Chapter 79 Where It All Started

Chapter 79 Where It All Started
The house feels strangely quiet.

Not peaceful.

Just… quiet.

I stand in the middle of the living room, staring at the boxes scattered around me.

It’s hard to believe that a few years ago, I never imagined I’d be standing here, packing up my life.

Going back home.

It's funny because this is where it all started. I was born in New York, then mostly raised in Florida and came back here to study. I had no idea I would stay here for so long, it feels as though I've come full circle by going back home.

Now, almost everything we own is either packed, labeled, or already on its way to Florida.

I look down at the box in front of me.

Memories.

I smile.

I don't even remember packing half of this stuff.

Behind me, I hear footsteps.

"You've been staring at that box for a while now."

I turn around.

Hayden is leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest.

I smile.

"It has a lot of memories."

He walks over and looks down at the box and his expression softens.

"We don't have to go back, we can look for a suitable neighborhood to raise Lexi. Maybe somewhere closer to your grandparents.” He says, holding my waist.

As much as I'm excited about moving back to Florida, my heart aches for those I'm leaving behind. My grandparents and my friends. Then my dad.

Living in New York made me feel closer to him, maybe because his parents are here and I could go to his grave whenever I missed him.

Putting my head on his shoulder I voice my thoughts, “I'm going to miss them.”

“I know.” 

“A life without Mo and Jamie butting in is going to be boring.”

We laugh as we think of our best friends.

He looks around the room.

"Feels weird."

"It does."

After everything that has happened over the years, we're finally going home.

Well…

Our new home.

Noah and Hailey have already moved back. They left two weeks ago after the wedding, taking Aiden and Lexi with them, and according to Noah, they've already complained about the heat at least seven times.

I can't help but smile when I think about it.

They're waiting for us.

And somehow, knowing that makes everything feel more real.

"They sent me a picture this morning," Hayden says.

I look at him.

"Of what?"

"Our house."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Our house?"

He nods.

"They're already there."

"Of course they are." I say with a laugh.

He pulls out his phone and shows me the picture.

I stare at it. It's strange seeing the place again. Familiar, but somehow different.

Maybe because we're different.

"We're really going back," I whisper.

Hayden puts his phone away.

"Yeah."

He takes my hand and we look around the room one more time.

………..

Packing takes longer than it should, especially because, unlike last time, we don't have our friends to help us as they were both working.

And mostly because I keep finding things I forgot existed, put at the back of my closet.

Photographs I haven't looked at in years.

A tiny dress that belonged to Lexi when she was a baby.

I hold it against my chest for a moment.

"She was so small."

Hayden looks over from where he's packing his clothes.

"She still is."

I laugh.

"She's definitely getting bigger."

"She gets that from you."

I look at him.

"Excuse me?"

He grins.

"I'm saying you're small."

"I know what you're saying."

He laughs and I throw a pillow at him.

He catches it.

Then I whisper, "I'm going to miss this place."

He knows exactly what I mean.

"This place" isn't just the house.

It's the memories.

The people.

The years.

Everything that happened before we became who we are now.

"I know," he says.

……….

The ride to the airport is quiet. Jamie and the girls are driving us. I'm seated in between Mo and Maya, with Maya leaning her head against me and Mo looking outside the window.

Now comes the hardest part as Jamie parks the car, and I know its time for doodbye. My grandparents were easy to deal with, but these ones?

This part hurts.

Jamie is the first person I hug. He's cracking jokes and being Jamie.

Maya is next.

“Promise me you will not forget me.”

She holds on to me tightly.

“Forget you? Never!” I tell her before wrapping her in a hug as we sob quietly.

Then there's Mo. She's leaning against the car, a bit far from all of us. When she sees me approaching she looks away, avoiding eye contact.

"I hate goodbyes."

"Me too." I nod furiously, trying to keep the tears at bay.

She finally looks at me.

"You better call me."

"I will."

"Not once every six months."

I laugh wiping under my eyes.

"I promise."

She points at Hayden.

"And you."

He raises his hands.

"I'll make sure she calls."

Mo narrows her eyes.

"You better."

I smile.

"You're acting like we're moving to another planet."

"Might as well be another planet."

We all laugh.

But when she hugs me, I feel my throat tighten. The tears I have been holding back flow the moment I feel her shaking.

"I'll miss you," I whisper.

"I'll miss you too."

"Take care of yourself," she says quietly.

"You too."

When we pull apart, she pats Hayden on the shoulder.

"Take care of my girls."

Hayden nods.

"Always." Hayden says as he goes to speak to Jamie and I watch as he hands him the key to our apartment, which we will now be renting out. 

We take our bags to check in. Our friends stay behind, watching us from a distance as we go through the airport formalities.

The girls and Jamie are already waiting for us and we all sit, making small talks until we hear the announcement.

“May I have your attention, please. Flight 247 to Orlando, Florida, is now boarding at Gate 18. Passengers are kindly requested to have their boarding passes and identification ready as they proceed to the gate. Thank you.”

Suddenly we're all silent, dreading what comes next. The departure.

I hug all my friends and join the line to our gate, wiping furiously under my eyes, willing myself not to look back. Hayden caresses my back as he stands behind me. 

When they start allowing the passengers to board, I run back to the lounge area and find her still standing there.

I take off my bracelet charm, “I want you to have this.” 

“No, Lily gifted you this. It was the last time she was with us.” Mo shakes her head.

“I can go to her grave when I miss her. That's why you should have it.” I reason, clasping it around her wrist.

“You have never not had it somewhere with you, even when you weren't wearing it, you always had it in your bag.”

“I know. You can give it back to me when you no longer need it.” 

With that, I wrap my hands around her one last time before walking to the boarding gate.