Just Like Home Novels & Stories

I glanced sideways and saw Isabella desperately trying to hide her face behind my shoulder, yet her hand clung to mine with a strength that surprised me. Amid the deafening cheers, I looked at my family in the front row. Their faces were almost ashen. In that moment, I felt no vindication or even hatred. Because at last, in this reckoning 20 years overdue, I'd taken that scarred little girl by the hand and led her home. I finally understood that home wasn't where one was born, but where the love was.

If he made another peep, I thought I would lose my mind. "You! If you think you can do better, then give it a try! Don't hit that key!" I turned and caught sight of the fountain. Oh boy! I nearly gave myself whiplash. We were only halfway through the document when Shane's whiny voice broke through. However, we were only halfway done. "Type slower!" "Going slower is worse! You might as well get it over with quickly!" I felt like I was on fire. Oh, this was the worst.

Sarah tiptoed towards Raya, “you done with homework?” “Food, mummy,” she complained. “Answer my question first,” Sarah insisted and as Raya did that, a little smile grew on my lips because for the first time, I finally understood what one of my business rivals meant when he said, ‘Home is a simple word because the often memories made in good home are simple in how they fill you up with great emotions like peace and joy.’

"We're not about to support you and your kid." My brother was nodding like one of those bobblehead dolls. "Mom's right. Plus, just because my girlfriend owns this place doesn't mean you get a free meal ticket. You're picking up the tab today." I nodded along. "Anything else?" They mistook my reaction for weakness, just like old times. Mom went on, laying it on thick. "You've got to get serious about buying a house. Suzy's family might be loaded, but we can't look like chumps. We need to keep up appearances and get that house!"

THEN ADRIAN’S. Same rhythm. All three of us. _Beep_. Not a lock. Not a cage. A _home_. ---

His brows knitted together for a moment. “Luc, is this our home now?” His shoulders fell slightly. Some of the confidence leaving his small frame. I scanned the property and from here I could see most of it. I could see the newly tilled land, the chicken coup, the small house, and the small shack that had the running water. The feelings slammed into my heart. This was starting to be home. Which was so scary. “A home isn’t a place. It’s a feeling. Being with the people you love the most.” I got down to his level. “My home is wherever you are.” He smiled. I wrapped my arms around him. Bringing him into a huge hug.

Jenny "That wasn't too horrible, was it?" I sneak a peek at Nico's profile as we slide through the dark on our way home. I have to admit that calling the house where we live our home gives me a legit thrill. It's like we're playing house . . .which I guess is pretty accurate, considering that everything about us right now is make believe.

The laughter echoing off the walls, the soft warmth of sunlight and domestic chaos—I realized something else: This was home. Not the mansion. Not the title. Not the power. Them. This messy, loud, beautiful us. And we were just getting started.

"And you go home." ***

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