A Twisted Tie

The taxi door opened, and a tall, feminine woman stepped out of the car, holding a baby on her shoulder. 

She heaved a deep breath as she exited, her eyes scanning the surroundings. It was just the way she had left it; nothing seemed to have changed at all. It didn’t look like two years had passed since she had been gone. She walked up to the building.

She stood on the porch, the home gleaming in the mellow warmth of the evening sun. Her pulse accelerated as she moved the little bag over her shoulder, her other hand softly bearing the weight of the asleep boy in her arms. She paused before she knocked, wondering what her family's reaction would be. However, she knew she had to come back home. Just as she was about to raise her hand to the door...

The door opened before she could knock, and her mother gasped out.

"Sharon!!" Mrs. Miller's hands came to her mouth and her voice shook with so much emotion.

Sharon grinned weakly. "Hi, Mom, I am back home."

Chapter 1: Homecoming

"Sharon!?" Her mother gave her a tight hug, she was careful and avoided pushing Ethan on her arms. "Oh, darling, you're back! Look at you and who is this young prince?." Sharon's mother replied full of excitement.

"This is Ethan," Sharon softly stated. “Your grandson.”

Mrs. Miller stroked Ethan's curls as tears gathered in her eyes. "Grandson? Oh, Sharon, he really is very handsome." As she attempted to carry him from her.

Footsteps from within the house echoed back. "What's going on, Mom?," Isabella asked as she emerged from the hall, her voice echoed. Her eyes opened. "Sharon?," she jumped with excitement and hugged her.

Their father arrived in the room before Sharon could reply. His face opened out into a broad smile. "Sharon! I find it hard to believe!" He drew her into a friendly hug.

"Dad," Sharon said, her eyes welled up with tears and her voice shaking.

"You are home at last!" Isabella said Pulling her sister into a brief, enthusiastic hug, Isabella turned to her mom. "Who is the baby? Mom, wait. Is this...?"

Mrs. Miller said, smiling "This is your nephew, Ethan".

"Unbelievable," Isabella remarked, bending to tickle Ethan's chin and her eyes glittered. "Hi there, little man."

Ethan laughed, his voice filling the space.

Their father ushered Sharon in , "Come in, come in," guiding Sharon inside. "You must have had a long journey.”

The family gathered in the living room. Ethan now awoke and playing with the hem of Sharon blouse, Sharon sat on the couch.

Her mother inquired softly, "Where have you been all this time?"

"Tell us everything," Isabella said, seated cross-legged on the carpet in front of her sister.

Sharon hesitated, then looked at Ethan. "It's... a long story. I really don't know where to start," she said, taking a deep breath.

Her father said, smiling reassuringly, "We have all the time in the world."

Sharon took in a long breath. "Okay. It got underway roughly two years ago. Well, you all remember. I was heartbroken and devastated."

Her mother nodded, knowing exactly what she meant.

"I made the decision to spend some time out of town. to clear my head, as you know. That evening I visited a bar. Though it was not my regular scene, I wanted to briefly forget everything.

Isabella leaned forward, her interest aroused. "Go on."

Flash back

The packed dimly lit bar had the murmur of chatter merging with the bass-heavy music. Sharon sat at the counter sipping her drink; the weight of her recent heartbreak hurt her heart.

From next to her, a deep voice questioned, "Rough day?"

She turned to find a man with a confident smile and sharp blue eyes. He was naturally handsome. his well-fitting suit suggested authority and riches.

Sharon said, sipping her drink, "you could say that."

He said, "I'm Davis," reaching out a hand.

She murmured, shaking it reluctantly, "Sharon."

They laughed, chatted, and traded stories for the next several hours. Charming, Davis disarmed her with his intelligence and sensitivity. One drink changed to two then three.

Before Sharon knew it, they were walking out of the bar together, the evening playing out in a whirl of impulse and passion.

The following day when she woke up she was all by herself in a motel room. Davis left only a faint cologne aroma and a mixed memory behind him.

Current Day

Sharon responded, her voice firm but laced with regret: "I never saw him again." I didn't even know his last name.”

Isabella wrinkled her face. Wait, are you saying Ethan's father is...?

"A stranger," Sharon said. "I found out I was pregnant weeks later. I hardly knew where to look for him by then."

Her mother murmured, "Oh, Sharon," touching her daughter's knee. "Why didn't you come to us ?"

"I was scared," Sharon said. also embarrassed. "I didn't want to let you all down."

Her father said decisively, "You could never disappoint us."

"I reasoned I could manage it on my own," Sharon said. “But I really missed you all. Ethan should grow up with family all around him."

"And he will." Mrs Miller responded with a firm voice. "You are home right now; that is all that matters."

Reaching out, Isabella squeezed Sharon's hand. "That you're back makes me happy. I missed you sis"

Sharon grinned, her sister's words warmed her heart.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you," Isabella exclaimed with unexpected brightness on her face. "I also have some good news"

" What is it about?" Sharon inquired.

"I'm engaged." Holding up her hand to expose a glittering ring, Isabella said.

"Isabella, that's fantastic!," Sharon said Pulling her kid into an embrace.

“I am happy for you my darling” Mrs miller added.

Their father then said, "Congratulations, sweetheart."

Sharon's smile wavered for a second, then she corrected herself rapidly. "That's wonderful, Bella. When do we get to meet with him?"

" Soon," Isabella said. "I'll invite him over tomorrow night for dinner.”