Carrier (TPA2)

39

       I stare at the red wooden door. Ryan has a wide smile, and twists the handle. He pauses when he catches my expression, and senses my fear.

We've finally gotten back. We are now standing at the doorstep to his mother's house. I don't know why I'm terrified. My heart pounds, and my anxiety is eating me alive.

"What's wrong?" He asks, concerned now. I feel guilty. He's  so happy to have me back. I blow out a breath and shake my head.

A smile brushes my face, and a single tear slides down my cheek. "Nothing, it's just-" I let out a breath, "I'm finally home." Ryan smiles, takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips. I wished he had kissed my lips instead. One step at a time, I remind myself.

"Now don't you cry, okay? My mom might just cry too." He smiles, wiping the tear from my cheek and pushing the door open.

The smell of cookies fills my nose. I instantly feel at home. I hear something drop. Footsteps fill my ears.

Gloria stands in front of me before I can get any further than the doorway. Her bottom lip quivers, and she doesn't tear her eyes away from mine.

"Taylor?" She whispers. Tears are pouring down her face. Suddenly, the same feeling is coming in my eyes. I nod my head vigorously and run into her open arms.

"I can't believe you're here!" She exclaims, pulling away as she wipes tears from her eyes. "Goodness, I'm such a baby!" She laughs. I laugh back, and wipe my eyes.

"Are you hungry? Did Ryan feed you anything today? How have you been?" She raps out hundreds of questions. I smile, and shake my head.

"No, I'm not hungry." I smile, "Ryan fed me before we got here, and I've been pretty good." I've felt pretty fine since this morning when I woke up.

She smiles, "that's great! I would offer you a cookie but when I heard the door open I was too excited and I dropped them all over the kitchen floor!" She exclaims.

I let out a little laugh. I'm glad she's not being all what happened? Did you get raped? Beaten? She's making sensible talk, and making jokes. I like that. I look to where Ryan was, and notice that he had wandered off.

"My! Have you grown!" She exclaims, rubbing my shoulders. I furrow my eyebrows. I've grown?

"How?" I wonder out loud. I don't think I have at all. Gloria grins, and shakes her head.

"Nothing bad. You just have a more grown-up face and I think you may have gained a few inches." She smiles. I wish I grown in height. I run my fingers over my face. I guess crying and frowning really does make you she faster.

"Thank you?" I laugh a little. I don't know what to say. I know that throughout the time I was with Alex, my body weight changed from being too low, to being higher than when I had North. I know that I still carry on extra weight as we speak, and that bothers me.

"You look good, Gloria." I smile. I remember before I was taken that she was diagnosed with cancer. She looked really healthy, and not to mention-happy.

"Oh yes! I'm doing very good! I beat my sickness back in March!" She grins. I smile widely. It's the best news to hear.

"Wow! That's amazing! I'm so happy!!" I say, squealing a little. There's nothing better than hearing that someone beat something as difficult as cancer.

"Ryan, will you please hurry up?" Gloria groans, raising her voice loud enough so he can hear it from where ever he is. I furrow my eyebrows.

"Hush, momma. I didn't want to wake her up." Ryan says in a soft soothing voice. I blink, and turn to look towards him.

In his arms is a little girl, her hair is curly and messy from her sleep. She's wearing a little dress, and a pair of pink socks. I can't see her face because it's buried in Ryan's chest. By the way her hand is up towards her face, I'm sure that she's sucking on her thumb.

My heart swells in my chest when I meet Ryan's eyes. He looks so happy. I can't tell wether it's me making him happy or her. It could even be both, but I don't know for sure. He looks down at the girl in his arms and kisses the top of her head.

"North, sweetheart. It's time to say hi to your mommy." He mumbles. Her head shifts, and her big brown  eyes lock onto mine.

Sorry for all the short chapters!! I'm having some writers block and am not really motivated to right the story right now :( BUT I'm determined to finish this book.