New Beginnings (Sequel to: It's Complicated)

Chapter 51: Reunion

Shawna's POV

After four weeks without my family at rehab I was anxious to get back. I gained my weight back, I was healthy again, and I learned to build self confidence. I wasn't completely happy with myself and where I was at with my life but I was a lot better.

Scooter came to pick me up and I hugged him for a long time.

"I'm so proud of you," he said. "You're so amazing."

"I love you," I said. "Thank you for being so supportive."

"Of course sweetie," he said.

We got in the car and I prayed no one saw. When I was ready I would tell everyone. But for now I wanted to keep it lowkey. When I got home I was greeted with kids running to the car and Justin right behind them.

"Hello babies," I hugged and kissed them.

"We missed you mommy," Jessica said.

"I missed you guys too!"

I stood up and hugged Justin, I wrapped my arms around his torso and he wrapped his arms tightly around me. He kissed the top of my head and I looked up to kiss his lips before putting my head back to his chest. Our little reunion lifted my spirits. We all went inside.

"Are you hungry?" Justin asked as he walked into the kitchen.

"A little," I sat down at the bar.

"I can order a pizza."

"Okay," I smiled slightly. "I'm going to go put my things upstairs."

"Okay," Justin smiled.

I grabbed my bags and carried them up to the room. There were balloons all over the floor and rose petals shaped into a heart on the bed. I set my stuff down inside the closet and went back upstairs.

"The room looks nice," I smiled.

"Well I wanted it to be special," Justin came over and hugged me. "I missed you a lot."

"I missed you too," I kissed him.

After eating the pizza Justin and I tucked the kids into bed. We spent the next couple of hours with the other pizza between us, some soda, and our legs tangled together on the couch. We talked about things like rehab and North Carolina and the change in myself and the kids.

"You look really good Shawna," Justin said. Like he was scared to say anything more.

"Thank you," I said. "I feel a lot better."

"I was worried," he admitted. "It was nothing that I was used to seeing from you and when you became like a zombie I needed help."

"It was scary for me," I said. "Things were all adding up and it seemed like so much. I just didn't see the purpose in trying anymore and I'm really sorry about that."

Justin interlaced his fingers with mine, "all that matters is you're here and you're healthy and you're happy."

"Well almost," I smiled. I moved the box from between us and laid my head on his chest. "Cuddles isn't something I got in rehab so I really missed this."

I got my phone out and took a selfie of us and posted it with the caption: "there are rumors that I would like to confirm. i have had a rough couple of months and this last month i was given the opportunity to get some help so I am extremely grateful for everyone that did. what I am also grateful for is this boy right here who is my biggest supporter and also the best cuddle buddy ;) but without him i probably wouldn't have made it. love my man"

I posted a picture of myself in Scooter's car that he took and the wind was blowing my hair everywhere and a smile was across my face, "nothing is scarier than losing yourself, and i experienced it first hand. not only did i scare myself but the people around me. i was in a dark place, but im pushing myself to be better than i was yesterday. thank you all for understanding this and for supporting me through everything xoxo"

"We should go to bed," Justin said.

I stood up and walked up to our room. I pushed the covers over and got in, the rose petals fell to the other side of the comforter. Justin got under the covers as well and the rose petals spread out everywhere.

"Wanna make it rain?" Justin smiled at me.

"What?" I laughed.

He made the comforter fly up and all the petals went in the air, soon falling all over us. I laughed and kissed him. He pulled me closer to him and the room went dark. I fell asleep in his arms, listening to his heart beat.