Disclaimer: See first chapter!

A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed chapter 20!

Chapter 21: Welcome Home

"It feels so good to get off that damn plane!" Liana exclaimed as they were walking down the terminal.

John laughed. "It wasn't that bad! I let you have the damn window seat, Baby Girl!"

She smiled. "Thanks for that, by the way. I'm sorry, but it's the only way I can fly!"

They went to baggage claim and grabbed John's duffel bag and Liana's two suitcases. "Are you sure you're going to need all this?" he asked, putting his duffel on his shoulder and grabbing one of the suitcases.

She nodded. "I grabbed as much as I could. Whatever is left at my parents' house can be donated to the Salvation Army!"

He kissed her temple. "You're such a saint!"

She laughed. "Nah, I've screwed up too much to be considered one!"

They walked outside in the bright afternoon light. Liana shielded her eyes and looked up at John. "Is someone picking us up?" she asked him.

He nodded. "Yeah, my brother should be here soon."

"Which one?" she nervously asked.

"Matt," he replied. "And don't worry. They'll love you."

"What if they don't?"

"Don't worry, baby. They will."

"Is that him?" Liana asked, pointing at someone who looked at lot like John.

John looked over in the direction Liana pointed. "Yeah, that's him," he said, taking her free hand.

"Hey, bro!"

Matt looked over at them and smiled. "What's up, man?" he asked, giving John a one armed hug.

"This your new girlfriend?"

"Yeah, this is Liana McFadden," John replied. "Li, this is my brother, Matt."

"Nice to meet you," she said, smiling.

"Same here," Matt replied, taking Liana's suitcase from her hand. "Ready to go?"

"Gods, yes!" Liana exclaimed, as John and Matt laughed. She looked at them, feigning hurt. "What? I've been stuck on an airplane for 2 hours!"

"Which you slept through, listening to that rock music!" John retorted, smirking.

"Well, you were the one who woke me up at the ungodly hour of six A.M. so you could tell me you were taking a shower!" she said, crossing her arms. "And I only slept for like twenty minutes on the plane!"

"Not even a full day and you're already having your first fight? That has to be a record," Matt said, laughing.

Liana looked at him and shrugged. "This is nothing. We had our first fight yesterday afternoon, thanks to some fans."

"Liana," John groaned. "Don't even bring that up!"

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "But it is true."

"Okay, then," Matt said, making an "Are you kidding?" face at John. "I think it's time to go."

He led the way to his SUV, where both men shoved the bags into the trunk. They all jumped into the car and drove away. Liana stretched out in the back seat and fell asleep again.

Matt looked at the sleeping woman. "Does she do that all the time?" he asked John.

John turned around to see what his brother was talking about. "She barely slept last night, I can tell you that much. I mean, that and she's been awake since six-thirty this morning. Then, add the shit her parents threw her way before we left."

Matt shook his head. "I remember you telling me some stuff when you called me last week."

"It was real bad, bro," he said. "She practically bends over backwards to make them happy, but she finally woke up and decided to make herself happy. That's all that matters."

"I hope your right, man."

As John opened his mouth to reply, "Everybody" rang out through the car. Liana woke up with a start and grabbed it. "Hello?"

"Liana?" Adela said. "Were you sleeping?"

"Yeah, but it's okay," she replied, sitting up and yawning. "What's up?"

"Where are you?"

"Somewhere between Boston and West Newbury."

"So, you're okay?"

"Yeah, Dela, I'm fine," Liana replied. "Why are you calling me now? I told you I'd call you when I got to John's house."

"Your parents are pissed off, Li. They called me about 10 minutes after you left."

She sighed. "So what else is new? How are things between you and Randy?"

"Li, stop changing the subject! What are you going to do?"

"For heaven's sake, Adela!" she yelled, making both men jump a little. "The day they realize that I'm not a little girl anymore and that I can make my own decisions is the day I'll start talking to them. Until then, they can take their bullshit and shove it up their asses! I've had enough of it. I'm tired of making myself sick to please them."

"Li, sweetie, I know that. Trust me, I do. But is running away going to solve anything?"

"Who said anything about running away? I'll come back..."

"Eventually."

Liana sighed. "Dela Bella, I'll come back soon. I promise."

"You'd better, Li," Adela warned. "I mean it."

"I know." Liana looked out the window and watched the world whizzing by. "I promise I'll be back as soon as everything settles down here."

"I'd better let you go, Li. I got another call."

"Okay, girl, I'll talk to you later. Bye." She ended the call and slipped the phone back in her purse. "Sorry about that, you guys."

"Everything okay, Baby Girl?" John asked, turning in his seat to look at her.

"Just the same shit," she replied. "How much longer?"

"About twenty minutes," Matt replied. "Did you sleep okay?"

She laughed nervously. "Until my cell went off. I'm sorry about it, though. I've been so tired the past few days."

"It's okay. I'd probably do the same thing."

Liana leaned back in her seat. "Are we there yet?"

"No, baby," John replied, laughing. He looked out his window.

No one said a word for the rest of the ride. As they entered West Newbury, Liana couldn't help but smile. It wasn't much different from Tunkhannock, but there was something about the town that made her feel at ease.

A few miles later, Matt pulled into John's driveway. "Okay, you guys. End of the road."

"Now, we're here," John said, getting out of the SUV. "Hey, Matt, open the trunk!"

Matt did as he was told as Liana climbed out and grabbed her suitcases. "You got everything, honey?" she asked.

He nodded as he held up his duffel bag. "This was the only thing I had. Come on, I'll show you your new home."

He walked up to Matt's window. "Hey, man, thanks for everything."

"No problem. Just take care of her, will you?"

The brothers laughed, which made Liana smile. "It was nice meeting you, Matt. Maybe when John's away, you could show me around."

"Sounds good to me," Matt said. "I'll see you guys later!" He turned the car around and sped off, honking the horn as he flew down the street.

"Come on, Baby Girl. Let me show you your new home," John said.

He unlocked the door, and opened it, allowing Liana to go inside first. She put her bags down and smiled.

"Do you like it?" John asked.

Liana nodded. "I think I'm going to like it here," she said, walking into the living room and looking around. She noticed the tan walls and the black leather couch. Along one wall was the entertainment center, complete with a stereo and PlayStation 2.

John came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Welcome home, baby," he said, nuzzling her neck.

A/N: I am so sorry for the lack of updates. Let me know what you want to see happen. And as always, five reviews gets chapter 22!