“All the luck,” Josh laughs.
“I’m sorry I missed your birthday. I really tried to get home earlier.” I’ve missed too many birthdays and holidays with my family. There’s a lot to make up for.
“Nothing huge, Riley-Star. Only my thirty-fifth. Your big brother is getting old now.”
I start to laugh. “Yeah? Soon I can call you grandpa.”
“Don’t you dare,” he growls. There’s a teasing tone to his voice, though, so I know he’s only joking.
Josh pulls up to the house and I can’t help but stare. It still looks the same as when I left it. Mom’s roses are in full bloom. There’s just something about coming home, it’s the one place you feel centered, where you can fully relax and recharge.
I grab the smaller bag and wait for Josh to haul the heavy one out of the car.
“Act surprised. Mom went all out. She’s been up baking and cooking since the crack of dawn,” Josh warns as he opens the front door.
A smile instantly forms around my lips. That means tons of yummy food. I can’t wait to dig in. It’s one of the things I’ve missed most about home. Nothing beats Mom’s cooking. She’s the best.
Josh lets me walk in first. I drop my bag in the entrance hall and walk through to the kitchen. The house smells divine with Mom’s cooking, making my mouth water.
“I’m home,” I call out, all excited to see my family again. I walk into the kitchen and take a deep breath of the tasty aroma hanging in the air.
“Riley!” Mom shrieks. She comes running towards me and I open my arms wide to brace myself for the impact. She engulfs me in a loving hug.
I smile widely as she starts to jump up and down, still holding me.
“You’re home … ahhhh … you’re home!” she squeals with happiness. She pulls back, frames my face with both her hands and smiles tearfully. “My baby is finally home.”
“Hi, Mom,” I whisper warmly.
“Share her with us,” Dad’s deep voice says from behind Mom.
Mom comes to stand next to me, her arm still around my waist.
“There’s my baby-girl,” Dad says with a proud smile on his face. “You’ve conquered the world. We’re so proud of you.”
His strong arms fold around me and he places a tender kiss to my forehead.
“I missed you all so much,” I whisper, basking in this moment of finally being back with my family.
“Who’s that I hear?” Logan calls from the hallway and then he walks into the kitchen. He shakes Josh’s hand and gives him a pat on the shoulder, before he turns to look at me. “Riley, just look at you.” He grabs me in a bear hug, lifting my feet from the ground. I laugh into his shoulder. “You’re all grown up.”
Sigh … nothing compares to finally being home. This is my happy place, right here with my loved ones.
“Go put your bags in your room and let me have all the dirty clothes so I can wash them,” Mom says, and then she points to all the delicious eats. “We’ll eat as soon as you’ve finished unpacking. You must be tired from the long flight.”
“Yeah,” I nod. “I’ll unpack it all quickly. I just want to shower the long flight off. I’m getting into my PJ’s and then I’m stuffing my face with all of that deliciousness.”
“You do that, sweetheart.” Mom gives me a loving smile which warms my heart.
I go upstairs, and as soon as I walk into my bedroom, I feel a sense of homeliness wash over me.
Sigh … there’s just no place like home.
It’s been a week since I got home. Everything is still the same as before I left for the trip so it’s pretty easy to fall back into my old routine.
During the day I help Mom at the daycare. Mom’s always had a soft spot for kids, especially babies, so as soon as I finished school she opened Tiny Feet.
Three other ladies help her so she doesn’t really need me, but I know she loves having me close to her after I’ve been away from home for so long. I really don’t mind. It gives me time until I figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.