(Lea's Pov)
We were on the train, my heart beating faster and faster as we neared towards the place I walked away from five years ago.
I left a lot behind that day.
My only real set of parents, not blood, but still loving and real.
My sister, whom I used to spend my childhood days, speaking to, playing with - living a carefree childish life with.
And lastly - the love of my life. My heart. I left it behind with him, whether he knew it or not. He had control over me. I was at his beck and call - only because I was so deeply in-love with him... Even if the feeling isn't mutual.
My pulse increased and I felt my stomach churn as my eyes never once left the window. It was coming back to me. All so familiar. I remember the night when Vince dropped me off at the train station, which I paid for my ticket and set off to Oklahoma, in hopes to start off fresh.
But here I was. No longer a pregnant teen mother. I was now a woman with two beautiful children and on my way to reunite with my past.
Time had changed me.
But only for the better.
I had started my route as a mother, learning more things as I grew. I watched my children grow and become the different people they were. Even though they hadn't fully matured and were yet to learn a lot, I could see a brief overview of who they'd become in the future. I let out a breath, looking down at them.
Across me, sat Drew, claiming he wanted to sit by himself. While Sophia chose to sit beside me. Right now, it was nine in the morning, both of them heavily asleep.
It was hard work getting them out of bed. They were drowsy and tired. But I when I used the reminder where we'd be going and to who, they suddenly looked alive. And now, here we were. On our way to Denver - my past life.
They would finally be able to meet their family. Father, grandma, grandpa, uncle, auntie. They'd finally be able to see them all. An image painted itself in my mind. It was of all of them, including Eric. A smile on their faces and all cuddled close.
That would become a reality soon.
And I realized, I was making the right choice.
"Mom." I heard Drew call, suddenly awake.
"Yes, sweetie?" I asked, smiling at him. He returned it, drowsily.
"Are we there yet?"
And as if on cue, the speaker went off. The train suddenly slowed down, before coming to a pause.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived in Denver." The distant voice announced through the speakers. The train doors drew open and people began getting up.
"We're here." I breathed, standing up and carrying the sleeping Sophia in my arms. She shifted a little, and opened her eyes.
"We're here, honey." I told her. It was as if she was suddenly awake. She jumped down from my arms and picked up her suitcase handle, rubbing her eyes.
We were here.
The place where it all started...and ended.
---
Memory. I never was one to have a great memory. As a teenager in high-school, when it came to knowledge test, I wouldn't be the one to get the best grade. But as I grew older, I found my memory growing stronger and more functional.
So here I was, leading the way to the house I remembered all so clearly. I saw the large house just a few steps away from me. Sophia and Drew were right next to me, rolling their newly purchased suitcases behind them.
I smiled lightly.
"Kids, we're here." I breathed, my eyes darting back to the mansion like house. They followed my gaze and gasped in surprise.
"That's a really big house, mommy!" Sophia chirped and I nodded along, feeling my anxiety build.
"It is." I replied, quietly. I walked pass the entrance, pausing when I was a step away from the door. Sophia and Drew jumped up and down, smiling.
"Ring the bell, Ma!" Drew rushed out. I closed my eyes, my shaky hand reaching out to press down on the doorbell. And I stopped breathing for a second. The only sound heard, was of my heart beat, pounding in my ears.
The door slowly turned open and I froze when meeting eyes with the person standing across from me. It was one of those moments, when you feel like you're dreaming and only seeing things. But here I was. Staring eye to eye with a person I held so much love and respect for.
"Lea?" She questioned, her voice barely a whisper. A small quivering smile broke out onto my lips. Her eyes watered with tears and a expression of shock was plastered on her face.
"Ma," I whispered out. Her brows furrowed and a sudden tear rolled down her cheeks.
Five years, since I had last saw my real mother. You could only imagine how I felt.
And suddenly, her arms were thrown around me. I didn't hesitate to hug her back. A silent sob left my lips and I hugged her tightly, a tear leaving my eye.
We stood like that for a while, until she eventually pulled back and stopped to examine me. I did the same.
Although she was a brunette, small strands of grey were sinking through her hair, but were hardly noticeable. Not a single sign of wrinkles had appeared on her face. She still had the soft, clear skin many women her age would envy. And her blue eyes, they were filled with emotions.
