Chapter 187: Welcome Home, Part 2

Uncle Dean appeared behind Aunt Beth, and when he saw me, he guided her out of the way and crushed me in a bear hug. "It's good to see you, kid," he said in his usual brusque tone.

"Thanks," I choked out, unable to breathe with how hard he was hugging me. Thankfully, he released me a second later. "It's good to see you, too. I've missed both of you so much." I wiped at my tears.

"Oh, Chloe, sweetie." Aunt Beth embraced me again, this time much softer. "Don't cry. Everything's okay. You're home now." She rubbed my back. "For good."

I swallowed hard and nodded. "I'm home."

"Chloe!" Abby shouted. "Oh, my God. You're home!"

Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean stepped aside, knowing their daughter rivaled the force of a hurricane when she was this excited. I braced myself, and she lunged at me, arms open. I hugged her, laughing. She was really over-selling her "surprise" at seeing me, but I guessed anything less might have raised suspicion with her parents.