Coming home part II ~ Skyler Grey
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I stepped out of the terminal, pushing my luggage in front of me. The air around me was busy, people moving around like ants. I saw a small girl run towards her father and hug him. A sweet reunion that I wish I had.

I turned my gaze away from them, scared that my longing might taint them. I looked around to find Henry, in the sea of people. My people.

Now standing at the airport I remembered where I was. The city I spend my childhood in, the city I grew up in, the city I never wanted to leave.

"EVA" I heard Henry's voice from my left.

Turning myself towards the direction of the voice, my eyes searched for him. A smile crept on my face after finding him and I pushed my trolley towards him.

He looked the same, a little worn out by time, but still the same Henry I remember.

"Hey" I said as I reached him.

"Hello Eva, its so nice to see you again" he said hugging me.

"How are you?" I asked as he grabbed my trolley and we started walking towards the exit.

"I'm good, how are you? Everyone back in Canada?" He asked.

I stared at his face and saw the sleepless nights and endless worry. I finally saw how he had changed since the last time I saw him, and not in a physical sense.

"I'm fine, everyone is fine. How's mom?"

He sighed at my question, unsure of what to say, how to answer.

"She...she's okay, but could be better" he replied.

I nodded and didn't ask anything else. After a few minutes we finally reached the car. I opened the passenger side door and sat inside while Henry placed my bags inside.

I looked at the sky through the window, it was the same as I remembered, I took in a deep breath to taste what the air was like. It wasn't a stranger but it wasn't the same either. I wondered how much had changed in these past five years, people and places.

"But now that you're here, I'm sure you're mom will get better" Said Henry opening the door and sitting inside.

"I hope so" I replied cause I really did.

The ride back home was quite except for the usual small talk. Mom and Henry had moved houses a year ago so I didn't know where they lived. Henry said it was a thirty minute drive from the airport.

I took in the scenery as we passed by shops and houses and people. I thought about how many new people came here after I went away and how many who were here before remembered me.

My mind drifted to Ally. She was still here with Drake. I never told her I was coming, everything was so sudden and quick. I wondered how she would react if I called her. Would she be happy? And to what extend? And Drake? I wondered about Mason, who wasn't here and how I really wanted to see him badly now. I thought of Carter........

"We're here" said Henry as he turned off the car.

I stared out the window and saw the house. It was big, bigger than the last one they had. Sometimes I forget Henry is a successful businessman.

I opened the door and stepped out, stretching my legs. My body felt so stiff from all the travelling. 

"This is beautiful" I said looking around.

The garden was bigger too, filled with sunshine and flowers.

"You're mom wanted to have a house with a big garden, said you kids always wanted one"

I nodded looking at this different colour flowers. Imagining my mother watering   watering them while she sang to the birds.

"Why don't you head inside? I'll bring your bags" he said as he opened the door to get my things out.

"I'll help you" I said stepping towards him.

"Oh no, you better go inside and meet your mother. She's been waiting for a long time"

I nodded and turned around, heading towards the main door. Opening it I walked inside, the house was more beautiful from the inside. It was like my mom's dream house.

The door opened to a hallway, its walls decorated with paintings. The hallway opened to a small hall, chandelier looking graceful in the air. Underneath it was a small wooden table and a little further was a staircase which led to the upper section.

I loved it. Although it looked grand, it felt homely. And it wasn't too much. I placed my handbag on the table and looked around once again.

"Mom?" I called out in a loud voice.

After a few seconds one of the doors in the hall opened. My mom stood in the doorway and looked at me, her eyes boring into me before a smile spread on her face. As if she wasn't sure I was there.

I smiled back at her as I hurriedly walk over to her.

"Oh my god, you're finally here!!!" She said as I hugged her.

She had lost weight, even from distance I could see the weakness but this close it felt real and scary. She was more bones now than flesh.

"I love you" I said as I inhaled deeply. Closing my eyes for a moment to calm myself down.

"I love you too and I'm so glad to have you here" she laughed.

I pulled away from her and looked at her face. Her happiness more evident than her features.

"What were you doing?" I asked.

"Oh I was making lunch for you, I'm sure your very hungry"

"Mom, you should be resting" I said starting to get worried.

"I am resting but today is special so I had to make all your favourite dishes. Anyways how was the flight?" She asked as she opened the door and stepped inside what I assumed was the kitchen.

I walked inside, closing the door behind me as I got ready to talk to her about everything and nothing.

Suddenly it felt good to be back.

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"This is the living room" Said mom as she opened the left door in the hall.

We had finished eating and now she was showing me the house. The food was delicious, all her signature dishes that I missed so much.

