Not a Reunion

Chapter 17

Mason

When I wrap up the task I was doing on my laptop, it has been around a few hours. I'm not sure how the time passed this quickly or how I hadn't been in the world until now. When I take off my headphones, I find that the house is quiet. I get off my seat, which is ultimately Thea's, and head out of the room.

I tried not to think about how weird it was to be in her room. Her room was the same as it was the last time I was here, so when I looked around at the tiny trinkets that were reminders of the both of us, it made my heart clench. I wondered if she had brought her fiance home yet and what he might think of the fact that she had me all around her room. I didn't like the idea of her marrying another guy; the thought actually caused my heart to ache, but I knew I had lost my chance.

And now another guy had his chance, and I wanted to make sure that he was getting really good. I was making sure that he wasn't feeling injustice with anything that was going on. I wanted the best for the both of them.

A few years ago, I wouldn't even be able to think that, but now that I have, I feel as though it was the truest realization I had.

I head down the stairs and toward the living room. There wasn't anyone there, and as I walk around the house, I don't find proof of anyone being in the house. I wondered where Thea and her mother had gone and when they would be back. When I pass the kitchen, I find that there are things on the counter that could be put away, so I do that.

When my eyes pass the stove clock, I find that it was close to three o'clock. Then it dawns on me where the women could have gone. They both probably went to pick up the kids from school because it was already dismissal time. I clean off the counter and then head to the refrigerator to check if I can make the kids anything to eat.

I don't find anything there, so I head to the pantry. I find the ingredients for a mix I could make, so I get to it. After only ten minutes, the mix of pretzel, m&m, and Chex cereal is done and put in three bowls. Once I am done, I plop one of the m&m in my mouth and then head over to the living room.

Just then, the sounds of laughter are loud on the porch, and I cannot keep the smile from slipping on my face from knowing who was out there. I didn't know how it was possible for me to feel the same happiness I felt for Natalia and Harry. And Thomas. I was afraid I would feel awkward around them, but I felt the same love for them.

They were all so welcome, and Natalie was still trying to figure me out. She had told me that by the time I had to leave (which she told me she was very sad about), she would have me figured out. I told her to take her time, and she winked at me. That had made me laugh, and when I looked at Thea, she was sharing a look with her sister. I didn't know what that was about, but I had a feeling I would be able to figure it out on my own.

The kids had grown so comfortable with me. Gone were the two little boys who could barely look at me, and in was them giving me a hug when I dropped them off. They were both so cute and were accepting of me. That made me happy that they were excited for me to be here.

The door opens up, and she stumbles in a bubbly Natalie, who had her backpack in her hand. She throws that on the floor, and as soon as she sees me standing in front of the television, she runs straight for me. She squeals as I pick her up in the hug, making her fly, as she called it. I plop her down on the floor as I kneel down to get a look at her.

"You have a good day, Natalie?" I ask her, remembering when she told me she didn't want to go to school back when she was three. That was ironic in the way she looked so happy after coming back home.

"Yes, I got to p—"

There's a shove on the tiny girl that calls for the words to die out with a squeal. My eyes widen as the little boys push their sister out of the way to get to me. The both of them smiled at me with a very exciting look. My heart clenches at how excited they were to see me. I think that maybe these boys were so excited to see me because they have never been surrounded by another male.