Begin Again

CHAPTER 29

We are almost there. Our favorite place from when we were little kids. Our grandparent's lake house was my favorite place as a kid. It still is. I feel so sentimental about it. It is filled only with happy and funny memories from me and Tom playing with our cousins. And now that we have grown up – I am the youngest- New Year's is something like our reunion. We come here every year and we relive these beautiful moments.

-We are 15 minutes away.

Dad says and I pinch Tom to wake him. How can he fall asleep so easily?

-Ouch! What was that for?

He says and I point outside from his window.

-Oh. We are almost there. That was quick.

-It seemed quick to you because you have been sleeping for three hours.

Mum says and Tom checks his watch.

When we arrive we can tell by the cars parked that almost everyone is here except auntie Alice. She is my mom's only sister. Both her brothers are here- uncle Jonathan and uncle Stefan- and grandpa's car is also parked.

Dad parks in his usual spot and we get out of the car. I go towards the back to take my suitcase.

-No! I'll take it.

Tom says and I am a bit confused.

-I can carry it. It isn't that heavy.

-I'll bring it. Go inside it's cold.

-Okay. But you are being weird.

Tom being weird is not very typical of him but I decide to not think about it now.

Once we are on the door I knock and after a few seconds grandma opens the door. She has her Christmas apron on and when she sees us she comes to hug me tightly as she always do.

-I missed you so much honey. You look so beautiful.

-Thanks grandma!

-Come in! Everyone is in the kitchen. We are baking.

She says right before she goes to hug my mom and dad. I take off my coat and leave it by the door along with my bag before going towards the kitchen. I get welcomed by the smell from the chocolate chip cookies which I can't wait to eat.

-Hey!

I say and everyone gets distracted and they all come for me. The hug me and I hug them back as tight as I can. I really missed all my cousins.

-You look gorgeous!

My cousin Caroline says after she pulls away from the hug.

-You too Car. I missed you!

-I missed you too.

She says and after that she hangs me an apron.

-You have to help. The boys are messing with the dough.

I can see her frustration. Car and I are the only girls. She only has one brother, Jason, and we have two more cousins, Mark and John, from our uncle Jonathan and our auntie that isn't here yet doesn't have any children. So... that leaves us against four older and male cousins/brothers.

-Oh my God. And Tom isn't even here yet!

-Where is he?

-He is bringing the suitcases from the car.

-Good. Grandpa painted our room by the way.

-Really? What color?

-Lavender. But we'll see that later. I want to hear everything about the new school.