Heaven (Sequel to Stranded) {2}

Chapter 55: Hope

Chapter 55: Hope

Eliza's POV

The next day was Christmas Eve and we celebrated the normal way. We spent most the day at the house and then to Fountain Square to go ice skating. I spent the whole car riding debating if I wanted to actually skate today. 

We got out and my dad walked up to the counter with my siblings and I. He asked if we all wanted to skate and then looked at me. I nodded and he smiled, renting 7 pairs of skates, rattling off sizes. Our skates were passed out to us and we went to empty benches to strap them on. I stood up, wobbling like a baby deer. I stepped out onto the ice, losing my footing before quickly regaining it, gripping onto the wall for dear life. I took deep breaths as I put one foot in front of the other, slowly gaining confidence.

Once I felt more steady, I pushed away from the wall, pushing myself along the ice. With more confidence came more speed. I felt the cold wind blowing through my hair, surrounding me in a blanket of comfort. I felt so free, my mind clear, as I skated around the ice. I felt happy for the first time this trip. I felt at peace. My feet were starting to cramp and so I slowed down. 

I caught a glimpse of my parents, my dad had convinced my mom to come out on the ice. They shared a kiss, looking so incredibly in love. For the first time since the assault, I imagined my future. I imagined Lennon coming with my family to celebrate Christmas and the two of us sharing a kiss on the ice, just like my parents had. It's one part of my parents' story I found incredibly romantic.

After ice skating, we went to The Christmas Ranch for the light show and then ended our night with Midnight Mass.

The next morning was Christmas and we walked downstairs, joining the rest of our family. I smiled as I watched everyone open presents. I spent the rest of the day actually socializing with my family, finally feeling like I was in a good place.

Andy's POV

"Good morning! Happy birthday!" my mom greeted as ShyAnne and I walked downstairs.

"Good morning, thank you, are the kids up yet?" I questioned.

"No, but they'll get up when they're hungry," she shrugged, my dad coming up behind her.

"We wanted to go ahead and give you your birthday present now," my dad said, handing me an envelope.

"Thanks," I said, opening the envelope and reading the card before looking at what the card held. A paper with an address and a fresh $100 bill. "What's this?" I questioned.

"We know your whole family has been through so much the last couple of months. We booked you a hotel for the night and we want you to spend that bill on dinner for the two of you," my mom said happily.

"Mom, this is so nice, but we can-"

"We've got her," my mom reassured. "We've got all of them. You guys deserve time to yourselves. We can't necessarily show up at your house and make you take a break, so we're doing it now."

"Thank you so much, mom," I said, hugging her and then my dad. ShyAnne thanked them as well and gave them hugs.

"Go pack, we'll see you tomorrow," my dad said. I nodded as ShyAnne and I hurried up the stairs.

Eliza's POV

I walked downstairs, surprised to not hear my dad's booming voice. I walked into the living room to see my grandpa on the couch, watching the news. I turned to the kitchen to see my grandma putting breakfast onto plates. I wandered into the dining room to see my sisters sitting at the table.

"You're up! Good morning!" My grandmother greeted.

"Where's mom and dad?" I asked.

"We sent them off to go celebrate your dad's birthday. They'll be back tomorrow," she said, placing 3 places at the table. "Go ahead, eat."

I sat the table with my sisters and we ate in silence. When we were almost finished with breakfast, my brothers finally showed their sleepy faces. My grandma gave them breakfast and they started eating as my sisters and I finished, going back upstairs. We took turns getting ready for the day and then just sat in our beds on our phones.

"Hope you guys are ready for a new sibling," Elijah said as him and Carter walked into our room.

"What do you mean?" Callie asked.

"Mom and dad went to a hotel room," Elijah said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"They can't have anymore kids, dumbass," I spat, rolling my eyes.

"Yeah! Dad got his balls chopped off!" Carter said.

"Oh my god, no he didn't," I groaned at the stupidity of my brothers, flopping backwards onto my pillow.

"Yeah, he wears tight ass jeans. You can see the outline of those motherfuckers!"

"Gross! Why are you looking?" Chloe asked in disgust.

"They're looking at me!" Elijah protested.

"Dad himself has admitted he has enormous balls," I said. A silence fell on the room and I sat up to see my siblings staring at me. "What? He said it in an old interview I watched," I shrugged.

"Can we please stop talking about dad's body?" Callie groaned. We all agreed and my brothers left the room.

***

The next day, my parents came home while we were eating breakfast.

"We're back!" my dad called.

"In here!" my grandmother called. My parents walked into the dining room and sat at the table with us. "Did you have breakfast?" my grandmother asked and my parents nodded.

"Elijah was talking about your balls," I said, sticking a piece of pancake in my mouth. My dad's eyes went wide and Elijah dropped his fork.

"I wasn't the only one!" Elijah defended himself.

"I don't want to know," my dad said, holding up his hands. "Just eat so we can get to the airport, please."

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