Disclaimer: I own NOTHING!!!!
January 5th, 2028 1:00 pm Albuquerque
"Are you leaving us?" Kelsi asked me as I ran my hand over my wet cheeks.
"Yeah I'm leaving." I told her trying to smile a little.
"Oh don't cry, Tess. You're going back to your old life; but we'll see each other soon." Kelsi said wrapping me in a hug.
"I know but I don't want to go just yet." I told her as more tears came out.
"You will be fine. We'll stay in contact by email and you'll see us before you know it." Sharpay told me coming up beside me and Kelsi.
"Thanks Sharpay." I said smiling again.
"Not a problem. We've had you for a couple of days now and you're our newly found family. We'll keep in touch, I promise." Sharpay told me giving me a hug.
"I'm just worried about going back to my old life with all of this new information." I told them.
"You'll have to decide how to use the information and put it to use in your new life." Kelsi reminded me.
"It's going to take time which I have a lot of." I told them both grinning.
"That you do. Now do you want us to do anything before we let you go?" Sharpay asked me.
"I would like a group picture with everyone. If that's ok." I added quickly with a smile.
"I think we can get the guys to line up for a quick photo." Sharpay told me quickly going around and gathering everyone.
My 8 new aunts and uncles quickly lined up in a line as I snapped photos of them. I handed Jack the camera before going to join them for a series of photos.
"You're really leaving us huh?" Chad asked me wrapping me in a hug.
"It's not like I won't be out here again in a couple of months." I told them grinning.
"What does that mean?" Ryan said looking deeper into the statement than necessary.
"I'm coming out here for Spring break with a couple of friends." I told them grinning.
"Oh that will be fun. You'll have to let us know when it is and you can stay with one of us." Jason told me grinning.
"I will find it out and let you know." I said walking away from the group and walking over to where Carly, Jack, Jordan, Abbie, Michele, and Sarah.
"You excited about going home?" Carly asked me as I walked up to her.
"I am in a way but sad that I'm leaving all of you behind." I told her shaking my head.
"You will be fine. We'll keep in contact by email and phones." Jack told me.
"I'm coming back in April for Spring Break." I told them as they grinned at me.
"If you need a place, you're more than welcome to stay with us." Jack offered as I smiled.
"It will be me and two other friends, if you can handle three teenagers all at once." I told them grinning.
"Abbie, Sarah, and Michele were all teenagers at the same time; I think we can handle you and your two friends." Carly told me laughing.
"I will talk it over with my friends and let you guys know soon." I told them holding back a little.
"What's wrong, Tess?" Jordan asked me as I quickly shook my head.
"I was wondering if I could get a photo with you guys." I asked them shyly.
"Of course you can. Hey Chad, come here for a minute." Abbie yelled at her brother's best friend.
"What's up Abs?" Chad asked as Abbie glared at him.
"Will you take a picture of us with Tess?" Abbie asked as I handed Chad my camera.
"I sure will. Say cheese." Chad said as we all grinned for the camera.
"There you guys go. It turned out really good." Chad said handing me the camera back.
"Thank you Chad." I told him grinning a cheesy grin. I left my camera on the table as I looked around the room and burned a memory of the place in my mind.
"Not a problem Tess." Chad said walking over to the bar where everyone had gathered.
I looked around the room and noticed someone standing off to the side. I walked over with a smile on my face.
"How are you holding up?" I asked the person who jumped slightly from me scaring them.
"I think I'm holding up pretty good. I could ask you the same question." Gabi said turning and looking at me.
"I'm nervous about going back to my old life before I knew the secret. Will people treat me differently just because I'm adopted? All this uncertainly lies ahead for me and I don't know what to expect." I admitted to my birth mom.
"Expect that everyone who cares about you is going to be there whenever you need them. They'll listen when you have a rant; they will cheer you up when you have a rough day; and most importantly they'll be with you until the end." Gabi told me.
"Thanks. I needed that." I told her grinning and looking into her dark brown eyes.
"It's not a problem, Tess. Will you write me and let me know what's happening with school and sports?" Gabi asked me.
"I'll write you my first email when I get home." I promised as she grinned at me.
"Good. I can't wait to read it. Good luck with everything and if you need anything, let me know." Gabi said as I nodded.
"I will. Thank you for flying out here to meet me." I told her smiling.
"It's not a problem. Good luck with everything." Gabi told me as I heard my camera's shutter click.
"CHAD DANFORTH!!" I yelled as I started chasing him around the small restaurant.
"TESS ALEXIS!" Chad yelled back as I finally caught him and got my camera back.
"Why did you do that?" I asked him placing my hands on my hips and glaring at him.
"I thought you want a picture of you and your birth mom together." Chad told me innocently.
"All right you win." I told him before walking over where my purse was sitting.
"Is it time?" Gabi asked me as I silently shook my head.
I walked around the semi-circle that formed and said goodbye to the people I had quickly became friends with. They all wished me luck and told me that if I needed anything, not to hesitate to call. I smiled at them and thanked each one for patiently answering my questions.
"I'll be back in April, so I will see you guys then." I told them trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Have fun at school and don't forget to write." Zeke told me as I nodded my head.
"I will. Thank you guys again." I told them putting my purse of my shoulder and walked silently out of the restaurant and towards my car.
I got in, put in the CD of Gabi and Troy singing before starting the engine and headed towards the airport. I honked the horn at all the people on the sidewalk watching me drive away. They all waved and continued to wave as I turned the corner. I continued driving towards the airport as I held tears that threatened to fall.
Once at the airport, I turned in my car and checked in before heading through security. Once through, I found a spot before sitting down and putting my iPod in my ears. I let the tears I had been holding for so long to finally fall as I looked at the photos on my camera. Chad had taken about 12 of just Gabi and I talking; I would have to write him later to thank him.
I turned the music up louder as I continued to silently cry. I mourned for the lost of my biological father; leaving Albuquerque, the one town that held most of my answers; and leaving my biological mother in a town that held too many secrets.
My flight was called before I boarded the plane that would lead me back to Chicago and my old life. I sighed as I got comfortable in my chair. I quickly looked out the window before I closed my eyes, letting the music over take my mind.
It's short I know; but I wanted to break up her leaving Albuquerque and her homecoming in Chicago. I will update soon. Feedback would be most appreciated. Oh by the way, most of you were correct with Alexandra's name. She was named after Troy's middle name as was Tess.