In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

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"I'm so sorry that we've made you feel that way all of these years Terra. You will always be our daughter. I don't know if I know how to be a good mother, but I promise that I'll try. You know you were a handful though, Terra. It wasn't easy to raise you. You were always headstrong and liked to do the opposite of what your father and I said." I just stared at her for a moment, going through my life here, like it was screen shots in my phone. She wasn't wrong. I knew that I had turned difficult, but it was usually me acting out to get some kind of attention from them, or because I was curious. I couldn't help it. When someone told me not to do something, it made me want to do it even more. I nodded my head, one short time, at her. "Okay, I admit that some of that was on me. But Mother, don't you realize that most of the time, I acted out just so I could get some kind of attention from you two? You were always gone, leaving me alone in this huge empty house. You ignored me, unless I did something that you thought would make you look bad." She looked from me to my Father, and sighed. She met my gaze again, and wiped the tears from her face. "I guess I just forgot that you still needed a mother once you got a little older. I was more concerned in showing you how I thought you should act, to gain respect from people, than in showing you that I loved you. I'm sorry for that.  I always promised myself that I wouldn't turn out like my mother, but I did. Exactly like her. I did the same thing to you that she did to me, and I'm so sorry for that." Now it was my turn to be in shock. "Honey, we've always loved you. I guess we just didn't know how to raise you, how to be involved. We may need your help to learn," My father said, putting his arm around my mother's shoulders and pulling her close to him. "I promise to try, but I need you to try as well. I do love you Terra. We both do, but you've got to stop being so defiant with us," my Mother said. What the hell was happening? Did I step into an alternate dimension? I was so confused. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded at them both. "I also wanted to tell you that Colby and I are engaged. We don't know when we'll be getting married yet though. I'll inform you of the dates, when I know. He also bought the old plantation house for us, for when we come to visit. Thank you for helping him find the house." They were quiet for a moment, then my mother met my gaze, her eyes wide. "Engaged?" she asked in disbelief. I nodded, and held out my hand to her, showing off the incredible ring that sat there. "Oh my," she whispered, taking my hand in her own. "It's gorgeous. This must have cost a fortune. What did you say he did for a living? An actor or something?" I pulled my hand from hers, annoyed that THAT was the first thing she asked. "Really Mother? You have to go straight to how much money he makes? Can't you just take a moment and appreciate that I'm happy?" I threw my hands up, then let them slap back down my sides, shaking my head. "He's a YouTuber. Remember when you told trying to make money from social media was ridiculous and that I wouldn't make any money? Turns out you were wrong. I need to go or I'm going to miss my flight." The almost happy mood that I had been in with the reconciliation with my parents was gone now. I stalked towards the door, not expecting them to call me back, just like every other time. "Terra, please," my mother's shaky voice stopped me. I had my hand on the door, but I released it and turned to face her. She had followed me out into the entrance hall. "You have to help me. I've been this way for a very long time. I want to try, but you have to try as well. We have to be patient with one another. Please." Her eyes were glassy, and her expression seemed like she was begging me to understand. I sighed, and released my anger, realizing that I had overreacted as well. "I apologize," I said. "I really do need to go, but I'll call you when I get back home in LA." She was wringing her hands, still looking worried. My Father walked up to us then. "Have a safe flight home dear. Congratulations on your engagement. You look happy." I gave him a small smile. "I am happy Father. Thank you. I need to go, but I'll call you." I turned back to the door, and opened it. When I set one foot outside the door, my Mother called my name again. "Terra?" I turned to face her, but didn't say anything. I just raised my eyebrows expectantly. "We love you. Be careful. I'm very happy for you honey." "Thank you Mother," I replied quietly, then stepped towards her, like my body was on autopilot again. I wrapped my arms around her, and buried my face in her neck. She still smelled the way I remembered when she would tuck me in as a child. Like her favorite Chanel perfume, with a hint of strawberry from her shampoo. It comforted me this time. She brought her arms around me, stiff at first, like she didn't know what she was doing. I just held on to her, waiting for what I wasn't sure would come. When I was about to pull away, she relaxed her arms and let them tighten around me. I felt the sting of tears in my eyes, but I didn't care. I finally had my parents back. At least, a little bit. We would have to work on the relationship and I knew that, but this was a start. "Okay," I said, laughing a bit, as I pulled back. "I have to go before I actually do miss my plane. I love you both." I hugged my Father just as tightly, then waved at them both as I walked out the door and to the car.