It was evident that Addison had been away from home way too long. When it comes to going back home, you're supposed to be happy - excited even - to see your loved ones again. Even if the only reason you were doing so was because of the death of a family member.

She knew she should at least feel content to be mourning her grandfather's death with the people she loved. And yet, there she was, in the back of an Uber. So nervous, she was practically sweating out of her leather jacket.

There were just too many thoughts running through her head.

Like, how would her family react to her return home? After their fight two years ago, would her father even acknowledge her? What if he didn't, and they get into their typical screaming match? How much stress would it cause her poor mother, who only wanted her family to be at peace and love each other?

Would her sisters scold her for not having called, texted, or even visited during the holidays? What would she say - what would she do - if she ran into . . . him?

Letting out a sigh, Addison rested her elbows on her thighs, hiding her face in her hands.

"So this is what it feels like to not talk to your family after almost two years," she thought.

Staring down at her gray vans, she twisted the garnet, heart-shaped diamond ring around her middle finger. She then tapped her foot in an attempt to calm her ever-growing nerves.

This was her family she was talking about. Despite the death of her grandfather keeping everyone occupied, they'll still be happy to see her.

Besides, as her family, wasn't it technically their duty to love and comfort her? Even with her lack of contact?

"Hey, we're here." The voice of the Uber driver almost made Addison jump out of her own skin.

Her heart dropped at his words. "Already?"

She was so caught up in her thoughts, she didn't even get to enjoy her favorite part of riding in the car, taking in the view of the Colorado mountains.

He ignored her and instead got out of the car and headed towards the trunk.

Addison let out another sigh and looked out of her window. She couldn't help but notice that her childhood home was still in the same condition that it was in when she first left.

The big wooden-brick house stood tall, looking eerie under the dark gray sky.

She honestly didn't want to get out of the car, but when her driver opened the door, suitcase in hand, she knew she didn't have a choice.

He obviously had somewhere to be and didn't have time for her cold feet shenanigans.

"Thanks," Addison said, getting out of the car with her cross-body purse around her torso.

"Have a good day." He left her suitcase at her side then was on his way.

Addison sadly watched his car disappear, a dirt cloud forming as his tires rolled against the driveway rocks.

Pushing her long, straight hair behind her ear, she turned to look at the grazing horses and cows in the distance.

Her lips curved into a small smile as happy childhood memories of her and her sisters helping with the animals flooded her mind.

Though her mind wasn't at peace, the memories filled her with enough warmth and calmness that she couldn't wait to see her family now - her father included.

Grabbing the suitcase handle, she turned and headed towards the front door. Digging into her purse, she pulled out her house key and unlocked the door.

The minute she entered, she was met with silence and knew that no one was home. The Barrett residence was never this quiet. Not with six girls living there anyway.

Now that she thought about it, she didn't think she saw her parent's trucks either—only her siblings. If the house was this quiet and her parents' cars were gone, that meant that the girls were with them. Except, their Great Dane Daisy had yet to attack her, so that let her know that someone was home. They just weren't downstairs.

As soon as she closed the door, the floor above her creaked due to someone walking down the hall. Addison smiled, hearing the sound of Daisy's nails against the wooden floor.

"I'm not sure when Addy's gettin' here," said a familiar raspy voice that belonged to one of her older sisters.

Hearing her footsteps getting closer to the stairs, Addison hid off to the side.

"It's almost been two years. She's probably freakin' out about comin' home."

Addison watched the pale brunette come down the stairs with her phone glued to her ear and Daisy at her heels. "Knowin' Addison she probably asked Bailey to pick her up or took an-"

"Sage!" Addison tackled her older sister to the ground.

"What the hell?" Sage exclaimed, not comprehending how one moment she was on the phone and the next on the floor, getting smothered with kisses by her baby sister.

To make matters worse, Daisy didn't hesitate to join them.

The Great Dane was so big, Sage was barely able to breathe.

"Get off me!" She mustered up the strength to shove Daisy and Addison off of her.

Addison laughed as she got her face licked by Daisy, who obviously missed her. "Okay, okay! Nice to see you too, girl!"

An annoyed Sage got to her feet and picked her phone up. Luckily, it hadn't cracked when it hit the floor.

"I'll call you back," she said before hanging up.

"What the hell's your problem, Addy?" She yelled at Addison, who managed to get Daisy off of her and climb to her feet. "You scared the hell out of me!"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist." Addison's smile broadly. "I-"

"Seriously," Sage interrupted, stretching out her right arm, which she happened to hit on her way down. "You're so immature."

Addison frowned at her in confusion, while also feeling slightly hurt.

Sage had a look of anger in her green eyes that was very unfamiliar to her baby sister.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

Realizing how she was coming off, Sage let out a sigh of relief, pulling her into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry, Addy." She kissed her on the cheek and rubbed her back. "I'm just a little on edge with everythin' ya know?"

Suddenly remembering why she was here, Addison wrapped her arms around her sister tightly. "It's okay. I get it."

"I'm so happy to see you." Sage pulled away and caressed her face, "Look at you, gorgeous as ever. I guess it's the perks of bein' famous, huh?"

"Oh, stop it." Addison rolled her eyes and held her arms. "Look at you. Those greens eyes are still mesmerizin'. Brandon is lucky to have those eyes to wake up to every mornin'."

The mention of her husband caused Sage to slowly pull away from her sister.

Well . . . ex-husband.

