Maybe One Day

Part 4

A loud pounding from outside jolts my nerves. My eyes fluttering open as the noise continues. Throwing the soft pillow over my head I managed to muffle the loud noise. The sound grew louder and screams were added into the mix. Groaning I tried to get rid of the sound by piling two more pillows over my head.
"Kate! Wake up! We need to go now!" Dad shouts from the door.
"It's too early to be up!" I groaned through the pillows.
The door swings open with a rush of cold air entering the room. The piles of pillows of my head fall to the floor and the blankets were pulled away from me. I pull my legs to my chest in a fetal position trying to keep warm.
"Kate, you need to get up. We have places to be right now." Dad laughs.
"Dad, it's 5 am! Who the heck is up this early on a weekend?! No one! My throat still hurts from cheering you on three days ago! So if you don't mind I would like to get my sleep back." I sassed grabbing the blankets and throwing them over me.
"You do remember where are going today, right? That's why we are up early." He smiles seeing me struggle to fall back asleep.
"No, I barely remember what we had for dinner last night." I whined through the bed.
"We are going to the airport to pick up your Grandpa at the airport as a surprise for Mom. We don't want to be late." He chuckles. "C'mon we need to get going!"
"Fine, give me 10 minutes to get ready."
Rolling out of bed I dragged my numb feet towards the bathroom. I rinsed my face with cold water and brushed my hair out neatly into a ponytail. Throwing on a pair of lounge shorts and a baseball tee I reached for my phone. There was no messages from Alden about his landing. I carefully headed down to the garage since Ryan, Riley and Mom were still sound asleep. By the time I reached the car dad was sipping on his hot coffee he made. Rolling my eyes at him I can't believe I was somewhat forced to come to the airport against my will.
The car ride was quiet except for the radio playing the background. Dad didn't really care to interact with me, which was a good thing for him. I was still grouchy for being woken up too early in the morning. I decided to to sleep for half of the ride there. By the time we were near the airport it was already 7am. My stomach kept growling in hunger which caused pain in my abdominal. Dad hands me a few granola bars to handle my hunger until we got back home.
Once we reached the airport I followed Dad to the gate we were supposed be at. Knowing this would take forever I took a seat near the entrance. Dad stood at the front of gate anxiously on his phone texting someone. Probably it was Grandpa texting him about where he was at. I scrolled through my phone looking at what everyone else in the world was doing. Refreshing my messages there was still nothing new. I checked Twitter for any updates, but there was nothing. Why hasn't he texted me? His flight shouldn't be that long. It's been more than 8 hours since he had boarded his plane. I hope nothing is wrong.
"Kate! Can you come here please! Stop being on your phone!" Dad whines.
Huffing in frustrating I slid my phone in my sweater pocket walking towards Dad. Fidgeting with my fingers like usual when I am nerves while I waited. Dad wraps his arm around me reassuring everything will be fine. He doesn't know exactly what's going through my mind, but I can sense he knows something is up. I stared down at my feet thinking of the worst situation that could happen on his flight.
"Kate, are you okay?" He asked, his voice worried.
"No, I'm not. Kuya was supposed to text me when his flight landed, but it's been almost eight hours and I've heard nothing. All I can do is worry because I can't reach him." I confessed in frustration. Tears building in my eyes. "I know he is probably busy and hasn't had time to text since he landed, but he promised he would text me when he landed. I'm very worried and I don't know what to do." Stomping my feet to the ground as I crossed my arms against my chest.
"Then maybe you should turn around." A familiar deep voice mumbles.
Glancing up I met his brown eyes. My heart stopped beating for a moment. My eyes widening at the familiar face. His smile growing bigger and his dimples piercing through his smile. The whole world came to pause seeing who was in front of me.
"Sorry I didn't text right away. It's turns out my flight was longer than usual." He teases.
"You're not real!" I protested. "How can you be here?"
"Kate, I'm here! I'm really here!" He smiles opening his arms for a hug.
I poked his face checking if I was being delusional, but felt his cheek. Taking a step back the slow realization sunk into me. I gasped as my hand cover my mouth trying to hold back my tears. He laughs watching me process everything clearly.
"Kuya!!" I shouted softly, running into his arms. He lifts me off the ground spinning me around. Tears flooded down my face as I buried myself into his body. My heart was racing and I felt my body become weak and shaking from nerves. This couldn't be anymore real to me. Everything felt like an illusion, but no it wasn't. This moment of hugging Kuya finally was real. His arms hugged me tighter. He continued to cry into my shoulder. " I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Bunso! I'm sorry it took me so long to finally visit, but look I'm here! You got taller these past few years." He cries, his breath shaky from the nerves.
"I didn't grow that much Kuya. I'm like only 5ft, but it's okay because it doesn't matter. What matters is you're finally here! I can't believe you're here!" I muffled. Slowly I pulled away from him sniffling. Alden wipes away the tears on my eyes as I wiped the tears from his eyes. We both giggled at each other and he hugs me one last time before turning towards Maine.
"Kate, this is Maine, my girlfriend." He smiles.
My words got caught in my throat hearing Alden's word. My eyes widen at him then glance at Maine. I pointed at her trying to make sure I heard him correctly. "You're finally dating?!"
"Well, I wouldn't say finally. You see it on the screen, Bunso. I think you can already tell there was something there, but we didn't care to put a label on it." Alden smirks.
"Hi Kate! It's nice to see you again." Maine smiles pulling me into a tight hug.
"It's nice to see you again, Ate Maine. I missed you! Now tell me the truth, has Kuya been acting out?" I grinned looking at her then at Alden.
"He's behaving well enough for me handle. Don't worry, Kate. He's doing well."
