FALLEN (NOW PUBLISHED ON AMAZON)

24.

I close the door behind me and take my shoes off silently.  I walk the first few stairs into the house and put my bag at the top of them.  I can hear them all talking and laughing.  My heart aches to feel them so happy as I missed out on all of that.  I don't want to interrupt them, but I can't just stand there until they walk my way.  I need to do something.

"Hello?  Mum?  Dad?"  I let out and walk my way to the kitchen where they must be making dinner and having a pre dinner drink.

The house suddenly goes silent as I hear utensils being put down on the counter.  I walk to the room to see them frowning at each other. I meet Dad first.  He was getting up and off the stool to come see what it was about.

"Grace?"  He only lets out and I slide into his arms.

It's so sudden, that he is hugging me back awkwardly.  He doesn't say a word and nobody else does, so I really don't feel at ease in this moment, but that's only until I hear my brothers being their loud selves.

"Gracy?!"  Simon lets out and I instantly get out of my father's embrace to throw myself in his arms, but they are the wrong set of arms.

"I can't believe this."  I hear him say as I hug the other twin.  "She doesn't come home in I don't know how long and she forgets which twin is which!" 

I smirk at Simon's cheekiness and I run into his arms.  He holds me so tight that I can't believe I have shut them out of my life like that.  I missed them so bad.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"  He asks me, holding me at arm's length, his eyes pierce mine with genuine care.  That's another thing I missed.

"You want the long or the short version?"

"Tell me you finally broke up with that wanker."  William lets out as I make my way to Mum and hug her.

I help myself with an ale in the fridge and take a seat at the counter between my brothers as Mum and Dad are getting dinner ready.  Nobody has talked and they wait for me to finally respond the question.  It takes half the bottle before I can say something.

"I broke up with Steeve."  I let out and sigh once it's out.

"Why?  What happened?"  Mum frowns and asks, seeming worried.

"Don't be too shocked, Mum.  It was long overdue."  Simon says with arrogance as it has been something he had wanted me to do for as long as he had known I was going out with him.

"Ronnie said something like that."  I smirk to him.

"Well, she is a brilliant gal."  He responds with a wide smirk.

Simon has never hidden his infatuation for her, maybe that is why I get all annoyed that men like her appearance, because I am truly annoyed at what my brother thinks of her.

It makes me think of Marcel and the Daddy issues he thinks I have.    I get mad instantly.  I hate this man so much.  My first impressions were so true about him.  He is such a double sided faced bitch.  I am so annoyed that I roll my eyes to myself.

William looks at me and slides his stool closer to my side.  He smiles gently and I get into his arm a second.  He is so calm and understanding.  He knows me so good.  It's nice to see that our bond hasn't changed even though I have been gone for four years from the house.

"You seem upset, do you want to talk about it?"  He whispers to me as he leans closer to my ear.

"Now is not the right time, maybe later...  Thank you, Will."  I thank him and get away from his arms.

"So did you leave your flat?" Dad asks, wearing a frown, not really giving me a hint of how he might be feeling.  "Where will you go?"

"What do you mean 'where will you go'?  She can come live here again."  Simon instantly looks at Dad with his own attitude and the most surprised grin on his face.