Chapter Two

It was dark by the time we pulled into the driveway of my childhood home. Canyon had stirred me awake once we hit town giving me a chance to be alert for when we got there.

Minutes later, I could hear the comforting sound of gravel crunching under the tires. Standing next to the house were all of my most cherished love ones, waving to us through the blinding headlights shining upon them. Gabriel had ahold of Amelia's hand while my mother and Ari stood behind them, all wearing smiles that matched my own. When the truck came to a stop, it was game on to see who could reach who first.

My door flew open before I sprung from the truck and caught Amelia in my arms as she leaped all too soon. Gabriel clung to my waist at the same time Ari and my mom wrapped their arms around me.

"You're finally home!"

"Auntie Shelby, I missed you."

"Auntie Elby, want to see my new pony?"

"Why don't we all give Shelby some space to gain her sorts? She's had a long drive back."

They were all talking at the same time making me laugh uncontrollably from happiness. The chaos that ensued was more welcoming than anything. I missed them so much. The few times a year I got to come back wasn't enough. The tug on my heart from just how much I missed them proved it.

"My gosh, Gabriel, you have grown so much!" The baby face that once defined him was morphing into more of a young man. It was almost sad, but looking into his deep set green eyes that had been there all along, I knew nothing would really change. No matter how much he grew, he would still be the first baby I ever held in my arms.

I looked up at Arianna, and asked, "Is he really tall for his age or is it just me?"

"No, he's actually on the short side for eight. You just haven't been around much so it seems like it to you."

"I'm big too, Auntie Elby."

Little Amelia was only five so growth spurts hadn't had their fun with her yet. But her dark brown hair was down to the middle of her back just like her mother's, and the tooth fairy must have been a busy bee, because she was missing at least six. 

"You both have gotten so big."

I set Amelia down and maneuvered myself through the masses to get to my mother who was standing back in the distance. 

"Speaking of growing up … My God, Shelby, you are absolutely stunning."

I knew in a mother’s eyes their children would always be perfect, but having my mom say it still meant everything to me.

"Mom." It was one simple word, and it would never get old holding her in my arms. She had aged too but was still nothing short of spectacular. 

"Hey, don't leave me out."

Ari had walked up behind me. When I let my mother go and turned to her, my jaw dropped to the ground.

"You're pregnant again?"

The giggles from the children were all too sweet as Canyon closed in on the space between us.

"I told you all was right with the world."

"This is what you wouldn't talk about. You guys are crazy. Another baby? Oh, my gosh."

I felt my mom's hands rest on my shoulders before she said, "Another gift from God."

I couldn't believe it. I had missed so much being away, and it hurt far worse than I wanted to admit to myself. 

"Yes, it absolutely is. Do you guys know what the sex is yet? How far along are you? And how could you not tell me? We talk all the time."

Ari looked up at Canyon, and I watched as they shared a smile between each other before she looked back at me.

"I'm six months, and he will be here around Labor Day."

My arms reached for her and pulled until she was wrapped within them.

"He? God, another boy. I am so happy right now." 

"Why don't you come inside? We can leave your things for later. I want to hear all about your plans now that you are a big college graduate. And, by the way, I know I've said this a thousand times, but I really am sorry we couldn't make it up for your graduation ceremony. Things just weren't the best here after we had to put him down."

I had tried to put Magnus' death behind me, but I knew once I stepped foot in that barn it would have resurfaced anyway.

"That was a sad day for all of us, and I will never hold that against you, Ari. I'm sorry I couldn't be here for you."

"Now that's just silly talk, and you know it. Graduating Cum Laude is something I could only have wished for."

"I know full well you would have been Valedictorian had you stayed in school, so don't make it a big deal. Besides, if I was that great, I would have my dream job already."

My mother, Ari, and I had walked to the back porch and were following the kids in when the dreaded question arose.

"So, where is this dream job?"

My mother took a seat at the table waiting for an answer. 

I licked my lips, which, unfortunately, was a dead giveaway of mine that I didn't want to answer. 

"Shelby." She drug my name out, knowing I was stalling. At the same time, Ari came to the table with a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses. 

"Why don't we all just sit and chat? Canyon, would you mind getting the kids to bed? It's late, and they can see Auntie Shelby in the morning."

He kissed her forehead before saying, "Gabriel, Amelia, get upstairs and brush your teeth. It's time for bed."

When they began to whine and complain, he turned into an angry monster and had them running as fast as their little legs could carry them. Canyon looked at us smiling like the devil. "Works every time," he said, and then he ran up the stairs after them.

I turned my attention back to Mom and Ari while shaking my head laughing. "It's good to be home." And I meant it. Being away allowed me to focus on my career, but sitting at a table with my family … It's just the little things in life that can be more profound than anything else.

"When do you leave again?"

My head snapped back in shock while my sister looked at me with an all-knowing grin. How could she have known?

"I'm not sure. I haven't heard from them yet."

My mother wore an expression of confusion and disappointment. 

"Who's them?"

