Time after time

Back home

Elle POV

Sitting on that plane to Boston, I let myself reflect on those 6 months I spent overseas. How I felt when I found out I was pregnant so far from my husband and home. How much things changed when Noah arrived a few weeks later. I was able to fully experience this adventure because I felt cared for and loved again.

I loved my internship with the children. I love the creativity it takes to turn therapy into games to motivate my little patients. I have become attached to several of them and it has made me nostalgic to have to say goodbye to them. I know I will miss them especially since I won't be starting work anytime soon since I will be giving birth sometime in the early fall.

I will also miss my colleagues who have become friends. Maria, Paula, Alejandro and Pablo were invaluable to me as I arrived alone from the United States. They introduced me to their city and their culture. Then when Noah arrived, they welcomed him with open arms. The guys even took him to see a bullfight. Which Noah found particularly exotic but for my part, I preferred to go to a soccer game, or rather football for the Spanish. I became a fan of FC Barcelona to the point that I bought myself an official jersey of the team that I wore with pride when I went to see the game against Real Madrid. Maria and Paula were impressed by how intense I can be to cheer on my team.

Noah took me on a cruise on the Mediterranean for my 24th birthday in early June. I didn't get to drink alcohol and dance all night but I loved visiting Marseille in France and Palermo in Italy. I'm not so fat that I can't walk but there were a few nights when Noah had to massage my legs that were sore from our day of discovery. And it was on one of those nights that I felt our little Nathan move. Noah was so disappointed that he couldn't feel him too. Since he found out we're having a baby and especially a boy, he's been dying to meet his son. The wait will last a few more months...

I think the most special moment of the last 6 months was the baby shower organized by all our Spanish friends. It was so great to be able to celebrate the arrival of our baby with them. But the surprise of the night was definitely the arrival of Chloe and Edmund that night from London with... all our friends from Harvard. Abby and Greg and Rebecca and Chris. They had planned to take advantage of Chloe being in London and us in Barcelona to take a trip to Europe. It was great to spend time with Abby, Rebecca and Chloe again. We went to see the Dali Museum at Chloe's request. It reminded me of when Lee and I arrived at Harvard after our famous road trip to Boston. Lee had mentioned a trip to Europe and Chloe had told us about Barcelona with its Dali Museum. At that time, I never thought that college would take me on such an adventure. I've lived life to the fullest, I've seen the world and now I'm ready to go home, I thought to myself as I looked out the plane window at the sunset over the clouds.

Our first stop on our journey home is Boston. My graduation ceremony is tomorrow. My dad will be joining us for my graduation tomorrow and then Noah and I will fly back to LA...for good. I had a lot of mixed emotions when we arrived in Boston after 6 months away. This city has been our home for 6 years. I believe that in my heart of hearts, I will always love this city. I have accomplished so much, had so much adventure, and learned about myself.

It was with a sense of accomplishment that I stepped up to the podium when my name was called to pick up my diploma. My journey here is over! I am ready to go home. After the ceremony, I joined my dad, brother, Linda, and Noah who were waiting for me. I took refuge in my husband's arms feeling a little uneasy about how to announce my pregnancy to my family. My baby bump was hidden under my graduation gown. It was Linda who after the usual congratulations asked Noah and me :
- Now that you've both graduated and are moving back to LA, do you have any other plans? Like making this old man a grandfather!" she said teasing my father.

Noah couldn't help but chuckle softly before saying :
- It won't be long!
- What do you mean, Noah?" my father asked.

Noah didn't answer him but instead ran his hand over my abdomen revealing my very obvious baby bump.
- Wow, what a surprise!" my father said as he hugged me.
-It's going to be a little boy!" I said tearfully in his arms.
- Congratulations Ellie Bears! And congratulations to you too, Noah!" my father said as he held out his hand to my husband.
- So it's true! I'm going to be an uncle!" Brad said excitedly. "I'm going to be the best of them all!
- You're going to have to compete with Lee!" Noah warned him. "I don't think he's going to give up his seat either!