We're Not Related Anymore...

Nothing's More Simple Than An 'I Love You'

Maddie: Three Years Ago

"Where were you supposed to stay?" My mom asks Jacob as I slide my keycard into the door. 

"My mom's ex-law-partner was going to put me up tonight but I think this is definitely the better alternative. I wasn't looking forward to sleeping on a couch," he says, looking around the room my mother had originally booked for my brother and me. There are two single beds and I go to the nearest one and throw my bag down. We've been lugging our bags around with us all day and it feels good to put them down finally. I felt like an ass wheeling my mom's suitcase around town. 

"Are you sure about that?" My mom asks, fingering her own key card nervously. "Everyone says you and Maddie don't get along so if you'd prefer to have my room..."

"No, no, no, I don't need to swap," Jacob answers a little bit too quickly. "I mean I don't want to inconvenience you, and Maddie and I won't kill each other in our sleep."

"Good to know," she says, laughing and backing out the door. "Sleep tight kids. We have a busy day tomorrow." 

"Goodnight!" We say in unison and I flop down on the bed after Jacob closes the door. 

"What a day. Do you want first dibs on the shower?" I ask, digging through my bag to find my PJs. 

"That depends on how long you think you'll take," he says, eyeing me with distrust. 

"I'll be as quick as I can," I promise, already heading to the ensuite bathroom. But by the time, I'm finished, Jacob's passed out cold. 

-

The next morning, we have a quick meal at the hotel's restaurant before heading out. My mom seems to have planned a hundred things to do today. We walk around the city and visit art galleries and museums. Throughout it all, she snaps pictures of everything she sees and even a few of Jacob and me. By the time we head back to the hotel, I'm exhausted and ready for a nap. 

"I have to respond to a few work calls," my mom says as we get on the elevator and I press the number for our floor. "Is it ok if we call it a day?" She asks, glancing at me nervously. I know she's worried I'm going to feel like she's ditching me for work but I'm honestly glad I have an excuse not to see anything more. My brain feels like it's just been overloaded with information. 

"No, go ahead. I'm going to need to catch some sleep since our flight is early," I say, groaning when I remember we have to get up at four. 

"I guess we should say our goodbyes now then," my mom says as the doors ding open. We move out of the way for the other people who want to get in and then my mom wraps me up into a hug. 

"Thanks for this, mom. I really had a great time," I say as she presses a kiss to the top of my head. 

"I'm glad. I hope I don't have to wait so long to see you again. Jacob," she says, pulling away from me and glancing up at him. "It was really nice meeting you. If you guys want to order room service, go ahead and charge it to my account ok?"

"Thank you, ma'am," he tells her and she laughs at the way he refers to her. His ears go a little bit pink as she brings him into a hug. "It was really nice getting to know you."

"It sure was. You look after Maddie tomorrow. She gets lost in airports."

"I do not!" I complain, watching my mom head to her door. 

Jacob and I enter our hotel room and I head straight to the little menu they keep by the phone. "What are you in the mood for?" I ask him as I glance at the menu. It's pretty simple: toasted sandwiches, pizzas and burgers.