In Another Life

2 - "It's been a long day without you, my friend."

2 - "It's been a long day without you, my friend."

The car simmered down after half an hour, everyone nodding off and leaving her father to drive in peace. She saw her parents exchange soft smiles before she too slipped into the void, waking up to the car stopping and the groans of children who had to wake up and move.

Bella was drooling onto her thigh and Andrés was shoving his foot blindly under the seat in search of his shoe. In the back, Fox was stretching and yawning without covering his mouth and in the front, her mother was gathering the candy wrappers that had somehow managed to pile up like they'd taken a day long road trip. It had only been three hours.

"Up, up, up. No more lounging. Go in and greet everyone then come fetch the bags. Vamos, you lazy monos," Isaac Espín cajoled, hiding a smile that Ava caught only because she was looking at him. Their father could look as cross as he wanted, but all his children knew that he was a big teddy bear and it was their mother that would bring the wrath of God unto them if they didn't listen.

Fortunately for all involved, the van began to empty, Ava slinging a sleepy Aaron onto her shoulder, his soft blond hair falling over his eyes as he murmured and snuggled further into her shoulder. The rest of the Espín children stumbled out and sluggishly walked into the house, the front door a beacon of light and warmth, a stark contrast to the dark outside. There was a cold night breeze despite the warm weather.

The entryway was filled with laughter and smiles as everyone was greeted, Aaron was stolen from her shoulder and covered in kisses, and kids rushed out to help unload.

Frank grinned in excitement on catching sight of her. "Be still my heart, is that my Ava?" He grabbed her in a crushing hug. "Last I heard, you were traipsing across Brunei! When did you get home?"

She shrugged, stepping out of his embrace and throwing a look at Mak who was grinning from the den doorway. "Today actually. It's good to see you, Uncle Frank."

He ruffled her hair and she wrinkled her nose out of habit but it didn't matter. It wasn't looking it's best after the car ride anyway. As soon as she was free, she ran to greet Mak and they grabbed each other in the tightest hug, both grinning until their jaws hurt, and they still held on.

Mary-Anne Knight, better known as Mak, was her friend-soulmate. A year younger than her, it had taken them a few years of childhood bickering and teenage insecurities to click but then, a few years ago, something changed. They both grew up, she guessed. Now, the two of them were almost inseparable and Ava wouldn't have swapped her for anyone.

"Alright, alright. Now that we've all seen each other, we can all wash up and sit down to eat. The food is already here and I'm not reheating anything."

Ava waved to Felicity, Frank's wife and the twins' mother, before joining the rush for the bathrooms, everyone grinning as they settled down around the large tables and across the sofas, the sounds of eating and a happy reunion loud and warm in the air.

"So, how have you been?"

Mak rolled her eyes and stole a fry off her plate before leaning back against her shoulder. "Same as I was the last time you asked me. Which was this morning, you dork."

Ava grinned and swiped a cucumber off Mak's plate, popping it into her mouth even as she answered. "Things could have changed since then. The twins could have ransacked your room or your dad could have made a dad-joke so bad, it almost killed you. He's capable of it."

Mak almost choked on her stolen fry as she laughed in agreement before waving a hand towards the twins. "They're on their best behaviour because there's a party tomorrow night that some rich kid is having. Dad said he'd have to 'evaluate' them to see if they deserved to go. You know how it is, being thirteen and so cool."