Chapter 14: Welcome Home

*Meanna*

Today is the day and I could not be any more excited. I have been in this hospital bed for what feels like an eternity and I can't wait to finally go home.

I'm putting on the clothes that my mother brought for me, which consists of some dark gray sweat pants, some black Nikes, a black T-shirt, and a dark gray hoodie when there is a knock on the door.

"Come in," I call out.

My mom pokes her head in and gives me a big smile when she sees that I am up and getting ready.

"You almost ready to go, honey," she asks me, stepping fully into the room.

"Yeah, I just need to put my shoes on and I'll be ready," I tell her.

I finish getting ready and then grab my bag of stuff and turn to face her.

"I've already completed your discharge papers so we are good to go," she tells me, grabbing the bag from me and slinging it over her shoulder.

"Thank frak! I'm so ready to go home to my own bed and eat one of your home-cooked meals," I say, clapping my hands in excitement.

We head down to the front of the hospital where dad is waiting in the car for us. He hops out as we approach to open the backdoor for me.

"Thank you, daddy," I say, kissing him on the cheek.

"You're welcome, peanut," he replies to me, closing my door and rounding the car to get back in the driver's seat.

"Where would you like to go first with your newfound freedom," mom asks me as we pull out of the parking lot.

"I honestly just want to go home. I miss my bed after being in the hospital for a month and a half," I tell her.

"Whatever you want honey," she says, turning around and typing on her phone.

We make it home in about fifteen minutes and I'm sad to see no one waiting outside for my glorious return.

"Where is everyone," I ask as my dad opens the front door.

Before he can answer me, I'm walking in and dozens of people are jumping out from all over the place to yell Welcome Home.

I jump about ten feet in the air and put a hand over my heart to help calm down its racing. Then tears fill my eyes as I look around and see all the friends and family that came to welcome me back home.

"Awe, you guys," I say through my tears.

Jenna, Shayla, and Kennady rush forward to wrap me in a group hug, which makes me sob harder. I feel so loved by everyone that is here.

After we pull away from the hug, Xahlia rushes forward and wraps her arms around my middle.

"Welcome home, MeMe! Can we play princesses now," she says, looking up at me with her big hazel eyes.

Everyone close enough to hear her immediately starts to laugh at her and mom rushes toward us to grab her.

"You and sissy can play later, honey," she tells her, making Lia pout.

"Fine," she groans. She spots Kailer, Jenna's nine-year-old brother, and runs over to him."

Jake takes this moment to come over to me.

"Welcome home gorgeous," he tells me, pulling me in for a hug.

"Thank you," I murmur into his chest.

He pulls away and plants a quick kiss on my lips. Then he throws his arm over my shoulder and stands with me as more people come up to welcome me home.

After a while, I start to get hungry so I head to the kitchen where there is a buffet table set up. I pile a plate high with food and then find a seat and enjoy not having to eat hospital food for the first time in months.

A few hours later I am dead tired and ready to go up to my bed.

"Okay everyone, it's time to get Meanna to bed. She did just get out of the hospital today and she still has a while longer to go before she is one hundred percent again," dad announces to the remaining guests.

Everyone, aside from my immediate family and friends, finally takes their leave. Jax, Jake, Jenna, Shayla, and I all head upstairs to my room to watch a movie and have a sleepover like we're back in junior high again. We stay up for a while just talking and watching movies.

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*Jaxon*

I wake up before the others and decide to get my morning started. I head to the bathroom to do my business and take a shower and then head downstairs to the kitchen. I walk in to see my dad making breakfast.

"Hey Pops," I say, making my way over to the breakfast bar.

"Good morning, son," he replies, turning to flash me a smile and then turning back to the stove to flip the pancakes cooking on a pan.

I lay my head down and blow out a loud breath, which my dad immediately notices.

"Something on your mind kid," he asks me.

"We have so much to get caught up on now that Mea is back. I just realized that we completely missed Eli's birthday and Rodney's birthday is tomorrow," I tell him.

"Fu-udge," dad says. He turns off the stove eye and adds the last pancake to the stack. "I'm a horrible dad."

He comes over and bangs his head against the bar multiple times. It is at this moment the boy in question walks into the room.

"If you keep doing that you're gonna lose even more brain cells," Eli says to dad.

Dad quickly lifts his head up and looks at my little brother.

"I'm sorry we missed your birthday, kid," dad tells him.

"It's okay, Mea was in the hospital so everyone's focus was on her well-being. Besides, fourteen isn't a big milestone," he replies with a shrug.

Dad walks over to him and pulls him into a hug.

"What did I do to deserve a son like you? I promise that as soon as stuff settles more we'll have a big party to celebrate your life," dad tells him. I don't even mention the fact that he has another son sitting right here because I don't want to ruin the moment.

"Dad it's fine, really," he says, raising his hands as if talking to a wild animal, which isn't too far off.

"Nope, it's settled! I'm gonna go talk to your mother about the details now. Make sure y'all eat," dad tells us before racing out of the kitchen to find our mother.