Baby, I Believe in You [Jordan Knight • NKOTB]

Chapter 33: Back in Boston

The cold brisk weather of Boston gave us a homecoming welcome as Anne and I arrived at Logan International Airport a little after 10:30 tonight. We were drained and jet-lagged from the long flight that it felt good to have our feet back on solid ground and not having to worry about turbulence. Before we left Los Angeles, I made sure to tell Anne to wear her best winter coat once we boarded the plane because Boston's winter weather was very unpredictable and nothing compared to California's mild temperatures. She thanked me after we overheard the flight attendant telling us the current weather forecast when we reached our destination. As we collected our luggage from Baggage Claim, we walked past the gift shops and restaurants while I scanned the airport trying to find two recognizable faces.

"Oh, honey, I found them! They're right over there! Girls, girls! You're finally here!" I heard my mom's cheerful voice singing in my ears, it wasn't hard to find her as we looked almost identical. We shared the same colored eyes and hair, only difference was the style, hers is straight, mine is wavy because of my dad.

"Hi, mom. Hi, dad!" I smiled at the sight of their welcoming faces, walking towards them with Anne close behind.

"We're so happy you're here, sweetie." My mom warmly hold me in her arms, giving me a tight squeeze to make up for the lost months we were apart.

"Me too." I looked at her with a large grin, feeling her lips peck my cheek before I turned towards my dad.

"Welcome home, pumpkin." He called me by the nickname he gave me as a little girl, kissing the top of my forehead before pulling me in his fatherly embrace.

My dad has always been wonderful to me, like how great of a dad, Danny Tanner was to his daughters on Full House minus being a clean freak. When I found an interest in writing in the second grade, my dad was supportive in my new hobby and would even give me helpful advice on how to be a better writer. Even appreciating all of the stories I made up when most of them sounded silly. Then I turned twelve and daddy's "little pumpkin" became interested in boys. They were innocent crushes, but regardless, my dad became slightly overprotective of me and laid down his rule for me to date boys once I turned sixteen. It did seemed unfair, especially when all my friends were going out on dates and I was stuck at home trying to keep myself preoccupied watching MTV and eating mint chocolate chip ice cream. Though, dating in high school made me feel a lot more mature as I hit sixteen, I went out with a few guys and they were great, but as much as I couldn't help it, all I really wanted was Jordan. He was in a serious relationship with his high school sweetheart, Lauren, a girl who I mistakenly introduced Jordan to after he and Jon transferred from Catholic Memorial. That was the day my heart broke a second time and despite the heartache, I just had to moved on and I did. Okay, I really didn't but there really wasn't anything I couldn't do at the time.

Growing up in Dorchester, I was always the smart girl who didn't get mixed up with drugs or sex in the city like a lot of people I know did, I spent most of my time hanging out with friends, getting involved with school activities, hours of writing in my bedroom, and spending time with Jon and Jordan and the rest of the New Kids. I just kept myself busy and positive through most of my life, making my parents happy and my dad was relieved to know I wasn't just another statistic.

"Thanks, dad. I'm happy to be home!" After pulling myself away from him, I turned to face my best friend from the West Coast and began to introduce her to my parents. "Mom, dad, this is my best friend and roommate from Berkeley, Anne Morris. Anne, these are my amazing parents, Natalie and Robert Ryder."

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Ryder. It's so nice to finally meet you! Steph has told me so much about the two of you. I'm really looking forward to spending the holidays with all of you." Anne greeted them with a warm smile and extended out her hand, but my parents happily pulled her into separate hugs instead. My parents always treated my friends as family.