Loving You

XXVII. Accepted

Saturday, April 23rd, 2016

The moment we pulled into my driveway, I realized I hadn't told anyone that we were coming home tonight. I instantly felt bad. I hoped we weren't going to interrupt anything.

"We're home!" Bexley squealed so loudly that Duke whined. She laid her head back against her seat and cried a little bit. "I missed home."

"Me too, baby," I responded, reaching back and squeezing her leg lightly.

As we were getting out of the car at close to ten o'clock, a car pulled up behind us. I wasn't sure whose it was because of the bright headlights, but it didn't take long to figure it out. The car stopped and the driver's door flew open while it was still on. Hugh quickly came into view as he ran over and threw his arms around me.

"Baby girl! I knew that was you. I saw y'all drive passed The Piglet, when I was gassing up the Geo. You shoulda told me you were coming home tonight." I hugged him tight, so happy to see him, but it was clear to me that he was high. And not on weed, either. More likely crack or fentanyl.

"I'm sorry, Dad. It was last minute. Do you want to come inside and spend the night? I'll make you breakfast tomorrow morning." He thought about it for a couple of seconds.

"No, thanks. It's late. You settle. I'll leave my car here, though. That make ya happy, kiddo?" He dug into his pocket and pulled out his keys, handing them to me.

I smiled softly, closing my fingers around his keys, and dropping my bags so I could give him a proper hug. "Yes. I love you. Be safe." He pulled away, jumping from one foot to the other, clearly antsy.

"Always am. Sorry 'bout this. Just excited. See ya later, darlin'." Before I could say anything else, he disappeared into the night, leaving his car running.

"That was freaking weird," Casper commented, helping Bexley out of her carseat and maneuvering her to one arm, while he grabbed a few bags with his free hand.

"Uh-huh." I didn't want to talk it in front of Bexley, so I changed the subject. "Do we have everything?" I grabbed four different bags, and resolved to grab anything else later.

"Looks like it. Let's go, Duke." The second he heard Casper say his name, he came running obediently. The three of them headed inside while I set the bags on the porch and then ran back to tun off and lock Hugh's car.

When I made it inside, the house was mostly dark except for the kitchen where I heard voices. Cas and Bexley were nowhere in sight, so I headed back toward the only audible sounds. Cas had Bee sat on the counter while they both giggled about something.

"Mommy! We just got to see deer outside!" She swung her feet against the counter softly, while munching on a plain piece of sandwich bread.

"That's so cool!" Leaning against the counter in front of her, I had a hard time keeping my whole-body exhaustion at bay. Not until I heard Soren gasp behind me.

"Am I fucking dreaming?" He squealed and I didn't even bother scolding him for the curse word. "You're home?" He grabbed me in a tight hug. I squeezed him back just as tight. "You didn't tell me."

"It was a last minute decision. But I'm back for good," I responded once he finally let me go. I'd missed him so freaking much. "I have so much to tell you." I yawned involuntarily, and Soren chuckled, reaching for Bexley and hugging her. She laid her head on his shoulder and he walked up and down the hallway with her, both of them talking softly to each other. Eventually, it got quiet, and Soren came back with Bexley totally asleep, her head on his shoulder.