Okay, hold up.

Back all the way up from the beginning.

"Hold on, can you say that again?" I snapped my book shut and zeroed in on the faces of my mother and sister that scarcely showed guilt for planning a welcome home party behind my back.

"They will be happy to see you, sweetie." Mom sinks gracefully on the edge of my bed, tucking her legs over the other.

I shifted slightly so my back is on the headboard. I set my book to my nightstand with a thud and gave them both a disapproving look. "This is my first morning here, and now you're shoving me into a party?"

"Bunny," Kathie climbs into my bed, "we've planned the whole thing since you told us you're coming home."

"And, you know, people would want to see my beautiful daughter. It's been years," our mother enthused. "They have been asking about you."

"Mom, I appreciate it but it's not necessary."

Kathie pursed her lips into a perfect pout. "But we really want to give you a party. Verbal invitations were out. Your friends are really looking forward to your welcome home party."

"It's just a small get-together, sweetheart."

Hopelessness coiled through me. There's no such thing as 'small get-together' in my mother's vocabulary. She's never hosted a party that small.

"Even your dad wanted you to have this party." My mother's voice took on a softer edge. "He'd been working really hard on the garden. We all know he's take up gardening as a hobby. Don't you wanna show off your dad's handiwork?"

I sighed, my head dropping forward in defeat. "There's no way I can talk my way out of this?"

"Nope," they answered in unison.

Kathie squeezes my hand. "I promise, it will be great."

"I just have the right dress for you, sweetheart." Mom wags her brows enticingly.

Having no penchant for designer clothes and shoes, I shot her a vacant look. Dread settled on the pit of my stomach. Wearing the dress is hardly a small price to pay for not growing tolerance to my sociable family. I have people to plaster a big, fat smile on for tonight.

I groaned into my palms.

"Aw. I know." Kathie slid next to me and tugged me to her chest. "If it's any consolation, Ethan is thrilled to meet his mommy's friends. He's helping out dad in the garden."

"You'll have fun. Take a shower, sweetie. I love you, but you need to." Mom scrunched her nose. "And when was the last time you saw a hairdresser?"

"My hair looks fine. It's just longer." I bunched my hair into my hand.

Kathie tucks a strand over my ear. "It's better shorter."

"Shoulder-length, Chassie George. Like how it used to be." Our mother snaps her fingers, face bright as day.

I snorted. "I'll go take a shower."

I've been hoping for an extreme weather – the kind that can cancel the party and spare me from seeing people I preferred to keep in arm's length. Maybe, further than that. But, no. The day was a nice, sunny day – much to my chagrin. I supposed my mother is a stronger force than my prayers. Chances of me not having to talk about how I've been in the past few years is none. As in zero chance. Not even a sliver.

"Chassie George, stop fidgeting." My mother meets my gaze in the full-length mirror.

I tug at the long sleeves of the velvet cocktail dress, refusing to let my eyes linger on the reflection.

"You look beautiful, bunny," Kathie chirped.

"Always will." Mom fluffs my freshly cut and styled hair, nodding appreciatively. She zips my dress shut and I suck in a breath, afraid it won't zip all the way up.

I sighed. "It fit."

"Of course, it does." Mom chuckles.

Kathie snorts. "Gaining a few pounds is not a drastic change. If anything, it just emphasized your curves."

I laughed nervously. "Oh, God. What am I doing this for?" I held out my hands in the air.

Mom arches a perfect brow. "You're doing this for you. Relax. Enjoy the vacation."

"You know, you could use this vacation to fix your love life," Kathie wags her eyebrows.

I gave her a look. "Don't have one. Besides, I have Ethan."

"We'll keep him company. Have you forgotten how little time we spent with him last year? Your dad is not letting him out of his sight."

"Doesn't he have work? I can't let you guys babysit for me."

Kathie walks toward my right and swathed a hand around my arm, resting her head on my shoulder blade. "Bunny, you're missing the point. You're finally given the time to focus on yourself. Ethan will undoubtedly have the best vacation with us."

She holds my gaze on the mirror before exchanging looks with our mother who was on my left side. "Mom thinks it's a good idea."

Seeing our reflections on the mirror, side by side, I almost look like myself years ago. Somehow there was comfort to the nostalgia and familiarity. I had my hair just brushing past my shoulders, curled into loose waves down the tips – like the old times. The flattering colors on my face courtesy of my mother's mastery around eyeshadow pans and contour palettes. I'm... myself. But not entirely. If I was, I could never be talked into air kissing family friends no matter the consequences.

I crane my neck to look at my mother. "There's nothing to fix, really."

"Maybe, there is. Maybe you just need to give a few second chances away. Maybe, you rejected the wrong guy."

I sigh.

Footsteps coming in from the hall made me whirl around. Sure enough, it was an already dressed-up Ethan making his way in, dad in tow. His eyes glimmered when it landed on me. The cheeky grin he gave me was enough to encourage a smile. It was simply comfort enough.

"You look pretty, mommy." He beamed.

I winked at him. "You're not looking so bad yourself, baby."

"Aw. Come here, little dude." Kathie extended her arms, Ethan crashing to it. My mouth parted in horror at the spaghetti strap of her dress that could've snapped when she hauled him off the floor. "Does Aunt Kathie look gorgeous too?"

"Yes." He chuckles.

"How about grandma?" My mother places a soft kiss on his head.

"Always, grandma."

My dad grazed glances with me. There was a nostalgic slap of emotion when I saw his eyes tendered. "You look exactly from years ago."

I padded toward him and wrapped my arms around him. "I don't. I gained a few pounds."

His response was hoarse laugh. "Still look like my little girl to me." He squeezes me to his chest, close enough to have felt him heaved out sigh. "Oh, and Nathan is held up in a meeting. Probably going to be late for the party."

There was an honest dispirited edge in his voice not having Nathan for company throughout the party. I stare, astounded that their close-knit bond hadn't tarnished all these years.