Brittany O'Neill and her family packed up everything and moved to Berkeley, California for a fresh start. Her brother and she were excepted into Berkeley University and she thought it would be the great college experience. With little to no stresses...
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Chapter: Eighty-Four
Niles carried our things to the car despite my grandson's insistence they be allowed to help as well. This goodbye was going to be hard. Eleanor took my hand, and we walked together up to the car until she turned and embraced me.
"Thank you for coming, mum. I dreamed of this for so long." She kissed my cheek.
I shook my head, holding her at arm's reach. "No, thank you for doing this. Creating this wonderful family and giving me this time." I returned her smile.
"Hey, I just did what any human would do," she smiled, putting her hands on my face. "Even if you're my mum, remember to still enjoy your youth too, hmm?"
"I will," I agreed.
"You'll come to visit, won't you? Maybe for Christmas?" Matilda questioned, hugging me.
"Of course, if you want me to, that is?" I asked, looking at my grandsons for their confirmation of approval.
"Yes. Yes. Yes!" Nate said, jumping to hug my legs, and I returned his hug and ruffled his hair affectionately.
"We'd love for you too," Nathanial smiled at me.
"We've enjoyed spending time with you," Reagan added.
"Getting to cook with you was wonderful," Trina smiled.
"Putting Cassius to bed was also appreciated," Monique smiled.
They all walked forward to embrace me and I took the opportunity to hold Cassius one final time before handing him back to his dad. Jaxxon and Asher were the last two to say goodbye. Well, Jaxxon gave me a cheeky smile and a big hug as though he were much younger, and Asher just stared at me, giving me a nod. I really wished I had more time to possibly talk and bond with her, but maybe we'd get there during future visits. I felt like crying when we got in the car to leave.
"Sad to leave?" Niles asked knowingly as he put his hand on mine.
"I am. You were right, they were incredible."
"Yes, I always miss them when I leave as well, and you have no idea how long I've been waiting to share that with you. Our family."
"We made that together," I expressed, tears in my eyes.
He reached for my hand and I took it gratefully. "Yes, we did. My greatest accomplishment." He smiled, kissing my hand.
"If we left together, would we go to be with them?"
"That would be what I'd want to do, but of course, we couldn't endanger them like that."
I nodded, even if I wished that weren't the case. "I understand, but I almost could have stayed and never left. If only there weren't other people I cared about back in California."
"You'll see them again. Apparently at Christmas," Niles chuckled.
"Are we coming back for Christmas?" I asked hopefully.
