Life Around The World

Home Bound

After our amazing week in Turks & Caicos, it was now time for us to catch our flight home. When we arrived to the airport, we went through security and the walked over to the gate where we would wait for our plane. Once we got to the gate, we sat down and I texted my brother to tell him to pick us up from the airport when we land at 8pm tonight then, I texted Cali to see how things were going with them. When she texted back, she told me that Brent and Sophie stopped talking to them and Mina and Justin have moved to the Caribbean . "Who ya texting Mads?" Hunter asked as I looked over to him and replied "I texted Sam to come pick us up when our flight lands and then I texted Cali to see how things were going with them and she told me that Brent and Sophie stopped talking to them and then, she told me that Justin and Mina moved to the Caribbean to be closer to her family." He looked at me with a shocked facial expression as a moment of silence passed by before one of us spoke up. "Wow really? They just out of the blue stopped talking to them? That's crazy and Justin and Mina moving out there without telling us. Man Maddie, what's happening with our friends these days?" He said.

As another moment of silence fell upon us, we stood up and walked over to the tunnel to board the plane. "I don't know what's going on with our friends but I will tell you this, as long as we're together, everything will be fine." I replied as we sat down in our seats. I looked out the window and scanned through memories of my trips I've done in the past 20 years of my life and realised that my favourite trips of all were the ones I've spent with Hunter and my family.

After a few hours on the plane, we landed at Pearson Airport and gathered our luggage then, we walked out of the gate where we retrieved our stuff and went to find Hunter's family that was waiting for us with a sign that read Welcome Home Hastings! When we got towards them, we dropped our bags and hugged his sisters and parents then, we walked to their car that was placed outside in the parking lot. Once we started to head home, we told them about our trip and all the fun adventures we went on. "We packed the boxes you asked us to pack for you Hunt." Nita said as we pulled into the driveway of their house. When we got out, Lana and Haily ran to the front door as Bailey came to the back to help us take our stuff out. "Maddie sweetheart, you're home!" my mom yelled as she came walking over to the Hastings 'house followed by my dad and Easton. "How was your honeymoon?" Dad asked. "It was amazing dad! We went on so many adventures! We even snorkeled with the sea turtles!" I replied as he engulfed me in a hug.

"How about you guys come over to our place for supper tonight?" Tyler said as he came to the back of the car to help Hunter with the rest of his bags. "Sure, we would love to come for dinner!" My mom replied as Mr. Hastings checked his watch and told us what time to come back for supper. Once we crossed the street so that I could unpack, I walked up to my room and dropped my bags. " Hey Mom, where's Alex and Sam?" I asked popping my head out of my door and into the hallway as she walked out of her room with the laundry basket. "They'll be home soon, they went out to pick up that furniture you and Hunter ordered before you went on you honeymoon." She replied as she stepped in my room, helping me unpack my suitcase and putting my clothes in the laundry basket.

After I had put my laundry in the washing machine, I went over and sat down on the couch and turned on the tv when I heard the front door open and shut as the person stepped in. "Hey mom we're home!" Alex yelled as Easton went running towards the door. "Hey Big bro!" I said turning to look down the hall as he came over towards the living room. "Hey, my baby sister's home!" He yelled a he hopped over the couch and plopped down beside me. "So how was your honeymoon?" he asked as I surfed through tv channel after tv channel. "It was awesome!" I replied as mom came down and told us to get ready to head over to the Hastings house for supper. "Where's Sam?" Mom and I asked at the same time as Alex got up to go change. "Oh, he's out with Carter. They went for wings" He replied. "Well looks like he'll be missing out on Mr. Hasting's cooking tonight!" Dad said walking into the room. Once Alex came downstairs, changed out of his sweaty tee shirt and basketball shorts, we slipped our feet into our shoes and walked across the street to Hunter's front door ringing the doorbell. Once Lana opened the door and let us in, we were then welcomed by Hunter's family and dog. "Come on in!" Nita said as we followed them to the living room.

"Hunter come downstairs, dinner's going to be ready in a few minutes!" Haily yells from the bottom of the stairs. When he didn't come down the first time, she repeatedly yelled for him to come down until he ran down the stairs. "Finally!" Haily said as he made it to the last step. " I heard you the first time kid, no need to yell at me more than once!" he replied as she stood there and rolled her eyes. "Then what took you so long to come down and why didn't you respond?" She asked with sass. He took a deep breath, sighed and then replied "I had a shower and got ready for dinner that's why!" Once their little argument was over, Hunter leaned over the couch and kissed me on the cheek then walked into the kitchen to help his dad serve the meal. Once we all sat down at the dinner table, we said grace and dug in. Hunter and I shared some stories from our trip, after that we switched the topic to our new house that we move into tomorrow.

Once we finished dinner, I helped Nita do the dishes and clean up the table while the others sat outside in the back on the patio around a small campfire Bailey built with Hunter. "Thanks for your help Maddie" She said as she placed the last plate in the dishwasher. "Oh no problem!" I replied putting some leftover salad in the fridge. When we finished cleaning up, Lana came in and grabbed a tray. "Whatcha doing sweetie?" Nita asked her as she placed a cup in the cupboard above the sink. "Dad told me to come inside and get stuff to make some snack over the camp fire." She replied taking marshmallows out of the snack pantry and placing it on the tray.

When we came home from the Hastings place, I went up to my room and put my pjs on then, I made sure that all the boxes for my new house were ready to go in the morning. "Hey sweetheart, everything packed for your new house?" Dad asked standing in the door frame of my room. I looked up from the box that I just finished labeling and shook my head in response. "Alright, get some rest now, you've got a long day tomorrow." He said as I walked over to him, gave him a hug and said goodnight. A few minutes later, I texted Hunter to make sure he had all the boxes he was bringing with him to the new house packed just as my mom knocked on my door. "Come in!" I yelled as she walked in and sat on my bed. "I just wanted to make sure you had everything ready for tomorrow. Also wanted to make sure you found all your clothes I packed for you while you were away." She said as I stacked a box labeled Maddie's Sports Stuff on top of another box by my door. "Yep all packed and ready for a new beginning in a new home!" I replied sitting down beside her on my bed.

"Alright honey, get some sleep, it's late and we have a long day tomorrow." She said as she stood up and kissed me on the forehead. "Good night mom, I love you." I said giving her a hug as she said good night and made her way out into the hall letting Easton in my room before completely closing the door. Easton jumped up on my bed and laid beside me as I placed a hand on his furry back and pet him. "Night buddy." I said before closing my eyes and going to sleep.