Absense Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Chapter 5 - A Second Chance

Author's Note: Okay dudes, dudetts, and dudeits. I'm really starting to get into this:) I've seriously checked my email about 80 times today to check for new reviews, because y'all make my day. seriously:)

Ps, shoutout to Gluckliche Katze, who I think has read/reviewed ALL of my fanfics! I hereby declare you as my fanfiction stalker, ahahahaha:) thank you for all the love! you really are the super-fan ;)

Alex's POV

"Momma?" a small voice whispered from the darkness, breaking the silence of my bedroom. I slowly opened my eyes. The warm sunlight from the window blinded me. I blinked, then looked down at my daughter.

"Hmm?" I mummbled as I sheilded my eyes. I looked at the clock next to me. 7AM. Ugh. "What's got you up so early?"

Leah's face lit up. "Are we going to your family's house today?" she asked.

"That's the plan," I replied, pushing back my bangs.

"Yay!" she squealed. I smiled as she jumped up and down. "When are we leaving?"

"In a little while," I sighed, "I have to get ready first." I settled my head back on my pillow and closed my eyes.

Leah gave a scowl and shook me by the shoulder. "Then go get ready, silly!"

"Trust me, kiddo, if I know my family, then there's no way they're up right now." I pulled the covers closer to me. "Just wait a few more hours, okay?"

"Okay," she sighed. "Can I stay in here with you?" She looked up at me with her puppy dog eyes. I sighed. She looked just like Mason when she did that; I couldn't resist his either. I smiled and pulled her onto the bed.

"Momma?" she asked. I gave her the shh sign, guestering to Mason, who was sound asleep. She lowered her voice. "Momma?" she whispered.

"Yes, baby?"

She looked up at me with wide eyes. "Do you think you're family will like me?" she asked softly, looking completely serious. I sat up instantly and raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" I asked slightly above a whisper.

"Well," she said softly, looking down in her lap, "They don't know about me. They only know what Justin told them, which is that you married Daddy. I'm just a little worried that they won't like me. Do you think they'll like me?"

My jaw slightly dropped. I was completely astonished by a four-year-old. Two things were floating through my mind. One: How did she know that? and two: Why would she even think that? Everybody who had ever met Leah, instantly liked her. Everybody loved Leah. She was very lovable. Even Justin, who had spent only an hour with her yesterday, had instantly taken a liking to her. She was just good with people like that. Like a lovebug.

I looked down at my daughter into her deep honest brown eyes. "Listen, Leah," I ordered, holding her in my arms, "You don't need to worry about a thing. I assure you, they will love you."

Leah figited with the stuffed giraffe in her hand. "I hope you're right," she shrugged.

I brushed the thin brown bangs out of her eyes. "Did you see how quickly Justin accepted you?" I asked her. She blinked. "He got about as much of a warning as they did. They're your family, too. Just be yourself, and they will love you. I guarrentee."

"Thanks, Momma," Leah smiled, "that makes me feel a lot better." She laughed. I smiled and hugged her tight, resting my cheek on her head. I had the same feeling inside as she did. I'd been wondering the same thing. What will they think? Will they be excited? Disapointed? Different questions raced in circles around my mind as I rocked Leah in my arms. She patted my arm softly.

"Its gonna be okay, Momma," she told me, "You'll see." I smiled down at my daughter. Even at only four, she always knew how to make someone feel better.

I looked at Mason, who was breathing softly next to us. I tapped him lightly on his sholder. His eyelids fluttered until he focused. He lifted his head and smiled.

"Good Morning," I smiled as I fixed his bedhead.

"Morning, Love," he smiled, kissing me softly. Leah gagged and rolled her eyes, looking a lot like me. I laughed.

Justin's POV

"What time will she be here?" Mom asked for the tenth time in the past hour.

"She said around lunch," I replied for the tenth time. I straightened a green pillow on the couch were I was sitting.

"Did she mean eleven lunchtime or twelve lunchtime?" Mom demanded, she didn't wait for me to respond. "Oh Justin, will you read the text one more time?" She leaned over my shoulder, guestering to my phone. I sighed.

"Hey, you told Mom and Dad I wanted to visit today, right? We'll try to be there around lunch. That okay? -Alex." I read aloud to Mom. She smiled a mile wide. I hadn't seen Mom smile like that in a long time.

"I just can't believe she's coming back!" Mom exclaimed, laying her head on my shoulder.

I glanced at the wall clock on the other side of the room. "Well, you'll have to believe it. She'll be here in about twenty minutes if we're going by eleven lunch."

