Without Words

29- Home

"Yours since we were kids, Elle." He reaffirmed, brushing his thumbs on her cheeks. "But for your peace of mind, I'll be officially yours after the dance."

"Then I'll be yours as well. You better treat me right... and you better be good at dancing."

He nodded, a huge grin on his face, and Elle just couldn't help it. She was giddy, excited and in love. Standing on her tiptoes, she met Dan's lips with hers. The kiss lasted longer than the ones they usually have. And this time, the kiss is different- for once, it was full of promise of what's more to come in their relationship. They may have been mere kids but they were both certain on what they want- the person standing in front of them.

Elle pulled away and stared at him with love and adoration, the same expression mirrored in Dan's eyes. He wrapped his hands around her waist, lips centimeters away and thirsting for another kiss. "I love you, Eliza Forbes."

She pecked his lips softly and giggled. "Ditto."

A week later, the pink roses were forgotten, the corsage thrown in the trash, Elle suddenly left and they never did make it to the dance.

................................

"Are you ready for your birthday gift from us?" Matt asked eagerly as he pulled me to the house.

We had a small birthday lunch with my friends and family at the Monroe's backyard. We decided that dinner is still a no, given the bad history we have. Their gifts have been overwhelming. The guys gave me sets of paints, brushes and canvasses. I think they asked my friends about it since it was all from the brands I use. Luca somehow got the soccer ball I famously kicked Sebastian with and placed it on a stand to look like a trophy. There were names and messages written around it, I saw some written by Jack and his friends. The Monroe's got me a dress I could wear for the art exhibit next January while Katelyn and Tabi gave me shoes to match it. While opening the box, Katelyn whispered that this was only one part of their gift. I gave her a confusing stare but she just smiled and murmured, 'later'.

Just before dinner, Matt pulled me out of my room and dragged me to the house. It's been a while since I returned and frankly, the place was just full of awful memories. Matt led me upstairs, past my old room and stopped at what I remembered to be dad's former home office.

"We worked on this for months and on a very limited time. This was mainly the reason why we let you stay at the Monroe's in the meantime." Matt explained, jumping from his feet in obvious excitement. "We hired professional help but Dan worked closely with them. We also got others to help transfer everything else here."

I was growing more and more confused.

"We broke down the walls and created one big room for you, sis." He got even more excited. "It also connects to your new bedroom. We figured you don't want to stay at the old one."

I was about to say more when he opened the room so dramatically. I gasped at the scene in front of me. The room was thrice the size as the usual rooms in the house. The entire outer walls were converted to a floor to ceiling glass window, making the area lit up with light, off white velvet curtains hung by its corners. I could see our entire backyard from the window. The formerly beige walls were replaced with a pastel pink palate that matched the polished wooden floors.

There were wooden partition shelves on the left, containing my various paints, brushes and pencils. There were also floating shelves across from it that contained my sketchpads, papers and canvasses. Walking over to the slightly enclosed space, there is a long table holding colorful jars housing my used brushes, oils, turpentine and wooden art storage boxes. At the far corner is a sink with some cleaning materials and colorful dry rags hanging on the wall, then, drying racks for my paintings. I saw some of my gifts already there as well as the supplies I left in my studio at Katelyn's. There was a sliding wooden ladder beside the sink leading to what I suppose would be a larger storage area for my works. Beside the ladder, I saw several empty jars stacked together and I couldn't help but smile as I studied them closely. They were all designed by my friends. Sadly, I know this because I recognize a suspicious phallus looking design on one of the jars along with the words 'blessed'.

At the center of the room, outside the partition shelves stood easels of various sizes and designs neatly arranged near the windows. A metal rolling cart of art supplies at the side, as well as a comfortable arm chair facing the open backyard view.

Walking to the right side, there was a customized wooden partition. The wood was carved into beautiful roses with vines and leaves swirling around. Pink roses are my favorite flowers and it was clear that Dan helped in designing all of this, including the room color and my preferences. Tracing my fingers on the elegant open carvings, I moved to the other side of the room. An adjustable drafting desk with a pen and brush organizer is placed in front of the open window. Shelves filled with books were on the right as well as adjustable work lamps. Across from it, there is a white study table and on top was the soccer ball- turned- trophy given by Luca. There were also a couple of picture frames and I almost teared up as I walked closer.

I took one and happy tears fell from my eyes. It's our family picture, the last one we had before dad and I had to leave. We were all huddled together, trying to fit ourselves in the shot. Sitting down, dad had his arms around mom while Matt and I were in front of them giving the camera our toothy grins. I saw another picture; it was the five of us, Dan, Matt, Noah, Violet and I on the first day we were introduced to the Fortress. Then I laughed as I saw a new one, it's a shot of my birthday party with my new family and friends taken just three hours ago. I stopped as I saw the familiar picture of dad I kept on my night stand before. The picture mom asked me to hide now stands proudly on my new desk.

Walking farther at the corner of the room contains what could be the receiving area for guests. I bit back a laugh as the couches were peach colored just like at the Monroe's and a suspicious looking boa constrictor who swallowed an elephant was at the center of the coffee table. There is a wide expanse of blank wall behind it, with some glitters scattered and a string with clips hanging, reserved for pictures I can add in the future. There was already one picture clipped, a picture of Matt, Dan and I when they woke me up this morning to give me my birthday cake. I'm sure I could get more pictures to add to this and soon enough, it will be covered with our precious moments and memories.

A screen metal door was at the far corner leading to a balcony area. The view overlooks the Monroe backyard. A small wooded bench swing stood outside, an eccentric looking lamp with a bright pink boa and potted plants were at the corners. In fact, I noticed several plants placed across the room, giving it a more natural and earthy vibe.

I turned around, digesting how beautiful my new studio is and how it surpassed what I have dreamed of and wanted. Bits and pieces of my family's and friends' presence were scattered around the room and I couldn't feel more loved than I am right now. More than the material things and the money spent to design this, it was the thought that counted more to me. A sign that mom accepted my passion wholeheartedly, that she welcomes me open arms with the unconditional love and acceptance she once had for me. They tore down the walls, opened the windows and created a room for me. I finally have a place I belong to, no longer needing to hide what I feel and love. Like the open view from the windows I would be gazing for a long time, the world lies in front of me and I am free to choose what I want, this time, for myself and with my family's support.

"Happy Birthday, my baby girl." Mom entered the studio, giving me that familiar and tender smile I didn't know I had missed so much. It was full of love and affection I felt my heart would burst from the overwhelming feeling. She held a key out in her hands, handing them to me. "Welcome home."

I must look stupid. I have a big smile on my face and tears falling non-stop from my eyes. I wiped them furiously then, like a little kid, ran straight into the comfort of my mom's arms. I was welcomed with a warm tight hug and a gentle kiss on the head, more tears fell as I snuggled closer. After a few seconds, Matt joined in and wrapped both of us in his arms. Just then, without words, I knew we are now okay. We're a family again.

I am finally home.

A/N: Like I said before, the story would only be in Elle's POV. I intentionally did not continue writing about Andy and Sophie. 

In my mind, Emma and Matt had a mother-son conversation on how they hurt and mistreated Elle before and they both decided to cut ties from Andy and Sophie out of respect for Elle. Especially after Sophie hurt her and worked with Leo, there was no way Matt could forgive her for that.

Both mother and son acknowledges their mistakes, and the hardships and sacrifices Elle had gone through alone for years. This was their way of atoning for all the  hurt and tears they've caused on her.