EPISODE TWENTY THREE
THEME: Welcome home son
MOON STONE FORTRESS
IN THE PACK HOUSE
“Jaylen.” Meagan called out in a whisper. Almost like she was being carried by the wind, she ran down the porch and moved towards her son.
Jaylen didn’t know how he was suppose to react when his mother pulled him into a tight hug. However he could feel every of her emotion and the unspoken words in the embrace. How much she misses him and how much she felt guilty. All of it was poured out into him like an open stream.
“My baby.” She cried, running her hands through his face.
Jaylen couldn’t help the smile. “I am not baby anymore ma. Stop.” He told her even though he didn’t want her to stop and was enjoying every bit of her touch.
He hadn’t realized how much he missed her until now. His mother had been his most go to person and they had a connection that was on another deeper level.
Meagan took a close look at her son, his turquoise eyes looked dangerous and intimidating but they had a softness to them. With his thin and narrow crescent eyebrows complementing his Kohl black hair, she realized he hadn’t changed much just that Jaylen looked more handsome and breathtaking than she remembered.
“Welcome home baby.” She said.
Jaylen smiled a bit. “Thanks ma’am.”
Meagan felt a bit sad that he had referred to her as ma’am and ma but she decided not to push it, letting him off to say hello to the others.
For the first time since he got ill Carl cursed at the sickness for weakening his legs. He also wanted to run to his son and give him the warmest embrace.
With every closer step that Jaylen took, his heart sank further. His father did look very weak and you could almost see his bones from his skin. He felt grateful for not refusing Rosalyn’s advice to come home. He would have never forgive himself for being so blinded by his rage.
Jaylen knelt down in front of his father and he sniffed. “Hey Dad!”
Carl had tears running down his face at the sight of his son. “Jaylen.” They both embraced each other tightly.
All of the hurt in Jaylen dissipated with every passing moment. His parents look like they hadn’t been happy for a long while. The wrinkles on their faces was more pronounced than that of his grandma Gabriella.
“I still can’t believe you are here.” Carl whispered.
“Dad, I am sorry I took so long.” Jaylen said, trying to hold himself and not lean into his weak father too much.
Letting him go and Carl patted his hair. “You look so handsome. I won’t be surprised if you are married.”
Gabriella scoffed loudly. “Married? He has never had a girlfriend.”
“Grandma!” He whined, feeling his cheek burn up with embarrassment.
Gabriella has a way of calling one out in public. Ignoring her tantrums, he walked up to her and hugged her tightly.
“I missed you.” He murmured into her ears.
Gabriella slapped his back gently before she kissed her teeth. “Such a terrible liar.”
Jaylen plastered a tight grin on his face as he let go of his grandma. “It’s not like you ever had a problem with it.”
“You!” Gabriella threatened as he dodged her hit and it caused everyone to laugh.
Meagan laughed out, the first sincere laughter she has had in weeks. Holding his hands, she motioned towards Juno. “Do you remember her?”
Jaylen stared at the lady in front of him. “Juno?”
Juno smiled widely as she held out her hands to embrace him. “I can’t believe I am seeing you right now.” She said, holding onto him tightly.
“You look so big now.” Jaylen commented with a smile on his face.
Juno withdrew from the embrace. “Well let’s just say…” She turned around. “Mom feeds me well enough.”
Jaylen laughed. “Yeah mom sure does that every time.”
Meagan’s heart skipped at his comment, her son finally regarded her as mom.
“Let’s all go in now. Carl shouldn’t be out for too long.” Gabriella informed them.
They all listened and turned to walk back into the house. Jaylen’s heart beat slowly as he stepped foot into the large foyer and he noticed that there had been some renovations. But the memories of that very day was still evident in the room.
Meagan noticed his hesitation, she stepped next to him and held his hands. Her eyes pleading. It was obvious she knew what was going on in his mind.
Jaylen repeated to himself consistently. “For closure, for closure.” On his way he had kept telling himself to try as much as he can to not get angry or throw blames.
For his own peace of mind he had come back to his roots. He needed to find closure and move on with his life, they were his family but they don’t want him. It hurts him whenever he thinks about them not wanting him. Somehow he wished his speculation was untrue and he could get to hear them say it to his face if they cared about him or not.
But from his parents countenance, it was obvious they had a whole lot to unburden to him. Each person took a seat just simply staring at Jaylen like he was a master piece.
Jaylen sat next to his father, who was facing the stairs. Jaylen didn’t need to be told that he couldn’t hold his emotions together when his loved ones are sick or look hurt. He didn’t realize how weak he was until they sat so close to each other and even his breath was unsteady. He would have never forgiven himself if his father had died and he had refused to return as he had wished.
In life, he had learnt to accept fate as it comes. Thankfully, he has done extremely well for himself all because his father didn’t refuse to give him his inheritance. That was something he has always hold on to whenever his anger bobbed up again.
Looking around the room, he felt awkward as they all stared at him with keen eyes. His mother most especially has been watching him intently like he would disappear any minute from now.
“I am so sorry it took this long to reach you.” Carl said slowly, his eyes were filled with untold happiness.
Jaylen felt glad he was the reason behind it. “It’s okay dad. I am here now so please get well soon.”
Carl tried to chuckle but he winced in pain instead. “I wish I could son, but it’s nearing the end.”
His heart clutched hard at how easy his father talked about dying. “You owe me so much after ten years so you can’t die just like that.” Jaylen muttered.
Carl closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. He forced a smile. “I promise to try my best to make it up to you within the few days left…” He got cut short by a raging voice.
“What the hell is going on here?!” Jayden snarled.