Finding Oriana

Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A year later...
"That's ten pounds twenty, please love."
The taxi driver says after pulling to a stop. When he did, my heart began pounding in my chest. I'm sitting here in my new white dress, one that clings to my body like a second skin. I'd spied it in town before I'd left Los Angeles. I've pretty much travelled the world since leaving home, about ten months ago. And honestly, I've had a pretty good time doing it, too. But I've been homesick. I've missed my family so much so I've come home.

So I'm sitting here feeling nervous because it's been a while since I've been home. Shockingly, my first time back home since I'd left. I know I'm a bad daughter. I swear it wasn't intentional I just had so much going on I had no spare time for visiting. Oh, don't get me wrong. I've seen my family. Yeah, they've been to visit me whenever I'm in a certain spot for a few days. They'd come and see me.

"ORI-ORI," My uncle Darren called out when I finally step out of the taxi. It's while Orin followed behind him. I smile because well they look so happy to see me. Obviously, I pull him into my arm. I'm hugging the life out of him, and then my brother when he thumps into my side almost knocking me over.

"Oh, my days, how I've missed my minions. How are you doing fellas?"
Both of them chuckle when I say this, and it makes me smile because I'm home. I'm back with my family.

"We're good sis mum bought us a whole new collection of Legos for mine and Uncle Darren's Birthday. It's so cool, Ori, you've got to check it out."

"I'd love to. Just let me get inside first though, yeah? I'm busting for the loo."

"Eew! TMI, sis, TMI! Yak, we don't need to hear that. Yak."
He then ran off back to the house, calling out for our mum.
"Hey, big fella, how you doing?" I ask Darren. He shrugged his shoulders, telling me he was doing okay. "I've got a girlfriend. Her name is Laura She's sexy."
My eyes go wide hearing him talk like that well it's funny as hell but strange at the same time. Never in my life have I heard him say this.

"Wow, it must be love then, huh?"
He chuckled again, which makes me smile.
"Come on. Let's go, and see what mother dearest is cooking, shall we? I'm bloody starved."

When I turn back for my suitcase, I see the taxi pulling out of the street. I end up looking around the place, our street. The first thing I notice is the new car. It's sitting in our driveway, which automatically makes me think of my baby. Oh, my days. I can't wait to take her out on the road again. Oh, yes, it's been too long. As soon as I walk into the living room, I'm pulled into two big strong arms my dad's arms to be precise.

"Squirt, you're barred from leaving this house. No way, will you ever leave us again. Shit, sweetheart, I've missed seeing your face around here."

Instant tears fill my eyes after hearing him say this. I'm feeling so many emotions taking over me because I've missed them all so much.

"I'm going nowhere, Dad. I'm back now, for good."
I hear him sigh and we both cling to each other, a little tighter.
"Angel," I hear my Mum's broken voice.
When I pull back from Alex, I see her standing there in the dining room doorway. I also see tears in her eyes, too.
"Oh god, Mum..."
I pull away from my Dad and run into her open arms. Both of us crying, clinging to each other.
"Oh bollocks, I've missed you so much, Angel."
"I've missed you too, mum. So much..." I have, too. I've missed them all.

We eventually pull back and she places the palms of her hands to the sides of my face. She's looking into my eyes. It's like she's searching for something.

"Angel, you look so grown up. So different, but still beautiful."
I'm chuckling now because I feel different. My whole take of life and my own life had changed. I mean, I'm still me. I'm just more at one with myself. I guess being away and on your own for about a year, I guess it kind of changes you. I tell her this too, and she just smiles. Gosh, I've missed that smile.