Page 24 of If You Love Me

“I’ll explain when y’all get inside.”

Our mothers began fussing at him for having them rush over thinking something was wrong, and our fathers chimed right in. Tyrion waved them off as he opened the door wider to let them in. All talking ceased as their eyes landed on me.

“Oh… oh my God!” my mother screamed, rushing to me. My father was on her heels. They both wrapped their arms around me so tightly that I could barely breathe.

“Thank you, Father God!” my mom praised. “You brought my child home!”

My father couldn’t even speak. He just squeezed tighter and kissed my head. The pressure of the hug increased as my in-laws joined in. While I couldn’t see, I could hear. Prayers and words of thanks swirled around my ears.

“Y’all are gonna suffocate her,” Tyrion said, chuckling.

Immediately, they eased up but didn’t let me go. We were all a blubbering mess at this point.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” my mom asked, checking me all over.

“I’m fine, Mama.”

She paused and cupped my face. “It’s so good to hear that word. We never gave up on you. We prayed every single day for this moment. You’re home!”

“We’ve missed you so much, baby girl,” my father finally choked out.

“I’ve missed you all. I’m so glad to be home.”

I didn’t miss the look that passed between Tyrion and my in-laws. He gave a subtle shake of the head before pulling out his phone. He tapped on it for a second, then slid it back into his pocket.

“Why don’t you all have a seat,” he said, clasping his hands together. “I’ll make us some drinks.”

He headed into the kitchen with his parents following behind him. My parents and I took a seat on the couch. They were damn near squishing me, but I didn’t mind at all.

“You grew your hair back out,” my mother observed, fluffing my curls. “I don’t know how I tamed all of this when you were a little girl.”

“With her kicking and screaming,” my father answered with a chuckle. “I used to have to hold you so you would act right. Do you remember that?”

I nodded. “I do. You were always my safe space, Daddy.”

I looked around them and into the kitchen where Tyrion and his parents were talking in hushed whispers. Every so often, he looked down at his phone, then back up at them. Whatever they were discussing must have been a big deal.

“Is something going on?” I asked my parents. “Tyrion is acting weird. Every time I mention being home, he gets this look on his face like—” I paused as I noticed their faces. “Kinda like the look on your faces.”

I stood from the couch and crossed my arms. They looked from each other to me.

“What is going on?” I asked, my voice slightly elevated. It was enough to bring Tyrion and his parents back to the living room.

“Y’all are hiding something from me,” I said, looking around. “What is it? I can take it.”

Tyrion’s eyes passed from his parents to my parents to me. He swallowed hard as he took a step forward.

“Evenie… love, I need to tell you something.”

I could feel my heart caving in its chest. “What?”

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the front door opened.

“Nana, Mimi, Paw Paw, G-Paw!

I froze as Summer Rose came running into the house. She stopped when her eyes landed on me. My hands dropped to my sides as I turned to fully face her.

“Mommy…” she whispered. “You came back… you came back!”

---