Gone 2 Long (Christen Press/You)

Chapter 18

Y/N POV

"It feels good to be home." I say as I let out a breath as Braelynn and I got off the plane in Los Angeles. Christen has camp here and they'll be doing some friendlies in California.

I thought it'd be a good idea to take some time off, well not take time off, I got leave. Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to spend some time with Braelynn and go to Ranchos Palos Verdes to visit my family since they haven't seen my daughter in a long ass time.

They haven't seen me since after I visited when I got back. I texted Christen letting her know we got to LA. She was obviously already here since they started training two days ago.

Braelynn is now on summer break which means I'll be spending a lot more time with her. Since Braelynn is on summer break, this also means my contract is expiring and I need to make a decision soon about re-enlisting if I choose to do so.

We'd be staying with my parents in the house I grew up in. I was excited to say the least and Braelynn was excited to see her grandparents in person rather than FaceTime as we've been doing since I've been in Utah.

I have a car that I keep here in LA so, I waited for my older sister to pick Brae and I up from the airport. She wasn't home when I got back from Afghanistan so, it'll be great to finally see her.

As Braelynn and I stood outside in the LA sun, I heard a honk and saw my sisters SUV pull up.
"TESSA!" I yelled as she ran up to me with open arms.

"Holy fucking shit the marines treated you well. I want to get ripped!"
I chuckled at her before she turns her attention to Braelynn who immediately latches onto my sister.

As they interacted, I took the liberty of grabbing Braelynn and I's bags and put them in the the trunk.
"Oh so, none of us told mom and dad you were coming home."

"Great. I couldn't wait to get back here."
"Tell me again why you're stationed in Utah and not home."
"Because that's where they put me? I don't get to choose. Plus, it's probably the best thing that could've happened. I got placed exactly where Chri- Braelynn is."

"How are things going with Christen?" She wiggles her eyebrows.
"Coparenting is going well."

Tessa quickly glances over at me before looking in the rear view mirror to check if Braelynn was paying attention. She was too invested in the movie on my phone to care.

"I thought you said you and Chris shared some smooches."
"We did and we- more like I decided to call it quits. She didn't call off her thing with Tobin so, I didn't want to be her second choice let alone the person she cheats on her girlfriend with. She already cheated on me. No one else should feel that pain."

Tessa fake sniffles and acts like she had tears in her eyes as she waved her hand in the air.
"What?"
"My little sister is finally maturing!" She squeals causing me to playfully roll my eyes.

. . .

I watched as Tessa walked into our families kitchen where my mom stood as my dad, my brother and his wife walked into the kitchen from the backyard. I hid behind the wall holding Braelynn in my arms.

"Mom I'm starving!" Tessa groans with a smile on her face.
"Luckily for you, Dad and I whipped up just enough barbecue for everyone. Jace and Sylvia are here too it'll be a nice lunch for the fam-"

"Well I hope you made enough for two more." I say as Braelynn and I came into view.
My mom shrieks as she runs over wrapping her arms around Braelynn and I before the others start to surround us.