Serendipity ↬ COMPLETE

Chapter 20

Chapter 20: A Family Reunion... Of Sorts

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." -Desmond Tutu

We arrived at my aunt's house at around 11:45 in the morning, and she had welcomed us both with open arms.

She knew Connor was going to be with me after my parents called her when I left and she had been waiting for us to show up so she could meet him.

"Hi, Aunt Janice!" I said with a smile as I climbed out of my dad's truck.

"Leilani! Honey, I missed you," she said, taking me in her arms.

"I missed you, too, Aunt Janice. I wish I was here under better circumstances," I said sadly.

"I know, honey. I do, too," she said, kissing my forehead.

"Anyway, Aunt Janice, this is my boyfriend. Connor, this is my aunt Janice. She's one of my mom's sisters," I told him as I watched the two of them shake hands with smiles.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Janice," Connor said politely.

My aunt laughed kindly. "Actually, it's Mrs. My husband's just at work, which is why he is not here to greet you two. But it's okay. It's nice to meet you, too, Connor. Please, call me Janice," my aunt said with a smile.

"Oh, my apologies," Connor said bashfully.

I smiled and took his hand in mine to calm him down. He looked at me and smiled at me when he saw me smiling.

"Well, come on inside you two. We can get your bags in a little while," my aunt said. I looked over at her and saw the smile on her face as well.

We followed her inside the house and straight to the kitchen, while I texted my mom and dad to inform them that Connor and I arrived safely.

Aunt Janice had a pot of coffee freshly made and I was so grateful. I needed coffee.

"Would either of you like some coffee?" Aunt Janice asked fhe two of us.

"I would love some. Connor, do you want a class?" I asked him, making my way to the cupboard to get a mug.

"No, thank you, I'm okay," he answered with a smile.

I nodded once and continued to make my mug of coffee while my aunt and I caught up.

I told her about how my parents and I had moved to Orlando because of me getting into UCF and, thankfully, she didn't ask if Mom and Dad came with me because of my disorders. Connor and I both explained how we had meet and she wanted to know when we started dating.

While Aunt Janice was explaining what was happening in her life, I sat next to Connor, sipping at my coffee. She had stood up as well to make her own mug. "We'll go get some Starbucks soon, Connor," I whispered to him, still listening to my aunt's every word.

He let out a breath of relief, as if he was holding it in, and whispered back, "Thanks, Lani." I giggled and kissed his cheek before my aunt turned again to face us.

We spent most of the remainder of the morning in the kitchen, just talking and hanging out for a while. My aunt got to know Connor and she seemed to like him very well.

"Leilani, do you have intentions to visit your grandfather while you're here?" my aunt asked curiously.

"Probably. I was thinking about it. Mom might want to see him. I know I want to. But you know he is and..." I trailed off, knowing that she knew what I was talking about, since we were talking about her father.