Stop Counting Numbers

12.

"Lea, your flight leaves tomorrow." My mom informed me and I stood up from bed and got my luggage out.

"What time?" I asked and she sighed.

"4am. Are you sure you want this?" She asked and I nodded.

"I need this mom. You also do, Dad suggested this a few months ago cause he felt unfair to you. He's out there with his girlfriend and your here, spending your time with your daughter. You barely got time to be with Justin." I said and she shook her head.

"I'm perfectly fine with you here." She said and I smiled at her.

"I'm glad to know that mom but after what happened with Brad and I earlier, I can't stay here knowing that I've hurt him." I said and she frowned.

I know she wanna ask about what happen. But I'm not ready. Not yet.

.....
"Welcome to Australia sweets." Nikki said and I smiled at her.

"Thanks Niks, I'm sorry for interrupting your guys time together, something came up and I couldn't stay there." I said and they smiled at me.

"We're glad you're here. You don't have to think about us. Plus, Nikki's sons are thrilled to meet you." My dad said and I just smiled.

When we got to their house, I was at awe. Their house is huge. And they aren't even married yet. They're gonna get married in a month though.

"Well, come on, let's go inside." Nikki said in a thick Ausie accent.

"Are you sure it's fine with me here?" I asked and she chuckled.

"Yes! It's more than fine!" She said and I smiled.

"You ladies go in, I'll get the luggages." My dad announced and I shook my head.

"Let me help!" I said and he smiled.

"No need hun, it's just 2 luggages." He said and I looked at him.

"Sure?" I asked and he nodded.

"Sure."

"Come on then." Nikki ushered me inside and I chuckled.

Oh wow. It's much more better inside.

"Mom! Dad!" I heard a kid yell.

"Carlos don't!" I heard another guy say.

"Sorry mom, Leo, I tried." A guy, about my age say before looking at me.

"Hi! I'm Charles." He said and smiled at me.

"Leanna." I said with a polite smile.

"This is Charles and Carlos. My sons." Nikki said and I just smiled at them.

"We finally meet. Leo kept on talking about you." He said and I chuckled.

"In a good way ofcourse."

"Are you my new big sister?" Carlos asked and I just smiled at him and nodded.

"Yes." I answered and carried him.

Nikki and my dad met 3 years ago. When Nikki was still pregnant of, I guess Carlos. So I'm guessing Carlos is still 2 or 3.

"I like bwig sistwers! Charles swuck!" He said and my eyes widen, along with Nikki, my dad and Charles.

"Where did you learn that word?" Nikko asked Carlos but Charles took him from me and ran.

"Time for bath Carlos!" Charles said as he ran with Carlos on hand.

"Wait! Big sister!" He called out and I laughed.

"Coming!" I said as I dropped my bags and ran after them.

"So, you taught him that word then" I joked and he look at me.

"Get out!" He yelled as a joke then Carlos slapped him.

"Charles, stooooop" he whined making Charles and I laugh.

"I like your room." I said as I walked to his bed. I was gonna sit but remembered that he's a teenage boy and I'm not sure how clean this sheets are.

"It's clean. I'm clean." He said while laughing.

"Good boy then." I said as I sat on his bed.

"So why did you leave your mom?" He asked and I shook my head.

"I didn't. I just missed my dad."

"That's not just the reason and I'm gonna find out what it is." He said and I chuckled then touched my necklace.

"Boyfriend?" He asked and I looked at Carlos.

"Nope." I said and he sighed then sat beside me.

"You wished though, right?" He asked and I looked at him.

"Look, I'm your brother now. Big, brother. Whether you like it or not, I'm gonna be nosy on these stuff." He said and I chuckled.

"Excuse me but how old are you?" I asked and looked at me.

"18, you?" He asked.

"Just turned 18." I said and his eyes widen.

"It's your birthday today, isn't it?!" He asked and Carlos sat on my lap.

"It's your biwrthdway twoday?" He asked and I chuckled.

"Yesterday" I answered them both then Charles took Carlos and carried him on his neck then ran out the room.

"Watch his head!" I yelled after them and then I heard my dad asking them where there going.

"You didn't tell us it was Leanna's birthday yesterday!" Charles said before I hear car doors.

"Leanna come on!" He yelled and I ran downstairs and Nikki pointed at a door. I went in the room and saw that it's a garage.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I got in a car which I'm guessing is Charles'.

"We always gwet ice cweam for bwirthdways." Carlos said and Charles nodded.

"Well that's fun." I said and Charles started driving.

"You have siblings now. It's gonna be fun!" He said and I chuckled.

"Better be." I said and they both smiled proudly.

.....
"What flavor?" Charles asked and I looked at the ice creams.

"You choose." I said and he ordered something for me.

After getting our order, we sat on a set of chairs then we ate and talked.

"We should head home, it's getting dark." Charles said and both Carlos and I nodded.

When we got home, I was surprised with the house being fully decorated with birthday stuff.

"Happy Birthday!" My dad and Nikki both said and I thanked them as they hugged me.

"I already feel so welcome!" I said and they smiled at me.

"We've got cake!" Nikki announced and we all cheered as we went to the kitchen.

Starting over and I'm liking it. But I miss my mom.

I miss him.