It didn't take long for the light bulb in Addison's head to light up.

"Oh, right," she said, shaking her head at her own stupidity. "I forgot you guys . . . I'm sorry, Sage, I-"

"It's fine, it's fine." Sage crossed her arms over her chest. "You get a pass since you haven't been home for what - a year?" She arched her beautifully dark, thick eyebrows, silently scolding her younger sibling.

Addison fidgeted with her fingers. "Sorry?"

"Yeah, ya should be. I know you and dad left on bad terms but no phone calls, Addy? Not even a text?"

Addison opened her mouth to explain, but the front door opening and Daisy barking interrupted her. She turned, seeing her oldest sister Jolene leading the way into the house with groceries in her hands.

Behind her was Grace, then Mary Jane, Hailey, her mother, and lastly, her father. They were holding so many bags, it blocked their view of her. She decided to be mischievous and let her sisters walk by her towards the kitchen.

As soon as her mother passed by, she grabbed the bag covering her face. "Let me help you with that, mom."

The minute her mother saw her face, she erupted into screams, letting the rest of the bags drop to the floor. It was like a domino effect.

As soon as her sisters heard her scream, they dropped their bags, and before she knew it, Addison was being pulled into a group hug.

With a smile, Sage watched her mom and sisters all scream the same things in different high pitched voices.

"It's so good to see you!"

"We missed you so much, Addy!"

"I can't believe you're here!"

"It's been way too long!"

Breaking her gaze for a second, Sage noticed her father had put down the groceries he held to close the front door.

"I wonder how this is gonna go," she thought.

"You look so beautiful!" Whitney caressed her youngest daughter's cheeks with tears in her eyes.

"Don't cry, mom." Addison was tearing up herself.

"It's just been so long." Whitney pulled her into a hug again.

"I know," Addison admitted, closing her eyes and falling into her mother's embrace. "I know."

"Look at you!" Mary Jane slapped her butt.

"Hey!" It made Addison pull out of her mother's embrace.

"You're so skinny! They don't eat down there in California?" Mary Jane placed her hands on her hips.

"Sorry, MJ, not all of us were lucky enough to get the curvy gene." Addison's response made the girls laugh.

"You look great, don't listen to her," said Hailey, running her finger's through Addison's long hair.

"When'd you get here?" Grace crossed her arms over her chest.

"Like a minute ago. I took an Uber."

"A what?" Her mother frowned.

"Oh mom," Addison groaned, with a roll of her eyes.

"Why'd you take an Uber when you could have just asked one of us to pick you up?" Jolene scolded her younger sibling.

"You get all famous, and you can't call to ask for someone to come pick you up?" said a strong, deep, rough, and intimidating voice that made Addison cringe when they weren't on good terms.

The girls stood behind Addison, who turned to look at her father.

He hadn't changed a bit.

Roy Barrett still looked the same.

He still had the same gray, messy hair and thick mustache to match. A resting bitch face that scared any outsider who ever stepped foot into the Barrett household. He still wore the same old bland, plain, solid color button-up shirt with jeans that showed exactly how much work he put into his farm every day, paired with his work boots. You also can't forget his favorite brown coat, that's become faded over the years.

Addison held her head high, looking at her father straight into his hard brown eyes. "Hey, daddy."

"What the hell are you wearin'?" He said, as a way of greeting, cocking a gray, thick eyebrow.

Addison looked down at her outfit. She didn't see anything wrong with it. All she was wearing was a long-sleeved crop top with a choker to match, a leather jacket, high waisted blue jeans, and some gray vans, "What are you talkin' about?"

"It's freezin' outside, and you wearin' this?" He flicked the collar of her leather jacket.

"What?" She scoffed. "It's cute."

"It's Hollywood. That's what it is," he retorted, eyeing her shoes distastefully.

In Saxondale, Colorado, unless you were from the city and moved here, the essential attire included: jeans, jackets, flannels, button-ups, sweaters, coats, and boots.

It was the same thing in the summer, only minus the sweaters, coats, and jackets. But even for those coming from the city, after a while, they found themselves adjusting to the Saxondale style.

Roy obviously disapproved of his daughter's slightly adjusted Hollywood attire.

"At least she still has her modesty," he thought.

"Come on, leave her alone, daddy," chuckled Hailey. "She looks cute."

"Only Hollywood douchebags wear leather jackets in eighty and below 0 degrees weather."

Roy's comment caused Whitney to slap him in the arm. "Quit it."

"Are you done?" Addison asked him.

His mustache twitched, letting her know he almost smiled.

"Come here," he said, holding his arms out to her.

Addison didn't know how much she missed her father until she felt his arms around her. She closed her eyes, swallowing the tears that threatened to spill.

She hadn't felt this at home for a long time.

Roy kissed her on the forehead. "You're cold. This jacket ain't warm enough, is it?"

"I left all my coats here," Addison smirked.

She'd been so nervous about her arrival, she hadn't noticed how harsh the January cold was.

"Thank God." Whitney rubbed Addison's back and kissed her on the head. "You hungry?"

Addison pulled away from her father, nodding. "I could eat."

"Mom's cookin' our favorite," said Grace.

"Sausage, potato, and spinach soup," they all said in unison.

"Now, I'm starvin'." Addison's mouth watered.

"Everyone grab somethin'," said Whitney.

Her daughters did as they were told, leading the way into the kitchen with Roy following quietly behind.