love again 2 [z.m au]

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Autumn Leaves - Ed Sheeran (listened to this repeatedly when my grandfather passed not too long ago. I love this song and I love Ed Sheeran so much)

Evelyn

Visiting Seattle was a definite plan, but we didn't think that it'd be so soon and we didn't think that we'd be back for the funeral of my grandpa.

"Don't cry for me, darlin'. We'll see each other soon, okay?" Grandpas voice trailed the back of my mind repeatedly and I tried my best not to cry for him today but that was impossible. I couldn't help but feel broken inside as I watched my grandma place her hand on her heart, weeping.

After the funeral service, our relatives and close family friends came back to my parents house. It felt great having everyone around. Family means so much to all of us.

Grandpa would've loved seeing everyone together. I can just picture his smile perfectly.

As we stepped out of the car, Noah carried a very sleepy Ella inside while my mom took Ashton. The sun was shining bright and beautifully and I looked up at the sky and felt myself smile.

Although today felt dreary, having the sun out showed us that grandpa is in a much better place now and that he's watching over us like our angel.

Zayn intertwined his fingers with mine, looking up at the sky as well. "That's his way of smiling down at us."

"Isn't it?" I averted my gaze to him.

He kissed the top of my head and we walked up the driveway and entered inside my parents home. I took off my heels and felt so relieved. Standing and walking in heels are definitely not my favorite. Noah came back from upstairs after putting Ella in my old bedroom to continue her sleep.

A couple hours have passed and it was just our family gathered around in the living room and that includes my own family, Noah, my parents and my first cousins as well as their parents which are my aunts and uncles.

A full house is what you could call it.

Ashton was sound asleep in my grandma's arms as we listened to everyone share their favorite memories with grandpa. Everyone went from laughing way too hard to bawling their eyes out. But oh did I love how we were all together like old times.

My dad was the last one to share his story and it had all of us in tears.

"I just miss my father." He ended his talk and cried softly.

I leaned against him and rested my head on his shoulder and cried along with him. Noah sat on the other side of him, looking down as he wiped his tear stained cheeks.

My dad cleared his throat to speak again. "We all know he wouldn't like to see all of us crying like baby's for him," he chuckled lightly. "I know it's a sad day for us but he is no longer suffering and is pain free."

He then shared a verse from the bible and we all closed our eyes as he said a last prayer before we said our goodbyes to everyone else.

Noah sat beside me on the couch after changing into comfy clothes. I scrunched my nose and eyed his t-shirt that had WSU across it. Almost everyone in the family has attended the University of Washington but Noah chose a different route and went to Washington State University instead. Our dad was a bit disappointed at first but forgot about it shortly after.

I got an early acceptance letter to the University of Washington and I was ecstatic. Little did I know that I would end up having Ella months before I could even go to college.

I mean, I could've gone but I chose not to. I chose to raise Ella and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. If I were to go to school and raise Ella at the same time, I would be drained.

"How's life in London, sis?" Noah nudged my shoulder slightly.

"It's great," I admitted. "Why don't you come visit?"

Noah's eyes lit up. "Maybe I could come for the whole summer?"

I grinned widely. "Yes! That would be awesome. But don't get my hopes up. I actually do miss having you around me."

"I know. It sucks not having you around to mess with," he said and I looked at him flatly before smacking his arm. "Ev!" he yelped, rubbing the spot where I hit.

"Whoops, my hand slipped." I batted my eyelashes at him with a high pitched voice, mocking the girls that he's hooked up with in the past and he threw a pillow at me.

I picked up the pillow and threw back at his face and hopped off the couch and ran away before he could hit me back. He was now chasing me around the house and mom had to scold us and force us to stop.

"Okay-" I stopped to catch my breath, bending slightly and resting my hand above my knees. "Don't come near me, I give up!"

Noah stuck his tongue out at me. "I win. I always do."

"You two are crazy," Zayn said, laughing. He watched us whole time.

"You wish!" I exclaimed and tackled him to the ground.

Several minutes into wrestling my brother, I held his hands behind his back as he struggled to get out from under me.

"Say mashed potatoes!" I demanded.

"No!"

"Say mashed potatoes!"

"Noooo!"

"Say it!"

"Mashed potatoes!" he yelled, finally giving in.

I let go of him and held out my hand. He grabbed it and I pulled him up and patted his back.

I smirked. "I win. I always do."

"That wasn't fair!" he complained and I waved him off and plopped down on the couch next to Zayn.

"Why did you make him say mashed potatoes?" He asked, biting his lip back to hold in his laughter.

"It's our way of calling truce," I explained, giggling. "We've been saying that since we were little."

Zayn threw his head back in laughter. "That was so entertaining to watch."

"He thinks he's stronger than me."

"That's because I am but I let you win this time," Noah butted in the conversation. He sat across from us and leaned back against the recliner.

I giggled and rested my head on Zayn's shoulder. "We'll see next time."

"It's on," he eyed me mischievously.

"You and your sister are ruthless," he told Noah, shaking his head as he chuckled.

We'll be on a plane back to London in two days and I dreaded the fact that I had to leave my favorite people behind again.

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It's nearly 8:30 pm here in Seattle! I wrote this up in an hour or so just so I could be able to update for you :)

Vote and/or comment please!

-Ari xx