Chapter 11
The airport buzzed with morning chaos but James the world had shrunk to the moment he saw her. Rose, waiting, arms crossed, scanning each arriving passenger, her eyes lighting up the second she spotted him. He walked toward her, hands brushing lightly against the strap of his bag, heart racing. Without a word she closed the distance and they collided in a hug that stretched long, slow and infinite as id trying to make up for the time apart. "It's been long," James whispered against hers hair. Rose laughed softly. "Way too long." They finally pulled back, smiles lingering, foreheads almost touching. "Come on," Rose said, taking his hand "Pass by my place first. You need to freshen up. You have been flying half the world."
On the drive James told her about his plan. "I need to take my sister with me. She is on holiday from school and i can't leave her under my stepmother's care for much longer. You know how harsh she can be." Rose nodded, her fingers tightening around his. "I understand. She'll be safe with you." The car rolled up the familiar street of James's family home. The house looked smaller somehow, weighed with memory. Outside the stepmom and her eldest son sat in the morning sun, laughing, sipping tea. Their eyes snapped toward the approaching vehicle, mouth opening slightly in disbelie. f.
The stepmother's gaze landed on James first. Surprise flickered, quickly masked by a tight smile." Well, i never thought I will see you back here," she said voice careful, smooth. James stepped out, nodding politely. " Good morning ma'am." Rose followed him, hand still in his. The stepmother's eldest son rose halfway, eyes narrowing slightly, curiosity and disbelief warring on his face. James didn't pause. He had a mission. " I 'm here to pick up my sister," he said voice calm but firm. "She is on holiday and I want her with me for a while."
The stepmom blinked. A flicker of irritation passed, but she masked it with a polite, sharp smile. "Of course you must understand, she's my child too. I hope you will treat her well." Her eldest son leaned back slightly, clearly holding back a grin. "I never thought you'd return so suddenly," he murmured ro his mother though James could hear the faint amusement. James guided Rose inside, keeping the exchange professional yet firm. They moved through familiar halls, each step echoing memories he had long buried, laughing voices, slammed doors, whispered arguments.
The stepmother tried to regain control of the moment,"You know," she said casually, "you'd better watch your belongings around him." Her gaze flicked toward James with thinly veiled judgement. "He might look respectable to you but you never know. I'd hide anything valuable just in case." James ignored the barb. His sister's safety mattered more. Rose squeezed his hand, silent support in the tension. "And," the stepmom added, shifting her eyes to her eldest son, "you have my eldest here. Perhaps you'd like to get to know each other better?" She raised an eyebrow, a sly suggestion hanging in the air. James smiled faintly, unfazed,"Thank you, but we came for my sister. That is all."
The eldest son looked between his mother and James, curiosity and suppressed amusement tugging at his features. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it. Words wouldn't change what is happening. James led the girls out, past the familiar front gate into the car that had waited patiently. The engines purred to life, smooth and commanding. Rose glanced at him, incredulous. " You really came back? For a moment I thought I was in a terrible dream and you are still in Greece." James nodded,"I promised and I keep my promises."
The car glided down the street, leaving a mixture of shock, resentment and unspoken questions behind. Inside, silence settled comfortably, the kind that only long reunions and shared understanding could forge. Rose leaned her head against his shoulder,"I didn't think i will get to see you like this," she murmured. "And you won't for a while after this," he said one hand steady on the wheel. "But we will make this count." His sister's chatter filled the car as they left the house behind. A mix of relief and excitement. James felt the weight of responsibility settle on him, heavy but right.
He glanced at Rose and she smiled, no words needed. The world was exactly as it should be for this moment, a fragile peace after days of absence. And somewhere behind the walls they left behind, the stepmother's eyes followed them. Calculating, questioning, plotting. Old grudges are slow to fade and James had only just returned.