I set the drinks down and collapsed in to the seat opposite, already druelling from the smell of the cheeseburger. Lily leant forward and put her elbows on the table, smiling at me. Looks like we’re almost there.
I nodded, realizing the same thing. Another couple of hours and we’ll be at the lakehouse. Actually we could there by seven tonight if we
Suddenly, my phone started vibrating from my pocket. Reaching down, my hand closed around the mobile and I pulled it out, grinning when I saw the familiar number. It’s home, I said to Lily, smiling at the excited look on her face.
I pressed the answer button and put it to my ear. Hello…
Noah sweetie, my mum’s voice echoed through the phone. How far away are you ? You promised to keep me and your father updated but you haven’t called us once. You’re always useless at that sort of thing, no matter how many times we tell you, you just keep on
Mum ! I interrupted, practically shouting down the phone. I’m sorry but I guess you could say that I got a little bit distracted.
I winked at Lily across the table, smiling when a red tint appeared on her cheeks. She frowned at me, trying to look annoyed but it just made her look even cuter. I realised my mother was saying something over the phone, but I was so distracted by Lily that I hadn’t heard a single word.
Sorry mum, I muttered in to the phone. Could you repeat that, I wasn’t listening.
You never listen, she snapped. I was just asking what time you think you two will get here ?
Well once I’ve eaten my burger, we’ll get back on the road and we should be with you around 7pm tonight, I smiled, hearing JJ in the background. Maybe three or four hours tops.
Wonderful ! I can’t wait to meet this girl that Jackie keeps talking about, she said. She sounds like the perfect girl for you.
Oh she is, trust me, I smiled, looking up towards Lily.
My smile faded as my eyes landed on my cheese burger, sitting on its plate right in front of her. It was half eaten, and Lily had a satisfied look on her face. My mouth fell open accusingly as I pointed at her, and then to my half eaten burger.
Mum, I have to go, I mumbled in to the phone. I have a serious issue I need to take care of. We’ll see you soon.
Okay honey, be careful, she replied, before a click came from the other end of the line, signalling she had left the call.
Snapping my phone shut, I shoved it in to my jeans pocket and turned my attention towards Lily. She was staring at me and was biting her bottom lip, an obvious attempt at trying to hold back the laughter. I cleared my throat and glared at the plate.
You ate half my burger, I mumbled sadly. You know how much I was looking forward to it. Looks like I’m going to have to punish you later.
I heard a gasp of surprise and I grinned at Lily, amused to find an interested look on her face. Punish me, huh ? She said, a small smile on her face. You’ll have to catch me first.
I hope that’s a challenge, I whispered, wriggling my eyebrows goofily.
She burst out laughing and slid the burger towards me, nodding at it. Just eat the burger will you, we’ve got a few hours to drive yet.
Sighing, I picked up the rest of it and devoured it hungrily, the days worth of driving finally catching up to me. After a couple of minutes, I stood up from the table and took hold of Lily’s hand, pulling her up beside me.
Shall we get going then ? I smiled. I think I’ve had enough of all this driving.
Me too ! Lily said as we approached the Harley.
I had been driving for most of the journey, so I was pleased to see Lily kick up a leg and straddle the bike at the front. You’re driving ? I asked, praying she’d say yes.
Sure, you’ve been driving for hours now. You can catch a break while I take us the rest of the way.
Sighing gratefully, I got on the bike behind her and slipped my hands under her red t-shirt. I heard Lily mutter something but I smiled to myself as she pulled out of the lot. A few more hours and we’d be at the lakehouse, and Lily could finally meet my family.
Something I had been waiting for, for a very long time.
Lily POV :
The sun was going down, disappearing beneath the clouds that were overtaking the darkening sky. Night was coming, but nature seemed to be coming alive. As Noah tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to a road hidden by old oak trees, I signalled and made the turn, despite there being no other cars around. We were truly on our own and I thought how quiet it was. How different it was from the city. I felt Noah tighten his arms around my waist and rest his chin on my shoulder.
Home sweet home, he whispered in my ear, as a beautiful white house came in to view.
My mouth fell open as I turned off the engine and stared up at the house. It was huge, with arching windows either side of the cherry red door. A bicycle was tipped on its side near the winding pathway leading to the entrance. There were dog toys thrown around the drive and I smiled. It didn’t just feel like another house, it felt like a home.
This is beautiful, I murmured, taking it all in.
The house had a road to itself, making it feel like we were on our own. Hopping of the bike, I turned to Noah and stared at him. He was looking up at the house with a look that made me realise how long he had been waiting to come home. And I couldn’t blame him. I hadn’t even been inside the house and I knew already it was the type of home that every child should have.
A small pang of regret hit me, but Noah reached out and took my hand. So, you ready to meet the family ? he asked, squeezing my hand gently. Because I know they’re dying to meet you.
I’ve been ready for a long time, I nodded, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt.
But obviously it wasn’t working because Noah tilted my chin up so I was looking in to his eyes. Don’t be nervous honey, he smiled. They’ll love you, like I do.
Standing on tiptoes, I kissed him lightly and stepped back. It still amazed me that this boy standing in front of me could make me feel calm so quickly. No one else before had been able to do that, except my mother. Taking a deep breath, I smiled and followed behind as Noah walked to the front door, the huge smile on his face betraying how truly happy he was to finally be home, where he belonged.
What about the bags ? I asked, looking at the bike over my shoulder. I’ll go get them and
Don’t worry about them, Noah smiled, pulling me up the front steps. We’ll get them later. Hey, do you hear that ?
Frowning, I stepped beside him and put my ear to the door. There was loud music coming from the far side of the house. It’s music, I said, looking up at Noah.
A look of understanding flashed in his eyes and he laughed softly to himself. Of course, he muttered, shaking his head. Wouldn’t have expected anything less.
What ? I asked.
Well it’s around eight in the evening, right ? He smiled. Ever since I can remember, my parents sit out on the dock and listen to the radio for a while. It’s something that’s always been a part of my childhood, and now they do it with it JJ.
It sounds wonderful, I whispered, It sounds like a childhood that deserves to be remembered.
I felt Noah kiss the top of my head gently and I smiled to myself. My childhood didn’t deserve to be remembered and I had never been able to erase it from my memory, but with Noah, it was different. He helped me to see the good things, and I would never be able to thank him for that.
As he opened the door and stepped in to the spacious hall, I followed closely behind. There was a huge living room to the left, finished with old wooden beams and filled with childrens toys. A fireplace was at the far side of the room and family photos dotted the walls. My eyes caught one of Noah with his arm around Jackie as JJ stood next to him. This family was clearly as close as any family could be. Suddenly, a bark came from the top of the stairs on the right and I caught sight of a golden blur as it rushed down the stairs.
Hey sammy ! Noah laughed, sinking down to one knee as the Labrador charged at him. How’s my boy ?