Chapter 3
Mary slowly walked down the isle of the plane, checking to make sure that everyone had their seatbelts fastened. The pilot had just made the announcement that they would be landing soon. Mary could not wait to see her family. It had been a long time coming and she hoped that they would welcome her with open arms. The past year had been a struggle. She had almost walked out on her marriage and left her son. Looking at her life at this moment, she was ashamed of the choice she almost made; she was married to a wonderful man who loved her and she had a beautiful son and she was about to have two beautiful daughters. She couldn't imagine her life more perfect. Once the plane had made its way to the gate, Mary said goodbye to the passengers on board. Once everyone had gotten off, Mary thanked the crew and then got off the plane herself. Mary made her way towards the terminal.
"There she is,' Matt said, as he spotted his sister. Mary spotted her husband and brother and started towards them. Mary instantly jumped into her husband's arms.
"How was the flight?" Carlos asked her.
"It was good," Mary told him.
"I hope you got some rest," Carlos pressed.
"I did, don't worry," Mary said.
"Mary," Matt said, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Hey," Mary greeted her brother.
"It is so good to see you," Matt told her.
"Well, it's good to be home," Mary said, as they started towards the car.
Once they got home, the house was very quite.
"Hello, I am home," Mary shouted, hoping someone would hear her.
"Mary!" Mrs. Camden shouted as she came to the front door. She rapped her arms around her daughter.
"Hi mom," Mary said, hugging her mother.
"It is so good to see you," Mrs. Camden said.
"I've missed you too mom," Mary said.
"Mary," Reverend Camden said, greeting his daughter.
"Dad," Mary said, giving her father a hug.
"Look at you," Reverend Camden said.
"I know. I can't believe it," Mary told her. Moments later, Simon came walking in.
"Mary," Simon said, surprised to see his sister.
"Simon, I heard about the wedding. I am so sorry," Mary told her brother.
"It's for the best. Rose didn't bring out the best in me," Simon told her.
"Still, I am sorry," Mary said as she hugged her little brother.
"Thanks," Simon said.
"Well, let's get you settled. You need your rest," Mrs. Camden told her daughter, picking up her bags and making her way up the stairs.
"That sounds good," Mary said, as she did the same.
Once Mary was settled in her old room, she decided that she would go find the rest of the family. She made her way towards Ruthie's room. She was there, sitting on her bed reading a magazine.
"Ruthie," Mary said, as she stood in the doorway. Ruthie looked up when she heard her voice.
"Mary," Ruthie said, running over to hug her sister.
"How are you?" Mary asked her. Ruthie didn't say anything.
"Ruthie, what's wrong?" Mary asked, concerned.
"Everything," Ruthie said, as she flopped down on her bed.
"What do you mean 'everything'?" Mary asked, taking a seat next to her sister.
"I mean Martin," Ruthie said.
"Ruthie, I am sorry." Mary said.
"You know?" Ruthie asked.
"You'll find someone Ruthie," Mary told her sister.
"Yeah, I know but I wanted that person to be Martin. I love him," Ruthie told Mary.
"Have you told Martin how you feel?" Mary asked Ruthie.
"No. I am afraid he may not feel the same way about me," Ruthie said, truthfully.
"Ruthie, you can't run away from things you're afraid of," Mary said.
"Sometimes you can," Ruthie told Mary.
"If you run away from things that you're afraid of you'll be missing out on a lot of great things in life," Mary said.
"So, what should I do?" Ruthie asked.
"I think you already know. You need to tell Martin how you feel," Mary told Ruthie.
"Thanks Mary. Welcome home," Ruthie said, smiling.
With that, Mary left the room to look for the twins. They were in their room playing.
"Hey guys," Mary greeted her youngest brothers.
"Mary," the twins said, hugging her. Sam pointed at Mary's stomach.
"Are you having babies too?" Sam asked.
"Yes, girls, you two are going to be uncles," Mary told them.
"Cool," the twins said. Mary laughed at her brothers' reaction.
"We love you," David told Mary.
"I love you guys too," Mary said.
"Are Lucy, Kevin and Savannah home?" Mary asked them.
"I think so," David told her.
"Okay thanks, David," Mary told her brother. With that, Mary went next door to Lucy and Kevin's.
Once she got to Kevin and Lucy's she rang the doorbell. Kevin answered the door.
"Mary," Kevin said.
"Hey Kevin, how are you?" Mary asked her brother-in-law.
"I am good, how about you?" Kevin asked.
"I am good. A little tired though," Mary told him.
"Is Luce around?" Mary asked Kevin.
"Yeah, she was just about to put Savannah down for a nap," Kevin explained.
"Why don't you come in and make yourself comfortable while I go get her," Kevin told Mary.
"Okay," Mary said. With that, Mary made herself comfortable on the couch while Kevin went to get his wife. Within minutes, Mary saw her sister come into the living room, with Savannah on her hip.
"Mary," Lucy greeted her sister.
"Hey Luce," Mary said.
"Can I hold Savannah?" Mary asked Lucy.
"Of course," Lucy said, handing her to Mary, as she took a seat on the couch.
"How are you feeling?" Lucy asked her sister.
"I am a little tired, but I can't wait," Mary told her, placing her hands on her stomach.
"How about you?" Mary asked Lucy.
"I feel the same way. It hard being pregnant and taking care of Savannah but I wouldn't change it for the world," Lucy told Mary.
"Yeah, me neither," Mary said.
"How's Carlos?" Lucy asked Mary.
"He's good," Mary simply said.
"I am really proud of you. You really seem like you have settled down and taken responsibility," Lucy told her.
"Yeah. I can't believe that I even thought about leaving Carlos and Charlie. I guess I was just scared of commitment," Mary told Lucy.
"What changed?" Lucy asked.
"Well, I realized that I can't run away from what I'm afraid of. I have a commitment as a wife and a mother to take care of my family. I wish I just would have realized it before now," Mary said, sighing.
"Mary, give yourself a little credit. You are a great wife and mother. Carlos, Charlie and these babies are lucky to have you," Lucy told her, sweetly.
"Thanks Luce," Mary said.
"Well, I should probably let you get some rest," Lucy said.
"Yeah," Mary said, handing Savannah back to Lucy.
"See you later," Lucy said.
"See you," Mary said, as she left. Once Mary got home, she went to take a nap. As she settled down to sleep, she placed her hand gently across her stomach and sighed. It sure was a great feeling to finally be home.