Back in the Saddle

Family Reunion

Karl's POV:

As the plane hits the ground and begins to come to a stop, I sit up and stretch, extending my legs out in front of me as far as the small space will allow. I spent nearly the entire flight talking to Tony and Cecilia, using the last thirty minutes to take a nap. They seem like the sweetest moms to ever roam the planet, and I can't help but be envious of their son. I wish they were my moms.

After the twenty minute process that takes place before we can get off the plane, I exit into the cold airport. It's very busy and there are people everywhere, either anxiously waiting for their plane to arrive so they can board or desperately searching for the sign that leads to the baggage claim. I manage to keep my cool as I head towards baggage claim, parting with the couple as we go to retrieve our respective bags. I really hope I'll be able to see them again at some point, because talking with them was a very nice experience.

It doesn't take as long as I thought it would have to get my bag, and soon I'm wheeling my suitcase in the direction of the door and texting my cousin to see if he is there already. As I'm pressing the send button, I feel arms snake around my waist as I'm almost tackled to the ground.

I slip my phone into my pocket and look down to see my youngest cousin, Toby, clutching onto my side and staring up at me with big eyes and a wide smile. I smile back before wrapping my arms around him as well.

"Hey Karl!" he yells, almost too loudly, his British accent ringing through clearly. "It's been so long, I missed you!"

"I missed you too!" I respond happily.

"Quit hogging him, I want a hug too," a deeper, also recognizable, British voice says.

I look up to see George, the middle range cousin, coming towards us. I let go of Toby and wrap an arm around George in a side hug. I was always closest to George, since he was the closest to my age and matched my energy and personality the most, though I always loved Toby. He looked up to me, and I saw him as my little brother. George I saw as my brother and best friend.

"Where's Wilbur?" I ask, looking for the third and oldest of the Mincraff family.

"At home. He was about to go to work when we left, but he wanted to come," George answers.

"Is this welcoming committee not enough for you?" Toby jokes. I mess with his hair, laughing softly.

George rolls his eyes and takes my suitcase from me, beginning to go back to the door. "Come on, let's get back. Mum is very excited to see you."

When he says that, I pick up my pace a little, excited to see her and Phil again. I wander after George like a lost puppy first getting to its new home, studying all the new surroundings with awe in its eyes. Texas is humid and hot this time of year, not too far off from what I'm used to, but still annoying. The sky is a bright blue today, and all the grass and trees visible from the parking garage are lush and green. Overall, there's nothing different about it.

I hop into the front seat of the car after giggling at Toby's complaints. We only have to wait a minute until George has put my suitcase in the trunk and joins us, starting up the car and beginning to back out. Toby talks to me during the entire drive, asking about my life since I'd last seen them. He did the exact same thing when they came for Christmas that one time, and I can tell that his interest has not dulled even slightly, though absolutely nothing has changed. Well, aside from one thing... but he knows better than to ask about that, George as well.

Speaking of, I can tell that George is a little annoyed by his brother's pestering, so every few minutes I'll look over at him to assure that it's fine. George is the one person who hasn't treated me differently than before, but I can tell that he's still concerned, which I do appreciate. I know that Toby's questions are entirely harmless, and besides he's only asking me stuff like what I've been up to and if I've done anything interesting or met anyone new.