"God, I can't believe you're really here." She breathed, smiling brightly. The smile on my lips never left.
"Mommy?" I heard Sophia call, as she tugged on my black coat, styled like a trench coat. I peered down, watching as she shyly looked up at Vanessa, smiling as always. I wiped away my tears and looked behind.
"Where's Drew?" I asked, clearing my throat. She pointed behind and there he was, examining a Ferrari parked outside their house.
"Drew," I called him over. His eyes darted over to me and he skipped over, rolling his batman suitcase behind him.
Sophia and Drew stood side by side, in-front of me. Both of them were looking up at Vanessa. Her eyes widened and her lips parted.
"My God." She gasped, slowly inching forwards and hesitantly reaching out to touch both Sophia and Drew. I smiled, feeling different emotions dance in my stomach.
"You look just like your father." She told Drew, leaning down to peck his cheek. I noticed Drew's eyes brighten at the mention of his father. Ma, then moved to Sophia, examining her with adoration in her eyes.
"She looks so like you, Lea. But her eyes, they're Eric's." She breathed, leaning down to leave a kiss on her cheek, too. I bit down on my bottom lip, feeling myself grow emotional from the scene occurring. Ma looked up from them and to me, sighing, almost breathlessly.
"What?" I arched a brow in confusion. She smiled, shaking her head, before opening the door wider.
"Come in, please." She motioned. I looked down at Drew and nodded at them reassuringly, telling them to step forward. They grinned, rolling in their suitcases behind them. I followed behind them. Inhaling a deep breath, I took a second to stop, feeling a warm sensation build from being back here again.
"Pattie!" Vanessa yelled and a few seconds later, the familiar maid of theirs appeared in my view. Her eyes widened when she saw me. I smiled small at her.
The little amount of time while I stayed in Vanessa and Jeremy's home, Pattie had been very friendly and welcoming, but I hadn't gotten to know her fully.
"Lea?" She called in surprise. I nodded, biting down on my bottom lip, nervously.
"You're back?" She breathed in surprise, before shaking her head. She cleared her throat and faced Vanessa.
"Yes, Vanessa?" She questioned, not as formal as other maids and butlers would be. Vanessa held love for Pattie, mostly for the fact she had known her for long.
"Take their coats." Vanessa instructed. Pattie nodded, helping us out of our coats. I unzipped Drew's, while Sophia unbuttoned her coat. I handed them to Pattie. Her eyes lingered on me and she smiled softly.
"Welcome back." She whispered, before disappearing out of my view. A smile built onto my lips and sighed. Vanessa walked inside of the living room, motioning us to follow. I thought to myself, remembering the house so clearly.
I missed it.
When we entered the living room, Sophia and Drew sat down on the sofa, while I chose to stand. I was too overwhelmed with emotions.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Vanessa asked, her eyes darting between the three of us.
"Do you have coke? My mom never lets me have that." Drew grumbled. I shot him a glare.
"Of course, sweetheart. I'll be right back with that. Sophia, would you like anything?" She paused on her heels, turning to face her. Sophia shyly shook her head. Vanessa cooed at her in adoration.
The second she left the room, I awaited the questions. Instead, it was silent for a heavy minute. I sat down beside Sophia, drawing her into me.
"Ma, who is that?" Drew asked and I swallowed.
"That, is your -
" - Grandma. I'm your grandma." Vanessa finished for me. Drew and Sophia's smiles grew and they 'Wow'ed.
"Really? That's awesome." Sophia giggled. I couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah and it's lovely to meet you." Ma grinned, handing the glass of coke to Drew. He thanked her and began gulping it down. I chuckled, watching him chug it down as if he hadn't drank it before in his life. I paused with my laughter, looking up at Vanessa.
She pulled on a smile, but I knew she awaiting to ask me questions on my sudden arrival after five years. I breathed heavily to myself.
Five years. That's a long time.
"Well, aren't you two going to greet your grandmother, properly?" She questioned, forging fake hurt. Sophia was first to jump up from the sofa and ambled into Vanessa's arms spread out for them. Drew followed, jumping onto her.
"What's going on in here?" I froze when hearing a masculine voice. I felt my heart drum faster and I slowly turned to face the person I called my father.
