Finding my mum

56- meeting Janette's family

Today was the day that I was meeting Janette's family; the reason that I grew up without my mum in my life.

To say I was nervous was an understatement. I got up and got ready then went to say bye to Chloe. I could tell that Chloe wanted me to stay with her which is what I wanted to do but I knew that I couldn't put of meeting Janette's family forever.

Aljaz was picking me up while Janette was at theirs with Noah and her family. As soon as I got in the car Aljaz could tell that I was nervous. "You look terrified" "I am. What are they like?" "They're nice. Protective of Janette" "didn't she fall out with them?" "Yeah but they've talked through their problems" "Aljaz" "yeah" "do you think they'll like me?" "Is that what's worrying you?" "I guess. Plus I don't want to see Janette get hurt again" "that's really sweet, since you both fell out as well"

When we walked in the house, Janette came out to say hi and to give me a hug. Noah was in the lounge with Janette's family. "Hey, do you want to give me a hand getting some drinks?" "Sure" I put my jacket on the banister and followed Janette into the kitchen while Aljaz went to talk to Janette's family. "You ok?" "I will be once I've said hi. Can I sit by you?" "Of course you can. It'll be ok" "doesn't mean I'm any less nervous" "it'll be ok" "hope so. Let's do it"

Janette and I walked into the lounge and I saw Noah's face light up. I held  the tray while Janette handed out the drinks then sat next to Janette while she introduced me to her family and her family to me. Noah started to get restless on Lesly's lap and she didn't know how to calm him down. "Can I try?" "Yeah" I walked over to where Lesly was sat and took him from her causing him to calm down. "Missed you monkey" "he's missed you too"

I sat next to Janette bouncing Noah up and down on my lap. We all sat there in silence which made me feel awkward; whenever I was just with Janette and Aljaz we'd talk about anything but being with Janette's family I didn't know what to say. It felt like they didn't want me there; if it wasn't for Noah I would have left.

Aljaz could tell that something was up. "Hey Ava, do you want to come with me to get some food shopping?" "Yes please" "Ali, can you take Noah with you?" "Of course" "come on then, let's change him before we go"

Aljaz and I got off the sofa with Noah. I went to change Noah while Aljaz got Noah's things and put them in the car. Once I'd changed Noah, I took him downstairs, got my jacket off the banister and went to meet Aljaz in the car. I strapped Noah in then jumped in the front. "You ready?" "Yeah. Thanks for getting me out of there" "it's ok, I could tell how awkward you looked and how you wanted to get out of there" "I was. It felt like they didn't want me there. Do you think Janette will be ok?" "If I've learnt anything about Janette is that she's one of the strongest people I know and if you upset her then you should start running" "that sounds like Janette" "she's stronger than you think"

When we got to the shops, I got Noah out of the car and grabbed his bag; while Aljaz locked the car. We grabbed a trolley; I put Noah's bag on the bag hook then tried to put him in the seat but he wasn't having any of it so I decided to carry him to stop him having a meltdown.

Once we'd finished the shopping and put it in the car we decided to take Noah to the park that was by the shops. Aljaz text Janette to let her know what we were doing and to make sure that she was ok. Noah had a great time on everything Noah friendly.

After half an hour Noah started getting tired; Aljaz and I knew that if we didn't get Noah in the car soon then he'd have a meltdown. As soon as I'd strapped Noah in and put his blanket over him, he started to fall asleep. We hadn't even left the car park and Noah had fully fallen asleep. I text Janette to let her know that we were on our way back.

As we got closer to the house I could feel myself getting nervous. I got Noah out of his seat wrapped in his blanket and grabbed his bag while Aljaz grabbed the shopping.

After I'd tucked Noah in and stayed with him until he was fast asleep again I went downstairs to the kitchen to see if Aljaz needed any help. He could tell that I was still shaken up from this morning. Janette came in and I instantly knew that she wasn't ok. "What happened?" "I'm alright. Did you have fun with Aljaz and Noah?" "I did. Noah's fast asleep upstairs. Are your family still here?" "They are" "why do you look so worried?" Janette couldn't hold back the tears anymore; which caused Aljaz to lose it. He stormed into the lounge. "What do you think you're playing at? This isn't the first time that you've upset Janette but this is the first time that you've met Ava and you've done absolutely nothing to make her feel welcome; all you've done is blank her and make her feel awkward" Lesly and Alejandro didn't know what to say and you could tell that they felt bad.

Noah started crying so I quickly ran upstairs to comfort him and to calm myself down. When Noah and I had calmed down, we stayed upstairs to avoid the confrontation going on downstairs.

I didn't know what to do; I could tell that there was drama going on downstairs and wanted to do something. I heard people coming upstairs so I stayed where I was while they did whatever they were doing. I heard a taxi come and go so I knew it was safe to go downstairs. I picked Noah up and went downstairs. Lesly and Alejandro were giving Janette a hug and I was alright with them still being here. "Aljaz take Noah for me please" I gave Noah to Aljaz then held out my arms for Janette who walked into them. I stood there trying to comfort her but all she could do was cry. The others didn't know what to do or say.