Mike ran out the door, quickly followed by Linc, Michael and Sara, and he waved eagerly at his cousin while LJ parked the car. LJ opened the door and embraced his father. He turned towards Michael who had tears in his eyes.
"How've you been LJ?"
"It's so good to see you Uncle Michael" LJ hugged him, also tearing up, unable to believe his Uncle came back from the dead, "I've been good, great." Mike was tugging at LJ's jacket "hey buddy" LJ greeted.
"Did you bring any goodies?"
"Mike, manners" Sara reprimanded, but LJ just laughed.
"Of course I did bud, why don't you go inside and I'll bring them to you?"
Mike ran back inside waiting patiently on the sofa. Sara hugged LJ and excused herself after Mike, leaving the brothers outside with LJ.
"God Michael, it's been so long."
"I know, I'm sorry, you've grown up so much." Michael couldn't believe how much his nephew had changed from teenager to man. He'd had a haircut, no longer long and messy but instead, short and precise, not as short as his own though. They embraced once again, Linc going over and putting an arm over each of their shoulders.
"Come on son, everything's good now" Linc patted his shoulder and headed inside. LJ went to the boot of his car to get out Mike's present and he headed inside with Michael.
"Mike's a great kid y'know" LJ smiled. Michael smiled back, "he really is."
LJ had a box of presents for Mike, he brought him things every time he visited. He placed them in front of where Mike was sitting on the sofa.
"A drone, this is amazing, thank you cousin LJ." Mike dived into LJ's arms excitedly, then settled down back on the sofa eating the sweets and chocolate LJ also bought for him, while the adults moved to the kitchen, it was the first time Sheba and LJ met.
"Sheba, this is my son LJ." Linc introduced.
"Hi LJ, it's great to meet you at last, your Dad speaks so highly of you."
"Thanks, it's great to meet you too, are those pancakes for me?" LJ was eying up the pancakes eagerly and Sheba gave him the nod "your Dad made them especially."
He tucked into his pancakes talking about everything he'd been up to since his last visit, a weekend away to New York with his girlfriend and he'd recently been given a pay rise. They listened intently before LJ turned the attention back on his Dad and Michael.
"So you never really told me what happened Uncle Mike" he inquired tentatively. Checking Mike was out of earshot Linc and Michael told the story of what happened, how Lincoln had met Sheba, about Jacob being Poseidon - at which Sara felt everyone's eyes on her - and the journey back from Sona. He listened intently proud at what his family had achieved again, hoping now they could all live a normal life.
They all returned to the living room, sitting around talking, trivial things, explaining to Michael about new musicians and TV shows, an update on every baseball season since he'd left. Michael sat on the floor in front of Mike with his arm around Sara, happy, yet tired from remembering everything they'd been through. Sara noticed he could use some space so suggested they all took Mike out to play with his new drone, he smiled at her thankfully.
Leaving Michael in the house, the rest of them headed out for fresh air, watching Mike having fun flying. LJ helped him set it all up, and stood with him while he flew the drone all around the sky. He was good, and together Mike and LJ managed to land the drone on Lincoln's head. Everyone laughed, and Sheba kissed his cheek. Everything felt different to before, no one looking around over their shoulder.
Once the battery of the drone had died they headed back inside to a sleeping Michael on the sofa. Sara gently woke him up kissing his forehead and holding his hand.
"Do you want to head home?" She whispered
"It's okay, I know Mike wanted to spend time with LJ."
Linc overheard the conversation, "if you two want to go home and get some rest, Mike can stay here tonight."
Before Michael had a chance to reply Sara thanked him and headed over to Mike.
"Hey Mikey, do you want to stay here tonight with your Uncle Linc and LJ?" she asked. Mike nodded and grinned, excited to spend more time with his cousin "what about you and Daddy though?"
"Daddy's a little tired, he still needs some time to recover, do you understand?" Sara was so good with Mike and Mike was such a caring child.
"That's okay" he looked a little disappointed but understood, he walked over to Michael and gave him a hug "I love you Daddy, see you tomorrow."
"I love you too son"
Sara and Michael said their goodbyes and that they'd be over to pick Mike up first thing in the morning. They went home, the first night they'd had alone together in too many years.
