5 years later
The fresh cold air caressed my cheeks as I made my way out of the airport into the beautiful morning in England. This was my first time coming here since aunt Megan's wedding, five years ago. It felt good to be back. I was finally home again, and couldn't hold back a smile.
After the Bradley and Kylie incident, I got wasted Proper waster The kind of wasted that people have to drag you out and you suddenly feel the utmost love for anyone who comes in sight. It was probably hilarious for everyone who got to watch, but, the next morning, when I woke up in a hotel bed feeling like my head was about to explode and I had been run over by a truck, it wasn't all that fun
But I didn't care. I was so angry and hurt for so many different reasons that I almost felt numb. Nothing had much meaning to me anymore. So I accepted the mug of warm coffee that my aunt Lynn was offering and made a decision. I didn't belong in England. At least for the time being.
So the next day, Lynn and I were on the first flight back to Texas. Bradley tried reaching me, he even came by at the hotel, but I left him waiting outside until he gave up.
It wasn't his fault that he had moved on and I hadn't, but it didn't make it any easier to accept the situation.
In Texas, I lived with Lynn, dated some boys that were nice but would never compare to what Brad meant to me. I got a degree on Book Editing and was working for a publisher. It was all fine. But I needed to come back.
I took some time off work and got on a plane back to London. Five years later. Who would've thought.
The taxi driver took me to my old house, where my mom still lived. She was now remarried, some guy named Theo that apparently made her very happy. It was all that mattered, after all.
We were fine now, me and my mom. I had learned to deal with the fact that she'd hidden my real origin practically all my life, and we had a nice relationship. She was so thrilled to see me again, wrapping her arms around me and hugging me tight.
It took her only a couple of minutes before she was dragging me back to my aunt Megan's house. Insane how things didn't change at all around here. I hugged aunt Megan and Daniel too, and we all sat around the kitchen table to have some tea.
It was amazing to be in this place, all the memories flooding back into my mind. Bradley was the main character in most of them, always making my day better and bringing me a smile or two. My heart ached with longing; I thought it would all fade with time, my feelings for him, but it never did. Everything was still there, untouched, preserved by time.
We talked for the whole afternoon, and aunt Megan and Daniel told me about how Caroline had just started dating a really nice guy and that they were supposed to come over for dinner later - which made me very, very happy. I couldn't wait to see her.
But, while we talked about how I still didn't have anywhere to stay for the time being, there was the sound of footsteps coming from the hall. Aunt Megan frowned, exchanging a look with her husband. They weren't expecting anybody this early. Maybe it was Caroline already, I thought.
It took all of my strength not to drop my chin at the sight of the unexpected visitor. He looked older, a proper man now. But the cheeky look in his brown eyes and his disheveled curls showed he couldn't be all that different from what I remembered.
I could see he was as shaken up as I was by this whole situation. I never thought we would run into each other so soon - but then again, I was at his mother's house.
I stood up from my chair almost automatically, my eyes and his never really breaking contact. He slowly made his way into the kitchen, walking towards our table. His mom, Daniel and my mom all greeted him before disappearing into the living room. It was a rather funny moment, watching them so eager to leave us by ourselves.
My breath was completely caught in my throat, and yet my heart was racing, thumping loudly in my ears. I wanted to reach out and touch him, close this small gap between us and feel his presence, really feel it, once again. I wanted to run my fingers through his curls, make up for the lost time. I absent-mindedly checked his hands, looking for a ring that would signal any commitment whatsoever. There was nothing there. And it made me smile a little.
"It's good to see you." I finally muttered, shyly, still uncertain of what to do or how to act. Should I go in for a hug? Or a handshake? Should I kiss him on the cheek?
God, I never thought this would be so hard.
Thankfully, Brad wasn't as insecure as I was. He pulled me in for a tight hug, and his scent quickly filled my nostrils and dizzed my senses. It was like going back in time; he smelled the same. He still smelled like that teenage boy that I loved so hopelessly.
After we pulled apart, he leaned his forehead against mine, his brown orbs burning into mine.
With a small smile, he said, "It's good to see you too."
And then he kissed me.
***
A.N.: This is it. Now, it's really over. I just wanted to take a moment to thank every single one of you beauties for reading this and giving me so much support! I would be very thankful for your honest opinion about this story and if you would like to be writing something else (please do inbox me with the fandom you would like it to be about). Once again, thank you for reading! I love all of you dearly and hope you enjoy this ending! :) xx
