Jarod and Margaret were both so absorbed in one another that they didn't notice it when Emily and Major Charles, hand in hand, had slipped quietly out of the kitchen. They could scarcely believe that this was reality and not some cruel dream even as they desperately held on to one another. Jarod wanted to memorize every detail of this first meeting with his mother because he knew that no matter what happened from this moment on, this was something that neither one them would ever want to forget.
She smelled like shampoo and baby powder, as she hadn't long been out of the bathtub. She wore a faded pink bathrobe tied loosely over her floral print nightgown and instead of slippers on her feet she wore a pair of plain white socks. Her long hair hung down her back gathered loosely a piece of ribbon. Jarod noted that despite everything, her hair was still red in color with for the most part except for a few areas of gray scattered here and there. She was beautiful to him in the way only his mother could be and he loved her just for who she was.
Margaret was also studying her son, inhaling the scent of his leather jacket as their embraced continued. She remembered the last night he had had with them before the Centre stole him. The man who stood before her in so many ways reminded her of the little boy she'd lost all those years ago. Yet she knew she would be forced to truly acknowledge now that he had grown up without her in his life, without her love or influence. What kind of person was he, she suddenly wondered, and what was his life like inside the Centre? She didn't know those answers. She only knew that she loved him with all of her being, and now she would be able to have a presence in his life.
Margaret was the one to finally end the hug they'd both been aching to feel all the years of their separation. She pulled back to look up into the eyes of her son, smiling as Jarod held on her hand as though she would vanish if he did not.
"I love you, Jarod," she finally voiced the words.
Jarod couldn't speak right at that moment as his emotions were overwhelming him, even as his tears were overflowing. He kissed her hand, trying to find his voice. Margaret just smiled at him and wiped away his tears.
"It's all right. There will be plenty of time for us to talk," she said. "Now come and let's sit down somewhere as looking up to my very tall son is breaking my neck!" she said. Jarod laughed, and nodded following his mother towards the living room.
* * * * *
Major Charles and Emily went in the living, and
she sat down even as he walked towards the locked door to open it.
"Dad, what's up?" she asked.
"I'm going to get your brothers," he replied, disappearing into the dark.
"My brothers?" she muttered out loud. "Ethan!" As soon as she realized it, she slipped on some shoes and was about to follow her father outside when he returned. Emily backed up to allow him to enter, followed closely back a man she recognized.
Charles smiled. "Emily, I'd like you to meet your brother, Ethan. Ethan, this is your sister, Emily." He watched them hug one another before Emily saw Corey. "And this is your brother, Corey." Emily studied him for a long moment, finding something familiar about him. Finally, Emily hugged the youngest member of their family tightly.
* * * * *
No one had noted Zoey's presence as she lurked in
the shadows of her room's doorway. She observed the entire scene with Jarod
and Margaret, and had peeked into the living room in time to see Major
Charles return with the last two members of their family.
Jarod's family was completely together and that caused her to smile as she pulled out her phone, stepping back into her room as she began dialing a familiar number. . .
To Be Continued...