New Beginnings

6 - Welcome Home

My sister had been getting stronger every day and 3 weeks after major surgery, she was ready to come home. She had passed all the doctors' tests with flying colors. She would be staying in the office-turned-guest room so she would not have to go up and down the stairs. It was the office before Dad added on a commercial-style kitchen and office space for his catering business.

Mom had spent a lot of time at the hospital the past week. I think she was a lot more scared by the surgery than she wanted to admit. Naturally, she was scared. It was her child and a million things could have gone wrong. She had been fussing over the room for days when she was home.

Mom and Dad went to pick her up and I stayed home with Connor. He was so excited that his mommy was coming home and he asked me to help him make a special card while they were gone.

I cut out hearts and he drew a picture. He glued the hearts onto the page and wrote a note in scented marker. I was impressed with his artistic ability. This wasn't the first time I had seen his artwork. He was very talented, much more advanced than his 6 years would imply.

Connor had chosen decorations in green and blue, his mom's favorite colors, and he had picked out a bouquet of brightly colored Gerber daisies and asked Dad to make her favorite snacks. He picked out a giant stuffed blue bear and Dad made a special cake. We had probably gone overboard with decorating the night before, but this was Connor's event and we let him be in charge. Personally, I think he did an amazing job for his first event.

The guys all arrived in time to help me set out all the food. I was surprised to see Minhyuk, but it made sense. He was part of the crew now, and Connor adored him. It was hard acting normal around him. Every time our hands would touch or our eyes would meet, I wanted to feel his lips against mine again. I wanted to feel their softness... their heat.

I remembered how he had tasted, like cherries. His scent was fresh like sea salt, a little spicy, slightly woodsy, and clean. It was intoxicating. I caught myself watching him talk to Connor and felt a swell of emotion that caught me by surprise. I turned away just in time to see them pulling in the driveway.

"They are here!" I almost screamed. Connor jumped up and down, repeating what I had said. He ran to the door to be the first one to greet Clara. He threw open the door and Hyungwon and I stood behind him. As soon as they finished parking and started closing the garage door, Connor wanted to run to her, but I held him back. "Give her a minute, baby," I admonished him.

He could not stand still and as soon as her door opened, he was gone. Hyungwon too. He went to help her get out. I stayed back because there were too many people already around her, and too many people waiting for her. We had told her about the party, so she knew what to expect. You just don't throw a surprise party for someone who just had open heart surgery. Not recommended.

Clara and her entourage made their way to the interior door. She did not fully have her strength back and she was very sore. No one was rushing her, except maybe Connor. Hyungwon helped her to the comfy chair in the den and the guys all came to hug her. They weren't full hugs, considering her chest had just been cut open, but they counted.

She looked around the room and smiled. Connor beamed beside her and when I told her it was all him, tears welled up in her eyes. Seeing that made me get all misty-eyed too. Minhyuk appeared by my side with a tissue and then handed one to Clara. He introduced himself again, in person this time.

We ate, we laughed, we talked. I could see Mom looked both relaxed and nervous at the same time. I was sure she was relieved to have her home, but also knew there was a long road ahead. I would be around for about 5 more weeks, so I was hoping her recovery would continue at this pace.