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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 16, 2019 9:00:13 GMT -8
Fifteen years.
That's how long it's been since the full McFarland family has been together. Nearly fifteen years. Charis McFarland and her cousin Lewis disappeared from the park that long ago and they have finally returned to their families after a long, hard, heartwrenching journey to get there.
Brian McFarland offered to host his brother's family for dinner when they discovered Charis and Lewis's return. He didn't know how to handle the situation, consulting with his wife (and Charis's new stepmother that she'll have to get to know) on how to go about making the dinner about them and not the horrific experiences they had over the last decade and a half.
God, it's hard to believe its been that long.
A knock on the door rouses Brian from his lost thoughts. Opening, he sees his ex-wife, Brontë Eliot, Charis's mother. "Hey. Ronnie. Come on in. She's not here yet." Brontë offers him a soft smile as she enters the home where her children all live.
After they've all said their hellos and given her hugs, another knock sounds on the door. Eric and family. Brian shows his older brother in, all of his children in tow as well. The brothers embrace as their children begin to mingle. "Can you believe they're actually back?" Eric asks.
Brian shakes his head, about to reply in the negative, when a knock sounds on the door one last time. "I bet that's them," he says softly, going to the door. He takes a deep breath and opens it.
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Post by Josephine on Jun 16, 2019 16:37:01 GMT -8
Charis was holding Sapphira in her arms and had Tudor's hand. "Hey Daddy." she says seeing him.
Jayla held Paxton as Anastasia held on to Lewis's hand.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 16, 2019 16:39:53 GMT -8
Brian scoops his daughter into a hug. "Carrie, sweetie, I can't believe it," he says softly as he pulls away. "Who's this little one?" He refers to Sapphira.
Gingerly stepping inside the house, Lewis stops when he sees his family. He looks to Jayla for encouragement.
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Post by Josephine on Jun 16, 2019 17:01:37 GMT -8
"This is Saffy or Sapphira. She is your granddaughter. Also this is Tudor my boyfriend."
"Go Baby." Jayla says softly.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 16, 2019 20:13:09 GMT -8
Tudor offers his hand to Brian. "It's nice to meet you, sir. I've tried to take care of her as best I can."
"Thank you," Brian says softly before tirning to the little girl. "Hey, Saffy. I'm your grandpa."
Lewis takes a deep breath, switching hands so he can hold Jayla's. "You're coming with me, right?"
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Post by Josephine on Jun 17, 2019 19:49:50 GMT -8
"Hi Papa." she says. She turns to her mom "Me hug him?" "Go ahead Saf." she says handing over her daughter.
"Of course we are, I'm not leaving your side."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 17, 2019 20:41:00 GMT -8
Brian wraps his arms around the little girl. "She's beautiful, Carrie," he says softly. "Your mother's here too."
Lewis nods, taking another deep breath as he leads Jayla, Paxton, and Anastasia over to his dad. Eric notices his son first. "Oh my god, Lew."
"Hey, dad."
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Post by Josephine on Jun 18, 2019 19:24:47 GMT -8
"I sorta figured she would be. Asher said he would invite her too." she says.
Jayla stays with him.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 18, 2019 19:29:16 GMT -8
"You should probably go talk to her. I... know she took your disappearance pretty hard," Brian says, pointing Brontë out on the couch with Noah and Gabby.
Eric stands and wraps his son in a hug, Lewis hugging him back with one arm, keeping hold of Jayla's hand with his free one. "Dad, this is- this is Jayla."
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Post by Josephine on Jun 18, 2019 19:54:18 GMT -8
She nods. "Want me to take Saffy?" she says noticing how the little girl was snugling up to her grandpa. "You gonna come Babe?" As soon as he replies she heads over to her mom. "Hey Mama."
"Nice to meet you sir. This is Anastasia and Paxton."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 18, 2019 20:30:17 GMT -8
"I'll keep her," Brian replies. "Take her to meet her aunties and uncles."
Tudor follows closely on Charis's heels, sticking to her like glue.
Brontë looks up from her conversation. "Charis, oh, sweetie!" she gasos, standing to hug Charis.
"They're yours?" Eric asks.
Lewis nods. "Yeah. Me and Jayla's."
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Post by Josephine on Jun 18, 2019 21:04:24 GMT -8
Charis quickly hugs her back. "Mama this is Tudor and Dad has my little girl Sapphira."
