FEAR OF WATER ~ Pietro Maximoff

CHAPTER TWELVE

Julian opened the door as soon as Albany and the Wilson twins pulled up.

As soon as he saw the twins, he walked outside and engulfed Evelyn in a tight hug. A squeal came from Evelyn and Albany just smiled.

"Oh my god." He said, pulling Everett into a similar hug despite his disapproval. "What are you guys doing here?"

"May called them yesterday that we were coming home." Albany explained for the twins. "Speaking of which, where is my hug?"

Julian pulled her into an impossibly tight hug, lifting her feet off the ground slightly. She laughed as he put her down.

"Three months without hearing from you was hell." He told her, rushing the group inside. "Never again."

"Tell that to my family." She told him, quickly being pulled into hugs from her friends.

Soon the Wilson twins were walking into the room behind Julian, the attention turned from Albany to them as they got pulled into hugs. Everyone broke into quick conversations before Julian let Leo into the room, the dog immediately running to Albany.

"Hi, my baby." Albanys voice went up several octaves as she squated down, the great dane now taller than her. "I missed you."

"He missed you." Julian noted, pulling her off the ground and into another hug. "And so did I. How are you?"

"I'm good." She said, nodding. "Missed you know...everything."

"Albany Faye, locked up from the world for three months." Ari teased, walking up to the two. "How did she survive?"

"I wasn't completely alone, that's how." She replied, pulling her two friends into hugs again, leaning into Julian. "I missed you, guys. I wish I could tell you everything."

"You could." Julian suggested, shoving her shoulder with his. "We won't tell anyone."

Albany laughed. He wasn't necessarily wrong, she could tell them. She could tell them everything. But she wouldn't do that to her family.

"Said I wouldn't." She shrugged, both of them groaning. "Now cmon, what are we up to." She dragged out, dragging them to the section of the room everyone else was.

Mya, Koryn, and Brynn were engulfed in conversation with Evelyn. Everett was playing with Leo and Ari went over to join him. Julian and Albany got drinks and sat on the couch together.

"We did miss you." He said after a few minutes. "You're okay?"

"I'm okay." She nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Everyone's okay."

"You positive?" He asked, and she nodded. "Good."

The group spent their time in conversation. Albany felt her life slowly coming back to her. Her friends were all together, even the Wilson twins, she had work the next day, and she was finally out. Out of The Compound and out in the world. Now there was one problem, she was starting to miss The Compound how she had missed home.

"Where's your dad?" She questioned, and Julian just shrugged. "I'm sure him and Nick will make plans if they haven't already."

"I'm sure." He agreed, pushing his shoulder up slightly to have her sit up. "Your phone is buzzing." He told her, and though she had noticed, she was planning on ignoring it. "You can answer."

"It's fine."

"It's probably work, Albs, all your friends are here."

"All my friends in New York." She corrected, receiving an eye roll from him as Mya and Ari collapsed onto the couch with them. "Even if it is work, I can return it later." Julian sent her a look and she shrugged. "I'm Faye Reilly, they'll wait for me."