John spent Christmas night with Arianna, and in the morning, he took the whole lot of them out for breakfast together. While they were eating, Arianna told her children they would be visiting another country in a few days. The country that not only John was from, but also their great-grandmother Maggie. They were so excited that they were hard to contain. And they were delighted that Atlanta would also be going. The three of them had already forged a close friendship, which thrilled John and Arianna immensely.
Arianna then spent the next few days packing for her and her kids and ensuring their passports were in order. John came over to her house most afternoons while her kids took their naps. It reminded him of those afternoons when she was going to University in Birmingham. They talked, they laughed, they made love, and they just enjoyed each other's company like they always had. If nothing else, they had always been great friends, and that, thankfully, had not changed one bit.
On December 30th, their plane landed at Birmingham International Airport, and after gathering everyone's things, they got their rental car and headed out of the city. It would be less than half an hour before they were all at the Taylor home on Simon Road. Sophia and Dylan were mesmerized by the cars driving on the opposite side of the road from what they were used to. Atlanta was telling them all about her Nan Taylor, and the three of them were chattering away in the back seat.
Arianna sat quietly, taking everything in. Eight years had passed since she had last been to 'Brum,' and while so much had changed, a lot had also stayed the same. She and John being involved again was still new, but it was also so familiar. They fell into comfortable roles together, and she liked it. When John pulled the car into the driveway of his parents' house, she teared up. It had been too long.
"So many good memories here," she said breathlessly, and John leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"I'm glad you're here with me," he whispered, and when she looked at him, he kissed her.
Just then, Jean Taylor came out of the front door and onto the sidewalk, so John told the kids to go ahead and get out of the car. Atlanta opened the door, bounded out of the car, and ran to Jean, yelling, 'Nan! Nan!' She rushed into Jean's legs, hugging her tight. Sophia and Dylan ran up, too, caught up in Atlanta's excitement.
"Who are your friends, Atlanta?" Jean asked as she bent down to kiss the top of her head.
"Bophia (her version of Sophia) and Dylan," she said happily, pointing to each of them.
"Well, hello, Sophia and Dylan," she said cheerily. "Where is your Daddy, Atlanta?"
"Right here, Mum," he said as he stepped up behind the kids. He leaned in and kissed his Mum's cheek, and she looked proudly at him.
"I brought someone to see you," he said and stepped aside to reveal Arianna, who had been hiding behind him. Jean gasped, her hands going to her mouth as her eyes filled with tears of joy.
"Hello, Mum Taylor," Arianna said as she stepped towards her. Jean grabbed Arianna by the arms and pulled her into a giant, tight hug, covering her face with kisses.
"Arianna, I am so glad to see you," she exclaimed, looking her in the eye proudly. "Are these your children, then?"
"Yes," she said, putting her hands on each of their heads. She saw Jean's eyes tick over to her ringless left hand and then look concerned.
"Have you divorced also?" she asked gently.
"No, widowed. My husband was murdered about eighteen months ago," Arianna clarified. Jean tried her best to look sympathetic, but she was thrilled to pieces that her John and Arianna were together again.
YOU ARE READING
Unrequited
Fanfiction"Why do you allow me back into your life? You know I'm only going to push you away again," he said with all honestly, not to hurt her, but because he knew how he behaved with her. And a part of him doubted that he would change. Even for her. "Becaus...
