Chapter 21

Once they made their way home, Lucy settled her things into her old room. It looked exactly the way it did the last time she saw it. She smiled at the thought of being home. Maggie walked in a few minutes later. "So, are you ready for dinner tonight with daddy?" she asked smiling.

"I am! I have missed him so much. Do you know what you are wearing yet?" Lucy asked.

"I haven't even thought about it. I have been thinking about you arriving more than anything else!"

"Aw, thank you Mags. I have been anxious to get home too. I don't know why I care, I just want to make a good impression being that I haven't seen anyone in a while, you know?" Lucy said biting her lip.

"Luce, it's only going to be family. You don't have to impress anyone! But I'll help you decide if it will make you feel better" Maggie said putting an arm around her sister.

Lucy smiled and hugged her sister. "Thanks Maggie."

She kneeled down and unzipped her suitcase and pulled out two different outfits she was contemplating wearing. She had a patterned romper and a navy blue dress. Laying the dresses out on the bed she turned to Maggie. "Which one do you think?"

"I love them both, but I think the romper would be more comfortable" Maggie said.

A huge smile drew across Lucy's face and she threw her arms around her sister. "I seriously don't know what I would do without you!" she said lovingly.

After deciding Lucy's outfit for dinner that night, the girls went out to the kitchen and chatted with their mom. All 3 women drank a glass of wine and talked about everything under the sun. Except for Lucy's current guy situation. Lucy wanted to talk to both about it, but at the right time. An hour passed and the girls decided they should get ready for dinner with their dad. Maggie went back to her house to shower and get ready and was planning on coming back to pick Lucy up.

Lucy went into her room and pulled her curling iron and makeup out of her suitcase. She sat at the cushioned stool beside the vanity and plugged in the curling iron. As the curling iron was heating up she applied her makeup.

It had been over 6 months since she saw her father last and even longer since she saw any of the other family from that side of the family. Needless to say she was ecstatic and nervous.

After her makeup was done, Lucy curled her hair and slipped into the romper she and Maggie decided would look best. She took a belt from her suitcase and wrapped it around her waist. Before long she was ready to leave for the restaurant. As she was stepping out of her room, Maggie appeared through the front door, looking beautiful as always.

"Mags, you look stunning!" Lucy said.

"Like you should talk!" she replied smiling. "Are you ready to go? Lewis is waiting in the car."

Lewis was Lucy's new brother in law. He and Maggie were married in May. As the girls entered the car Lucy smiled and waved at Lewis in the front seat.

"Hey Lucy! How've you been" Lewis said cheerfully as Lucy closed the door.

"I have been extremely busy, but doing well. How are you? Is Mags driving you insane yet?" Lucy said laughing as she teased Maggie.

"Oh you bet she is!" Lewis teased as Maggie stuck her tongue out at him. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I'm just kidding. This has been the best 3 months of my life. Marriage is a beautiful thing" he said smiling at his wife.

Lucy smiled, but a part of her was a little jealous. She was so incredibly happy for her sister, but she felt sad that she didn't have what Maggie had. Although she loved her job more than anything, she sometimes wondered what could have happened if she chose the path her sister did. If she would have went to college and stayed home, would she have found someone who made her as happy as Lewis made Maggie?

She shoved her thoughts aside and tried to act as if nothing was bothering her. Soon, they arrived at the restaurant. They got out of the car and walked in. Once they were inside the building, Lewis gave the host their name and they were escorted to a long table towards the back of the restaurant.

Lucy followed Lewis and Maggie. As she got closer to their table she made eye contact with her dad and instantly ran up to him to give him a hug.

"My baby girl" Lucy's dad, John, said into her hair.

"I missed you so much daddy!" she exclaimed.

After a few seconds, John held his daughter out at arms length to get a better look at her. "Have you grown Luce Goose?" he asked.

"I don't think I have grown since I was 13, dad" Lucy said laughing.

"Must be I am just seeing things, I guess. It has been so long since I have seen my little girl. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you, honey" her dad said lovingly.

Lucy smiled. She forgot just how happy being home truly made her. Once her dad moved to greet Maggie and Lewis, Lucy went around the table hugging other family members. After some time, everyone sat down and began ordering food.

The dinner went extremely well and Lucy was able to see people in her family she hadn't seen in a long time. Everyone asked how LA was treating her and how her music career was shaping up. She was excited to tell them about her upcoming album and explained that she was working with Kristian Bush. It was relieving that they didn't ask her about her love life, which she was half expecting. Usually an uncle or an aunt would ask her why she didn't have a handsome man on her arm. Normally she would laugh it off, but today if it would have come up, she may have taken it differently. Thankfully she didn't have to worry.

The family talked for a while after dinner until finally Maggie insisted they head home. Lucy and her sister said their goodbyes and made their way to the car. The girls planned on having a sleepover so they could have some sisterly bonding time. Lewis drove the car to his and Maggie's apartment. Once he parked, Maggie kissed Lewis goodbye and got into the driver's seat. Lucy took her place in the passenger seat. The whole way home the girls laughed about the dinner and sang 90's boy band songs.

About 15 minutes later the girls pulled into the driveway at their mom's house. Lucy was the first to open the door to the house and was greeted by the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. As she turned the corner, into the kitchen, she found her mother pulling the last batch from the oven.

"Momma, these smell amazing! But it was your birthday, we should be baking for you!" Lucy said smiling. She placed a kiss on her mom's cheek.

"Well I had to make up something special since my baby is home!" Julie replied happily.

Maggie also greeted her mom with a kiss and went down the hall to place her overnight bag into her old bedroom. The girls each took a cookie and went into the living room and decided to watch a movie together. They decided on The Bachelorette. As the movie was starting Lucy checked her Twitter app and found many mentions yet again. She responded to a few and closed the app.

About 10 minutes into the movie, Julie joined the girls in the living room carrying a plate of cookies. She placed the plate on the coffee table. Lucy and Maggie were huddled together on the couch wrapped in a blanket as Julie took her place on the other side of Lucy. All three women spent the next two hours laughing at the movie and sharing stories that were long overdue.

Once the movie ended, Julie was exhausted and excused herself to bed. Maggie took the DVD from the DVD player and placed it back into its case. The girls went to their rooms and changed into their pajamas and decided to sleep in Maggie's old queen sized bed together, just as they did when they were kids.

Maggie hopped into the bed and waited for Lucy to finish her bedtime routine. A few minutes later Lucy returned from the bathroom. She turned off the light and took the opposite side of the bed. The girls instantly started reminiscing and giggling. After a few minutes though, their talks went from light hearted to serious. Maggie could tell that Lucy wanted to talk about something in particular but waited for her to bring it up. Lucy sighed as she thought of what to say.

"Hey, Mags? I really need your advice."