The late afternoon sun bathed the Clearwater home in a golden glow, casting long shadows across the living room as the conversation carried on. Leah sat cross-legged on the floor near the couch, her long hair cascading over her shoulders and pooling on the carpet. Ruth sat nearby, watching quietly as Leah opened up bit by bit.
“So,” Sue began, her voice curious, “you’re in culinary school. What else do you love doing?”
Leah smiled faintly, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I’ve been training in martial arts since I was 12. It’s kind of my thing. I like the discipline and the challenge of it.”
Harry raised an eyebrow, visibly impressed. “Martial arts? What kind?”
“A mix,” Leah replied. “Mostly karate and a little Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It’s nothing fancy—I’m not a professional or anything—but it’s helped me stay grounded. Plus, it’s fun to throw a punch or two when I need to blow off steam.”
Seth chuckled, leaning against the doorway. “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”
Leah shot him a playful smirk. “Smart move.”
“And makeup?” Sue asked, her eyes twinkling. “I heard a little something about that from Ruth.”
Leah laughed softly, feeling a bit shy. “It’s more of a hobby, really. I love experimenting with colors and techniques. I’ve even done some makeup looks for friends. I guess it’s my way of being creative without needing to break a sweat.”
Sue smiled warmly. “That’s wonderful, Leah. You’ve got such a good mix of strength and creativity. You remind me so much of myself when I was younger.”
Leah blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She didn’t know what to say to that, so she simply murmured, “Thanks.”
Sue’s gaze lingered on Leah’s hair, a wistful expression crossing her face. “And your hair… it’s beautiful. You take such good care of it.”
Leah’s cheeks flushed. “Thanks. It’s a lot to manage, but I love it. I guess I’ve always felt like it’s one thing that’s really me.”
“It suits you,” Sue said softly. “So much.”
The moment lingered, filled with an unspoken connection.
Ruth glanced at her watch, breaking the comfortable silence. “We should probably get going. It’s getting late.”
Leah’s heart sank a little but nodded. “Yeah, we’ve got a long drive back to the hotel.”
Sue stood quickly, her hands clasped in front of her. “Before you go, I want to ask you something.”
Leah tilted her head, curious.
“There’s a bonfire tomorrow night,” Sue said, her eyes lighting up. “It’s something we do as a community—a chance to share stories, be together. I’d love for you and Ruth to join us. It would mean so much to us.”
Leah glanced at Ruth, who smiled warmly. “What do you think, sweetheart?”
Leah nodded slowly, a small smile forming. “I’d like that.”
“Perfect,” Sue said, her relief evident. “We’ll pick you up if you want, or you can meet us there.”
“Text me the details,” Leah replied softly.
As they stood to leave, Sue and Harry walked them to the door. Sue pulled Leah into a tight embrace. “Thank you for coming today,” she whispered. “This means the world to us.”
Leah hugged her back, feeling the sincerity in her words. “It means a lot to me too.”
Harry clasped Ruth’s hand, his voice gruff but warm. “We’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Ruth nodded with a smile. “We’ll be there.”
As Leah and Ruth walked to their car, Leah glanced back at the house one last time. Seth stood in the doorway, giving her an awkward wave. She returned it with a small smile before climbing into the passenger seat.
---
Back at the hotel, the room was cozy, with warm lighting and the faint scent of lavender from Ruth’s travel diffuser. Leah kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
“You okay?” Ruth asked, sitting on the edge of her own bed.
Leah turned her head to look at her mother. “Yeah. I think so. It’s just… a lot.”
Ruth nodded, her expression understanding. “It’s a big step, Leah. But you handled it beautifully.”
Leah sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. “I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, they seem great, but it’s weird, you know? They’re strangers, but they’re not.”
Ruth reached out, taking Leah’s hand in hers. “You’re allowed to feel however you feel. There’s no right or wrong way to handle this.”
Leah looked down at their joined hands, her voice soft. “I wouldn’t have even thought about meeting them if it weren’t for you. You’ve always been enough for me, Mom.”
Ruth’s eyes glistened as she smiled. “And you’ve always been everything I could’ve ever wanted, Leah. I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” Leah said, her voice trembling slightly. “More than anything.”
They sat there in silence for a moment, the bond between them stronger than ever.
Finally, Leah broke the quiet. “So, this bonfire… any chance we’ll be roasting marshmallows?”
Ruth laughed, her eyes twinkling. “If not, we’ll bring our own. Can’t hurt to be prepared.”
Leah chuckled, feeling the tension of the day start to ease. “Deal.”
As the night settled in, Leah lay back on her bed, her thoughts drifting between her past, her present, and the unknown future. Whatever tomorrow brought, she knew one thing for sure—she wouldn’t be facing it alone.
YOU ARE READING
The ties that reconnect
FanfictionLeah Clearwater has always known she was adopted, but the truth of her past has remained a mystery-until now. When her birth mother, Sue, reaches out after years of silence, Leah embarks on a journey to reconnect with her biological family. As she s...
