I smiled a sad smile at how scared and insecure he'd gotten lately. Before he'd do whatever he wanted to do when it came to me but now he seems fragile. 

As I quickly walked out of the baggage area I spotted the stunning Aunty P patiently waiting for me. I knew I hurt her by deciding to leave with these people but she understood why I needed to do this and that's why I loved her like a real mother.

As soon as she spotted me approaching her, she almost ran towards and engulfed me in a motherly embrace. It was like a mother being reunited with her own child after a long term of separation.

"I missed you honey." She sniffed trying to hide her tears.

"I missed you too Mom." I hugged her tighter; loving how the word mom just rolls off my tongue when it comes to her. Our embrace was shortly lived as someone behind me scoffed.

"Penelope." Angela greeted her with a hoarse tone and a grim expression.

"Angela." She shifted from foot to foot. "Zac." Her crooked voice came out just above a whisper making Angela possessively grabbed on to his arms.

Gosh, it's like high school here.

"Well thank you for having me; it's time for me to go." I informed them hoping they'd go away quickly.

"Wait, when's the next time you would like to come over... you should consider coming over for college there. We have the best colleges in New York." Angela gushed proudly.

"Yeah, you don't have to worry about the money." Zac spoke up after a while with an annoying smirk on his face.

"Well she still has a year to choose so it's really her choice." Aunty P retorted back folding her arms across her chest.

"Yeah-"

"Look, I'm exhausted and it's getting late, so I think it's better for us to get home before it gets late. Thank you once again." I interfered before Angela could start throwing her snide comments at Aunty P.

With that we took off with a fake smile thrown at their way. It felt nice to be back, the fresh evening air whirled around us with a hint of coldness in it. 

The musky smell of fresh grass and earth whizzed its way inside the car as we swirled across the steep mountains. The familiar sun was setting in the far horizon leaving echoes of red and orange hues over the deep reddish blue water, mirroring the image of sky.

"How was New York." Aunty P asked after a beautiful comfortable silence.

"It was good actually, I visited Aden's grave which brought back a lot of memories but for the first time they didn't hurt. It felt like I was finally able to let go. Other than that I was stuck with those two lunatics." I informed her.

"I'm really proud of you honey, you've come a long way you know. I just wish I was there to see you grow up. I'm sorry you have my sister as your mother."

We both burst into laughter at the thought of Angela.

"God that woman is something else. If you two didn't look alike, I would have never guessed you two shared DNAs." I told her.

"Well, at least they know you don't want to live with them, hopefully they'll leave us alone." She threw a gorgeous smile at me before turning her attention towards the road. "And thank you for coming back home, Shane said if you want he can stay at Brody's"

"No, no. I think I'm okay and over that situation now. I really needed this break; also I spoke to Caleb over the holiday so it's okay I think." I reassured her.

"Good." She responded simultaneously. "I've lived a long life and seen a lot of things Kira but I've never seen a 17 year old boy feel so deep for someone. Leila threw the Easter party this year and you should have seen him. God he looked awful and depressed."

"What do you mean?" I asked slightly worried about what he'd done to himself.

"He usually just stayed in his room but when he came out I almost didn't recognise him. Wait..." She dug into her jacket pockets and took her phone out. "There should a full family picture somewhere, he should be in that one."

I quickly scrolled past the tiled images to stop at the images where everyone was present. 

Taping on the screen I quickly scanned over the image to find Caleb. Usually he'd always catch my eye even if it was only a part of him, I'd recognise him anywhere but I had to wait for second to realise that the person standing next to Brody was Caleb.

His stubbles were transformed into full grown beard. His former spikey hair looked damp and hung limply across his forehead hiding his eyes. I don't think he shaved since I left.

"I should talk to him." I spoke up after a while trying to ignore the lump in my throat.

"I invited him for tomorrow." She informed me as we were pulling up in our drive way.

"He's coming." I told her.

"How about you get freshened up and I'll bring some pizza in your room."

And that is why I loved this woman.

"Thank you." I smiled at her and took all my bags up the stairs into my room.

After taking a long bath and stuffing my face with couple of splices, I decided to call it a day and reunite with my long lost love.

"Mmm, bed I missed you."

As I was getting cosy enough to sleep, an out of beat knock appeared on my door.

"Come in." I shouted refusing to move from my comfortable position. The dim fairy lights were still on so I could clearly see a very guilty face of Shane emerge from the little gap he created between the door and the door frame.

"Hey..." He did an awkward little wave and dug his hand back in his pocket.

"Go away I'm tired." I pouted making him smile.

"Well at least you're speaking to me now."

"Well yeah, I understand why you did what you did but it doesn't make it right though." I reassured him that we were fine now.

"I know, I'm sorry... I was-"

"-Trying to protect you and blah blah blah. I know I've heard it too many times by now." I chuckled.

"Sorry... but yeah." He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Where did you come from?" I asked because I didn't see him when I came in.

"Lacey's... okay, you go sleep bye." He awkwardly mumbled things out and nearly ran out of my room like he was trying to hide something.

That's when it hit me. "YOU SO DID HER OH MY GOSH." I screamed out loud enough for him to hear.

"SHUT UP." He shouted back making me laugh and roll around in bed. After turning the lights off I picked up my phone and saw there was an unread message from Caleb.

Caleb: I hope you got back safely, can't wait to see you tomorrow. Goodnight angel x

I didn't know if he fell asleep or not but I decided to reply just in case.

Me: I'm fine, btw liking the beard and all but gel the hair back ;)

Just when I was about to put my phone down he replied.

Caleb: Anything you want ma' lady.

Me: LOL, goodnight Caleb.

Caleb: Night Angel x

I smiled once again at the thought of him. 

There used to be nights I spent all alone stuck in a foreign room on special events like Christmas, New Year's Eve or even on my birthdays; there would be no soul on earth who'd wish a simple happy birthday or merry Christmas. 

I was alone in a cold lonely world for a very long time. I use to think there was nothing in the world for me to hold onto or I'd never be happy and be with someone who'd cared about me. 

I had always thought I'd get a simple job and live a solitaire life on the edge with no fear of death. I had no hope yet I was hoping and that hope brought me here today. 

Hope gave me the love and attention I wanted and needed. Hope gave me a family today and the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

With these distorted thoughts lingering through my mind, I quickly fell into a beautiful slumber due to the tiredness.