Pulling into the beautiful beautiful home where my parents lived was one of the best things ever. It'd been a while since I'd last seen them and I honestly missed my moms famous cream cheese squares. They were black people from Mississippi who moved more towards the farm country by the big cities, when they got married, your average loud and happy "old" folks. Ma and pa were my favorite people in the world she I loved being with them. Two of my siblings were still living here, as they were high school students. As well as my niece, who had been dropped off by my older sister. I guess she couldn't be bothered with her child?
I got out of the car immediately. I had made sure to change into a cute black flower crop top with bell sleeves and some jean shorts. My hair was braided into a bun now and I felt good. I was so ready to go inside though and finally be out of this damn car. As soon as we stopped outside the adorable little home I remembered growing up in as a kid, I hopped out and grabbed my cat.
I hurried up the front steps, looking at the flower fields and farm land around us. The neighbors were close and I even waved at some of them who were working outside. I remembered most of these people from my entire childhood and it was common for me to make small talk whenever I visited.
Lily hauled a bag of treats for the younger people as we waited for the door to open. She wore some baggy jeans and a loose shirt with a jean jacket. Her hair fell over her shoulders and her eyeliner was neatly done underneath her sunglasses. I smiled, knowing my siblings loved when she spoiled them.
It wasn't long before I heard some shuffling around the door. A few muffled voices rang past the door and the familiar scent of..well…grandparent house came through the door. My mother and father stood there, bright smiles on their faces. My ma held out her arms and I immediately jumped into them, hugging her tightly. Snow had just enough time to jump out my arms and run into the house.
That led to a little girl's shriek..either of happiness or complete terror. My niece, who was just turning five, hadn't seen Snow in a long while. We usually didn't bring the little fluff ball back to my parents place as we had to take planes to visit. She was probably not used to seeing a cat yet.
I gave my dad a warm hug as Lily greeted my parents herself, allowing myself into the family home. It was just as it always was. Portraits of when we were kids and my nephews up on the walls and sitting on anything with a surface. Little trinkets my mom would collect to put around the house, my dads awards and certificates for everything he'd ever done. Even some of my siblings medals were hung up and encased forever. I smiled seeing my young authors award as well.
I then squealed when I locked eyes with the cutest little girl I'd ever seen in my whole life. Amelia! She was precious, her big brown eyes and her soft caramel skin. She looked just like my older sister with that black hair of hers that seemed to go on forever and was curlier than a curly fry.
"Auntie Eva!" Amelia ran to me, her arms out. Snow had been curled up beside the fireplace, hiding amongst the pillows that were set in front of it. It had been my favorite spot to write when I was child, and I honestly still loved it to this day.
"Lia! I missed you, girl!" I picked her up
And spun her around, laughing as I did so.
Lily soon ran in, taking the little girl from my arms and play wrestling her onto the couch. It soon evolved into a tickle fight with Lily winning and Amelia screaming "stop I'm going to pee my pants!" before they all settled down. That was when my little brother and sister came in.
Destiny, my little sister, had just turned fifteen and was pretty feisty. She was more interested in parties than school though, which got her in trouble more than once. Then there was Brayden. My little brother was nineteen and much taller than I was. He was maybe a few centimeters taller than my wife and played basketball most of the time. He was a straight A student though and Lily was sure to reward him for that.
She called them all to sit on the couch and she got to work passing out her goodie bags. For Destiny; A gorgeous skirt that complimented her skin as well as a bag of chocolate and a Starbucks gift card. Pretty much the survival kit for teenagers like her.
Brayden got a basketball pin for his backpack as well as a shit ton of candy. I had protested against it but Lily insisted he got what he deserved. And he was pretty stoked to find the extra twenty bucks they my wife had thrown into his little gift bag.
Finally, Amelia received her gift. A pretty self-stitched doll and an entire closet full of clothes. A wheelchair for the doll, and some cookies in a bag. Lily knew just how to woo the kids over.
"Thanks, Lily. I'm so glad my sister chose to marry you and not that guy-" Brayden started to speak before I smacked him on the shoulder.
Lily laughed. "It's no problem, Bray, I love bringing gifts for you three. And besides, I gotta be the favorite!"
I giggled at that, knowing it was true. She would be heartbroken if Amelia ever chose anyone else to be the favorite auntie over her. My parents soon had us eating till we were sick and then watching my moms favorite show with her. She told us the daily gossip going on in the town and asked us questions throughout. It was just like when I was a kid.
I remember inviting Lily over back before we were dating. She would always get my sibling's attention and they loved her more than the world itself. She was like a giant magnet to my whole family, always pulling people in. I never realized it until we got married. She had always just been the one person my family ever accepted. Compared to all our old high school friends and ex lovers, my parents would always ask about Lily. "Is Lily visiting?" "When is Lily going to come by?" "How is Lily doing?". It was like that through all of high school.
"Lily I made your favorite!" Ma ran into the room and took my wife's hand. Lily's eyes lit up and she followed my mother.
I giggled and took a seat on the same old comfy couch, looking up at the TV. It was playing "Finding Nemo" and Amelia seemed entranced by it. I was a book nerd, but children's movies could always get me off of writing. Lily would joke about when we have kids and how I wouldn't get any work done cause I'd be too busy watching movies with them or playing games. Which, in my defense, didn't sound half bad.
I soon got up to go check on my mom and Lily, seeing them in the kitchen. I had guessed it correctly, my mom had made some cream cheese squares and Lily had already started eating one while talking to her. I walked up behind her and rested my head against her back, putting one on a plate for myself.
