We Go Way Back

chapter fourteen

THE AIRPORT IS wildly busy on this overcast morning. 

I've always liked airports. A few years ago, on a novel I was reading, the author used the word sonder. I had never heard of it, so I googled it. Sonder is the realization that everybody around you, even strangers, are living a life just as complex as yours.

I feel it particularly intensely in airports. I see people hugging goodbye and kissing hello. Families being broken up and unified. Lovers breaking up or seeing each other for the very first time. It's a little microcosmos of the human experience.

Today is a particularly good airport day. We're in arrivals and I spot my mom immediately as she walks out, dragging a suitcase. She's wearing a onesie with bunny ears, and I love her so much for it. My dad is walking right behind her, waving his big hand in my direction. I'm jumping up and down with my hands clasped together over my chest. It's been two months since I've last seen them, the shortest we've been apart since I moved to Seattle, but I've never needed them as much as I do now.

Behind my parents are Lucy and Hugh Paxton, dressed to the nines, the complete opposite of my parents. Ella is following them in a boho dress, crystal necklace over her chest. And then, out of nowhere, appear Rory and Miles. Everest and Forest are right behind them. They never told me they were also coming.

Before I know it, we're all running towards each other, open-armed and open-hearted. My dad is the first to catch me in his arms, squeezing me until I've stopped breathing. My mom's hug is as tight.

"My baby," she coos, standing on her toes to kiss my forehead. "How are you, honey?"

"Better now."

I bypass everyone else to tackle Aurora into a bone-shattering embrace. "You little sneak, you didn't tell me you were coming!"

She laughs into my hair. "Surprise!"

I step back to put my hands on her stomach. The bump isn't very noticeable, but it's there and my godchild is inside. If that isn't a reason to be happy, I don't know what is.

Miles ruffles my hair when I hug him; Everest and Forest are taller than me now. I make my way back to the start of the line to greet Ella, Lucy, and Hugh while my mom chokes Corbin in her arms.

Corbin's car is a five-seater, but the Trifecta (my mum, Lucy and Ella) rented a car for themselves. I, Miles, Ever and Forest get squeezed into the backseat, giving shotgun priority to the pregnant lady. I'm pressed against the door, the handle is jabbing against my ribs, but I'm so happy to have my entire family here. Corbin is stoic, as he always is, but he's glad too. Even if he struggles to show it.

The Airbnb they rented in a quintessential Craftsman-style home in the Madrona area of Seattle. The property is surrounded by a big lawn and there's a swing on the porch. I think I'd like a swing on my family house, whenever that happens. The living room is nice and spacious, so while they carry their bags inside and decide who takes which room, Corbin and I sit on the sofa. The space is decorated with potted plants and candles and books.

"This house is pretty nice," he mutters, resting against the back of the sofa, kicking his feet up onto the driftwood center table. "Maybe you're right, maybe I've neglected the décor of my apartment."

I nod. "It's a beautiful apartment, but it's like no one lives there."

"Well, now it has your clothes all over the place," he complains but I dismiss it by laughing. "Maybe we could buy some things later, what do you think?"

I flip my head. My eyes are comically wide, and my lips are parted. "You're asking me to go shopping with you?" He nods, rolling his eyes at my dramatic flair. "I feel as if you're proposing to me, Corbin."