Victoria startled awake as the wheels collided with the tarmac.
After a particularly smooth flight, she at some point, had dozed off but now was eager to leave the plane and begin her holiday with the family. During the phone call with her dad, they had decided to not tell her brother that she was coming, and that it was time to consider telling the new members of the family about who she was. It was obvious that she couldn't spend the planned month with the family without her existence becoming knowledge but from what she had been told, her new step brother wasn't the best when it came to secrets and considering the friends they shared in the glee club at school, she was going to have to careful with what happened next. But all else, she was excited to see her brother again. Her heart pounded at the thought oh finally seeing him again and giving him the biggest hug possible.
'Maybe she could convince him to return to New York with her', she thought to herself as she grabbed her handbag and left the plane behind her bodyguard.
She chuckled to herself. Her brother wouldn't take much convincing to go to New York, it would be their dad who they would have to convince. A small brunette dressed in the staff uniform met them as they departed and directed them through a side door that would allow her to slip through the building unseen by the other flyers and maybe limit the exposure to the press of her whereabouts. A small smile from the young woman, hinted to Victoria that she was a fan and very much trying to contain her excitement. She gave another chuckle, posed for a photo with her and quickly signed a magazine with her scripted signature and departed with haste through the double doors.
From behind her wide rimmed glasses, she scanned the car park when she heard her name shouted to her right. There he was. Her father dressed in his traditional jeans, checkered shirt and baseball cap. His hands and clothes were stained so obviously he had spent the morning tinkering with motors before picking her up. Gripping her bag, she raced towards him. Suddenly she felt like a child again as they met in a strong embrace. Her fathers large form dwarfed her small body, but he was everything she remembered. The smell of oil, mixed with his spicy aftershave, the low gruff in the voice as he said her name. She was nearly home, and she could taste the freedom and comfort that came with it.
She pulled back, her eyes wet with unshed tears. "Daddy." She squeaked, a knot was in her throat and she struggled to swallow. How she had missed her dad.
"Hey, kiddo. Good flight?"
Straight to the point as always. "Long, too long."
"It certainly has been. It's good to see you."
She nodded. Nothing more needed to be said between them. Her dad loaded her bags into the back of the car and she turned to talk to Austin, her bodyguard. By agreement with her agency, she would have the next month off on the condition Austin stayed nearby incase anything happened. Of course, she agreed. Austin was like an older brother to her, and he was looking forward to the break the next month would bring. She wasn't a party animal, and she was spending time with her family. Other then the odd outing, they didn't foresee many problems but it was better to be safe then sorry. If the press got word of her whereabouts, at least she had protection with her.
Austin nodded to her. He was staying in a nearby apartment that the agency was paying for and was renting a car for the duration of their visit. By extension, if Victoria wanted to venture anywhere without family, she would travel with him. The plan was fair for all, and covered at least the basics. Austin gave her a brief hug then disappeared off to pick up his car and find the place where he would be staying.
"Ready to go kiddo?" She turned to see her dad half seated in his truck. She a grin, she stumbled around to the passenger seat and climbed in. The memories of being driven around in the vehicle during her youth came flooding back.
They made quick conversation on the way back, asking the traditional 'how are you', 'how has things been', how's the family' etc and all to soon they were turning into a house she didn't recognise. Victoria knew the family had moved since her last visit and she was anxious to see the new place.
"Finn's still at school. Kurt stays at Dalton during the week, but is meant to be home tomorrow for Family Fridays. I will worn you through, Carol is inside. I hope you don't mind but she already knew about you before, but I've told her this morning about why she didn't know who you were. I hope you don't mind. I know -"
Victoria interrupted him. "Dad it's fine. I guessed you would, if you trust, I trust her. So does this mean I can finally meet her?" She was bubbling with excitement.
He grinned. "Come inside, she is excited to meet you too."
They were through the front door in seconds, and just as she was taking her coat off, a woman walked around the corner from the kitchen and tea towel in her hands.
"You must be Carol. It's wonderful to finally meet you." They embraced, Carol taken back by the warm welcome.
They pulled apart. "And you must be Victoria. Burt's told me so much about you, and until recently I thought I knew you, but clearly not. Thank you for trusting me." She smiled, nerves supporting her words.
Victoria giggled and smiled. "It's fine. It's about time you knew. Dad and Kurt has spoken about you so often, it's great to finally put a face to a name."
They embraced again and soon fell into conversation themselves, settling in the living room with a cup of coffee in hand and evening of chatter ahead of them. Burt slumped in his chair, watching fondly at the two most information women in his life, bicker and banter together.
It was early evening, when the home phone interrupted their conversation. Victoria had been deciding her recent tour when Carol excused herself to answer. Her soft voice drifting in through the open door of the kitchen, and Burt frowned, slight worry lines pulling at his face. Victoria felt her stomach drop. She knew that look, she had seen it on her own face too many times recently, dreading every phone call that came from the family.
The gut aching worry that something had happened and news would bring her world spiralling down. When she had got the call about her dad's heart attack, she near enough had one herself. She had been in London when it happened and try as she may, couldn't get a flight out until the end of the week and by that point he had woken up and under Kurt direction, had made an incredible recovery. Another time, was when her dad rang her about Kurt one day after school. He was concerned because Kurt wasn't eating and had shut himself uncharacteristically in his bedroom. Another call had revealed the events that had lead to Kurt's transfer.
Carol returned to the room, a neutral look on her face and reseated herself in the corner of the sofa. "That was Finn, he is staying at Puck's tonight and they are leaving football practise in the morning."
"That works out a little better then planned." Burt laughed, all worry lines ceased to exist. "At least that will be a conversation for another night."
I chuckled with agreement. I was tired from the flight and all the excitement from coming home had left me exhausted. Looking at the clock, the hands displayed 7:30. It was still early, but the thought of bed and sleep sounded very inviting.
Her dad seemed to read her thoughts. "You look tired kiddo, why don't I show you to your room and get you settled?" He didn't wait for a response. Pushing himself up, he disappeared through to the hall and grabbed her suitcase. Victoria stumbled to her feet and followed Carol through the hall and up the stairs, reaching a room at the end of the corridor.
"Kurt's room is next to yours, and this bedroom has an on suite. Please make it your own. I know your only staying briefly but this is your room whenever you want to come home."
Victoria smiled at her words. That was the one difficult thing about being away from home and especially after they moved. It was the lack of knowing that no matter where she went, she had that one base at home and even now, unknowingly she still had one. She was touched.
"Thank you" She whispered, walking slowing into the room. There was a double bed with blue cover spread that matched the curtains. A classic chest sat at the bottom of the bed with a matching chest of drawers and built in wardrobe along the wall. The grey carpet was soft underfoot and the warm comfort that radiated from the room welcomed her home.
'Kurts outdone himself.' She thought to herself. Without a doubt in her mind, Kurt was the one who had decorated the room, it screamed his style and her heart ached for her little brother. 'Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would go and see him.'
Burt shuffled into the room, placing her suitcase by the bed. With a warm smile, they embraced. "Wonderful to have you home kiddo."
"It's good to be home." And it was. Burt and Carole, with a bid of goodnights, disappeared through the door leaving her alone. She looked around her room again. Her room. She was home, and couldn't wait for what the morning would bring.