Midnight Sky (Book 1/3 The Anderson Brothers Series)

Houston

Lauren

I stepped off the plane, happy to be back home in Texas. My lease with Carson was over and that was one less thing I had to worry about. I spent June, July in Turks & Caicos which was relaxing. Okay, more than relaxing. Waking up next to the ocean every morning was just what I needed. I had groceries delivered weekly and was happy to be in a space where I could breathe, think, decide what was next.

My therapist helped me realize, I didn't need to make a decision until I was ready. As Uncle Zach suggested, mediation and yoga really helped ground me. I was up before the sunrise, meditating, writing, and doing yoga. It was my new morning routine and the best thing I could've done.

After a month in Turks & Caicos alone, Lalani, Harper, and Ruby came down for a week. It was great to be with them. I then spent the following week with my mom. This was one of her favorite places and I've spent a lot of my childhood here. The last two weeks, I finally started to hit the ground running again with my side projects. This meant meetings with Aunt Murphy and Uncle Ethan. I might not be wrestling, but I could still make money with brand deals.

The third month of my sabbatical, Uncle Asher asked me if I wanted to go to Tokyo to get some training in. He and Aunt V had spent quite a bit of time when they first started wrestling in Tokyo and they loved it.

I was supposed to go there for just a couple of weeks, but ended up staying for over two months. I realized that I still loved wrestling, but it's not what I wanted to do, at the moment. I didn't have that bug right now. While my head was clear of the Carson bullshit, I still needed to figure out what I wanted to do next.

Even though I tried to put in my resignation papers, Uncle Ash and Aunt V turned me down. They told me to take as much time as I needed and not make a hasty decision to walk away. I for sure was taking the rest of this year and would see how I was feeling by my birthday in February.

Fall in Texas is always beautiful to me. It's now October, my mom's birthday month. My baby sister, Luna turned 15 back in August before their school year started. Even though I wasn't home, I was sure to send her a gift. The twins will be 18 in December.

No one knew I was coming home. I actually wanted it to be a surprise. The Uber took me to my parents house. This house has had many improvements and an entire floor added over the years. I mean with 5 kids, more space was necessary. Even with me going off to college and now Lani gone as well our parents wanted us to always have space to come home and privacy while we were there.

Each room had a bathroom. Dad's garage was a full gym and the guest house for if any of us wanted space. Well, you had to be 18 and over to get the space. In-ground pool, guest house, the works. Mom designed it all and it was stunning.

Stepping out, I grabbed my bag and rang the doorbell, thanking the driver. My brothers and sister had school today, but it was a Wednesday so they all should be home. I waited a few moments before the door swung open. My dad smiled as soon as he saw me.

"Lauren..."

"Hi, dad."

"Hey, princess. Come in, come in."

He stepped aside to let me in, helping me with my bags. I quickly gave him a hug. I missed my dad more than I thought I would. He held me in his arms, neither of us saying anything.

"I missed you so much, dad," I whispered.

I was getting choked up and trying to keep the tears from falling. My dad has been by my side throughout this whole process of my "finding myself" and never invaded my space. Yes I had alone time with my mom, but being back home, I was hoping for some one on one time with him as well. We spoke daily, but his presence was just what I needed right now. Being home with family was what I needed and wanted.