Return III

Chapter 17

Taryn's POV

Michael and I's wedding rehearsal went almost exactly as planned, which was great, however, I was a little overwhelmed by the amount of people that actually showed up. I had previously told Michael and his parents that I only wanted a small wedding with just our family, but apparently family includes close friends, too. 

I wasn't upset about it, though, because everybody was so kind and generous bringing us some pre-wedding gifts and treats. I could hardly get around fast enough to thank everybody, and by the time Michael and I practiced our vows and got our ring fittings done, it was time for everyone to go home.

I had never seen such joy and excitement on the faces of our family members since Natalie was reintroduced to everyone just about a year and a half ago. And I still can't believe that it has already been that long.

When we were getting ready to leave, I was stopped in the hallway by Natalie herself, who looked half happy, half upset. I couldn't quite find the courage to wipe the smile off of my face, but when I asked her what was wrong, all she did was shake her head.

"Is it okay if I come home with you tonight instead of grandpa's?" Natalie asks. "I love being there, but I just want to spend one last night with you before we're all a, you know, a family again I guess."

I shake my head and gesture over to a row of chairs along the hallway, and the two of us sit down simultaneously. I watch as a few men from the company that owns this town hall stack the remaining chairs and nod at me when I ask them to leave the two that Natalie and I had temporarily taken.

"What's wrong, baby?" I ask, my face falling. "You seem so unsure of this now. What's on your mind?"

Natalie sighs and sits up, failing to keep eye contact with me, in fears that she will start crying. I have learned that that was he mechanism over the years.

"It's not that I'm unsure about is or thinking twice. . ." she pauses, glances at me, then looks away once again. "it's just; I'm afraid that things are going to fail again. Like they did before when we were all little. And I don't want that to happen again, mom, I really don't. It's - this is all so brand new to me, and I really don't want to have to miss out on another fourteen years without the other half of my family."

After hearing my only daughter's heartbreaking admission, I could not quite find the words to respond with right away. All I could do was throw my arms around her and hear breathing steadily. I gently caress her soft hair, and watch as Blanket and Michael approach us from the end of the hall. They are deep in conversation, and I smile as my only son stares up at his father with such admiration. I have never seen the two get along so well since the twins were babies.

Natalie pulls away from my hold and wipes away a single tear, then smiles when she looks down the hall and sees what I had been seeing. She then quickly stands up and runs over to Michael as if nothing had just happened, and wraps her arms around him in a tight embrace. And to my surprise, Blanket does the same to me. Michael and I simultaneously place our hands on each of the twin's heads and smile at each other as they pull away and look up at us.

"Won't be too long now before this is all official." Michael says in his sweet, high-pitched voice and everyone smiles in excitement. I nod in agreement and look over at Natalie who peers at her twin brother, expressionless.

"Can I stay the night with you at your house tonight, mom?" Blanket asks and my heart stops for a moment. The question catches me by surprise and I look over at Natalie, who's smile still remains as she nods her head. 

"I asked her the same thing," she says and Blanket looks between the two of us. "but I think it'd be fun if me and you stayed the night together. Might give us some more time to catch up." she finishes and Blanket nods, followed by Michael.

"I think it'd be great for you, too, Taryn. Blanket told me about the first time he spent the night, and said he had a great time." Michael adds, resting his large hand on our son's shoulder.

"It was kind of awkward though." Blanket says and Natalie giggles.

"That's because we barely knew each other back then, and it was so long ago. Now we can actually hand out and act like a real family." Natalie says and I smile at her.

"We've always been a real family, sweetheart," Michael says. "just separated over the years."

Natalie nods her head and looks at me, letting out a sighed "Yeah," then shifts her weight and looks around.

"Where's everybody else?" I ask and Michael and Blanket turn around and look down the hall simultaneously.

"Oh, they already headed out. They figured we'd all be staying together, so they-" Michael begins and I stand from my chair quickly. One of the men stacking chairs comes by and asks politely if I am done with it, and I nod.

"Wait, they said we, as in the four of us would be staying together?" I ask and Michael nods. The twins try to hide their smiles, but fail horrendously. 

"Oh." I begin, taking a step backwards. "Well, I was never informed about this." I say and Michael nods, looks down at the twins, who are also smiling wide, and places his hands on each of their shoulders.

"Well, we're going to be married soon, so everyone thought that we should. . .maybe." Michael says and I nod, sighing.

"Okay. Well, okay then. You and me and the twins tonight at our house." I say and Michael nods. "I guess that would be nice." I finish and everyone smiles. 

"What time is it?" Blanket yawns, leaning in to his father, who holds him in place standing up. I bring my wrist into view and check the time on my watch, widening my eye when I see that it is almost eleven twenty.

"Time to go home and sleep." I say, turning on my heel and heading for the exit doors followed by the twins and Michael. Natalie soon catches up to me and I smile down at her as she slips her hand into mine.

"So much for one more night as just the two of us." she mumbles and I smile and shake my head.

"We're not going to be officially married until the 3rd, so that gives us almost a whole two weeks to make some bonding time. Tonight, it just needs to be the four of us." I say and Natalie nods, half smiling at the ground. She pulls her hand out of mine, and my heart slowly sinks.

"We need to talk to you guys about something anyway." Michael calls from behind and I smile. "Just the four of us."