"Uhmm, Ate Maine, you don't have to keep calling me by my name. You can call me whatever Kuya calls me. Just don't call me the mean ones that he says when he's teasing me or yelling at me." I chuckled.
"Okay, Bunso." She smiles hugging me again.
After the airport we all headed home to celebrate Alden finally coming home from his work. He told me he wasn't going to leaving anytime soon. His work gave into the idea of a a vacation as reward for working so hard these past few years. Alden had one year off with Maine which is amazing to hear she wanted to spend it with me. I always loved Maine for Alden. Dad places Alden's luggage with Maine's in the guest house. There was four extra rooms which I will be taking one while they're in town. Mom and Dad had seen to already planned this all out for me without even my permission.
After settling into the house Mom invited everyone out into the backyard for brunch. It was already 85 degrees at 11:30am which is unusual around here sometimes. Alden started telling us about all his adventures with Maine when they had the same plans. He eventually drifted off talking with Dad about sports. Maine was getting along with Mom really well. She kept talking with her for more than 15 minutes. There were a few moment when Alden checked up on Maine if she was doing okay. She would smile at him and he would lean in to kiss her head. Since no one wanted to catch up with me yet I decided to dip my feet in the pool for a little bit.
  It was a stress relief feeling to know Alden is finally home again with me. I knows it's been years, but years sometimes felt like centuries when you're away from someone you loved so much for your entire life. Alden may not visit every now and then, but what matters is he's trying his best to be the best Kuya around the world.
"Okay, let's go!" Dad says.
"Where are we going?" I asked, confused.
"Raging Waters in Sacramento. Alden just got back and we have to go there first before anything else." Dad said quickly. He dashes into the house grabbing the bags mom had all set up for us in advance.
  By the time we hit the road Riley and Ryan knocked out instantly. This day has become very weird to me. First they surprise me with Alden and Maine. Second they had already set up the guest house for the three of us. Lastly they already planned our day at Raging Waters. Something was fishy because why would they suddenly plan all this. It's like they know something I don't and they're trying to soften the news. Ugh, Kate! Stop second guessing yourself! They're doing this because they love you! They're not hiding anything from you! Half way through the car ride I fell asleep again, but woke up in the parking lot of the water park.
   An uneasy pain was felt in my stomach. Goosebumps rose against my skin and my heart started to flutter in a heavy rhythm. I shook off my legs and arms from the feeling, but it wouldn't leave. Alden wraps his arm around me while holding hands with Maine which seemed to calm my nerves from what I was feeling. I never felt this way before until now which was weird. It must be from being away from Alden so long, but I never felt this when Alden was away before, which worries me a little. Not a lot since I'm at the water park with my family.
We all settled into a private tent since Mom didn't want to draw much attention towards us. She pulled me aside early to let me know I'm off babysitting duty. Dad volunteered to take care of the little ones so I could hang out with Maine and Alden more which was awesome for me. I didn't have to deal with watching my sisters for the day which meant another day off for me. Everyone headed their separate ways in the park. It didn't take us long to get soaking wet in the pools. Alden pulls me to the first slide which had rapid twist and turns as the water pushed you to slide faster. A rush of cold adrenaline ran through my veins. I always rode with Maine in the water slides while Alden rode behind us by himself. Maine kept screaming and laughing when we went down the Dragon's Den. She held onto me from fear of falling into the pool.
    After riding all the tremendous adventure slides Maine and I went to relax at the Calyspo Center which was a long river for us to drift around the park. My legs were feeling sore from swimming for two hours straight. All I wanted to do was sleep. Alden eventually joined us after playing with Ryan and Riley for a little bit. Maine kept telling me the stories of all the times Alden was pulling pranks on her and they would go off on little adventures.
    The day of the shoot for a McDonald commercial Alden surprised Maine with some chocolates and flowers. She was very happy about the surprise, but he took her out to the top of roof. There was string of little light bulbs hanging up around the edge of the building. A table was set in the middle of the roof with two glasses and a bottle of iced soda since Maine didn't really like to drink. Maine couldn't stop smiling that night of the shoot. They ate dinner to together and had long meaningful conversation about their lives. I didn't know much, but I knew it was an adventure and experience Maine would never forget.
Someday I wish to experience all the feelings and adventures Maine is going through with Alden. There relationships seems perfect to me, but I know it isn't. The imperfections in their love and personality makes them perfect. She's weird, family oriented, determined, and caring as much as Alden. I couldn't ask for anyone better for Alden because he's happier when she's with him and makes him a better person everyday. I stayed back a few times while relaxing in the pool so Alden could have alone time with Maine.
Eventually I got out the pool without their knowledge and changed out of my swimming clothes. It didn't take Maine and Alden long to realize I had disappeared for a while. We all headed back home after a short while. Mom and Dad were napping in the room with Ryan. Alden and Maine were watching a movie in the living room with Riley. I stayed up in my room for a while editing a few videos. The door bell rang multiple times, but I was too lazy to get up to answer the door. Plus Alden and Maine were downstairs so they could answer the door.
A soft knock came from my door as I spun around seeing Maine. She quietly steps into my room trying not to be loud so she wouldn't wake up my parents a few doors down. "Hey Kate, you have a visitor. He said he knows you, but I didn't let him in since I didn't know who he was. He's cute though." She teases.
"Okay, thanks." I smirked at her. Throwing on a thin sweater over my shorts I followed Maine down the stairs.
  She signals me towards the closed door. I nodded at her reassuring I'm fine handling the door. Swinging the door open he turns around. Glancing up from his black converse to his denim shorts and tank top I met his eyes. My stomach fluttered with butterflies seeing him. A warm sensation overcame me as he smirks at me. He breathes in a deep shaky breath. Taking a step back I gripped the edge of the door a little tighter.
"Josh." I mumbled to myself.