Mom smiled as a single tear welled up in her eye. She sat next to me. "How does she look?" she asked.

"Great," I smiled, "She's about the same size, and shape. She has purple streaks in her hair now. She looks happy." I thought about my sister with her daughter in her arms. The look of joy and happiness on her face. I found myself smiling, too.

Alex's POV

My heart was about ready to beat out of my chest as we pulled up to Waverly Sub Station.

"Excited much?" Mason smiled from the driver's seat. I forgot about his werewolf hearing.

"A little," I replied softly. I looked out the window. Old memories replayed in my mind. Different emotions flowed all around me: happiness, nervousness, excitement, fear. All of the above. I coundn't tell if I was more excited or scared. I looked back at Leah, who was examining her surroundings with wide eyes.

"Ready?" I asked her. Her grin grew wider as she nodded excitedly. I smiled.

"Are you ready?" Mason asked me. I looked at the familiar building in front of me. I glanced at the top window, where I noticed Justin grinning at me. He nodded in approval.

I smiled. "Yep." I climbed out of the car and slid Leah out of her seat. We entered the empty shop. Justin met us inside, making sure no one was following.

"Hey, bro," I smiled.

"Hey, guys!" He replied as he pulled me into a hug. He released me and squatted down to Leah's level, "Hey, kiddo," he announced with a grin.

Leah's face lit up. She immediatly hugged him. "Hi, uncle Justin!" she exclaimed.

"So, what do you think of the place?" he asked her.

She looked around for a minute, then gave him a skeptical glance. "I'm confused. Is this a resturaunt or a subway?" that sent the three of us into a laughing fit. She let out an akward giggle, not getting the joke.

"So, what's the plan?" Mason asked between laughs.

"I have an idea," Justin informed him.

XxXxX

I took a deep breath. Justin patted me on the back. I looked back at Mason and Leah, who were behind us, waiting on the signal. Leah smiled and waved at me. I smiled too.

"Ready?" Justin asked.

I looked up at the too familiar staircase. My butterflies bloomed in my stomach and my heart thumped loud enough for everyone to hear. I nodded. We started up the stairs.

"Hey everyobody! Look who's here!" Justin called out as we reached the top step. I gasped.

"ALEX!" my mom cried. She dashed over to us.

"Mom!" I cried. I threw my arms around her. Tears were welling up in both of our eyes. I felt secure.

"Jerry! Alex is here!" Mom called out to the terrace. Dad busted through the door carrying a bottle of mustard. How typical. He spotted me. A smile grew across both of our faces.

"Alex!" He shouted. He instantly wrestled me into a bear hug and lifted me off the ground. He spun me around without a problem, much to my surprise. He set me down and I scanned them both over. They looked about the same. Mom's hair had darkened up, with a few strands of gray here and there. Dad on the other hand, was noticably slimmer. He wasn't quite as clean shaved, but kept his kind face.

"Oh, Alex, we're so glad you came by!" Mom informed me. "I was so worried I'd never see you again."

I smiled. "Me too. I'm really sorry I just left you all without warning like that. I just-"

"We know, honey. You followed your heart, no matter where it took you," Mom smiled as she took my hand, "It's really kind of hard to be mad at you for that."

"And, speaking of your heart," Dad noted, "You're still with Mason, right?" I smiled and dramatically waved my hand, proudly displaying my beautiful dimond ring. Mom gasped and instantly examined it.

"Oh, well I guess that answers that," Dad laughed at his own stupidity. I laughed too.

"We celebrated our fifth anniversary three months ago," I said proudly, making Mom happily tear up again. I looked at Justin, who guestured to the stairs. "Oh, and, speaking of Mason," I continued as a smile grew wide across my face. "There's somebody who I want you to meet." Mom and Dad exchanged glances.

I looked over the rail of the metal staircase. "Come on up, Mason," I called.

Theresa's POV

I watched my daughter lean over the rail and look down, just like she did when she was little. She stood on her tippy-toes in order to see the bottom. "Come on up, Mason," she called. I heard the sound of feet stepping on the metal staircase. Mason's steps grew louder. I kept hearing little tap taps between Mason's big thuds. He made it to the top of the stairs. I quickly looked him over until I saw his hand, which was being held by a little dark haired, dark eyed girl. I gasped as the little girl looked shyly around the room.

Alex smiled and scooped the little girl onto her hip. "Mom, Dad, this is Leah," she smiled proudly, "your granddaughter."

Okay, I wasn't too proud of this Chapter...what do y'all think ? :)