Chapter Eleven.

'You know what?' Lina turned back.

'I have changed my mind. I am staying for another month.' She proclaimed in annoyance.

'And also, I'd come home for every Christmas.' She added. 

'I hope these makes you breathe well.' She concluded and stormed off without awaiting a reply.

Catherine smiled in victory as she reached for her glass.

She gave it a good mix and gulped down its content.

After which dinner ended abruptly. 

While Lina beated herself up, knowing well enough that she was going to regret her decision to stay for another month.

The next morning, she checked out of her hotel room and moved into her grandmother's house with her family.

Natalie and Catherine were not as surprised as Nathan was to see her move in.

'You were serious when you said you will be staying?' Natalie expressed her awe.

'You all are right after all.' Lina told her mother.

'I need a big break from work anyways.' She added and moved her bag to her old room.

She came downstairs to have a quick breakfast with her family, then spent the rest of the day in the garden reminiscing over her happy days at her grandmother's house.

She recalled when her grandmother caught her making out with Arnold at the backyard, and she smiled sheepishly at the memory.

She glared at the spot they stood at when her grandmother came flashing a torch at them.

Her grandmother had a long talk with Arnold that night.

She went on to ask what his intentions were towards Lina and made Arnold promise to be Lina's husband in the future, as they both were doing what married people do.

Lina laughed at the memory of Arnold's naive words that night.

'I love Lina very much, ma'am. And I intend to make her my wife some day.' His exact words played in her mind.

'I wonder if nana doesn't mind that we didn't end up together.' Lina said to herself.

Although, she would have loved to be his wife.

She wondered if things would have turned out differently if she had not break up with him.

If she had stayed back, would she have started her own law firm in Benton county?

Would she have gotten married to Arnold and had five kids with him, just like he wanted?

'No, Lina. No!!' She blurted out to no one in particular. 

'You can not be thinking about him anymore. He has a family now.' She said to herself.

Whilst she was still fighting the thoughts of her ex lover off her mind, Natalie graced her with her arrival.

'Mom,' Lina muttered after she noticed her mother's presence. 

'Yes, baby.' Natalie replied. 

'I'm glad you decided to stay.' She said to Lina. 

'I had no choice, ma. Catherine was literally bullying me.' Lina replied and Natalie laughed. 

'She took after you somehow, Lina.' Natalie said. 

'Me?!' Lina exclaimed. 

'No, she did not.' She added. 

'Yes, she does. She's just as strong headed as you used to be.' Natalie said. 

'I can't believe I'd be saying this, but I really missed that side of you.' She added and Lina mouthed "what".

'A part of you that was stubborn,' Natalie muttered and reached for Lina's right hand.

'A part of you that was rebellious and fun.' She said and giggled.

'You recall going out your window, late at night, just to drive around the city with that boyfriend of yours, right?' Natalie asked.

'Yes, mom. I remember.' Lina replied and smiled happily for the first time in the years.

'What was his name again?' Natalie teased to see if her daughter still remembers Arnold.

'Arnold.' Lina took the bait.

'Right.' And Natalie laughed.

'I see you still think about him.' She said.

'No, mom.' Lina countered and slipped her hand out of her mother's palm gently.

'Not at all.' She went on defensive. 

'Uhmmmm hmmm.' Natalie hummed still passing a jest at her daughter.

'I'm saying the truth, mom.' Lina chuckled nervously. 

'I can't be having such thoughts about a married man, you know?' She said.

'And what thoughts are those?' Natalie kept making fun of her.

'Nevermind, mom.' Lina exhaled in defeat.

'You're just forcing words in my mouth.' She said to her mother.

'Oh no, dear. That wasn't my intention.' Natalie remarked, afraid she may have stirred up Lina's emotions and she didn't want to push her away.

'I know you just want to kick off a conversation.' Lina said and Natalie felt relieved that her daughter may also want to have the conversation.

'This is the longest chat we've had in years, Lina.' Natalie uttered.

'I have missed you so much.' She added. 

'I have missed you too, mom.' Lina muttered. 

'And, I'm glad you're finally coming out of your cocoon.' Natalie said and smiled warmly at her daughter.

'My mother was right after all.' She added. 

'What do you mean?' Lina gave a puzzled look. 

'What did nana say?' She blurted, surprise that her grandmother may have appeared to her mother too.

Just like she appeared to her at the graveyard. 

'She told me you haven't changed much, Lina.' Natalie said. 

'Really?!' Lina blurted out curiously.

'Yes, honey.' Natalie said. 

'She also told me, she was certain that you were still coming back to us. It's sad that she died before it happened.' She added.

'But I'm still leaving after a month, mom.' Lina countered. 

'I know Lina. But you have promised to come home every Christmas now.' Natalie said. 

'And honestly, that is a good sign. It is more than enough, baby.' She added.

'At least, for now.' She concluded. 

'Are you sure, mom.' Lina muttered, with her eyes welling up.

'I am certain.' Natalie replied and held her hands up to Lina's face. 

She wiped Lina's tears with the tip of her thumbs as they rolled down her cheeks.

'I'm excited that you are here, Lina.' Natalie said. 

'And I want you to know that what ever you decide to do from now onward, we all are going to support you.' She added. 

'Thank you mom.' Lina muttered, and hugged her mom tightly, pouring out her emotions. 

'As long as you don't shut us out anymore.' Natalie whispered as they hugged.

'I won't.' Lina snickered. 

'Not anymore.' She said.