Chapter 52
"Call me as soon as you get home honey, I'll be down in a few days, I just wanna get everything straightened away here first."
"I know Mom, I'll call." Nyla assured her, hugging her tightly.
"I'm so worried, I don't want another incident like before."
"I've been listening to the weather reports, we should be alright Mrs. Rogers." Nick smiled.
Mrs. Rogers looked over at him and smiled warmly, "Thank you so much for coming Nick, it really means a lot to this family that you came and supported Nyla like this. I could tell she really needed you."
Nyla blushed crimson, looking away. "MO-OM!"
"Well it's true, even if you're too stubborn and proud to admit it."
Nyla rubbed at her eyes. Nick chuckled, "It's not a problem, Nyla needed me and there's no where else I'd rather be, Grams was important to me too."
Mrs. Rogers nodded, wiping at her eyes that were now welling up again, "I know sweetie."
Nyla reached out, hugging her Mom tightly.
"Drive safely you two, take your time, don't rush and if you're not..."
"Mom, Mom, we know, we'll be careful, we promise." Nyla smiled, reaching up to wipe at the tears in her Mom's eyes.
Mrs. Rogers smiled at Nyla, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Oh, baby, I almost forgot. Your Grandmother was holding this in her hand the night she...well, she loved this and she knew how much you loved it. She'd always told me that she wanted you to have it some day, and I think she'd want you to have it now."
Nyla blinked in confusion, watching as her Mom pulled something out her pocket, holding it out to her. She gasped softly when she realized what it was.
"I guess she'd been waiting for the right time, I think now's that time." Mrs. Rogers smiled.
"I-I can't..."
"You can baby, she'd want you to."
Nyla opened her hand as her Mom dropped the necklace into her hand. Her Grandmothers locket was something Nyla had always loved, even as a little girl. She'd never come right out and asked for it, but she knew her Grandmother would sometimes see her in her room looking at it in her jewelry box.
She'd let her wear it when she came to visit and Nyla always made sure to return it after. She'd ask time and time again to be told the story of how she got the locket and of course, the story never changed. It'd been a gift from her Grandfather for their thirtieth wedding anniversary, she loved to open the locket and look at the pictures of her Grandmother and Grandfather when they were younger, it somehow made her feel closer to them. She'd never known her Grandfather, but with the stories her Grandmother used to tell her, she felt like she knew every detail of his life. Recently though, her Grandmother wouldn't let her look in the locket, kept telling her she was getting new pictures to put in and that it was empty anyway.
Nyla looked down at the locket and felt her eyes welling up yet again, closing her hand around the cool metal. Taking a breath, she looked up at her Mom. "Thanks Mom."
Mrs. Rogers leaned in again, hugging her tightly, "You're welcome baby," she smiled, looking over at Nick. "You take care of her Nick."
Nick turned serious suddenly, "I will."
Mrs. Rogers nodded, reaching out and pulling Nick into her arms, hugging him tightly. "Thank you for taking care of my girl." She whispered in his ear before pulling away and winking at him.
He smiled and gave a slight nod.
"Well Mom, we're gonna get going. Give everyone my love."
"I will, don't forget to call."
"We won't. Bye Mom."
"Bye you two!" Mrs. Rogers waved as they walked off and headed over to the truck, getting in.
Nick pulled out the driveway and headed down the street.
"Maybe we should call Scott and Celeste and let them know we're coming home early." Nick suggested.
Nyla nodded, pulling her phone out and dialing, connecting easily. A few minutes later, calls were made, after explaining they'd be there a little early, they hung up and continued on the long journey home.
