Chapter 2
One year later.
Sandra.
I step out of taxi and I take a deep breath, oh it's good to be home.
The taxi pulls away after I pay, I turn around.
"Sandra"
I look from my position outside the gate to see my best friend and my brothers wife Juliet running towards me and waving, with her also is my brother's best friends wife, magic.
"Jules, magic"
I squeal as I step towards the gate.
We try to touch each other from the gate bars like am in prison, I laugh so hard.
It's been so long I did that.
Oh, I missed you, I missed you m
Jules gushes.
I nod.
I miss you baby girl, magic, I missed all of you.
I say and we all squeal.
Barbarians! Open the gate and let the woman in.
Samuel, our friend shouts from the drive way, walking towards us.
We all laugh.
I step back as magic punches the gate code in and the massive gates open.
I enter rolling in my suitcase.
I let it fall as I am swept in a giant, massive group hug.
I flinch a little but I make myself settle.
These are friends.
I miss you all I say.
I see no reason why you didn't let us come get you at the airport.
Juliet says and smile.
It wasn't intentional, I just needed time to reinforce my shield.
Away from them.
Sam picks up my suitcase and begins to roll it inside.
Dayum, gal you look smoking m
Sam says and I laugh out loud.
Albeit a little forcedly.
They don't notice, thank God.
Yes Sandra, what did they feed you in California? Girls?.
Who taught you to talk like that? Justice?
She laughs.
Don't you know it.
She says and we all laugh.
Am led to my room where they immediately want to know everything about me.
Girls, girls, we would talk, I promise, just let me freshen up, I still have to see my nieces, ok?
They nod.
Just be fast, I still have to go home tonight, not all of us Live in a mansion.
Sam says and I smile.
It didn't come as a surprise to me when Sam opened a 5 star restaurant in Lagos just to be close to her best friend, magic.
The woman think she is magic surrogate mother.
And neither did it come as a surprise to me when my family and Juliet's decided to build a big house and live together.
I mean back then we literally used to live in each other's house.
This just saves energy and time.
I nod my head and they all exit but not before giving me a hug and telling me it's good to have me back.
When they leave I take a deep breath, having people this close to me for a long period of time, rattle's me.
I feel tears try to push out but I swallow them.
I say mantra.
Am strong, am wise, am independent and am the best I can be.
After I say this for a while I feel better.
I stand up and walk to my bathroom.
I wasn't always this weak, I sigh.
Just another thing to took from mem.
"Ok am gonna go ahead an go home now, it was lovely catching up with you Sandra.
That was Samuel and that was after I have finished telling them about my one year in California.
Well, the part I know that wanted to hear.
Ok hugs and kisses, see you soon.
We all wave her on her way as she steps to her car.
After she pulls away I turn.
When did you say they will be at home again?
I asked referring to sage and justice.
They had a business meeting, I think they said about 11 this night.
Juliet replies and I nod.
I feel like holding cara and Abigail again.
I have a feeling you will spoil them, it's past there bed time, you will have to wait till tomorrow.
Magic says and fake pout, Abigail is sage's and Juliet's baby and cara is Justice's and magic baby, they are both so cute.
They were pregnant when I left for the states.
I plop on the couch as I grab my limenade.
I take a sip and I almost choke at Juliet's next question.
So why aren't you asking about him?
I blink
I don't know who you mean.
Oh, come of it, you know who we mean.
Magic says as she sketches on her drawing pad.
I shake my head.
Honest to goodness, I don't know who you mean.
I say and I take the last sip of my drink, crushing the ice between my teeth.
Are you serious? I know you told us you had a boyfriend over there in Cali but I thought it was over since you didn't say anything about him for a while there.
Juliet says and I hope she didn't notice my subtle flinch.
I open my mouth to reply but the door opens.
Sandra
I hear sage call through the house and I smile.
I hear justice say something along the lines of....
Chill dude , the brat is not running.
I would have have laughed if I think I could.
Sage comes into view and I stand up slowly.
He marches to me and pulls me in a big hug.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath of my big brother's smell.
God.
I missed him so much.
I hug him back even though am now averse to physical touch.
I missed you.
I confess and he kisses my head as he sets me of my feet.
Am pulled into another hug by justice and this time I really flinch.
I was caught unawares.
He kisses my head but not before throwing me a friend.
I just blink innocently.
No body else notices, thank God.
I missed you JJ.
missed you too brat.
He says as he flicks my nose.
I scrunch it.
I turn to see sage kissing Juliet and I make a face, magic laughs.
I missed this people.
Hold on, where's alec?.
I ask.
I can't believe I forget all about my little nephew.
He went out with Justin, they went on a short road trip.
Juliet says.
I tense at that name, memories try to surface I push them back.
I nod my head.
Thank God I dodged that bullet, am not ready to see him yet.
Aunty Sandra!!
Somebody squeals and am very sure it's Alec.
I turn my head to Juliet.
I thought you said they went on a road trip?.
I said, a short road trip.
She says with a sickly sweet smile.
I turn as a ball of energy and clothes hits me in a hug.
I hug Alec back.
I miss my little man.
You look hot aunty Sandra.
He says and I smile.
My little girl Slayer.
Well you look pretty hot your self.
I say as we pump firsts.
I raise my head slowly trying to avoid the inevitable.
And....
There he is...
My undoing.
Hi, Justin.
I say.
He nods, dropping the bag he is carrying.
Welcome back Sandra.
He says and tears I have been holding back threaten to come out.
I made a mistake.
I never should have come back.