I didn't expect my parents to be there as I neared my sister's house. I recognized the sleek black Nissan Sentra parked right next to my sister's minivan.
Dread formed at the pit of my stomach as I felt the taxi come to a stop in front of the house.
With shaking hands, I slowly gave the exact money to the driver before exiting the cab and making my way towards the house.
I could feel my pulse race as I slowly went up the stone steps, stopping just outside the door and taking a deep breath.
It had been too long since I had seen them. The last time we saw them was just before I married Edward when they told me that though they didn't agree with my choice, I would always have their support, wherever I was.
Then everything changed.
I got a divorce, and to avoid the shame of facing them.
Especially coming to them after a failed marriage, and being classified as a cheater by the entire country, I just didn't think I could ever face them without bringing shame to them. Pregnant no less.
Now, it seemed like the avoidance was over. I had to face them, hurting them in the process.
I knew hiding was cowardice, but I didn't want to shame them or hurt them.
Even as I sat there next to the door, I knew I couldn't stay there forever.
"Me estabas esperando?" I heard a voice ask from behind me causing me to jump in surprise. (Were you waiting for me?)
"Ay, tonto! ¡Me asustaste!" I gasped, turning to look at him. (Oh, dummy! You scared me!)
"Porque te asustaste? ¿Qué tienes, Isa?" Gio asked, concerned. (Why did you get scared? What's wrong, Isa?)
"Nada. No es nada." I quickly replied, getting to my feet as I did. (Nothing. It's nothing.)
"Isa…" He begins before I shake my head at him. "You were alright when I left you at your job, what happened to make you this way… and don't say anything because I'll bring your sister out here too." He threatens.
"I know, I know. I can't hide things from you and Pilly, but this is so hard… What with me leaving, then divorcing, and then disappearing again… I just don't want anyone else to be hurt… Especially Mami and Papi. I've hurt them enough." I explained hastily.
"That shouldn't be stopping you from seeing anyone. Especially your parents. Let it go, and move on. You don't owe anyone an explanation. You did what you had to do. What was best for you and your kids. As long as you three are alright, fuck everyone else." He replies, throwing his arm around my shoulders, "Now, let's go inside, I am sure mis suegros have missed you like crazy." He says pushing the door and dragging me in before I can protest. (My inlaws)
Just as we walk in we hear the squeals and laughter coming from somewhere in the house.
I can smell the familiar cooking of my mother's savory dishes as Gio leads me towards the noise and smell.
Just before we walk in, I hear the sharp voice of my mother as she probably moves around the kitchen.
"¡No lo puedo creer! Es que— Lo que más me enoja es que lo hizo durante un año entero! Cómo pudo ese hijo de puta tener los cojones de hacerle eso a tu hermana!" My mother growled. (I can not believe it! The thing that angers me the most is that he did it for a whole fucking year! How could that son of a bitch have the balls to do that to your sister!)
"You need to calm down. Your anger won't help her feel better about what happened. She avoided everyone for this reason. You need to understand she did what she thought was best for herself. Being angry at them won't help her move on." My sister says, calmly.
"Lo mataré y lo haré alegremente! Esto no se va a quedar así." My mother growled, slamming something, causing me to flinch. ( I will kill him and I will do it cheerfully. This is not going to stay like this.)
"Why don't you go check on the kids while I check on your sister and mother?" Gio asked, concerned, as he looked down at me.
I sighed, before turning to go look for the kids. Finding them a moment later playing in a large playroom, along with my father.
"Isa?" My father gasped as he turned to look at me.
"Papi…" I whispered, tearfully. (Daddy)
"Mi pequeña... como te hemos extrañado, mi niña hermosa." He whispered as he pulled me tightly into a hug. "You should have called, visited… we have missed you so much but we understood you needed time. Now that you're here, we need to catch up." He said, in a soft chastising tone. (My little one ... how much we have missed you, my beautiful girl)
He smiled at me, before leading me out of the room. "Definitely, but won't the kids—" I began before he shook his head at me.
"The kids will be fine. Now, let's talk… come on. I am sure you have much to tell us, eh?" He commented, raising a grayed brow at me.
I sighed, before nodding in response, I guess Gio was right. It was time to move on.
I knew where my father was leading us. The kitchen. Where I could still hear my mother growling occasionally under her breath as Gio and Pilly tried to calm her down. Though it was a futile attempt and waste of energy. Only my father knew how to calm her down.
"De nada sirve que se enoje." We heard Gio say, as we walked in. (It's useless for you to get angry.)
"Look who is here…" my sister interrupted, throwing me an apologetic smile before getting to her feet.
My mother turned sharply to where we were standing before dropping the wooden spoon in her hand and rushing towards us to pull me into a tight hug.
"Oh! Mi niña querida… You will not do that again!" She muttered tearfully. (My dear girl)
"I'm sorry, Mami. I didn't think you'd miss me so much…" I replied sheepishly.
"Of course we missed you! We're your family! Why in the world would you think otherwise?!" My mother asked, appalled.
"Because of what everyone was saying about me," I replied sitting down in one of the stools.
"Hijo de puta!" My mother exclaimed, causing all of our eyes to widen.(Son of a bitch)
"Pilar, that's enough." My father said, before looking towards me. "Explain what you mean, Isa, please…"
"After the divorce was settled, one of the popular tabloids printed out an exclusive interview with his ex-manager and a reliable named source. They stated that I was cheating throughout our entire marriage and that is why we got divorced. I assume it was to make him look good but that isn't really something I care to find out about. The damage was done. That is why Uncle Charlie and Aunt Renee offered to help me… why I left to live in England instead of coming back here… I needed time to be away from everything and everyone." I told them, looking down at my hands.
"How long after you arrived in England did you find out you were pregnant, Isa?" Gio asked, concerned.
I snorted, shaking my head in disbelief. "I had been living in England for about a month when I discovered the possibility of being pregnant. Aunt Renee said it was probably stress, and to give it a few more days but after another week or so, I fainted as I was getting home, and my aunt and uncle took me to the hospital…"
"That is when you tried to contact them only for them to act as they did…" Gio said, taking a deep breath.
"Why didn't you come home? We could have helped you…" my mother asked, grabbing my hand.
"Because by then I was too scared of your reactions… I didn't want to come home and feel like a failure. Or that I was more alone than I thought. I needed time to wrap my head around everything." I explained, letting out a tired sigh.
"But…"
"Alright. That is enough. She is here. With us. They're all here. That is what matters. Let's move on. We as a family need to have each other's backs… and support and respect our choices. Even if we don't agree with them. That is why we are here. Now, let's eat before the food gets cold." My father said, looking at my mother challengingly.
The entire meal was slightly tense, though I missed the company of my family and wished I could rewind time, and change everything that happened to be here instead of England.
I knew things happened for a reason the way they did, and I decided to take Gio's advice and let go of the past. Though it was easier said than done.
So, there is more info on what happened.
Yes, there is two sides to the story, but sometimes one is suffice, and for now, that is enough.