Jeremy.
He looked exactly the same. The same full hair of brown hair, few strands of grey, which were hardly noticeable. Barely any heavy wrinkles and still in his same physic; strong and muscly. The sound of footsteps followed behind him and my eyes widened, when my eyes met with the other person.
Jaxon.
Mature, he looked much more mature and much like his elder brother. His blonde hair was slicked back and his jaw had become more defined. He was an exact copy of a younger Eric, only a slightly different looking.
"Lea?" Their voice chorused together. I paused, not knowing what to say or what to do. I slowly turned away to look at Vanessa, who held both Drew and Sophia's hand. I loved that they had already softened up to her.
I gulped, looking back at Jeremy and Jaxon. Their eyes were now focused on the two small figures holding hands with Vanessa. I sighed to myself.
This was going to be a long night.
---
Two hours later and the kids were sat on Jeremy's lap as he told them a story. Vanessa sat beside him, smiling whilst she would occasionally pinch Drew or Sophia's cheeks. I sat on a sofa across from them, Jaxon's eyes and mine, both locked on the sight of his parents.
"Wow, I've never seen them like that." He commented and I nodded along with him.
"They seem so...so happy." I smiled, watching Sophia shyly give Jeremy a peck on the cheek as he grinned, showing his teeth.
The moment Jeremy's eyes landed back on mine, I knew I was in for a questioning. At first, I thought he was mad and Jaxon too, but they were in shock and when I stood up to explain, they took their turn to hug me.
That filled my heart.
After they had hugged me and gotten over their sudden shock, they began questioning me what I was doing back here. And so, I told them three the story of why I was back. Sophia and Drew, they needed to meet their father and family - they had the right to.
I told them I would be here for a month and welcoming as always, Vanessa declared I would stay with them. After that, they got to know Sophia and Drew a little more. Jaxon and Jeremy both introduced themselves as Grandpa and Uncle. And my little babies warmed up to them within a minute.
I knew there are many questions left to be asked and many answers to be said. But they were holding back, only because children were present and they didn't want to overwhelm them as as well as me. I just knew I would be told off for choosing to leave within the near future.
For now, it was all fine.
I looked back at Jaxon, who already had his eyes on me. I smiled small, arching a confused brow.
"I'm sorry, I...I just can't believe you're really back and with...children." He breathed out.
"Eric's children." I pointed out, quietly. As till now, Eric hadn't been mentioned in our conversation. He was only brought up once, but I called him by 'Sophia and Drew's father'.
Jaxon slowly nodded, clearing his throat. The question which I was burning to know, left my mouth.
"How did he take it?" I blurted out. Jaxon brows raised and I sighed, biting down on my lip.
"The news about me...me being pregnant?" I quietly asked. I received no response for a few seconds, and I knew Jaxon was taking his time to think.
"I don't think...he was gutted. Heartbroken, that you were pregnant and left." He mumbled. My stomach churned, unwelcoming.
"Fuck, he was a mess. He wouldn't stop crying over it all - you left him while carrying his children. You could only imagine how hurt he might have felt." Jaxon sighed, thinking on behalf of Eric. I remained silent.
"Why... Why did you leave?" He hesitantly asked and I let out a heavy sigh.
"To start off fresh... for the better." I whispered. I heard him scoff. I turned to face him with a frown.
"Do you really think it was for the better?" He questioned, squinting his eyes at me. My mouth parted and my brows furrowed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Mommy," Sophia called. I tore my attention away from Jaxon and faced my little angel. I picked her up and placed her in my lap.
"I'm tired." She yawned, snuggling into me. I peered over at Drew, only to find him asleep in Jeremy's arm.
"We'll put him to bed." Jeremy offered, shooting me a smile. I nodded, standing up to follow him.
For the rest of the night, I continued to think about Jaxon's words.
I knew there had to be a reason for him to ask me that...
I just didn't know why.
•••••
(AN) Hello lovelies! What did you think of the chapter? And fuck yes, next chapter my babies finally reunite. I have it already planned out and can't wait for y'all to read. Thoughts on how it might happen? I've tried my best to make it different :) Cause, you know how some people have it cheesy. Hehe.
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