As we drove to the Castle, I kept my eyes on the rearview mirrors and the women sitting in the back passenger seats. I saw Jamie look across to Mrs. Stan and then downwards with a sad smile as memories of the last time Jamie passed through here and it was out here, Mrs. Stan lost her beloved.
Justin himself appeared restless!
Did I make a wrong decision coming back where the ghosts of our past lay, to rebuild our future from scratch?
Dad agreed but so far I am waiting to hear mom's response because if she does return here tonight, it's all because of Jamie and Mrs. Stan.
Jamie kept blinking and wiping the corners of her eyes as I drove slowly through large iron gates continuing onto the long winding road, which I would have been speeding through, if it was Justin and I.
I finally looked away and out the side mirrors when Mrs. Stan moved closer to hug Jamie, something I should've done since I'm the one who brought her here with the assurance, there'll be no safer place in the city than the Castle, her home for the rest of our lives.
"Home sweet home," Justin chuckles, forcing a jolliness which doesn't reach his eyes when he exchanged a brief smile with me. I stopped the vehicle in front the Oak double doors leading the way into the Castle and our new abode.
Two of Cam's guys came to greet us, ready to open both back doors but Justin stopped them with a little wave of his had.
"Welcome home ladies" he sang opening the door behind the passenger seat for Mrs. Stan who wraps her arms around Justin's broad frame, weeping against his chest.
Leaning down, Justin buried his head in her hair and wept with her. Averting my eyes, I opened the door for Jamie, holding a hand out to help her, already aware that she'll want to walk in but as a fairly new bride entering her new home, I helped her out and lifted her bridal style.
"Logan" she squeal in surprise, looking behind us since PDA was not one of her strong suits, still I wasn't going to let the moment escape us.
Chuckling at her embarrassed blush, "hold tight," I whispered against her ear, grinning when Cam walks with his camera taking pics of maybe doing a video but thankfully Jamie's head is buried in my neck, otherwise she'd be screaming at him.
Justin and Mrs. Stan held back, allowing me to proceed ahead of them, the wide Oak doors opening as it would for a King returning home, a mantel I have yet to obtain.
"Wow Logan," Jamie exclaimed in awe, "this is too much," she was already objecting as I took her up the three short steps leading to the front door, squinting her eyes at Cam, already opening her mouth to object.
"Don't," I quickly stopped her, "let them have their moment and let's add it to our memories," I suggested when she turned opened mouth to argue with me.
Stopping in front the door, I kissed her opened mouth gently while the guys around clapped joyously at our PDA.
"Welcome home, sweetheart," I whispered because we are home!
Finally I am home, where I belong!
As I cross the threshold, Jamie whispers, "you can put me down now," but Justin following close behind, arm in arm with Mrs. Stan laughs out loud.
"Oh no, not yet." He laughs. "The party hasn't yet started and we still have lots more first time videos and pictures to take for our memories," turning to Mrs. Stan, "isn't that right, Mrs. Stan?" He asks looking down at her much shorter frame.
Laughing along with Justin, Mrs. Stan lifts her eyes to Jamie whose, still wrapped in my arms, "enjoy this moment Jamie, it won't happen again," Mrs. Stan says, agreeing with Justin but Jamie suddenly stiffens in my arms,
"Hey," I immediately whispered, needing her to be safe and comfortable in our new home as I walked into the sitting room.
Jamie tugged at my neck, gazing around the room.
"You changed the furniture?" She questions me softly, already aware of the answer, by the deep smile on her still pale cheeks.
I gently put her down in the centre of the spacious sitting room, where she first met my grandparents and where my grandmother because of her concern for Jamie, instilled fear at that first and last meeting.
I replaced the old set with floral prints in the colors of light purple, pink and small blue flowers set against a dark cream background at her brother's suggestions.
The five piece set along with a recliner and daybed set in solid cream fills the room, it's lighter tone, makes it more spacious and less intimidating.
I didn't have to ask but by her reaction, I smiled breathing a sigh of relief that she appreciated the decor.
Tightening her hand on mines, "I love it," her genuine smile confirming her actual appreciation for the room. "Did you change the furniture and decor in all the rooms?" Squinting her eyes, she looks up at me curiously.
Nodding, watching Justin sit in each sofa as he tests them out for his own personal comfort.
"It's your home," I reminded her, watching her turn on Justin.
"Okay buster, that one's mine" she motions for him to get of the daybed, "use that" she points to the recliner.
Shaking his head, "nah that definitely resembles him," Justin chuckles but, he's mocking me because cream is not my color.
Frowning, Jamie shook her head. "Nah," releasing my hand to walk further inside the room, looking around the room. "We've got place for a black recliner and a black daybed," she looks thoughtful, waiting for my opinion.
"Works for me" Justin chuckles, annoying her again.
Again, I had to remind her, "it's your call." I smile at the smirk which slowly creeps up her mouth.