Marla
I'm gently shaken and pulled from my dream. It wasn't a bad dream, but I don't think it was a good one either.
I turn my head to look at my husband. Yes, my husband, it's a long story and one I will get into later. But for now, I just need off this damn plane and some fresh air.
"Planes landing soon," my husband tells me with a soft smile.
I smile back and turn to check on Ellis our two-year-old son. Yes, I have a son. A beautiful blue-eyed, black-haired son.
"Is Nicole still picking us up from the airport." my husband asks me to make sure Ellis has his belt on tight ready for landing.
"Yeah." I sigh, "I've missed her so much, and can't wait to see her." I add looking back out of the window as the plane descends through the clouds and California comes into view.
Home sweet home, I guess.
"I have to see my father as soon as we get to the house, so don't wait up for me ok." my husband tells me, he's a cold man, detached even. But all for a good reason.
"Mummum" Ellis babbles beside me, he's such a content little boy, such a good baby, we were lucky he slept through the night from an early age.
"I know my baby." I coo, stroking his soft black hair. "Soon be there and we can see aunty Nic Nic, she wants to take you to get some ice cream." I lean down and kiss his head.
I don't think he understands anything I say to him, but he's my little buddy, my best friend.
Once the plane lands we gather our things and make our way off the plane, Ellis holds my hand like a good little boy. Never any fuss where he's concerned.
Luggage in hand we head for the exit. One man is standing to the side, the one man who has been my rock for the last three years.
Eric!
I pick up my pace and head to where he stands.
"Oh my god I've missed you." I tell him as I crush his body in a tight hug. He looks down at me when I finally let him go with a huge smile on his face.
"I've missed you too Marla, I'm so glad your back." he says pulling me back for another hug, then letting go to take a good look at me.
"My god you get more and more beautiful every time I see you." he beams. He has been a constant in my life for the last three years he helped me in ways I can never repay him.
"Good to see you man." my husband shakes Erics hand and pats his shoulder. "Long time no, see." he adds with a wink.
Eric is still just as good looking, I bet he has the ladies falling all over him. But he once told me he would never move on until he knew where his baby girl is and who ran his wife off the road.
"You too man, you, too." he shakes my husband's hand back eagerly. "The flight ok." he adds looking at us both and we nod.
"I'm just tired and in need of a hot shower and a nap." I say gently pulling Ellis towards Eric.
Erics face softens as he looks down at my baby boy. He is his godfather after all.
"Hay buddy, you, doing ok." he asks Ellis as he squats down to say hi. Ellis nods his little head clinging to my leg for comfort.
Ellis knows Eric. But only through video call. This is the first time he's met him in person, and I can see the love for my son in his eyes.
"Is Nicole at the house"? I ask as Eric stands up again.
"Yeah, she's been there for the last three hours getting everything perfect and cooking you guys some dinner." Eric laughs, she's crazy that one.
I laugh too, because he's right, she's always been my crazy best friend, one I can't wait to see.
Pulling up to the main gates of our new home, curtesy of my husband's wealthy father, we reach the top of the drive and I'm in awe.
This is a beautiful house, two story with windows so big I feel sorry for the window cleaner. Reminds me of another place. My uncles!
Speaking of my uncle, he was excited to hear I was coming back. We haven't spoken much in the last few years as he was disappointed when I flew back to England without telling him. He said he was sorting the problem, and I didn't need to leave.
It got to the point he was getting angry, and Eric had to take over all calls to him on my behalf because too much stress wasn't good for the baby.
The front door of the house swings open, and there stands my beautiful best friend.
With a squeal she runs down the steps and towards me at full speed.
"Oh my god your actually here." she cries as she bumps into my front with such force I nearly fall over.
Laughing I reply, "good god I've missed you too." I choke on a sob causing Nicole to do the same.
Now we are both crying. Nicole has been in contact with me daily since I left, she's been my eyes at ears of the world that is Longview. She too is Ellis's god mother.
My husband shuffles behind me. He and Nicole do not get on, to the point they don't speak. Again, I will explain everything later, but for now she needs to meet her godson.
One hour later and lots of laughter and tears we all sit down to dinner, minus my husband who left after all the excitement outside. And now poor Ellis looks like he ready to crash.
"Poor baby, he looks so beat." Nicole says stroking his hair where he sits in his highchair.
"Thank you for everything you've done for us, and getting his room ready, I love the colors."
"Oh stop, it was my pleasure, and anyway I needed to put my new skills to use somehow." she grins. She did two years interior design at Longview university; she's been with her current employer for the last 6 months and is doing well for herself.
I smile at my friend. God, I've missed her.
