Family is Forever (Sequel to Running on Insulin)

Chapter 63

Samantha's POV

Mom and Dad made me go to bed, despite the fact that I wasn't that tired - okay. I lied. I was exhausted, but I didn't want to bed because I didn't want to miss anything. We were leaving in the morning and I didn't want to say goodbye to anyone. But, Mom and Dad insisted I needed sleep.  And of course, they were right. 

Mom came upstairs with me and sat on my bed while I got ready for bed. She was chatting happily to me about our trip while I was finishing up in the bathroom. 

When I came out she was just looking at me. 

"What?" I asked. 

She opened her arms and indicated she wanted me to come in for a hug.  I went and sat beside  her and she wrapped me in her arms. 

"I am just amazed by you," Mom said. 

"Why?"

"Well, you've had an interesting week, and despite nearly drowning, you spent the rest of the holiday just, enjoying yourself.  You bounced back. And then to hear you singing. You have a really beautiful voice, darling."

I leaned into Mom. 

"Do we really have to go home tomorrow?" I asked. 

"I'm afraid so. You have school on Monday, Dad has work to do for tour, and we live in Ohio."

"Can we move here?" I asked. 

Mom laughed. 

"I heard you asking Dad. And no."

"I don't want to go home," I said. 

"Had a good time out here, huh?" Mom asked. 

"Yeah. And I miss Aunt Sarah and Uncle Brendon. And Uncle Josh and Aunt Debby. And Pete."

"I know sweetheart. And you'll see them sooner than you know. Josh, you'll see on tour. Debby too, probably. And depending on their schedules, Uncle B and Sarah might come out to a few shows."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Now, I  now you're not tired, but into bed you go," Mom said, pulling down the covers.  I climbed in and she tucked me in. She gave me a kiss on the forehead and said goodnight. 

I was more tired than I let on and fell asleep pretty quickly. 

The next morning, Uncle Brendon woke me up.  

"You all packed, favourite niece?" he asked, as he rubbed my back and gently woke me  up. 

"Mhmm," I said, rolling into a ball and pulling the covers over my head. 

"Come on, you. Time to get up. We're going to go out for breakfast before we take you to the airport," he said. 

"Do you think Mom and Dad would notice if I just stayed hidden under these blankets?"

"Notice that you aren't at the airport with them? Hmm. I don't know. But after last winter, do you really want to test that?"

"Mmm. I guess not," I mumbled.

"Alright. Then up you get."

"I don't want to," I said. "If I get up, that means our holiday is over."

"I know, Sam. But, all good things must come to an end," Uncle B said. I rolled over and looked at him. 

"But I don't want this to come to an end."

"I know. But, you have to get back to school. I don't think Jill would be happy if you didn't come back from California."

"I don't want to go back to Ohio," I said, starting to tear up. "I miss you and Aunt Sarah too much."

He pulled me up into a hug. 

"I know, sweet girl.  We miss seeing you all the time, too. But we have FaceTime, and texting and phone calls."

"They're not the same," I said. 

"I know. I know they're not. But you'll be on summer break soon, and then out on tour with your dad.  And you never know who might show up at one of their shows."

I wiped my eyes. 

"I still don't want to go," I said. 

"I know. I don't want you to go either, but Jenna and Tyler would be very upset if you stayed here,"

"I know."

"So, get up. Get dressed, and get your stuff. We'll head to breakfast and have an amazing time."

"Okay," I said, trying not to whine like a baby. 

Uncle B left my room and I checked my sugar, packed my charger into my backpack, and got dressed, and used the bathroom, making sure I had everything packed from there, too. Dad knocked on my door as I came out of the bathroom. 

"All packed, kiddo?" he asked. 

"Yeah," I said. 

"Great. Bring your stuff downstairs, and we'll head out for breakfast. Okay?" 

I shrugged. I really, really didn't want to leave California. 

Dad went downstairs with their stuff and Mom poked her head into my room and asked if I needed any help with my luggage.  I shook my head no. I could handle a duffle bag and a backpack. 

I picked up my luggage and looked around the room that had been mine for the week. 

"Thanks for letting me use your room, Jess," I whispered.  I couldn't explain it, but I kinda felt like Jess was there.

I went downstairs and Dad took my bags to put in the car. Mom looked over at me and smiled. I tried to smile back. 

"What's the matter, baby?" Mom asked. I tried to hold the tears back. 

"I don't want to leave," I said, tears slipping down my face. "I'm going to miss everyone."

Mom came over and wrapped me in a big hug. 

"I know. I'm gonna miss them, too. But you've got to get back to school, Dad's got to get back to work, and before you know it, school will be over and you and I will join Dad on tour, and we'll see Josh and Debby there, and you never know who might show up at any of the shows."

"I know. But I really like California," I said. 

"I know. But our life is in Ohio. I know it's not a glamorous, colourful or, quite frankly, as warm, but it's home."

I sighed. It was. Ohio was where I was born. Where my mom, my biological mom, was buried. And where my life really started, when Mom and Dad adopted me. But California had Aunt Sarah and Uncle Brendon, and Aunt Debby and Uncle Josh. And Zack, and Kala and Pete and Meagan. 

Once Dad had packed up the car, I followed them out, and we left for breakfast on the way to the airport.