What Took So Long--completed

Coming Home

K.C was on American soil again, and damn she had to say it felt good. Especially when that soil was good ole Georgia clay. She knew she'd have to explain herself as she pulled the rental truck up an old gravel driveway. A decade had gone by with no one having any word from the girl, which she realized was probably stupid on her part.

The yard was filled with a few trucks other than the old blue box Chevy she remembered. Turning the truck off, she hopped out and took a deep breath, heading towards the front door and knocking.

An older lady with long brown hair and a beautiful smile opened the door, her eyes catching sight of the Army fatigues before the face of the person in them. "Hey momma Pam." The woman had tears in her eyes as she wrapped the girl into a hug, starting to cry. "Oh baby girl, I'm so glad you're okay! I should've known you'd run off in your daddy's footsteps." K.C just smiled and hugged the woman tighter. "Dereck!! Get in here!!" She screamed, which actually sent everyone outside running in. Including Brantley.

"K.C's back!" his mom's smile was a million miles wide as she held the girl to her side before his dad wrapped her up. K.C's parents had been killed in a car accident when she was 17, she lived with the Gilbert's until she was of age, then disappeared.

"You look great girl. Glad you're finally home" Derek kissed the top of her head before heading into the kitchen for a beer. "Do you wanna stay for dinner honey? We have plenty." K.C shifted uneasy, not really wanting to ask her question in front of Brantley, But it seemed it was going to go that way. "Actually, if you guys don't mind, I was wondering if I could crash in my old room until I found a place of my own." Pam beamed, "Of course you can baby! As long as you need to. It'll be so great having a girl back in the house." The soldier smiled as Pam too, headed back into the kitchen to her cooking. She was about to head out the door to get her bag when Brantley finally spoke. "So that's it? You leave me with a fuckin note and come back without a word?" The country star was pretty mad as he followed her outside. K.C turned around, "Try to guilt trip me all you want BG, I ain't that girl anymore. I didn't leave to be selfish." He snorted, "Could've fooled me K.C. You've let us all think you were dead for the past God damn decade, now here you are." She rolled her eyes, "I see you're still dramatic as ever. You wouldn't understand even if I explained it, nor do you obviously care." Her anger with the whole situation was starting to rise and she chose to grab her bag and brush past him back inside and up to her old room, leaving him standing in the yard like a dumbass.

Standing in the guest room she never bothered to decorate years ago, she knew her stay with the Gilbert's wouldn't be long. Her plan from the moment her parents were killed was following her father's footsteps, and she had her rank going all the way up to Captain, one up from her father's before she was medically discharged. shaking out of her thoughts and deciding on a shower, she grabbed the one out of maybe 5 civilian outfits she owned and headed to the bathroom.

Brantley on the other hand was still standing in his spot on the front lawn, wondering what the hell K.C couldn't tell anyone. The star felt like an ass, but she left him hurtin' like hell. Shaking out of his thoughts before they went where he didn't want them to, he went back inside and joined his dad watching the football game. "You alright son? I figured you'd be over the moon she was back." Brantley huffed, "Why? So she can leave again? No thanks." His father rolled his eyes and went back to watching the game.

Pam yelled that dinner was done and given the beautiful day, everyone sat at the patio table. K.C joined a moment later, her long red locks still wet from the shower. Her jeans fit just right, along with the mossy oak camo tank top she wore with her matching flip flops. Siting down in front of her childhood friend like old times, she eyed the layout of the food. Clearly, Dereck and probably Brantley had grilled steaks while Pam took care of the green bean casserole, homemade mashed potatoes and corn bread. The soldiers mouth watered, "This looks amazing. I haven't had real food in ages." Dereck chuckled, "Aw come on, those bagged meals are amazing and you know it." She smiled genuinely and giggled, which made Brantley look up. That giggle got him every time. "You know it dude, that's some five star shit right there." Dereck busted out laughing along with her.

After dinner was done, K.C helped Pam clean up while the guys watched more football and drank beers. The redhead grabbed one for herself and headed out onto the porch, lighting up a cigarette. Sitting on the top step, she looked around at the dark woods, listened to the crickets and frogs, the heat lightning going off in the distance and she smiled to herself. She really never thought she would miss Georgia this much. Brantley had seen her head outside, giving her a minute to herself before he headed the same way. He realized he'd been an ass earlier. Mad or not, it was no way to treat a lady, or a soldier. Sitting next to her and lighting one of his own, he blew the smoke into the air. "I'm sorry K. Just, seeing you again after I'd accepted that you were gone rocked me a bit." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, "I really am glad you're home, and proud of you for bein a soldier." The redhead couldn't help but smirk. "Still can't stay mad long, huh? Thank you though. And, I'm sorry I left the way I did. I had already made plans to go in, dad and I made them. It was the only thing that felt right after they died. I still have no clue why I didn't just have the balls to tell you myself." "Cuz ya knew I'd do whatever it took to make you stay." He pointed out. He would have too.