Chapter 151

Chapter 151
Hope

“Where have you been?” My fathers voice shook with a mixture of anger and bewilderment and I understood both of them.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out, instead my lips flapped like a fish. Desperately I threw a glance at Justin. 

At that moment, Faith gave a wail and my fathers eyes darted down to the baby carrier strapped to my chest like he had just noticed it. For the count of five heartbeats he just stared at the top of her head with its halo of hair the exact same colour as mine.

“I know this is a shock.” Justin took my elbow and for the first time since we had been reunited I was glad of his touch because it steadied me. Not just physically but emotionally as well because I had no idea what I was going to say.

Justin was meant to tell me, my father wasn’t meant to appear here on the street before we had a plan.

“Where have you been Hope?” My fathers voice turned steely. His eyes tightened into slits. And still he kept glancing at the baby. My arms went around my daughter protectively and he noticed that straight away as well.

“Who is the child?”

“We will explain. But let’s do it somewhere private.” Justin’s grip on my elbow tightened , a silent warning that I needed to follow his lead now.

I nodded my head silently.

“Fine.” My father’s eyes swept over me. He stomped away and for a second I just watched him go. I knew he was mad at me. And he had every right. But if he only knew what I’d been through in the last few years and how good it was to see him even if it was him angrily walking away from me.

“Daddy?” I called after him.

“You can’t tell him anything Hope.” Justin hissed out of the corner of his mouth. “You can’t tell anyone the future either.” He warned.

I glared at him. “I know that. Do you think I’m stupid.” I shook his hand off of my arm. “I just want to walk with my dad, that’s all.”

Angrily I walked to catch up with my father. Falling into step beside him. Neither one of us spoke until we reached my tree lined street.

“Your mother has been beside herself Hope.” 

I closed my eyes for a second. “I know daddy and I’m sorry.” Reaching for his hand I squeezed his fingers. Oh god his rough palm felt good in my hand. Just walking next to him like I used to. Holding his hand.

It was so perfect I wanted to cry.

“Is,” he glanced down at our swinging hands and a worried look pinched his eyebrows together. “Is everything ok Hope?”

“Of course.” I beamed at him. Right at that second everything was perfect. “I just missed you, Daddy.”

He paused, his footsteps slowing. “I don’t even remember the last time you called me daddy.” His eyes darted around and his voice lowered. “Or willingly held my hand. You look different Hope. Tired… older-“

He didn’t get a chance to say anything as a screech echoed down the street. Causing the birds to fly angrily from the branches.

“Hope.” My mum screamed my name as she ran bare foot down the street towards us. One second she was coming towards us and the next she was hugging me tight.

And god I wanted to hug her back but she was squeezing me so tightly that I was afraid for Faiths life.

“Hope where have you been?” She asked through tears that fell thick and fast down her face.

“It’s ok mum.” Catching her around the elbows I pushed her away lightly. “I know you were worried and I’m sorry. But I promise I’ll explain where I’ve been.” I forced myself to smile. 

I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain to them that I’d been right here in the city, just in a different time.

“We will explain everything.” Justin slid up to my side with a smile on his face that was meant to charm my mum. But it seemed to have the opposite effect on my dad.

“Let’s get inside.” My dad said curtly. His face was stony. So angry he looked like he had been hewn out of stone. “So you can explain where the hell you’ve been keeping my daughter.”

“I’ll put the kettle on and make everyone a cup of tea.” My mum seemed to be completely oblivious as she danced forward.

I couldn’t help it, I smiled. That was so my mum. Always thinking she could put the world to rights over a nice cup of tea.

And god I had missed a good brew. I hadn’t realised until then just how much I had missed it. But not as much as I had missed the familiar home I stepped into or my parents.

In the years I had been in the future, fighting for my life. I hadn’t let myself think about them too much. 

“Don’t forget to take your shoes off-“ she headed towards the lichen and then paused. “I’m glad you are home at last. Your dad has been out of his mind with worry.” She swept away leaving me to stand there awkwardly in the hallway. 

In their world I had just been gone for a few days but in mine it had been years. This was home and it was so familiar to me but at the same time it felt so alien. 

Like I didn’t belong.

But then hadn’t I felt that from the second I’d been whisked back here. This was my time but I didn’t belong anymore.

“Hope?” My fathers voice broke through my heavy thoughts.

Shaking myself I kicked off my shoes and walked into the living room with its patterned wallpaper and overstuffed couch. I sat down heavily. Tears welling up in my eyes. The last time I had been here my home had been in ruins , my family dead and turned into skeletons upstairs 

“Where is-“ I sat heavily on the edge of the sofa. I didn’t want to leave marks on the cream material. Our modern clothes were clean by future standards but not for this time.

Because everything was different. 

It was different and it was all wrong. I thought this was what I wanted. To come back here. To see my family. Even if it was for one last time but now I wasn’t so sure. 

Maybe it would have been better if I just stayed where I was. In a way I belonged there more than I did here. I just hadn’t realised it before.

Trembling I wiped a tear from my cheek but it was no good. A sob ripped its way up my throat and I choked on it waking the baby strapped to my chest up.

For a second Faith wailed.

“It’s ok, it ok.” I tried to sooth her through my tears. “I’m sorry.” I apologised to my dad. “She’s just hungry.”

“Who’s child is that ,Hope?” He asked again. There was a wobble to his voice that said he suspected whose daughter she was.

“She’s Hope's daughter.” My mother said from the doorway. “Isn’t that right Hope? That’s your child isn’t it?”