The Missing Gem

21 | Decisions, decisions

Nicole

Packing my bags to leave for London after staying in my home for only four days had a bittersweet feeling. 

Our flight for Heathrow Airport  was departing at four in the afternoon which meant that we had to be at LAX around midday, which meant that the little brunch my mom so happily made for us was going to be the last meal I was going to spend with my parents until Christmas. 

I was fine with that, though. I didn't get as homesick in London as I initially thought I would. 

Of course, I prefer to look out the window and see the ocean and the sun instead of the the cloudy sky and the rain drops I see whenever I look out the small kitchen window of my box sized apartment in Hampstead.

"You need help?"

"Nope, all good here." I smiled at Lucas while I folded the two last two items I was taking back to England with me.

I zipped the bag close quickly, and headed downstairs with my London boy to eat brunch while we still had some time. 

The crisp and cold morning breeze of November hit me as I made my way out to the backyard where my mom spread the food nicely around the white, wood table. Lucas followed me and grabbed the chair next to mine. 

"These days flew by so quickly."

"I know, mom." I responded, letting my shoulders fall down. "But, it'll be just a month. I'll be back for Christmas."

"Thank God." My mom said, hiding her real emotions behind her shy smile. 

"Will you come back for good? After Christmas, I mean." My father took a sip of his black coffee after asking the question. 

I knew he didn't mean to sound so... realistic, but I also knew from one good look at Lucas' face what that question did to the man I loved.

"Uh, well... I don't know yet. The book is going so well, I think moving to London was a really great idea, it helped me a lot and I don't really want to... lose that."

"That's fine by us, but how are you gonna do with your job?"

When we went out for dinner with Diane she told me that she could not stand my substitute any longer. That Brenda girl was basically a stone in Diane's shoes and she was desperate to let her go once her short time deal was over. 

"Diane and I are just gonna have to discuss things a little better." 

"That's good, honey." Now, hiding behind her words. 

"But you can definitely count me in for Christmas. Just tell aunt Ruth to spend the holidays at someone else's place."

"Nicole, please-"

"No, mom. I know she is your sister and I know you like her but you don't get to tell me not be mean to her when she was nothing but a goddamn mean bitch to me!"

My mom focused on the eggs she was eating and I did the same, not wanting to go there one more time, until my dad's voice caught everyone's attention. 

"Ellie, our daughter's right." When my mom gave him a questioning look, he continued. "Ruth has always been like this. When we got married the speech she gave was all about how she thought we wouldn't last a year! She may have the right to having her own opinion, but that doesn't give her the right to be mean to us all."

"Thanks, dad."

"And speaking of," He shifted his gaze to Lucas' direction before continuing. "I really liked the way you defended Nicole the other night at dinner."