back to England (Thia)

The next few weeks went by in a haze of video games and busy traffic roads. Daddy even took us to get a glimpse of Lady Liberty. I spend most of the nights exploring the tunnels with Amy, which is good because it helps keep my mind of other stuff. For a while I almost forgot what dad might have to do and how it might turn out. When the time came to say goodbye though, it all came back to me all at once.

"Can't you come with us?" I begged him just before we got on the plane to leave.

"You know I can't. I have my duty and it is here."

"But..." I started.

"You've already heard my reasons. That's all I have to say."

I was going to try and give my reasons and start the argument all over again, but then I realised that Jay was still nearby. Not wanting him to get worried, nor, very much, for him to get involved, I just looked at the ground.

Daddy touched my chin with his finger and thumb gently easing my head up.

"We will see each other again though. That I can promise."

I smiled, trying to hold back tears. "Really?"

He nodded. "Of course." Then he bent down, and I wrapped my arms around him.

For a moment I believed him. Believed that it would all turn out alright. That no matter which way it went, it would all work out ok.

The plane journey wasn't very eventful, and really rather boring. Of course, Jay, who was in the seat next to me, was absorbed in his Ipad mini. He always was when he was neither playing video games at the apartment or exploring the city. I did consider many times getting out the phone my dad had got me when we were still in England. It was an IPhone, the latest kind.

It was a very good phone, and had lots of apps and games for me to play, but every time I thought of getting it out, I thought it was just reminding me too much of my dad. I know that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but I'd only just left, and I didn't want to start missing him too soon. In the end I just had to be content watching Jay play on his games. He was playing Minecraft, digging caves and building a castle out of the stones he got from it by the looks of it.

When the plane touched down, it was late afternoon. I could see Steev, Tiana and Aunt Rose waiting for us at the airport. It was just like it was when we left. When Jay saw his dad, he instantly put down his Ipad and waved out the window. When we got out of the plane he ran straight to him, and his father welcomed him with open arms. By the time I got close they were talking about Addison, Jay's brother.

"He's waiting for you inside, with Sarah, and Angeline."

"She's here too. Can I go see them now?"

"Of course you can."

As soon as Jay had run inside to find his brother and sister, Steev turned to me.

"How're you settling in over there then?"

"Oh, it's really fun, and there's a load to explore but..."

I paused for a moment. "I don't know if you'd heard, but," I looked around and leaned a bit closer "there's a lot of stuff going on at the base right now..."

He raised his hand cutting me off "Don't you worry. I know all about that alright."

I paused for a moment. "What do you think he'll do?"

But at that moment we were interrupted by Tiana calling me.

She'd been standing a little further away with Aunt Rose, who, by the looks of things, had been trying to keep her put while me and Steev had our talk.

Even now she was trying to hold her back, but Tiana looked as though she couldn't restrain herself any longer.

"Tiana!" I called back, just before she got to me.

She ran right up to me and placed her arms on my shoulders. "I've missed you; I've missed you; I've missed you so much!"

I laughed at her excitement. "Hey, what's the hurry? It's not like I'm ganna jump back on the plane straight away."

"I know I'm sorry, I just couldn't wait to see you again."

"Well I missed you too, so don't go thinking I'm only here for the wedding."

"Hey!" there was a call from inside, and I recognised the voice almost at once. It was Addison's. I looked back to where it came from. He was standing by the door, with Angeline by his side. Jay was in the middle; I could just see Sarah at Addison's shoulder.

"Are we going to stand around talking all day, or have we come for specific purpose. Did I hear a mention of a wedding?" He said grinning. We all laughed, then went inside the airport as one big group. I walked at the back with Rose and Tiana, letting Jay catch up with his family.

"Nooby told us about the trouble at the base." Rose said suddenly. (meaning my dad. An old nick-name Steev had given him.)

I stared up at her. "Did dad tell Tiana as well?" I asked, a little unfairly.

"No, of course not. You know he doesn't, and shouldn't, know about her. But he told me and Steev, and I told Tana."

"He knows I call her sister."

"But that's all he knows right. You haven't told him about..."

"No, I haven't told him about that."

Tiana was stood next to me, watching and listening. "I don't really see what all the fuss is about. So what if he knows."

"Because my sister made an oath when she married him. Even if you came before, learning the truth would only break his heart, even now."

With that Tiana fell silent and looked at the floor, arms folded. I knew she felt it all a little unfair, but Rose had a point. In a way they both did.

"Have you told Jay?" asked Rose, reverting back to the previous subject.

"Not yet. I keep meaning to, but...he just seems so happy to be back in England again. I don't want to take that from him now."

"He's ganna have to know eventually. If it does happen I mean."

"I know. Now that he's here, I was kinda hoping his dad would tell him.

Rose didn't quite agree with that.

"Oh, I think Steev will want him to hear it from the one whom it first came from. And anyway, he's not really that involved with the base."

"How can he be? He lives in England and the base is in America."

"Tiana!"

"What? It's the truth."

"Yeah, but you don't have to start reminding us all of how far away we live from you."

"I just meant to say, Jay would most likely want to hear it from those who are actually going to be involved." Said Rose, standing as if to avoid an argument. "And anyway, he'll soon realise you've been keeping something from him."

I didn't quite see the logic in this. "Well I'm not getting involved. Even if I wanted to, daddy wouldn't let me. And if he wanted to tell Jay, he'd've done it by now."

We said nothing more till we got to the cars.

Addison and Angeline were driving. She and Steev took the two front seats of the first car. Jay, Sam and Noaba at the back. That left Addison, Sarah, Rose, Tiana and me in the other. Sarah sat next Addison at the front, so the rest of us had to squeeze in at the back.

"Where are we going?" I asked. It had never occurred to me before where we might be staying for the two weddings.

"We're ganna go to Steev''s place first, which is where you and Tiana will be staying.

Jay'll be staying with his brother..."

"Oh, but can't he stay with us. It'd make dad so happy." Tiana pleaded. (By dad she meant Steev.)

"He could, but that would leave the other two on their own at Addison and Sarah's."

"Sam and Noaba won't mind that. They're used to each other's company.

And it would be good if Jay could spend some extra time with his dad." I told her. I kinda wanted Jay to stay with me as much as Tiana.

"Well, only for one night. Tomorrow we head for a hotel where we'll stay until Addison and Sarah's wedding."

Me and Tiana exchanged a glance.