That's How We Met ('tis the damn season) [Merder]

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After half an hour of Amelia's questions and complaints about what took her so long, Meredith finally gave in and told her the story of the hot mischievous stranger who left sparks of curiosity in her heart and mind. Amelia was so amused by Meredith's rambling, she didn't even remember that she was mad at all. A few minutes later their cab pulled up in front of a nice house and Meredith decided that she couldn't imagine wild and inquisitive Amelia growing up somewhere so nice and boring at the same time.

They both got out of the cab and headed to the front door. Amelia stood still for a moment and Meredith could feel all of her fears creeping in. She knew how much coming back here could hurt or heal her, there was no in-between, since her family had no idea of what she's been through last few years, so she just stood there next to her, waiting for her to ring the bell, giving her all the time she needed.

"It's going to be alright" she finally spoke up wrapping her arm around her shoulder lovingly, pulling her closer. "I'm gonna be there with you all the time." Amelia let herself relax in her sister's embrace for a moment until she pulled away and rang the bell. A few seconds later, they saw a door opened by a short, gray-haired woman.

"Amelia?" Women's face lit up the moment she realized her daughter she hasn't seen for years was standing in front of her, even though she had lost all the hope that she'd make an appearance this year either. Meredith couldn't help but wonder what it'd be like to have a mother for who just seeing her face would be enough, whose face would light up just like Amelia's mother did.

"Hi ma," Amelia said, and Meredith could see water forming in her eyes. Amelia moved closer to her mother, hugging her tightly, finally letting a feeling of familiar warmth comfort her and bring her past mistakes and struggles away. "I missed you" she admitted as she pulled away. The older woman was going to say something but Amelia cut her by introducing Meredith.

"Ma, this is Meredith, my best friend. Mer, this is my mother, Carolyn" she said looking at Meredith proudly because she knew in the last 4 years of struggling, she did something right, she found herself a person who she knew would be there for her no matter what, who's already proven million times that she'd never leave her alone, even if everyone failed her, even if she failed everyone.

"Meredith," Carolyn said smiling widely "it's so nice to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you." Meredith couldn't help but smile at her statement.

"It's nice to meet you too," Meredith said as the older woman wrapped her in a tight embrace. She felt so overwhelmingly good at that moment. She had barely met a woman and she already had shown her more warmth and acceptance than her mother ever has. Soon enough they pulled away and Carolyn invited them inside.

"Your sisters should be here soon, your brother should've been here half an hour ago, I have no idea what's taking him so long," Carolyn said as she helped them get situated in the living room.

For about half an hour, Meredith and Amelia sat on the couch in the living room, talking to Carolyn, catching up. "Maybe coming here wasn't such a bad idea"  Meredith thought to herself, she found Carolyn's company enjoyable. Soon enough the bell rang, and they could hear the door opening and people coming in even before Carolyn had a chance to stand up to greet them.

"Ma, we're here" they heard a woman's voice.
"We're in the living room" Carolyn answered her oldest daughter.

Meredith could feel Amelia tense up. She knew how her sisters made her feel, like she didn't belong, like she was the black sheep of the family, and quite honestly, she was, but in a good way. She was different in every way and Meredith loved that about her best friend.

A few seconds later, three women appeared in the room. They all hugged Carolyn and made their way to where Meredith and Amelia were seated.

"So the rumors are true, the prodigal daughter has returned." one of them said with a stern voice.