Ever since that day, I promised myself and Laura I would stop wallowing in self-pity. I was determined to be proactive, to do things that would benefit both Mackenzie and me.
Laura has been my rock through everything. I’m so grateful for her presence in my life – truly, she’s the reason I’m where I am today, and I’ll be forever thankful for her unwavering support.
Stepping off the plane with Mackenzie, I felt utterly drained. She was bursting with excitement about being with Liam, Laura’s son, and sometimes, watching them together, I knew they were destined to be the next generation of best friends. As I walked through the automatic doors of the airport, heading towards Laura’s waiting embrace, I was so relieved she and Elijah had offered me a haven. To have nowhere else to go, no plan B… the thought of facing my parents and admitting he’d left me was unbearable. They loved him like their own son, and I couldn’t inflict that pain on them.
The airport wasn’t crowded, and in a strange way, I was glad for the relative emptiness. People rushed around, overjoyed to reunite with loved ones, and it triggered a wave of sadness within me. *Stop it,* I scolded myself. *You can do this. You can be stronger, for Mackenzie, for yourself.* She needs me more than ever.
As I walked through the doors, guiding our luggage, I spotted Laura. She radiated sunshine in a pretty sundress, her long blond hair flowing behind her, and her pink lips curved into the biggest, most welcoming smile I’d ever seen. She’d even made a small banner that read, “Welcome Home, My Beauties.”
She pulled me into a hug so tight it squeezed the breath from my lungs, whispering, “We’re going to have the greatest time.” We walked towards her car, a sleek, dark blue Range Rover Sport – the best “soccer mom” car I’d ever seen. I loaded the luggage into the back and buckled Mackenzie into Liam’s racing-themed car seat, which she loved for its little accessories. On the drive to their home, I drifted off for a moment, lost in thought, and I could feel Laura’s gaze on me.
“Why do you keep doing that to yourself?” she asked, her voice laced with frustration. “Dwelling on it gets so annoying. Don’t worry, Sugar tits. I’ll make your stay worthwhile. You’ll forget he even existed within a week.” My best friend’s words were laced with a mischievous smirk that both terrified and excited me.
As we approached their gate, it opened, revealing a stunning two-story home. Laura is the kind of woman who has her life perfectly planned out, with the finances to indulge in every whim, but she never flaunts it. She’s down-to-earth and vibrant, the most energetic mom I’ve ever known, and that’s one of the many reasons I love her dearly.
We walked into the kitchen to find Elijah busy preparing dinner. He turned and saw us, and the look on his face… it was like he was falling in love all over again. They’re just the cutest couple. “Well hello there, my beauty,” he greeted, kissing Laura’s temple.
“Hi honey,” she replied. “I told you I’d handle dinner. You didn’t have to, but thank you, my love.”
“I’m so sorry,” I blurted out, feeling rude. “Hi Leah. It’s wonderful to see you. Make yourself at home. We want you to feel at home here.”
After dinner, we chatted for hours, catching up. Slowly, exhaustion began to creep in, and we headed to our new room to call it a day.