Going Home

Aurelia wasn't expecting Dr.Soren at her house since he hadn't told her he was coming. The man laughed and caught Milo easily.

"Hey, buddy."

Milo wrapped his arms around his neck.

"You came!"

"Yes. I did."

Aurelia stopped a few steps away and stared at the familiar face.

"Soren."

The man smiled at her.

"Hello, Aurelia."

Dr. Soren had barely changed over the years. He was still tall, still calm and still had the same reassuring smile that had helped her survive one of the darkest periods of her life.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

Soren adjusted Milo in his arms.

"Is that any way to welcome a guest?"

Aurelia rolled her eyes and stepped aside.

"Come in."

The moment Soren entered, Milo immediately began dragging him toward the living room.

"Look what I built!"

"What is it?"

"A dinosaur city."

Soren looked at the pile of toys.

"Damn! It looks dangerous."

Milo nodded seriously.

"Yes."

Aurelia couldn't help laughing. For a while, the apartment felt lighter and a few minutes later, the three of them were seated in the living room.

"I made lunch already," Aurelia said. "Have you eaten?"

Soren shook his head.

"Not yet."

"Good. You can stay."

He smiled. "I'll eat later."

Aurelia frowned.

"Hmm. Alright, I won't push so you won't think I poisoned it."

"Ah." Soren exclaimed dramatically and they both laughed.

"How's work?" Aurelia asked again.

"It's been fine."

"No crazy patients?"

Soren chuckled.

"I guess I really can't escape them."

Aurelia laughed. The conversation continued for a while before Milo became distracted by his toys again.

Soren's gaze returned to Aurelia.

"You seem troubled."

Aurelia blinked.

"I'm fine."

Soren raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think so."

Aurelia sighed. Sometimes she hated how easily he could read her.

"C'mon. Tell me."

"Fine. My mother called." Aurelia confessed.

Soren immediately became serious.

"Your mother?"

Aurelia nodded.

"My sister is getting engaged."

"Oh nice.That's good news, isn't it?"

"I guess."

"Okay?"

Aurelia folded her arms.

"They want me to come home."

Understanding crossed Soren's face and silence took over for only a few seconds before he finally, he asked,

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know."

And that was the truth. Part of her wanted to refuse and pretend the call never happened. But another part missed home more than she wanted to admit.

Soren leaned back.

"I think you should go."

Aurelia looked at him in surprise.

"Why?"

"Because despite everything, families are still an important part of us."

Aurelia scoffed. 

"Soren, my father threw me out."

"I know."

"They didn't even look for me."

"You told me that too."

Aurelia frowned.

"And you want me to go?"

Soren nods. "Yes. For Milo's sake, not anything."

She looked at her son briefly, then opened her mouth to argue but stopped.

Soren smiled knowingly.

"See? That's exactly my point."

Aurelia looked down.

Maybe he was right. Milo needed his family.

"I think you should go," he said again. "If nothing else, you'll finally get some answers."

The next morning, Aurelia had made her decision and called home. The call connected after the second ring.

"Aurelia?"

Her mother's voice sounded hopeful. Aurelia closed her eyes briefly.

"I'll come."

The relief in her mother's voice was impossible to miss.

"Oh thank you. Liotta would be so happy."

Days later, Soren volunteered to drive them home since it was his day off. Milo sat happily in the backseat while Aurelia stared out the window.

The closer they got, the tighter the knot in her stomach became. Eventually, the Quinn residence came into view.

Aurelia swallowed. She hadn't seen the place in six years and nothing had changed.The large gates, long driveway and beautiful gardens still looked exactly the same.

Unlike her.

The car came to a stop. For a moment, nobody moved.

Then Soren looked at her. "You okay?"

Aurelia forced a smile.

"I think so."

"Alright. I'll call later."

She nodded.

"Thank you."

Soren frowned.

"For?"

Aurelia looked at him.

For being there when nobody else was. For helping her through childbirth.

For helping her raise Milo and for staying. But she simply said,

"For everything."

Soren's expression softened. Then he opened his arms. Aurelia laughed softly before hugging him.

"Take care of yourself."

"You too."

Milo immediately squeezed himself between them.

"What about me?"

Soren laughed.

"You too, buddy."

Only then did Aurelia pick up her bags and walk toward the house.

The front door opened before she reached it and Liota rushed out first.

"Aurelia!"

The next second, she threw her arms around her sister.

Aurelia nearly lost her balance.

"Easy."

Liota pulled back and stared at her.

"I can't believe you're actually here."

Aurelia smiled.

"It's good to see you too."

Liota's eyes immediately became watery.

"I missed you."

Something tightened in Aurelia's chest.

"I missed you too."

Then Liota noticed the small figure standing beside her and her eyes widened.

"Wait."

She pointed.

"Who is this?"

Aurelia looked down at Milo and a small smile appeared on her face.

"That's my son."

Silence.

Liota blinked and blinked again.

"What?"

Aurelia almost laughed. Liota covered her mouth with both hands.

"You have a son?"

Aurelia nodded.

For several seconds, Liota simply stared. Then her gaze dropped to Milo.

The little boy stared right back at her curiously.

Aurelia touched his shoulder.

"Milo, this is your aunt."

Milo tilted his head. Then smiled.

"Hi."

Liota made a strange squealing sound.

"Oh my gosh."

She crouched immediately. "Come here."

Milo looked at Aurelia first.

When she nodded, he walked over.

Liota scooped him into her arms.

"You never told me."

She looked at Aurelia.

Aurelia shrugged.

"We haven't exactly spoken in six years."

Liota looked guilty immediately. Then she hugged Milo again.

"You're adorable."

Milo grinned.

"I know."

Aurelia and Liota laughed.

"He's definitely related to you."

"Aurelia."

A familiar voice interrupted them and Aurelia froze.

Slowly, she turned.

Her mother stood in the doorway. The woman looked older than she remembered.

"Mom." Aurelia smiles bitterly as she moves to hug her mother, forgetting her anger. Liotta almost moved to tears and Milo watched the mother and daughter reunion. Both women didn't speak.

Then Aurelia's mother's gaze dropped on Milo and confusion appeared on her face. She looked at Aurelia then at Milo and back at Aurelia.

"Aurelia..."

Her voice trembled.

"Is he?"

Aurelia swallowed.

"Yes."

The shock on her mother's face was immediate.

"Oh."

Her eyes widened.

"Oh dear.It must have been so hard."

She nodded and her eyes began to sting. Then her mother crossed the distance between them and pulled her into another hug.

"I'm sorry."

Her mother's voice came out broken. "I'm so sorry." She repeated and held her tighter.

Aurelia closed her eyes and the tears she had been fighting finally came streaming down.

The rest of the afternoon passed more smoothly than Aurelia expected. Her father remained distant. Her mother remained cautious but Liota never left her side. They talked, laughed, and Liota asked questions about Milo, trying to make up for six years in a single day. But they didn't talk about her baby father.

By evening, Aurelia found herself relaxing. Maybe coming back hadn't been a mistake after all.

Later that night, Liota dragged her into her room. There were wedding magazines everywhere, samples of decorations, flower arrangements and guest lists.

Aurelia sat on the bed while Liota continued talking excitedly. At some point, Aurelia stopped paying attention.Her gaze wandered around the room.Then it landed on the necklace around Liota's neck.

It was a simple customized silver necklace. Nothing flashy. But the name on it was what hooked Aurelia.

Rhys.

Aurelia froze.

The name hit her like a punch.