and knees. I hold out my arms, "Come to mommy!"

Blake looks up at Carmen and carmen gets on her knees and starts to slowly crawl too. Blake follows her lead and starts to crawl towards me. I hold onto Owen's arm tightly. "She's crawling! Our baby can crawl!" She gets over to me and I pick her up, "You're such a big girl" I kiss her chubby cheeks and set her down. She is really good at sitting herself up and holding herself there.

"She is 7 months old right?" My mom asks from her spot on the couch.

I nod, "Yep just turned 7 months a few days ago actually." I smile looking at her playing with her toys.

"Do you need anything Carolyn? Water, snack?" Owen asks as he is rubbing my shoulders. My mom shakes her head, "I'm good for now. You know I didn't realize how cute you two are."

"Well that's because you hated me all through my college years and told me Owen would leave my alcoholic ass. And look where we are now, married with two kids. But thanks I know we are cute."

My mom sighs, "I never hated you Amelia. You just were a lot more to handle than the rest of your siblings."

"I know they were all perfect and I was the screw up." I sigh as I move away from Owen to pick up Blake. I hold her close as she always calms me down.

"I'm so proud of you right now Amelia. You've come so far, I'll talk about all of this with you. I want to make things right. I'm sorry for never believing in you, helping you, I'm sorry for just never being in your life. You reminded me so much of your dad and it was a shock to me to be reminded of him everyday."

"I reminded you of Dad?" I ask now looking at her.

"You still do. But I've realized how important it is for me to be here for you cause I know he would. You were young when he died, but you were always his favorite."