The living room was again grand. There were couches and a fireplace. One side of the room was complete glass from ceiling to floor that opened in the garden.

"We usually when Henry's business partners and colleagues come for visit. There's a smaller living room down the hall for family and friends." She said.

I nodded looking around. After lunch Henry had gone back to work to attend an important meeting.

"I love the glass wall, the garden looks beautiful" I said moving over to the fireplace.

The wooden shelf above the fireplace was filled with photographs and decoration pieces. There were pictures of six of us together as a family, then four of us with mom. There was a picture of a young women which I assume was Henry's first wife, next to her was a picture of Henry and Kaiden.

My eyes lingered on Kaiden, his smiling face and shining eyes. It wasn't a very old picture, probably taken after Henry and mom started going out together.

"I just thought it would be unfair to not have his photo here, even after everything he still is Henry's son." said mom picking up the picture.

I shifted my eyes away from the frame, stopping the memories from surfacing again.

"Henry was very disturbed after what happened. It was hard seeing his pain, he looked like a parent who lost his child"

She placed the picture back on the shelf. My eyes landed on the picture of mom and Henry. They looked happy and peaceful.

"Anyways lets go see your room"

We climbed the staircase which opened to a small open area, there were couches, television and a small open kitchen.

"I made this for you all, so when you come visit you'll have your space."

"Daniel and Alex will love this, the three of them will turn it into a play area." I said with a smile.

I couldn't wait to show them the house and see their reaction. I was already starting to miss them.

"Down there are rooms for all of you, I prepared the first one on right for you"

I walked over to my room and opened the door. It had a queen sized bed, a shelf with some books, a working desk and a dressing table. On the left were two chairs with a coffee table.

"The closet is in the washroom, Mary has already brought your bags upstairs" said mom pointing at my bags placed on the floor near the table.

"Who's Mary?" I asked.

"That would be me" came a voice from outside.

I turned and saw a women, in her late 30's standing in the doorway. She had dark skin and her hair were contained in a nice bun. She had one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen.

"Mary is a new addition to the family. She takes care of me and the house and now you too.  We can't survive a day without her."

I nodded with a smile and moved forward to hug her.

"Nice to meet you" I said.

"You too Miss Evans, I've heard lots about you"

"Please call me Eva"

"Okay, I'll let you rest for a while, I'm so happy to finally see you again" said mom

"Me too mom, me too" I replied.

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"Here you go" I said handing mom her medicine and a glass of water.

It has been five days now since I came back. Although I miss everyone back home terribly it was nice to spend time with mom again. I didn't realize how much I missed her until I met her. We had just finished breakfast and were sitting in the living room.

"I was thinking yesterday that ever since you came back you have been locked up in the house. Why don't you go out, meet some old friends?"

I took the glass away from her and placed it on the table.

"I like spending time with you mom"

"But you'll soon get bored and I don't want that. Why don't you go and meet Ally?"

I still haven't told Ally I was here, I have been thinking about her but didn't know how to approach. We haven't talked in a long while.

"Okay" I said nodding, "I'll go meet her today."

After changing in presentable clothes and making sure mom was feeling okay I left. Henry had given me a car of my own to drive around, so I'm not dependent on anyone.

I didn't know where Ally lived now so I went to her old place. Mrs James opened the door after the third bell.

"Oh my god, Eva? Is that really you?" She said in her same usual shrill voice. The same voice Ally has.

"Yes its me Mrs James, how are you?" I asked hugging her.

"Im good, I'm good come one in"

She led me to their living room, talking about how happy she was to see me.

"I'll go bring some tea"

"Oh no, its fine, I just came to ask where Ally lived now. Wanted to surprise her."

"But we have so much to talk about, catch up on. I missed you very much" she said with a pout.

"How about I come some other time and spend the whole day with you?" I asked.

"Yea, thats a great idea now" she replied with a little jump.

"I missed you too Mrs James" I laughed.

After she told me the address I started driving towards Ally and Drake's house. I was glad I still knew most of the directions and places, if I didn't it would be like a betrayal.

It was nice to see Ally's mom again, to walk inside that house where I've spend so many evenings in. I had a smile still plasered on my face from Mrs James lovely embrace when I stopped the car in front of Ally's house.

Stepping outside I walked over to the front door. I didn't know why I felt so nervous. This was my friend of so many years, she was in more than half of my treasured memories. Then why was I suddenly feeling awkward and weird to see her.

I took in a deep breath and pressed the bell. The window beside the door had potted plants lined up, I remember Ally loved flowers, her room used to be filled with flowers.

