Accept Me

1:"Our baby's home"

I take a deep breath as I grip the duffel bag in my hand, the weight nothing compared to the one on my shoulders. The noon Sun shines directly on me, but I pay no mind to the brightness in my eyes as I step forward slowly, my heart increasing its pace with each passing second. Leaves and sticks crunch under my feet as I get closer to the decently sized cabin, the Sun shining through the windows.

I reach the door and raise my fist to knock, my hand freezing an inch before it touches the wood. My heart beats loudly in my ears, my chest burning at the intensity I feel by just standing here. I take another deep breath and let it out slowly through my mouth, closing my eyes for a second before opening them once again.

I take the plunge and knock twice, two loud raps that sound through the whole house. I take a step back and steel myself as I hear hesitant then rapid footsteps nearing the door. I stand taller and keep my face neutral, just in case.

The door swings open away from me, revealing the short brunette I knew was behind the door. Her eyes narrow in confusion as she comes face to face with my chest before they travel up and catch my eyes; they widen in surprise before they become teary and glazed over. Her trembling hands raise to her lips as a gasp escapes her, her rings glinting in the Sun. She slowly reaches one hand out and taps my chest a few times, as if to see if I'm real. Her pats become harsher as she starts to sob, like full on ugly cry as she looks me over, head to toe and back again.

Finally, she steps forward and wraps her arms around me and pulls me into her, hugging me tightly. I drop the duffel bag and hug her back, bending down so I can place my face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her familiar scent. She keeps on crying, her tears wetting my shirt as her hands grip the back, scrunching it and tearing at the material. Her knees nearly give out under her, but I keep myself steady and hold onto her.

"Wendy, who's at the door?" I hear a voice call from the kitchen, before he comes to the door when she doesn't answer back.

She doesn't let go as he gets closer, her cries dying out into quivering hiccups. I lift my head and look towards the entrance, waiting for the man to pass through the opening. I hear a pause before he nearly comes running through the archway and barreling towards us. His arms are spread wide open as he crashes into us, nearly taking us all to the ground as he wraps his bear-like arms around the both of us. He keeps his arms glued to us as he sways us side to side, the large man reduced into a sobbing mess.

It seems like hours before he lets go, gently prying the sniffling woman from my arms and wrapping one of his own around her shoulder. They both look at me with teary eyes and wet cheeks, both their faces flushed red.

"Our baby's home." Momma whispers, almost to herself, a painfully wide smile etched on her face.

"That he is." Poppa whispers back, squeezing her to his side as he keeps his eyes on me.

I wipe the tears from my eyes as I grab my forgotten bag and close the door behind me, turning back to them with a small smile. Momma wriggles from Poppa's clutch and comes over to me, fussing as she waves her hands in the air.

"How are you? Did they treat you well? Did you make any friends? How was the s-"

"Wendy, give him some time to get comfortable." Poppa admonishes her gently, patting my shoulder as he grabs my bag and starts walking out of the entryway.

Momma and I follow behind, her hands wrapped around my arm as she walks beside me. I pat one of her hands and place a kiss to the top of her head, earning a blinding smile. We walk up the stairs and follow Poppa towards my room and walk inside when he swings open the door. I smile as I see how much my room has changed. What was once a pretty empty room is now a fully furnished bedroom fit for a modern Prince.