Come Home • cel

Chapter 6

It was another beautiful summer day in Pittsburgh. I was driving home from Maddie's where I just picked Callie up. She was at Maddie's everyday until was done with my work. Maddie was famous now. She'd taken over the ALDC once Gianna got too old to manage it. People flocked to the studio, wanting to take classes with the talented Maddie Ziegler. At first, she taught classes, along with a brand new team of staff including people like Nia and Paige. Just last year, though, Maddie had stopped teaching and stayed home to be a housewive and look after her son, Anden.
Anden was the same age as Callie and they got along very well. Maddie would sometimes joke that one day they'd maybe date and get married and have kids. "And then well be in-laws!" she'd say and I'd laugh.
Today, Callie was chattering about her science class. I nodded while I drove, trying to equally split my attention between the road and Callie. She continued to talk even after we reached home around half past 5. After she put down her stuff and had a shower, I let her play outside while I prepared dinner.
From the kitchen window, I could see part of the front yard where I allowed Callie to play in. She wasn't allowed to go into the part I couldn't see.
Callie was playing with a ball today, throwing it and catching it. Suddenly, she missed and the ball dropped to the floor and rolled over to the part of the yard she wasn't allowed in. Callie automatically ran to pick up the ball. "She'll just be a few seconds," I reminded myself. But then I heard murmurs outside. I recognized one voice as Callie's, but I couldn't figure out who the other person was. It sounded familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on who it was.
"Mom!" Callie suddenly yelled. She didn't sound urgent, but I panicked anyway. I ran  out from the kitchen by the side door and turned the corner. "Who's there Callie?" I asked as she came into sight. Then, I froze. The man standing at the gate, was he... "Josh?" I gasped. The man turned his head towards me and a smile spread across his face. "Chloe." he said. "They said you were dead!" I exclaimed, not daring to believe it was really him. "They were wrong. It's me, Chloe. I'm home," he replied. "No, it's not you. It couldn't be," I said in disbelief, shaking my head. "Once, Paige had to leave Brandon a love note as a dare. Other than Paige, only me and you know about it. Does that prove my identity well enough?" Josh said. It had to be him. Besides, didn't I want him to come home? Now he was home. I walked over to the gate and opened it. Josh wrapped me in his arms, reminding he of his soft touch and strong arms. "I've missed you Chloe," he whispered. "I missed you too," I whispered back.
We pulled away and Josh's eye caught Callie's. She'd been staring throughout our reunion, with confusion written all over her face. "Callie," Josh acknowledged our 8-year-old. "You've grown so big," he continued, kneeling before Callie and putting a hand on her shoulder. Callie's eyes met Josh's and never left them. "Are you really my daddy?" Callie asked cautiously. "He's your daddy all right," I reply for Josh. "Why have you been gone so long? I've missed you much! I love you daddy," Callie said, hugging Josh tightly. Josh kissed her forehead before carrying her up. "Let's go inside. Dinner's almost ready, right mama?" he asked. I nod and we go inside, where I go back to cooking while Josh and Callie spend some time together.
After Callie had gone to bed that night, Josh and I sat on the couch watching TV, with my head resting on his shoulder and his arm around my waist. "What happened? They told me you died in that earthquake two years back," I questioned. "I didn't die. They found me, but thought I was dead. Apparently, my heart sorta stopped at that moment, but started again soon after. I awoke hours later to find myself among other bodies with nobody around. Thus, I decided to leave the area to seek help. I managed to find a couple who was willing to take me in. The husband ran a small business selling fruits at a nearby store and he let me work there, paying me a small fee daily. I'd saved up for a plane home this past two years. It was hard since I had to start over and was earning only a few hundred dollars per day. Eventually, I saved enough for a plane ticket home and decided to book a flight back to Pittsburgh. That's how I got here," Josh explained. "I'm so grateful you're alive. We all thought you were dead," I say, wrapping my arms around him. "Well, I'm glad I'm not," Josh says. "Me too, Josh," I replied. I was glad he was home. These past few years, I'd wished over and over for him to come home and now my wish had come true. I said a quick thank you to god for bringing Josh home to us safely before turning my attention back to the present. "Promise me you'll never leave me again Josh," I demand. Josh looks me straight in the eyes and replies, "I can't promise I won't ever leave again, but I promise you, even if  I do leave, I'll always come home eventually."