Atlas
When the emotional family reunion was over, I somehow managed to dry my eyes and carry myself to the kitchen.
I got started on dinner, while everyone gravitated towards the backyard.
Alone time. Just what I needed.
I cried in front of him, again.
Thirteen fucking years.
I was angry.
Worse yet, I was left to grow up missing chunks of my heart.
chunks that left with both Jace and Nick.
I was in love with Jace and who's to say those feelings aren't still there.
Do you ever really lose feelings for the guy who played your knight in shining armor?
I don't think so.
But how does he go thirteen years without a word... Nothing... Not a single letter.
I remember sending letter after letter every month. waiting by the mailbox every day after school only to get dragged into the house for supper time with an empty heart.
And then he just shows up at our doorstep, putting pieces of our hearts back together. Pieces we had long since tried to heal.
What the fuck?
The constant loop of 'why' in my brain was suddenly halted by my one and only niece storming into the kitchen, and grabbing my phone from my back pocket.
"Jelly bean what are yo-" my sentence was cut off by her quite cut throat glare.
For thirteen years old, she scares me most days. The sound of her favorite country artist Lauren Alaina, began blaring through the Bluetooth kitchen stereo.
"LITTLE BRAT!" I try to yell over it, but my efforts are in vain as she cranks it up louder and continues to dance with my phone in her hand.
"Come on aunt Atty! DANCE WITH ME!!"
She giggles when I grab her arms and I give in, twirling her around the kitchen.
For just a bit, my worries seemed to disappear with Levy's goofy singing and her loud giggles. We continued to dance and sing around the kitchen like that for the entire song.
When the music ended, levy jumped up on the counter and let me continue cooking dinner. We sat in silence for a moment before Levy finally spoke up.
"Aunt Atty, why do you seem sad that Uncle Jace is back. is it because he's not dad?"
She looked up at me with her big green eyes. The most prominent thing she got from my brother besides those incessant dimples that weaken my resolve every time she flashes them.
I sighed and rested my head against hers.
"Jelly bean.. wherever your daddy is, I'm sure he's thinking about us. And to answer your question, I'm not upset, I love Jace and for me if feels as though part of my heart is whole again. To tell you a secret, Jace is my first love." I whisper the last part before leaning in and kissing her forehead and holding her close.
"Well I love you aunt Atty. And I'm sure uncle Jace love loves you back." She whispered into my chest.
Love loves.
Why did my heart skip a beat?
We stayed in that sweet moment for a minute longer, when finally someone cleared their throat. I turned to find Jace leaning up against the kitchen wall.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.."
YOU ARE READING
Coming Home
RomantizmWhen Atlas Jennings was ten years old, she said see ya later to her oldest brother and his best friend before they shipped off to Afghanistan. Leaving behind a heart broken little girl holding on to their promises. Now thirteen years later, Atlas...