Resting my hands on the table in front of me, I looked her in the eye.

"Please don't take this any way other than for what it is. I can't do anything with my degree here. I need to be in a big city where I can grow."

"Helena isn't that far. Why are you acting like you will be on the other side of the world?"

Ari stayed quiet, resting back in her chair while rubbing her very obvious baby bump. My mother, on the other hand, was sitting up straight in hers ready to go to war with me.

"Your silence speaks volumes, dear Shelby. Are you going to tell us where it is you plan on moving to?"

"I am waiting to hear from the firm in San Diego that I did my internship with. It looks like everything is lining up—"

"San Diego?"

"Mom, stop. Shelby has always dreamed of this, and now it's a possibility. We need to be happy for her. I know I am." 

Ari grabbed our mother’s hand to comfort her, all the while beaming a smile that proved her honesty.

Rising up from my chair, I walked across the room to their side of the table and bent down between them.

"It won't change. I will still come back to visit all the time. Heck, probably more now than when I was in school."

My mom turned in her chair and grabbed my face to hold it in her hands.

"I was just so happy to finally have you back home. It's okay, though. I want you to be happy. That's all I have ever wanted."

Looking into her eyes, I couldn't have produced more truthful words.

"I am, Mom."

Arianna's chair slid back before she stood and pushed it back in.

"That's all that matters. Now, I am getting extremely tired. I don't know about you guys, but I am ready to call the day over now that you're home. "She solidified it with a yawn and then laughed. "At least you know I'm not lying."

I glanced over at the clock and saw that it was already eleven thirty. 

"Yeah, I could use a good night sleep myself. Mom, are you ready to go home?"

Her hand wrapped around mine. 

"Yes, dear, I am. Having both my girls finally here will give me the best night’s sleep I've had in a long time."

She kissed my cheek, let go of my hand, and walked to the back door.

"I will be right behind you, I just want to kiss the kids goodnight first."

"Sounds good, sweetheart." 

And then she walked through the door and out of sight. Ari spun me around to face her. "Is there a guy? Is that why you want San Diego so bad? You can tell me, you know."

I couldn't help but laugh. 

"No, there really isn't anyone. Just my dream job. Well, and Izzy."

"Oh, Lord, Izzy is there? Now it all is making way more sense."

We were walking through the family room, now covered in framed pictures of the kids instead of sad memories of Canyon's past. One picture stopped me from following Ari up the stairs. It was a photo of their wedding day.

"I'm surprised to see this here."

Ari stopped advancing up the stairs to see which picture I was looking at.

"Oh, that. Well, Amelia found it in closet and asked why I didn't have it hanging up. What was I supposed to do?"

"It may have been the worst of timing, but it still is the day you got married. You should have it up for everyone to see."

"Yeah, right, as if it even looks like a wedding."

She finished walking up the stairs and I heard the floorboards creak over my head, knowing she went straight to her and Canyon's room. I, on the other hand, continued to look at the two of them, remembering the day like it was yesterday. It certainly wasn't the wedding every girl dreams of. If anything, it was their worst nightmare come to life. 

When my mom got the phone call from the hospital, telling her that the two of them were transported by Medevac and on life support, she went berserk. Not knowing what she had heard over the phone, I was scared to death.  Having never seen my mom act like that, I rushed to Canyon's for a sister that wasn't there. On my way back home, I found my mom screaming for me at her car. I didn’t know if I should go with her or not—I was only nine and terrified. My decision was made when she rushed to me and explained, "There was an accident. Arianna and Canyon are in the hospital. We need to go now."

That was the longest car ride of my life. I'd never been so scared. My mother didn't speak the whole way. Instead, she just cried. I sat in the back seat wondering if my sister would die. 

When we finally got to the hospital, we weren't allowed to see them. They both were in emergency surgery.  It was five days for Ari and eleven for Canyon before they woke up. Seven surgeries were performed between the two of them, and a whole lot of prayers were said. Their wedding took place in the hospital with both of them lying in beds side by side. Looking at the picture, they're both smiling even though there were tubes coming from every orifice. It wasn't a great memory to hold onto but neither of them would listen to reason at the time. They were just happy to be alive and weren't taking a day for granted. It was so long ago but damn does it go to show how stubborn the two of them were at the time. They fought so hard to be together and nothing was going to stand in their way.

I climbed the steps quietly and snuck into Gabriel's room first. He was sound asleep as I softly kissed his forehead, not even a stir came from him. A mini Canyon for sure was in the making. There really isn't a better man on the planet to emulate, even if this little boy didn't stand much chance of being anything else. I closed the door behind me on my way out and crept to Amelia's room to do the same. She looked so peaceful with her security blanket called Pinky still wrapped up around her face. I couldn't believe she still slept with it, but it just goes to show not everything changes. Another kiss to the forehead and my job was done. Slowly, I crept back down the stairs and out the back door of the house. The barn was calling my name, but I needed to save that for the morning. I was exhausted, and the only place I wanted to be was my bed—that was exactly where I ended my night.