As I was watching the flowers, the door infront of me opened.

She looked at me for a moment and when her mind finally registered who I was, her eyes widened.

"Eva?"

"Hi Ally" I said with a small smile.

"Oh my god" she said moving forward to hug me.

"How are you?" I asked as I hugged her back.

"Im good, how are you? When did you come back?" She asked stepping aside so I could come in.

"Just a few days ago, I hope I didn't disturb you" I said.

"Oh no, I was just going to make breakfast"

Her house was small and cozy, it wasn't decorated much but gave a homely vibe. She led me to the kitchen , I sat on a chair with a small table next to it.

"You look great, I guess Canada has been treating you well" she said pouring some coffee for me.

"Thankyou" I said as she handed me the cup.

My eyes lingered on her, Ally has changed, there were no shiny earrings or fancy hairstyles. She wasn't smiling as big as she used to, niether did she give one iver exaggerated expression. She felt so plain.

"Where's Drake?" I asked as she sat on the chair in front of me.

"Oh he....he had some work to do so he left earlier" she said not meeting my eyes.

I nodded, taking a sip of the coffee. It was delicious, Ally always made delicious coffee.

"What about you? Did u come to visit? Are all of you back?" She asked with a soft smile.

Ally never smiled soft, her smile was always bold.

"No, its just me and I'm not here for a visit" I said.

I looked up at her and sighed.

"Its mom, she.....she has cancer."

"Oh my....I'm so sorry Eva" she said, a sad expression her face.

"Yeah, its affecting her mentally now so I had to come"

"She'll get better, don't worry"

She reached out for my hand and squeezed it. I smiled and squeezed back. It was nice seeing Ally again, meeting her after all these years. I missed her alot.

"How is everyone in Canada? Twins? Your dad?"

"Everyone is okay. Twins and Millie have grown up alot. They miss you alot" I replied.

"Oh I miss them too" she replied then looked me in the eye.

"I miss you all"

I took another sip of the coffee as I heard the front door unlock.

"Ally? I brought your eggs and bread"

Carter.

I felt my body go rigid as a shiver ran through me, I could recognize that voice anywhere, anytime.

"Also, I'm not your delivery man"

Carter stepped inside the kitchen, his hands holding bags containing eggs and bread. He was wearing a simple white tee with light blue jeans. I was glad to see his hair were still the same mess they used to be and not the gelled back one I saw on the tv few weeks ago.

His eyes landed on me and he stopped, surprise and recognition exploring his face before he turned it back to the same white canvas.

A canvas I always wanted to paint.

His eyes found mine like they did all those years back in the english class where we got paired up for an english project. They were the same hazel. Kind and haunting.

"Thankyou very much for bringing these" said Ally, breaking the spell, the moment between our eyes.

She walked over to him and Carter handed her the bags.

"Eva came back a few days ago" said Ally to Carter and she placed the eggs and bread on the counter.

"Hi" I said getting up, finally finding my voice and control over my body.

"Hey" he responded back after a few seconds. Still unsure if he saw me, if I was really here.

"Want breakfast?" Asked Ally.

His eyes shifted from me to her.

"No I'm already late, need to get back to work" he replied.

His eyes came back to me and then to Ally. Mine were glued to him and no matter how many times I willed them to look away they didn't.

"I'll see you and Drake in the evening"

Ally nodded, waving him goodbye and going back to her eggs. He looked at me one last time.

"Welcome back" he said then turned around to leave, I watch him hesitate a little by the door and then in one swift movemnet he was gone.

My body still felt numb and I could hear my heart beating in my ear.

"Now we can have breakfast together" said Ally.

I didn't know how long I was zoned out, or how long she had been looking at me. Getting a grip of myself I shook my head.

"No thankyou, I already had"

She nodded and got back to her work. I walked over to her, leaning against the counter as she lit up the stove.

"How...how's he doing?" I asked casually. As casually as I could.

"Carter?" She asked looking at me.

I nodded, playing with my fingers.

"He's doing good, really good. The company is flourishing, people say he's better than his dad."

Ally paused for a moment, before grabbing an egg and turning to look at me.

"He's dating."

I looked back at her and tried to keep myself as normal as I could.

"She's really nice. Sweet and kind. He's happy"

"Oh that's great to hear" I replied with a stretched smile.

"What about you? Seeing someone in Canada?"

"No, not really" I replied, my mind getting lost in thought.

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Carter is back!!!!! With eggs and bread. Ever since I thought of making a sequel I was so excited for writing this chapter. I really hope you all liked it.

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Love
S. Maham Fatima