I Never Expected You (I Never 2)

“Stop worrying, babe. Listen to your sister. It’ll be fine,” she whispers as we walk through the front door.

The four of us follow the sounds of our parents’ favorite band, the Beatles, to find all our parents dancing around the kitchen. It’s not anything unusual for them to be dancing in the house. I have plenty of memories growing up with my dad coming up behind my mom while she would be cooking and spinning her around and sweeping her off her feet.

I glance back at Dani to make sure she hasn’t run off, and her eyes are glassed over and set on my parents and the view in front of her. I think about pulling her into my arms to tell her she is strong and brave to do this, but I choose not to, so I focus my attention back on my parents.

As the music ends, I clap my hands together, yelling, “Encore! Encore!”

My mom jumps and turns around, placing her hand on her chest. I feel Dani grip the back of my shirt, standing out of view. My mom first notices me before her eyes move behind me to see Dani.

“Hey, Mama,” are the only words Dani can get out before my mom pulls her into a big hug.

“I missed you so much,” my mom cries into Dani’s shoulder, and I can’t help but feel the tears beginning to burn my eyes at watching this. “When your brother said you were coming today, I almost didn’t believe him because I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

Haylee taps my arm and nods her head in the direction of her parents. We

quietly walk over to where Natalie and Brian stand. They both pull us into a welcoming hug. Tears stream down Natalie’s face as she takes in the scene in front of her.

My dad moves behind them.

“Hey, baby girl,” he says as he pulls Dani out of our mother’s arms and into his. I watch as her arms wrap tightly around his waist.

Kyler sets down the tray of whatever he has been carrying around and joins us and the Hanks. My father releases Dani from his hug but keeps his arm around her shoulders.

“I hope you don’t mind that I invited Kyler.”

Kyler walks up to my mom, and she pulls him into a hug. “Of course not. What a wonderful surprise.” He then turns to my dad to shake his hand.

Haylee and I make our way around to say hello to Mom and Dad as Dani makes her way over to the Hanks. She slowly approaches—I can’t even imagine what is going through her head. Natalie yanks Dani into a hug, almost knocking her off her feet.

“About time you came home, sweetheart, don’t you think?” Natalie says with a smile.

Brian comes up behind Natalie and Dani, but Natalie gets defensive, not wanting to let my sister go. “Get your own Jacobs to hug—I’ve waited four years to hug this one.”

I wish I could blame her, but that’s exactly how we all feel.

So, he settles for kissing the top of her head before backing away and giving the girls more time. “Welcome home.”

We all laugh in the background as Natalie pulls back but doesn’t let go of her. Still in her embrace, Dani continues to cry.

“No more running, right?” Natalie asks, and Dani nods. “Because we’re your family here, and I’m tired of just your mom’s help in the kitchen. Haylee’s useless.”

“Hey!” Hails yells from my side.

I put my arm around her, kissing her temple tenderly. “Babe, I love your cooking, but…”

Before I can finish, she puts her forefinger in my face. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence, Zachary Jacobs!”

Even though she narrows her eyes at me, I see the playful smile across her lips, so I bite her finger gently.

Mom claps her hands together. “Okay, who’s hungry? We’ve got a full brunch spread made.”

Mom walks over to the tray Kyler set down on the counter, unsure what to do with it.

“Oh, I brought cinnamon rolls; they just need to be warmed up,” Dani interjects while wiping away her tears as she lifts the foil.

Kyler coughs and raises his eyebrows at her. A weird exchange occurs between him and my sister, and I’m not sure what that’s all about.

“Kyler made them.”