"Thank you again ma'am, I wish we could stay for longer." Lily was saying when I took a bite.
"I know, you ladies still have a little under a day before you get to the city."
"Mhm, and then we've gotta go to the more rural area of the city to find the place."
"It's such a cute home though, I will definitely be coming by once your settled in."
"Of course! We might host a house warming party, Evergreen has already planned it out."
I laughed at that, knowing it was true. I couldn't help myself when I was excited. Parties were fun! And housewarming parties? How could I pass up such an opportunity? Maybe there was a common party gene with the ladies in my family. First my big sis, then my little sis, now me. I wonder if mom was ever big on parties.
We continued through the rest of the day, hanging out with everyone and talking. Lily and I took a nap in my old bedroom, which still had everything in it besides clothes. I remember looking across the bed and seeing my big sister with her headphones on while she lay in bed. And above that was where my big brother hung out. Oh, and, on top of my bunk! That's where our eldest sister used to sleep.
I shifted in bed to face my wife. Whenever we had sleepovers, she would always sleep beside me and not in the top bunk. Even though my older sister had long been moved out of the house. She said I was warm and much more comforting than the empty bunk up top. It was like a blank slate up there, it had been for a long time. My eldest sibling had left for college when I was…what? Fourteen? Thirteen? Then Jake moved out not to long after and Angel got herself hooked on substances I never even dreamed of touching.
Anyways, it wasn't like we had to share a bed during sleepovers. I guess I never realized she had a crush on me back then. This was what all girls did at high school age. Sleeping in each other's bed, braiding each others hair, talking about our crushes and dreams. We really were just best friends…but in all that time, she was flirting and hinting at her feelings while I was oblivious and in love with anyone but her.
I'm so glad I chose to change that. I chose to finally accept her advances, even if it was in Freshman year of college. And I'm so glad I accepted to marry her when got out. And I'm even happier that I said "I do." And she said it too. Because now the Little Rock on my hand was so wonderful to play with, I loved knowing it was there. I loved knowing I was hers.
Lily and I soon got up and changed again into comfortable clothing. She put her hair up and kissed me for a long time, playfully rubbing my skin. We were both excited to get home, after a long three day drive. Soon enough, I told myself, Lily and I would finally have something to call our own. Something that we really owned together.
I walked outside and we ate some lunch that my dad had cooked for us. His one of a kind sausage links and rice, with some of the most delicious dinner rolls in existence. I was in heaven as we ate. My siblings told me about school and Amelia talked about her mom getting her some dresses for a party they were going to. I don't know why mom doesn't just restrict that, she's five and my sister needs to get a grip on life. Although, I am the first of my siblings to get married. My oldest siblings have partners but they waited longer before marriage. Lily and I fell in love within minutes, although neither of us said anything. We'd been together six years now and married for one, so I didn't ever think of how slowly my siblings had moved with their relationships.
Once we finished eating my mom insisted on packing some food for us to take. She put chopped strawberries and sugar in a ziplock, having Lily shake it for a while. She also gave us some banana slices and crackers. Then she added in a few extra cream cheese squares, telling Lily to save them for the long drive.
Mom then gave Snow some fancy cat treats and a little bow. She definitely knew how to spoil her 'grandkids'. We then got Snow into the vehicle and were ready to get going. I was sad we couldn't stay the night, but we were trying to get there before the moving guys.
"Alright, Evergreen, I made sure to give you water and a new bottle of white wine since I know you like it. Don't drink on the road though!" Ma pointed a finger at Lily who laughed and agreed.
"Okay, mama, anything else?" I replied, hugging her tightly.
"Yes, Angel is having an engagement party so I need you to show up and support her."
"What? When?"
"In two months. Can I trust you?"
"I haven't even met her spouse! I thought she was single! But, yeah, I'll be there mama." I held out my pinky and we connected them, her smile making my heart smile.
I hugged my dad then and told him to be careful while working. He gave me a half promise before I bid my siblings goodbye and Lily started driving. I already missed the warmth of my childhood home, but I would be coming back soon enough. We always visited for Christmas or Thanksgiving, sometimes even just for a fun summer trip. Now we lived a lot closer and it wouldn't be so expensive to travel.
We got on the road and talked a bit, just doing what we did. I pulled out my computer and continued writing my book, not minding the other cars around me. I could write anywhere and everywhere, although I did prefer a nice quiet and peaceful environment. This was fine too. I would read it to Lily and she'd tell me what she liked and what she would change. And of course, I took her advice. I wanted this book to be perfect as I'd never finished writing an entire book before. But I was determined to make this one amazing.
————————
"Lily?" I called her name as it grew dark and the GPS said only three hours left.
"What's up, baby?" She glanced at me before looking back at the road.
"I want more cats…and a baby, okay?"
"Oh? Was this just a random thought?" She sounded confused but the smile on her face was enough for me to laugh and feel content.
"Mhm. For the future, that's what I want."
"Well I'd try my best to knock you up, but I can't really guarantee…." She joked, turning to look at me as the road slowed down.
"Lily!" I was smiling brightly now. "I want a boy."
"A boy? Sure thing, sweetheart, and if we get a girl?"
"I'll love her too."
We'd talked about having kids before. I had wanted to have my own baby, give birth and all that, and Lily was aware she couldn't make that happen. Although I was completely fine with adopting, she offered me the choice between that and a sperm donor. I wasn't sure about that, up to this point. It seemed strange but I knew there was nothing wrong with it. I'd have to think about it for a while.
I looked out the window for the next few hours. Taking in the beauty and nature that surrounded me. It had been a really good day. I couldn't wait for the rest of our lives to finally begin.