Phoenix

Chapter 22

Quick note: On the second slide above^ there's a song which you can listen to at some point in this chapter. Just play it whenever you reach that part (don't worry it's obvious when.)
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Roosevelts

Phoenix's POV
After two hours of random conversations, snacks, singing and a-lot of laughs, we had finally arrived. I pull up into the driveway and feel the nostalgia wash over me. I take in the two story house recently coated in fresh white paint. Some furniture was already placed out on the front porch as summer was right around the corner, and the grey roof was no longer covered in dry leaves. The lawn was neatly taken care of, yet random shrubs and bushes circled the house near which a decades old oak stood tall.

I look over at Essence who sat there quietly, zoned out. She must have felt my gaze as she faced me, her expression neutral. She wasn't fidgety, nor did she seem agitated, but I knew she was nervous. I offered her a reassuring smile before opening the car door and walking towards the house. I felt her silently follow me, trying to keep up with my quick steps.

It took my mother a second before opening the door and once she did, I don't think she was expecting us.

_ "Giorgio why didn't you take the keys wi- Phoenix!?"

_ "Hey mom." I wave at her sheepishly. Next thing I know she had me wrapped in a hug.

_ "My god you're finally here! After three months I finally get to see you. Why is it that you rarely visit me?" She places her hands on her hips and shoots me a stern look.
Behind me Essence giggles.

_ "Don't worry Mrs. Roosevelt, it's not just Phoenix. My brother didn't visit us either, and I had to drag him home last week after more than a year of not seeing my parents." She confidently says, stepping out from behind me. My mother's eyes widened as they twinkled in interest.

_ "Mom, this is Essence Heisler, my best friend." I introduce. My mother pushes me out of the way and places her hands on Essence's shoulders staring at her intently.

_ "Damn aren't you gorgeous." She whispers. "So you're the infamous Heisler girl I've heard so much about from both boys."

_ "ehm men." I correct.

_ "Right... men..." she stares at me with disgust. I swear to god this woman is so dramatic. "It's good to finally meet you. Gotta know what all that fuss is about." She says rather stoically.

_ "Mom!" I hiss, only earning laughs from both females. Well, Essence seems to have calmed down a bit, even though her freckled cheeks were still tinted with red.
Suddenly a crash is heard from upstairs, and my mom seems to have remembered she had left my sister all alone.

_ "Phoenix darling, go fetch the bottle I was making for Anaïs from the kitchen and follow us upstairs." She orders me, motioning for Essence to follow her.

I walk through the dining room into the kitchen, only to be engulfed in a mouthwatering aroma. My mother had a bistecca alla fiorentina cooking in the oven, along side some focaccia and carbonara. The beautiful smell of Italian cuisine filled the place. After picking sneakily at the food, I picked up the milk bottle sitting on the counter and quick stepped up the stairs into the all purple room of my baby sister, excited to finally meet her.
As soon as I entered the room, my eyes landed on my mother who was staring at something in awe as she smiled. I followed her gaze only for it to land on Essence, who had baby Anaïs gently laying in her arms playfully tugging at the dangly silver necklace around her neck.

_ "Hi there little one. Aren't you the prettiest baby I've ever seen." She softly smiled at my sister. The latter squealed happily, offering Heisler a toothless grin. If I didn't say this was cute as fuck, I would be lying, and if my mom and sister weren't in the room, the sight would have easily been a turn on.