The Sanders Sides

37 - Family: Logan

The Los Angeles heat slapped Logan in the face as he stepped out of the taxi. Sweat instantly formed on his brow, a stark contrast to the cool, damp air of Seattle he'd grown accustomed to. He hoisted his backpack onto one shoulder, the familiar weight a reminder of the journey he'd just taken.

As he scanned the familiar street, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. The house looked exactly the same – two stories of weathered brown siding, a porch swing swaying gently in the breeze. A pang of anxiety tightened his stomach.

He hadn't spoken to his family since... well, since that argument when he left for Seattle. Things were left unsaid, apologies unspoken. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation.

Just as he reached for the gate, the front door swung open. A small figure, a blur of brown hair and boundless energy, launched themselves at him.

"Logan!" the little girl screeched, throwing her arms around his legs. He stumbled back slightly, surprised by the force of the impact.

"Whoa there, Lily," he laughed, scooping her up into a hug. Her familiar giggle filled the air, a balm to his simmering anxiety.

His little sister, all of eight years old, was a force of nature. Her unbridled enthusiasm had a way of melting even the most stoic walls. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of bubblegum and sunshine.

"You're back!" Lily exclaimed, pulling away and scrutinizing his face with her bright blue eyes. "Did you bring me a souvenir?"

Logan chuckled. "Maybe. Did someone miss their big brother?"

Lily nodded vigorously, her brown ponytail bouncing with excitement. "A lot! Mom and Dad too. You took forever!"

Before Logan could respond, a woman with a kind smile and worry lines etched around her eyes appeared on the porch. Her smile widened when she saw him.

"Logan," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "There you are."

His mother. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed her warm embrace, the gentle understanding that only a mother could offer. He knelt down, meeting Lily's expectant gaze.

"Let's go see if Mom baked your favorite cookies while you waited," he said, holding out his hand.

Lily grabbed it eagerly, and they walked towards their mother, her presence a silent promise of reconciliation. In the distance, he could hear the rumble of a car pulling into the driveway, his father returning home.

Logan held his breath. There would be conversations, apologies, and maybe even some yelling. But for now, he basked in the warmth of his family's love, a love that, despite their differences, had always endured. He was home, and that, for all his imperfections, was exactly where he belonged.

The aroma of freshly baked cookies hung heavy in the air as Patton walked into the kitchen. His mom, her face stained with flour, looked up from the counter and a wide smile broke across her features.

"Patton!" she exclaimed, setting down the rolling pin and wiping the flour dust from her hands with her apron. "You're home!"

Before he could even blink, she was cupping his cheeks in her warm hands, her thumb gently wiping away a smudge of dirt from his cheek. Her hazel eyes, so similar to his own, sparkled with undisguised affection.

"Oh, honey," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "We've missed you so much."

Patton leaned into her touch, a wave of relief washing over him. He hadn't realized how much he'd craved the simple comfort of his mother's embrace.