We've Only Just Begun

Part 42 - Happy

The next morning Nathan and I were up and ready to go by 11. My parents drove Steph, Nath, Jay, and myself to the airport. My sister tagged along as well to say goodbye. I was going to miss them so much, but I was more than ready to get back to LA and away from Houston. I wanted to leave the bad memories behind for a little while. 

My parents and Maddie walked us all the way up to security. We hugged and said our goodbyes. 

"I'll call you when we talk to Scooter." I told my mom after I left her embrace. She nodded and smiled. "And if I get to go to the UK with them then I'll come home for a little while before I leave." I continued. She hugged me again, I looked over to my dad to see him talking with Nath with a smile on his face. They shook hands and my dad patted him on the back. After everyone said their goodbyes we went through security and then found our gate. We had almost an hour before we had to board the plane. I could tell that Steph was still really weak from everything that had happened in the days before. She was sleeping with her head on Jay's shoulder as we waited. The hour finally passed and we were on our way back to sunny LA. 

The car was there waiting for us at LAX after our flight and took us straight home. I had never been so happy to see that house. I walked up the sidewalk with Nath, Steph, and Jay all trailing behind me. I was just about to put my key into the lock when Siva opened the door and almost knocked me backward with his hug. He embraced me so hard in his huge arms that I couldn't breathe. I heard Nathan chuckle behind me. "Seev. I can't... breathe...." I managed to let out. But he didn't let go, he just hugged me tighter. I was fighting back tears at this point. When he finally let me go, I looked up at him and smiled as the tears started to well up in my eyes. I walked around him into the house then to see the rest of the group standing there. Max was the next one to me. 

"I'm so happy you're okay, Abbs." He said as he hugged me tight. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. I let them fall willingly as I went around the room hugging Ollie, Becca, Maria, and finally Tom. I turned around to see everyone going to a different person for hugs. I was about to break down again, but this time from happiness. Yes, I missed my real family in Texas, but this is where I belonged. This was my family now. And I knew that I was going to be in the UK with them if they had anything to say about it. It looked like just about everyone was crying. I could tell that the boys were trying to keep their cool but there was no hiding the few tears that ran down their cheeks. 

Nathan made his way back over to me and hugged me again, then kissed me softly. 

"I think a movie night's in order." Tom exclaimed. "Lets order pizza." I chuckled and nodded, wiping the last of the tears from my face with the back of my hand. 

Nathan carried our bags upstairs and I flopped down on my bed. I was so exhausted and all I wanted to do was sleep for days. Nathan layed with me for a while, not saying a word. He just stroked my back and kissed my hair every now and then. When we heard the doorbell ring we both went downstairs to gather in the living room with everyone. Steph was too tired so her and Jay understandably took their pizza upstairs and went to bed early.

"I need wine." I said blatantly. The whole room started laughing then Seev strolled into the kitchen and came back with two bottles of Riesling and glasses for everyone. 

"Everything good with your family?" Tom asked me as he poured me my wine and passed it to me. 

"Yeah. I wish that we could've had a more enjoyable time, but it was nice to see them regardless." Tom nodded. 

"I'll be right back." I said as I got up and walked upstairs to my room. I put on Nathan's hoodie and my baggy sweats. Just as I was about to come down I heard Nathan say something that caught my attention.