The 22 days

Epilogue:

"I'm home!" He called out as he walked through the door. When nobody greeted him, he delivered his keys and jacket to their usual place then followed the smells coming from the kitchen.

He coudn't help but smile at the woman singing to herself as she tended to the food on the stove.

When he was close enough, he stepped behind her and placed a hand on her hips. The action caused her to flinch for a second, then she let her head fall back on his chest.

"It smells good in here." He mumbled against her face as he placed a kiss on her cheek.

She smiled, "Food will be ready soon. Did you get everything?"

He nodded then pointed to the bags he placed on the table, "Do you want to go get ready? They will be here any minute."

"Yeah, I'm going to go and take a shower, turn off the stove in 10 minutes, please." She started to leave the kitchen, but then stopped, "Oh, when I come back, could you bring that boy inside and get him ready?"

He nodded as she walked away and then looked through the window at the boy. He seemed to be trying to teach Darnell something new. The dog paid close attention, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do this time.

He smiled at the pair. He thought eventually Darnell's energy would drain and Joey would be forced to tone it down too, since the dog didn't seem to be high energy when it was just the two of them, but it seem that the more attention he got from the child, the more energy he had.

***

"They are here", she said, already getting up from the couch and going to the door.

In addition to the sound of car doors, she could also hear familiar voices sounding closer and closer.

He got up too and waited beside her.

"Hi mom." She said to the woman she hadn't seen for what seemed a life time.

"Hi honey." Her mother replied, bringing her into a hug.

As she went on to greet her father and brother, Joey jumped up, "Grandpa, Grandma!!!"

The boy hugged his grand father's legs and immediately was picked up. Effortlessly gaining everybody's attention.

"You look so big," His grandfather said.

"And so handsome." His grandmother added.

Then his uncle also commented, "Yeah, I love the hair. Those are really nice curls."

The boy smiled. He had traded his usual curly top for a curly blackpower.

"Thanks. Daddy helps me wash it and style it. He says it makes me look fly."

She laughed at her son's cheekiness, but the rest of her family looked confused.

"This is Shawn Carter." She took the opportunity to introduce.

All three faces looked at him. Then they looked at the other two people in front of them. It had been a long time since they saw such a genuine smile on their faces.

"Nice to meet you, Shawn." Her father held out his hand.

Carter shook it and they all proceeded to greet each other.

"Are you guys hungry?" She asked, thinking it would be a good idea if they went straight into the kitchen to eat.

"Girl, you know we are!" Her brother replied, making them all laugh.

As her family took their seats around the table, she stopped to look at them.

"You good?" Carter asked.