The rest of day went by in a blur. Now its 8pm and we're sitting in a hotel lobby waiting for our rooms to be ready while searching for flights.
"Okay so tomorrow at 10:45 a plane to Glasgow leaves Denver, direct which is easier. I contacted my family and they are more than happy to help, my wife Kate will pick you up from the airport and take you to the cottage, she offered to stay with you for a while to help you get settled with life in Scotland!" John took a deep breath which I unintentially let out.
"So this is happening?" I questioned more to myself.
"Everything will be perfectly fine! Peebles is a beautiful village and in the winter it's astonishing, truly. There's a big mountain biking area In the forest and only about 20 minutes from the city." His soft green eyes put at ease.
"Mountain biking? I used to love mountain biking!" I gushed as the hotel receptionist came to us with our room keys. I had stuffed all the new things I had bought in my new suitcase so that's my job for tonight!
"I'll order room service, so come around let's say 8:30?" He asked standing up offering me a hand. I took it firmly as I stood up. Wheeling my suitcase into the elevator we went up in silence my brain seemed to be running with different crazy scenarios of how this will turn out.
"Um yes sorry I was day dreaming, yes I'll over at 8:30!" I said before separating and searching for my room. 175. I unlocked the door and stepped in. It was so clean and basic which is something I haven't had in a long time. Closing the door behind me an excited squeak left my mouth as I bounded into the bed. So soft!! So clean! So everything! Omfg Isabelle you are moving to Scotland tomorrow! You are moving away to start a new life. You are going to raise this baby to be everything you never had the chance to be! I could say I almost feel happy. I stood up skipping excitedly to the bathroom. Chris's house only had a bath that ran warm water, this bathroom had a shower and everything. I ran back into the room unzipping my huge yellow suitcase, I like the colour yellow! I set everything out neatly on my bed this is all so weird. Grabbing my hair products and soap I dashed to the shower and turned it on. Stripping enthusiastically I stepped into the hot water. I shivered violently, it felt amazing. The water rolled over every curve and crevice as it fell to the ground. I noticed how much the edge of my ribs protruded as did my collar bones, I will change it. Washing my self at least 3 times I dried my self whilst hugging the soft towel if someone saw me they would definitely think I was crazy then I ran a brush through my hip length brown hair. I needed a hair cut but that can wait. My stomach growled hungrily as I dressed. I chucked my old clothes into the trash. Staring at them unmercifully I realised the time. Grabbing the key card I left my room to search for John's. Eventually finding it I knocked softly on the door. John opened it wide showing off his plaid pyjamas and bright orange knitted socks. He ushered me in and we sat down at the small table where 2 trays of food where sitting.
"Eat up, you look starved!" He chuckled before digging enthusiastically into his huge cheese burger. I took the lid off of my plate to discover a triple cheese burger with a bowl of curly fries and salad. My stomach almost did a double take. The anticipation was killing me. I dug into my meal sighing with pleasure. After talking about trip details abs finishing the dinner we sat in comfortable silence, I was holding a small tub of cookie dough ice cream while John had a cup of tea.
"Thank you John! Everything you have done for me is far more than I would have expected from anyone." I gushed taking another spoon full of this amazing ice cream.
"My wife Kate would for sure kill me if she knew i didn't help a young woman in need. My morals are far to great. So thank you for giving me a chance." He grinned happily.
"So do you have any children?" I questioned lazily finishing off my ice cream.
"A boy and a girl, Quinn, he's 24 and living down in London, he's a history major. You would like him! Also there's my little girl, Amelia. She goes to Edinburgh Uni and studies English Literature. She's 20, you remind me of her actually, kind and whole hearted!" My heart contracted with pain, John was so lucky! An instant frown grew on my face making John's amazing smile fade.
"What's wron?" He questioned softly. I took a deep breath before speaking.
"My mum left me when I was 7 months old, I don't really know much about her but my dad was hooked on an idea that it was me who made her leave. He blamed me for everything. He also nearly put me up for adoption but he didn't. I don't have any siblings so when I got stuck in the relationship with Chris I clung to him because he cared for me but eventually that ended too. Then my dad died so I was left orphaned with no where to go with an abusive waist of space boyfriend. Such luck huh?" I swallowed thickly looking back on my life always made my heart ache.
"I always asked myself, why couldn't I have a normal life with loving parents and an amazing boyfriend? But that question was never answered." I said, feeling the dense air shudder around me. John grabbed my hand clutching it reassuringly.
"Isabelle, my family will be your new family. We will care for you, be there for you and make sure nothing bad happens to you from now on! Okay?" Tears slid from my eyes. My whole body fell apart. John soon up quickly pulling me into a hug.
"You don't deserve what has happened to you, no one does but I promise your life will be different from now on. Your going to be the best mother that baby could have and we are going to be there every step of the way!" This made me break even more.
"You the dad I always wanted, no words can express my gratitude!" I chocked out gripping tightly into his flannel shirt. I was so comfortable around him, he accepted a complete stranger into his life and trusts me. I left his room around midnight. Crawling into bed John's words floated around my head. "My family will be your new family!" I was in shock. A family? What does that even mean? I guess I'm going to find out.
