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Going Home Chapter 14 Christmas came two days later. The Richardson house remained quiet until about 10 a.m. Kevin and Katie were the last to come shuffling downstairs. Erika and Kim were waiting for them in the living room. "Good morning," Kim and Erika said simultaneously. "Morning," Kevin and Katie said, as everyone stood up and hugged. "Merry Christmas, everyone," Kim said. Erika sat sown in front of the tree. "OK, is everyone ready?" she asked, picking up the first present. About an hour later they were all finished opening their presents and Erika and Kim were about to run upstairs so Erika could finish packing when Kevin called them back into the room. "There’s one more present for the both of you," he called to them. Kim and Erika stopped dead in their tracks and turned and ran back into the living room. "OK, me and Kevin are going to be on our honeymoon over the new year, so we thought we’d give you something so you wouldn’t be here all by yourselves for the holiday," Katie told thetwo girls as Kevin handed them an envelope. Erika grabbed the envelope from her brother and tore it open. Inside she found four airplane tickets and a confirmation number for a hotel in Chicago. Kim and Erika screamed, hugged each other, then hugged Katie and Kevin. "Wait, wait!" Kim called. "Why are there four tickets?" Katie looked at Kevin. "They’re for Lance and Nick. We sorta figured that you wouldn’t want to be apart for the holiday, so they can go with you to Chicago," she told them. "You guys are wonderful," Erika said and hugged Katie. She reached up and hugged Kevin and whispered in his ear, "Thank you." "You’re welcome. Now go finish packing," Kevin told her, kissing her forehead. Erika was in her room, throwing some last minute stuff into her suitcase. A knock came on the door. "Come in," she called. "Hey there," Kim said, walking into the room. "Hi," Erika said. Kim watched Erika pace around her room and laughed. "Are you OK?" "Oh, um...no. I am so nervous. What if I do something stupid and make a fool out of myself? Do I look OK?" Erika asked suddenly, stopping in front of Kim. Kim laughed again. Erika was wearing khaki’s, a button down white shirt, and a blue v-neck sweater. "You look fine. I heard Lance likes the preppy look." "Oh shut up. This is how I always dress and you know it!" Erika yelled at her. "Geez, chill! You look great. You will make a great first impression. What time is Lance picking you up?" Erika peered down at her watch. "In a few minutes. Our flight leaves at 2. I’m just so..." she broke off when she heard the doorbell ring. "Ooooh!" Erika cried out, falling back onto her bed. "Come on!" Kim said, pulling her off the bed. "Are you sure you don’t want me to stay here with you? I mean you’ll be all alone here until December 30. I can stay, I really can..." Erika pleaded with Kim. Kim pushed her best friend out the bedroom door and grabbed her suitcase. "I don’t think so. You are going to Mississippi and you’re gonna have a great time. Besides, Nick is coming later tonight and he’s gonna stay with me." "Really? I wouldn’t want to get in your way then!" Erika replied, smiling. "Oh shut up! Hi Lance, Merry Christmas!" Kim said, hugging Lance. Lance hugged her back. "Merry Christmas, Kim." He released her and pulled Erika to him. He kissed her softly. "Merry Christmas, sweetie," he whispered. Erika pulled away and smiled at him. "Merry Christmas, Lance." "Are you ready?" he asked. "Yeah, I just need to say good bye to everyone," Erika replied. "Bye Kim. Say hi to Nicky for me. Bye Kev, bye Katie. Have fun in Cancun," Erika told them, hugging everyone. The couple walked out to the car. Once inside, Lance paused for a moment before starting the car. He reached over and grabbed her hand. "I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I am so happy that you’re coming home with me. I have something for you." Lance leaned over her and pulled a small box out of the glove compartment. "Here," he said, handing her the box. Erika smiled at him and slowly unwrapped the box. Inside she found a gold chain with a small, heart shaped locket. She picked the necklace and looked at the inscription. It read ‘Forever, Lance’. She opened the locket to find a small picture of the two of them at the horse ranch. Erika looked over at him and brushed a tear away. "Thank you. I love it, I love you." She leaned over and kissed him softly. "I have something for you." She reached into the back seatand pulled two presents out of her carry on. "Here." He opened the first one; it was the Garth Brooks double live CD set. Lance opened the next box and found a new watch. "Thank you, I love them both," he told her and leaned over to kiss her. "Wait, read the inscription on the back," she told him. He turned the watch over and read the message out loud. "Love is forever, Erika." "I know it’s kinda like what yours said, but I didn’t know when I had it done," Erika told him laughing. He looked at her and smiled. "It’s OK, I don’t mind. Forever," he whispered, kissed her, and started the car. Hours later, Erika and Lance were walking up the front walk to his grandmother’s home in Mississippi. "You ready?" Lance asked softly. "As I’ll ever be," Erika told him and tipped her head to kiss him. Just as the couple broke apart, the front door flew open and out came five people. Lance hugged them all and turned to Erika. "Erika this is my family. My mom Diane, my dad Jim, my sister Stacy, her husband Ford, and my grandma. Everyone, this is Erika."Next: Chapter 15 |