Breathe

Chapter 33

"A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted- mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more." -Morgan Matson

The trip is finally over, and we're boarding the plane back home right now. Despite everything that happened this weekend, everything finally feels normal. I don't want to leave Montana because I loved being able to escape to such a beautiful state for even a short while.

When Luke and I arrived back at the cabin yesterday, Michael and Luke broke the news to me that Emily was still at the house. I tried the mature route and just simply ignored her presence. I know that Luke has no interest in her, so why would I need to worry? Calum's seat on the plane is next to her, in front of Luke and I, and Michael is sitting across the isle from us next to an old lady. I hear the old woman trying to convince Michael to help her with her crossword puzzles. Luke and I spend most of the first part of the flight playing scrabble on my phone. We have to stop in Denver for our connecting flight home, but the entire day goes by rather quickly. I think I'm just ready to be back home and relax.

After we land, we have to pick up our luggage and find our cars in the enormous parking lot. I refuse Luke's money and pay the parking fee myself, rationalizing that since he bought me an expensive car, I can pay a small parking fee.

"I want to go home," I announce to Luke as I pull out of the parking lot. "I need to spend some time with my parents before they go to work tonight since I haven't seen them in a while."

"Can I come?"

"Sure," I say and hide my feelings. It's not that I don't want Luke coming, but I've spent so much time with him lately that I've barely had time to see my parents. I'm sure it'll be fine though since my parents seem to adore Luke.

My house is only ten minutes away and the drive goes by quickly. I open the front door and see my parents sitting on the couch watching the show Bones.

"Vanessa!" my mom squeals and quickly crosses the living room to hug me.

"Hi, mom," I say, almost suffocating from her hug.

"I missed you so much," she gushes.

"I missed you too, mom," I murmur into her hair.

She takes my hand and pulls me over onto the three person couch. Once we all squish together, there's enough space for Luke to sit beside me on the couch. Our conversations are light because we're all too focused on the show to have intricate talks. I can sense Luke tensing beside me when he sees the dead bodies since it's a forensic anthropology show. My memories flash back to the first night we met because I remember him being weak at the sight of blood. When I cut my hand on glass, he was pretty squeamish then, too.

Before I know it, it's seven and my parents have to get ready for their night shift at the hospital. I hug them both goodbye, and we leave in my car to Luke's house.

"That show was disgusting," Luke breaks the silence as we pull out of my driveway.

"No it wasn't! I love that show," I laugh.

"I don't know how you can stand looking at that. I swear I could've passed out."

"Well I plan on being a nurse so it's not that weird to me," I explain.

The drive to his house seems short. Everything today seems to be going by so fast. We walk through the front door and into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. His parents are sitting next to each other at the island. I haven't asked them, but I'm curious as to how long they're going to be home for.

Before Luke can turn around and walk away, Rosalie hears our footsteps. It's not like Luke can just run away from her forever, so we might as well talk to them.