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BITTERSWEET
::  xix. | welcome home

"Mr. Reigns, do you know why you're here today?" The judge questioned.

He squinted his eyes as he shook his head, "Not really, your honor."

The judge put his glasses on and opened the folder that sat in front of him. He deeply sighed as he laid it open. He briefly looked at Miguel then back to the folder before continuing to speak.

"Seems like you've been a model inmate for the past month and a half." The judge commented, "Wouldn't you say so, Mr. Reigns?"

"Umm—" He nodded in agreement not sure of what to say, "Yeah, definitely."

"Do you know why you're here, today?" The judge questioned once again but continued to speak, "I have decided to let you go early. From you being a model inmate and whatnot. Do you accept, Mr. Reigns?"

He quickly nodded, "Yes, your honor."

"Then I hereby announce you a free man, Mr. Reigns." The judge rose the gavel up and slammed it down on the desk like podium, "Court adjourned."

Miguel's eyes grew wide from shock. He didn't see any of this coming. He then was walked back out of the court room and to where inmates are held until everything was arranged for him.

The judge exited the courtroom as well and retreated back to his chambers. He sat down behind his desk and then picked up the phone. He dialed Vanessa's home number and waited for her to answer as it rang. After about two rings, the spiraling mother finally answered.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Reigns, this is judge Colby and I want to speak with you about Miguel Reigns." He led with.

"Is everything ok? I never gotten a call from a judge before." There was a hint of worry in her tone.

"Everything's fine. I just wanted to make sure he had a place to go to when he got out — which is today." He mentioned.

Vanessa was taken aback by the news. She had no idea, "Yeah — he does. With me."

"Good. I just wanted to check in. You have a good day now, Ms. Reigns." With that, the judge hung up and sighed as he leaned back in his spinning chair.

It was news to Vanessa about Miguel. She had no idea he was going to go free early and that he was a model inmate because that's the only reason she could think of to make any of this make sense. Right after getting off the phone with the judge, she called her daughter. She thought Cole should know the news and would expectedly be happy.

"Mom, im heading to my next class. What's up?"

"Your dad is free. He gets out today." A smile plastered on her face as she spoke.

"Seriously? What time?" Cole was so excited to see her dad.

"I don't know, kid. Oh and before you go, he's staying with us while he figures out what to do." Vanessa finished telling her the news.

"I'm smiling ear to ear right now. Bye, love you." And the call ended.

She could sense her daughter was happy and almost late to class because of how abrupt the call ended. Vanessa wasn't sure of when Miguel would be coming so she took no chances into cleaning the house. Now he was going to be staying with them, meaning he would need to follow the rules — Vanessa's rules.

• • •

Cole rushed to her seat just when the bell went off. She was lucky to make it when she did. Once she sat down, she noticed Daniel a few seats away from her. He had leaned forward, over his desk to wave hi. She waved hi back with a smile.

She thought she would be the nervous, shy type around her boyfriend but it was the complete opposite. She wants everyone to know she has a boyfriend and who it is, the same exact way she felt when Mia and her became best friends — she wanted everyone to know that the popular girl is friends with the loner girl. At least that's how it starts out, then soon she just lives in the moment.

Their eyes were stuck on each other's when the teacher began role call. She knew she was all awestruck because he's her first boyfriend, but she wondered what was up with him. Why was she so different from the last girl? Those were thoughts that lingered in her mind as she leaned back in her seat, waiting for her name to be called.

What was his motive? What does he get out of dating the bullied girl? She never labels herself as the victim but in this case, it didn't make any sense.

• • •

It was late at night, Vanessa was making dinner while Cole was in the shower. She was making her famous steak and broccoli, Miguel's favorite. Since he hadn't yet showed, this was the perfect way to greet him home — temporarily.

Just as she finished making dinner and Cole walked into the kitchen, red and blue lights were flashing outside the windows. Vanessa and Cole immediately dropped what they were doing and ran outside to see what the commotion was.

As the front door swung open, the officer was taking Miguel out the car. Cole had the biggest smile on her face while her mom was taking a deep sigh in.

Vanessa approached him as he stood in front of the cop car. The two just looked into each other's eyes. Vanessa wasn't sure what to do. Does she hug him? Kiss him? So she acted before thinking, she slightly leaned on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his.

Cole was in shock because never in a million years did she ever think her parents would get back together — if that was even happening.

Vanessa pulled away and directed her eyes back to Miguel. With a smile she mumbled, "Welcome home."

After those two opening words, Cole ran up to her parents and hugged them both. As they all shared a group hug outside the house, the cops finally pulled off and the flashing of red and blue lights disappeared in the distance.

The pondering question is will that kiss make or break the Reigns family? It was different from the others because this one was passionate and she meant it.

Little did they know though, someone sat in a black suv watching them. It was no threat though because it was Agent Jareau. Her car had been off, watching them for awhile as a file laid open on her lap.

That file read the Reigns Family.

a/n:
tsk tsk.
any predictions?
&& amazing gifs
by daisyquakes <33