Before I could reply, she jumped at me, throwing her thin arms around me. I closed my eyes, inhaling her familiar scent of sugar cookies—of home. I started to cry, my tears soaking into her shirt. It had only been four months since I left home, but it really felt like so much longer than that.
She finally pulled away and grasped my face between her hands, just looking me over. “You look beautiful, sweetie.”
I knew what she was really saying; I looked like myself.
“And who is this?” Her smile was wide as she reached up to hug Cade.
He seemed surprised by the gesture, but was quick to return it.
“This is Cade my…boyfriend.” It still felt weird to say that. Maybe it always would, because Cade was so much more than that to me. He was my savior.
My mom’s eyes widened in surprise and she clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful! Come on in,” she waved Cade inside, and then grasped my arm. It was almost like she was afraid if she let me go for too long I’d disappear.
We headed to the back of the house where the kitchen was.
Baking ingredients cluttered every surface, with cupcakes, pies, and cookies, all in various stages of completion. I hadn’t noticed before, but she even had some flour in her hair and on her cheek.
“I like to bake,” she shrugged, when Cade kept staring at the mess.
“She makes the best cookies,” I boasted, “have one.” I pointed to a plate on the table. “You’ll never want another cookie ever again.”
Cade chuckled and moved over to the table.
I looked at my mom, who kept glancing between Cade and I with a look of awe. “Where’s dad?” I asked, half-expecting him to pop out from behind me.
“He ran to the store to get more flour. I dropped a bag.”
Well that explained why she had flour on her.
“These are delicious!” Cade exclaimed, reaching for another cookie.
“Told ya.” I moved away from my mom to wrap my arms around him. He grinned at the gesture.
My mom watched on happily with a smile on her face.
She sat down at the table and gestured for us to sit down as well. She launched into a million and one questions like the typical mom, about school, friends, and particularly how Cade and I met. She found that part quite funny.
The door leading into the house from the garage opened and I jumped up with excitement.
When my dad turned into the kitchen I practically knocked the poor man down.
“Rachael?” He peered down at me, in shock that I was actually there. “I didn’t think you were coming home for Christmas.”
“Change of plans,” I grinned.
He hugged me again. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Me too,” I agreed, squeezing him tighter.
After he gave my mom the flour it was time to introduce Cade.
Even though I knew my dad would approve of Cade, it was still nerve wracking. I’d only ever brought one guy home.
“Nice to meet you,” my dad extended his hand to Cade.
“Nice to meet you too, sir,” Cade cleared his throat, shuffling his feet nervously. It was cute to see Cade so uncertain when he was normally so confident.
“Cade plays football,” I blurted, knowing my dad would be thrilled with that information.