Chapter 17
Elmo opened the passenger door (Pia was standing behind Elmo's back now.), and he guided Julie out of the car. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Pia showed up in front of her, with her signature wide smiles with eyes starting to get wet.
Julie was stunned, Pia remained on the porch waiting for them.
" Julie Anne, welcome home."
Pia said with arms wide open, smiling as the stray of tears slipped her cheeks.
Tears instantly gushed from Julie's eyes...overwhelmed with the way Elmo's mom welcomed her despite what she did to her son two years ago.
" Tita."
The only words that came out from Julie's mouth. She closed the gap between them and Pia enclosed her in her arms, she responded to the warm gesture as her tears continued gushed from her eyes.
" We miss you... I'm happy you're back... You don't know how much I prayed for this moment...that you and Elmo would talk and fix whatever the problem was. Thank you sweetie."
Pia whispered...tears continued to sip down on their faces.
Elmo smiled looking at his Mom and Julie on their tiny moment before he opened the car's back seat and took Julie's sweet treats for his family.
After a couple of minutes, Pia and Julie let go of each other...smiling at each other. Pia wiped the stray tears on Julie's cheeks.
" You're a really beautiful sweetie, the prettiest without makeup. C'mon let's get inside and surprise Clara. She didn't know you're coming."
" Thank you for the warm welcome, tita. Thank you for still accepting even what I did to Moe before."
" Nah. It's not your fault. That's why I told him, if you really mean to wait, you've waited without doing anything stupid. But let's put the past behind us now. Let's go. "
Pia said and coiled her arms with Julie.
" Okay po, Tita. Thank you po. "
" Since when did you and Mosey talk? He didn't tell me so it's better to ask you. Sorry but I have to hear it. Hahaha. "
" Hahaha. Tita, nakakahiya...but yeah, yun nga... I was the one who initiated the talk...on his birthday---"
"Oh that's why he didn't want to talk about it. Hahaha. That's cute."
Pia untangled her hands off Julie to open the door but before she did the door swung open... Elmo and Julie almost bumped at each other when Clara pushed him...Clara was stunned looking at Julie in front of her Kuya Elmo.
When Clara recovered, she screamed her lungs out and saw her tears slip on her face.
" Ate Julie!!!!"
Clara ran to Julie and slammed her body on her that almost fell but Elmo was quick to hold her on her waist.
" Clara, be careful!"
Elmo's voice raised. If he was not quick enough maybe they would both fall on the ground now.
" Sorry. Sorry. You didn't tell me that Ate Julie will be here, kasi."
Clara answered as she wiped her tears, looking at Julie.
" Moe... It's okay baby girl. Come here"
Julie stepped closer and hugged Clara.
Elmo shook his head and went back to his car and took the remaining sweet treats.
Pia walked her way to the kitchen, laughing...leaving Julie and Clara on the porch.
