BRIGHT

Chapter 40- Peyton POV-Home Sweet Home

"Here we are, home sweet home," my mom said.

"Finally," I replied. I was so happy to finally be home with my parents and Josh. I was not as sore today as I was yesterday, but I still did not feel great. I had gotten crutches from the hospital so I did not have to put pressure on my leg. I was still getting used to it. 

My family led me to their house, wait now it was my house too. It was even cleaner than the last time I was here and it felt good to be with them, alone. 

"You should sit down Sweetheart," my mom offered.

"Okay," I agreed. My whole body was aching anyways. My dad helped me to the couch and helped me get comfortable.

"Is that good?" he asked me, elevating my leg.

"Yeah, perfect thank you," I replied.

"Of course," he said, kissing my head. Josh walked over and sat down next to me on the sofa. He put his arm around me.

"Listen P, I have a surprise for you," he said.

"I'm not used to surprises being good," I started to say.

"Well this one is," he finished. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. 

"Meredith?" I exclaimed. Not being able to move she came over to me and squeeze hugged me.

"Oh my gosh, I missed you so much, are you alright?" she asked me.

"I'm going to be fine. How about you? Is everything okay with you?" I asked her.

"It's going to be. I know everything P, Josh told me. Just because we are not biological sisters, I still think of you as my sister. And I can't think of a better family to be your birth one than Josh's. I had no clue you were not my sister, mom and dad never told me," she explained.

"I know you, Meredith. I know you would never keep something like that from me," I replied truthfully.

"Good," she replied.

"Where have you been staying?" I asked her.

"Well I have been with a foster family, but Dad's sister is going to take me in, you know Daisy. She and her husband decided they would adopt me since they cannot have kids, which is great. They don't live too far from here too. I mean, I won't be able to go to your school anymore, but I can come to visit you on weekends and stuff," Meredith explained. 

"Good, I'm happy everything is going to be okay for you," I told her. 

"Wait for a second, Meredith," I said.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Are you and Josh still dating?" I questioned.

"Yeah, going strong," she said, looking at Josh lovingly.

"Like, is it serious?" I asked. My dad chuckled.

"Way to get personal," Meredith joked. I laughed.

"Sorry, I just want to know," I said in between laughs. 

"I would say so, I mean we have said we love each other," Josh explained.

"Would you ever consider marriage?" I asked. 

"If everything keeps going like it is, then yes," Meredith said and Josh nodded.

"Then Meredith, we could be sister in laws! It would be great!" I exclaimed. Everyone burst out laughing. Meredith put her arm around me.

"I love how that's what you think of," she joked.

"Sorry, it's just exciting," I pepped. Everyone laughed again. Josh put his arm around Meredith and kissed her cheek. Meredith snuggled in next to me. It got quiet.

"I heard about Greyson," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Me too," I said somberly. "How did you know?"

"I told her. I went to visit Greyson in therapy and he told me everything that happened. He's devastated, P," Josh admitted. I shook my head, upset over the stupid things I had done. 

"I made a mistake. I should never have let him go. I still love him. But, I ruined everything. He's probably over me by now," I expressed.

"I doubt it when he comes home, you need to tell him how you really feel," Josh instructed.

"I can't, I'm scared," I said.

"But if you don't say something, you will never get him back. He thinks you don't care for him anymore P, so he is not going to bring himself to come back to you," Josh told me. I rubbed my forehead.

"Peyton, when you were with him, I had never seen you happier. I know you love him. He's the one for you, you need to go for it," Meredith said.

"When does he come home?" I asked.

"He was cleared for tomorrow," Josh informed me. "But, I don't think you should see him tomorrow. He will want to be with his family after everything he's been through." I nodded.

"You're right though. When the time is right, I need to tell him how I really feel."