The Help // Ed Sheeran

Chapter 1 : The Move

This is how it starts.
I had a decent life in America, single mom, work full time, care for my kids. There was always something missing though. The states never seemed to be home to me, I longed for the beauty and the history of the United Kingdom. This plot had been growing in my head for a while now, find a good school and a good job in London and make the leap. I already had friends who would help me get on my feet once I got there so I just had to do it. That was going to be the hardest part. Making myself and my children get on a plane and leave life as I knew it behind.

Then I got the email I never thought would come. "There is an opening for our office located in London and if you are still interested in relocating we will set a flat up for you upon your arrival." I sat at my desk jaw nearly on the floor absolutely stunned. Is this real? I asked myself this repeatedly, there is no way that this is happening right now. I finished my work day and went to pick up the children as normal. On the drive home I asked subtle questions like how would they feel about a new house? Would they hate the idea of going to a new school? They seemed to be interested as they told me all of the things they didn't like about their current location. Their favorite part however is how I wouldn't have to work as much.

After arriving at home they sat down to do their homework while I cooked dinner. I love cooking, its one of my favorite things to do. I placed their plates of mashed potatoes, asparagus, and roasted chicken in front of them watching their eyes grow wide before I sat in my spot. Feeling that this would be the best time to ask I went for it. "So how would you feel about moving to London?" They all stopped eating and stared straight at me. "London?" This was the response I got in unison. "You mean like London in England?" Well....."Yes dear, the London that is in England." Six eyes all on me at once. "Ok it was just a question." A moment of silence and they Alayah, the oldest, speaks up, "That would actually be really cool mom." Oh ok I think to myself. "Yes that would be awesome" the youngest, Jake, speaks up. Then my oldest son, Mason, just sort of sits there like he is really thinking this over. "Won't we miss everyone mom?" He asks. "Well yes Mason I'm sure we will but we can always visit." "Ok then I guess I'm ok with it." He replies. Did I really just decide to move to another country?

The next morning I drop the kids off at school and go to work like usual. When I get to work I go into my boss' office and discuss the transfer with him. He is not overly eager to get rid of me but he understands my wish to explore the world and explore the opportunities given to me. A date is set. I am to leave my home country in one month. Its time to get things sorted. Find a school, pack, go through getting the children out of their school, and saying our goodbyes. I share the news with my family and plan to have a going away dinner, many offer to help me pack. I also let my close friends in London know that I will be moving there shortly. They are very excited and so am I. Its getting hard to contain my excitement. The next month goes by quicker than I had imagined it would and I feel like everything is happening too fast.

The house is packed and most things have been shipped ahead of time. A few days before our departure we meet with our family members to have a nice dinner and say our goodbyes. My parents are sad to see the children and I go and I know that we will miss them but the children and I are excited about the adventure ahead of us. I spent the last night in our old home sleeping on the floor huddled up with the children in a blanket fort. This was a wonderful memory that we would remember forever and the start to an amazing new adventure.

This was the day, I had plenty of snacks and activities to occupy myself and the children on the plane ride to London. This was going to be quite the adventure as this would be the first time in years I had flown, the first time Jake had ever flown and only the second time Mason had. Alayah had flown a few times bit it has been a very long time. The flight went much better than anticipated as we were all tired beforehand so the children napped most of the time. Upon our arrival we all piled into a taxi and went to our new flat. This was the beginning of a new life.