When the two women re-entered the apartment, Christmas songs were playing and everybody was busy unpacking gifts, thanking each other and showing off what they received. Kara lead Lena over to the kitchen island where she had left her stack of gifts but before Lena started unwrapping she turned around, took a deep breath and then addressed the others.
"Guys, I'm sorry for freaking out like that."
Hearing her speak, everybody turned to listen with kind looks on their faces and Lena felt braver.
"I…I was just so overwhelmed by all your kindness that it became a bit too much and I just acted on instinct and ran. You know, in the Luthor household", she said the last two words with audible contempt, "there was no warmth or kindness, let alone love, and showing emotions and betraying weakness in any way was not tolerated."
They all saw her shiver slightly when she said it and could only guess what the punishment had been and were appalled.
"But you guys have been so kind to me and…and it means so much. Thank you!" Lena finished smiling genuinely at everyone and even not caring that a few tears escaped her eyes again.
To Lena's surprise, Kara's mother immediately stepped forward and embraced her, "I'm sorry for what happened to you, child, but you're part of this family now and we love you just the way you are."
And Lena gave into her emotions and cried in happiness as she felt a mother's embrace for the first time in her life, "I love my new family. Thank you, Eliza."
And then everyone was there, around them and was joining in the hug until it was one big laughing clump of people and Lena was passed from embrace to embrace.
To be continued…