Butterfly

46. Welcome Home.

Chapter Forty-Six: Welcome Home.

♡ Jessica Washington ♡

The next day is the day that Rachel is released from hospital. River decided that he wants to throw a welcome home party, despite the fact that she was only gone a few days, but I suppose she could have ended up not remembering what home was, so she deserves it. In reality, I think that River is doing this to make himself feel less like it was his fault what happened, and as a gesture of apology for not being there. He's being ridiculous, because Rachel definitely does not blame River, nor does she feel as if he should be apologising, but I can't talk him out of it.

"Jess, have you got the balloons?" River shouts from where he is making the food in the kitchen. I roll my eyes, starting find places to tie the balloons.

"Yes, River, I've got the balloons," I reply, amused at his clear distress. Craig and Lilly have taken Ashley to get Rachel from the hospital already, so they should be back within the hour, meaning that River is in a rush to set everything up. Other members of River's family are here too, including both sets of his grandparents and his auntie, uncle and cousin, all of whom I have yet to be introduced to. Some of Rachel's colleagues are also here, as are many of her friends.

"You must be Jessica, the girl River has been non-stop talking about for the past few months. I'm his grandmother, Cynthia, it's so nice to finally meet you, I'm River's father's mother. And this is my husband and River's grandfather, William," a lady who must be in her sixties smiles at me, standing up and hugging me, much to my surprise. How can Craig be so different to his mother? I smile slightly at how she says that River has been talking about me, even if she just made that up.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," I smile, hugging her back. I also shake her husband's hand, smiling.

"And we're Rachel's parents, Charlotte and Harry," another woman says, a woman who looks like a mirror image of Rachel herself, just older.

"It's lovely to meet you," I smile, as Charlotte hugs me and I shake Harry's hand. River's auntie, uncle and cousin are yet to arrive. I talk to a few of Rachel's friends, before the door opens and River walks in.

"Okay, everything's ready," River grins, entering the living room. "Oh, I was just about to introduce you all."

"Well, I have been successfully introduced," I reply, smiling. River rolls his eyes, before we hear the sound of a car braking outside, and River looks out the window to see his dad's car.

"They're here," River tells everyone, pointing out the obvious. I roll my eyes, before the front door opens and Rachel walks in, holding Ashley's hand.

"Welcome home!" everyone cheers, and Rachel definitely seems surprised. Her eyes widen, and she raises an eyebrow. Upon receiving no response from River, Rachel turns to me. I indicate towards River to tell her that it was his idea, and Rachel grins, most likely knowing why River is throwing this party.

"Wow, thank you," Rachel smiles, laughing a little. Rachel greets all of her friends and family, just as the door rings, presumably River's auntie, uncle and cousin. River moves to answer the door, before someone clears their throat behind me. I spin around to see Craig, River's dad, behind me.

"Can I talk to you?" Craig asks, and I nod, following him out of the room and out into the garden, sitting down on a bench and indicating for me to sit beside him. I sit anxiously next to him, not sure whether I should be worried or not.