Jayla nods too.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 18, 2019 21:10:37 GMT -8
"It's very nice to meet you," Tudor says as he shakes Brontë's hand. "You have a lovely daughter."
"How have you been, sweetie?" Brontë asks.
"You wanna say hi?" Lewis asks the two kufs.
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Post by Josephine on Jun 18, 2019 21:28:39 GMT -8
"Thanks. I am good now that I am here." she says.
"Hi." Anastasia says, Paxton waves
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 18, 2019 21:31:06 GMT -8
"I heard a little bit from Ash. Are you guys okay?" Brontë asks.
Tudor's grip on Charis tightens at the question.
"Hi!" Eric says. "You two are going to have to meet your aunts Lavender and Logan and uncle Levi."
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Post by Josephine on Jun 18, 2019 21:38:18 GMT -8
"We are okay. I will tell you abour it later. IF that is okay Mom?" She rubs Tudors hand to calm him.
"Can we?" Anastasia asks. Paxton nods.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 18, 2019 21:42:42 GMT -8
"Of course, sweetie, of course!" Brontë replies. "Whatever is most comfortable for you, honey. Do you want to sit down?"
"Yeah!" Eric cheers, taking the kids' hands. "I bet they're in the playroom. You're going to love them."
Lewis looks to Jayla as his dad leads the kids to find his youngest siblings. "You wanna meet the rest of the family?"
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Post by Josephine on Jun 18, 2019 22:10:47 GMT -8
"Sure," she says as she sits by Tudor.
"Sure" JAyla says as the kids happily go with their grandpa.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 18, 2019 22:16:12 GMT -8
Tudor wraps his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Carrie, you remember Noah and Gabby, right?"
"They're really big. There's a lot of us," Lewis reminds her.
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Post by Josephine on Jun 18, 2019 22:31:55 GMT -8
"yea I remember them." She says. "Hey guys."
"I remember. I am fine with it." She says. "Let's go see your other siblings."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 19, 2019 6:01:21 GMT -8
Gabby leans over and hugs her sister. "Carrie, we missed you," she whispers. "It was very lonely without you."
"Who do you wanna start with?" Lewis asks. "Older or younger?"
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Post by Josephine on Jun 19, 2019 13:12:26 GMT -8
"I am sure it was," she says hgging her back.
"Lets do older."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 19, 2019 13:20:19 GMT -8
"We have so much to catch up on!" Gabby laughs as she wipes tears from her eyes.
Lewis leads Jayla over to a group of his four oldest siblings. "Jayla, this is Eric, Matthew, Brenda, and Emily. They're my half sibkings."
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Post by Josephine on Jun 19, 2019 13:38:44 GMT -8
"I agree we do." she says smiling.
"IT is nice to meet you all." she says.
(I say that Charis tells her mom the edited version of her past but tells Gabby everything.)
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 19, 2019 13:42:08 GMT -8
((Sure!))
"For instance..." Gabby wiggles her left hand, an engagement ring sitting on her ring finger.. "You're gonna have to meet him."
"Lew! Long time, no see, buddy! You seem like you're doing well, considering the circumstances," Eric greets his younger brother.
"Okay. So, girl, you are gonna have to dish about life with my brother!" Emily says with a grin.
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Post by Josephine on Jun 19, 2019 13:57:41 GMT -8
"Gabby really? I'd love to meet him." she says grinning.
"He has been my lifesaver since I met him." she says.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 19, 2019 14:00:38 GMT -8
"He's amazing, Charis, he really is. He's been so helpful and understanding after--" Gabbu cuts herself off realizing that Charis doesn't know everything. "After some pretty heavy stuff that we don't have to gwt into right now."
"Babe, I'm pretty sure it's the other way around," Lewis insists.
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Post by Josephine on Jun 19, 2019 14:14:57 GMT -8
"I am glad you're happy."
"If you say so Baby."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Jun 19, 2019 14:25:00 GMT -8
"You seem happy too!" Gabby says, nodding to Tudor. "Who's the lucky guy who gets to be with my sister?"
"How'd you guys meet? Tell us everything!" Emily insists.
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Post by Josephine on Jun 19, 2019 14:34:52 GMT -8
"This is Tudor. He is great guy and dad."
Jayla looks to Lewis. "Actually I rather not tell here "
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