The elderly ladies were sitting in the open living area, discussing some designer jewellery, when they suddenly heard Rayan shouting, "Mom!"

"Why is he shouting this early in the morning?" Lilly asked, turning toward the source of the voice, while the others shook their heads and continued their conversation. This wasn't new for them.

When Lilly's phone slipped from her hand, Larra's mom noticed the shocked expression on her face. She glanced at the other ladies and saw they wore the same look of shock.

"Larra," Lilly whispered, but she didn't dare to look around. She remained frozen in place, processing what she had just said.

"Oh my God.. my baby" Lilly stood up from her seat abruptly, storming towards Larra. The other ladies, except her mom, stood and took steps towards them in surprise. Larra gave them a nervous smile.

"Lilly" she called Rayan's mom, like she used to do.

"Oh my God! My girl is really here" Tears streamed down; she cupped Larra's face fondly.

"Look at her! My baby is looking so pale. Aren't you eating properly in the US? Are they making you overdo it? My girl" Lilly kissed her cheeks and forehead, unable to control her emotions.

"I missed you... so, so much," Lilly said as she hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry," Larra whispered with a sheepish smile.

"Don't smile, you crazy girl," Lilly said, waving her hands as if to playfully swat at her.

"I really am sorry, Lilly..."

"I'm just glad you came. Our kids felt incomplete without you," Lilly replied, gently caressing her hair. Larra nodded and shifted her gaze toward her mother. Lilly followed her look and gave her an encouraging nod. Larra took two steps forward.

"M-Mom," she called out, her voice cracking with emotion.

Mrs. McLaren shut her eyes and took a deep breath, tears rolling down her cheeks. She had died to hear that voice for the past five years.

Her baby, her girl, the one who gave her life meaning!

Slowly, she turned around to see an anxious Larra looking at her with wide eyes—the same look she had whenever she got caught mischief by her mom. Mrs. McLaren chuckled through her tears and soon turned into sobs as they smiled together.

Her daughter stood right in front of her!

Mrs. McLaren rose from her seat and tilted her head, feeling a wave of motherly warmth spread across her face.

“Mom,” Larra whispered with teary eyes.

Running away from her past had indeed helped her grow, but seeing her family left alone made her realize that it had been a mistake.

"My baby," Mrs. McLaren extended her arm forward, longing to touch her daughter's face.

"Mom," Larra stepped closer and hugged her mother, surprising her. Mrs. McLaren burst into more tears, overwhelmed by the feeling of holding her daughter again.

"My baby," she caressed Larra's hair and cried harder.

"Sorry, m-mom," Larra whimpered as she hugged her tightly. Everyone in the room struggled to hold back their tears; the scene was undeniably emotional.

"I am so sorry, dear. Mom is so sorry," she continued to mumble as Larra slowly pulled away from the embrace.

"No! I am sorry, Mom. I am really sorry," Larra said, grasping her mother’s hands.

"Um, sorry to interrupt, but can we save this melodrama for after my wedding? I need Larra to practice my dance," Shirley said with a grin, earning a playful flick on the head from her mother.

"Ouch, Mom!" Shirley rubbed her head, visibly offended. Riley looked at her with a mocking face.

"Yes, she’s right. Now that everyone is here, no more tears. We are going to celebrate each day, but only after Larra eats something," Rayan’s mom said excitedly. Shirley gave her soon-to-be mother-in-law a grateful smile.

Yeah, I’m really hungry. I’m going to freshen up now," Larra said to everyone.

"What? Now you have to freshen up? Since when did you start taking a shower every day?" Shirley asked impatiently.

"I’m not you, Bassey; I don’t shower only once a week," Larra rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Riley, show her to her room," Shirley ordered, looking at Riley, who appeared confused.

"Why? Don’t you have enough helpers? Why should I do it? You can go and show her," Riley scoffed back.

"Because I’m the bride here," Shirley shot back.

"Oh, Bassey, you’re only a bride for one day. Don’t forget that," Larra reminded her. Riley nodded in agreement.

"Oh really! Don't you dare to speak now? You literally ghosted me for six months, and now you are talking about my wedding," Shirley said, pointing her finger at Larra.

"I ghosted you because you deserve it" Larra shot back.

"Enough!" As usual, Rayan stepped in to put a stop to the argument. The three cousins looked at him, offended.

"Stop bickering and go wherever you want," he said, visibly annoyed. He missed the three of them being together, but whenever they were, they could be really irritating.

When Larra spoke with the others, her mom watched her fondly. At twenty-five years old, Larra was a very stubborn young woman who had everything she needed just a step away in her life. However, the person standing in front of them now was quite different from the older version of herself. Even though she was bickering with their cousins like a child, her eyes revealed a depth of emotion.

Staying away from her family and building her own life had made her a more mature person, and her mom could see it.

"Fine! Come with me," Riley said as she walked ahead, with Larra following.

“Nice extension!” When Larra settled her bags in the room, Riley teased her.

“You wish!” Larra chuckled.

“But they were at this level last time,” Riley said, surprised, pointing to her elbow level. Larra nodded.

“And now, here already?” Riley asked, touching her hips.

“I didn't trim it. But don’t worry, I’m going to do it soon,” Larra shrugged.

“Don’t!” Riley said immediately. Larra looked at her, confused.

“It looks great. Long hair suits you,” she said, admiring Larra's hair.

“Really?” Larra asked, surprised. Riley nodded with a genuine smile.

“Okay. Now leave the room,” Larra said with a sweet smile, though it was clearly fake. Riley shrugged and walked towards the door, taking Larra's sunglasses with her.

“Uh! Leave them here, Jenner,” Larra said, shaking her head.

“Forget it, McLaren,” Riley responded in the same tone.

“It’s old, lady. Just take this one,” Larra said as she took a box from her bag and tossed it toward Riley, who caught it with a gasp.

Riley looked at Larra and then at the box, immediately opening it and widening her eyes in shock.

“Oh, my fucking, McLaren. I love it!” Riley squealed in happiness.

"Now, get out" Larra pushed her out and shut the door.

"Thanks, bitch", she chuckled when she heard Riley shouting from the other side.

Later, Larra had some food and met her dad and uncles. The meeting was as emotional as before, and everyone became happy to see their kids together after so long.

Currently, they are on the lawn, practising the dance for the Sangeet ceremony. Larra and Winnie are giving instructions to the bride and groom while Riley, Tyler and Ron are sitting leisurely on the chair having some drinks and watching the show.

"What the fuck Bassey? I fucking told you a fucking hundred times that you have to fucking twirl this way, not that way. Where the fuck is your eyes? At this rate, you will fucking kill his one limp. Do you want your fucking husband without one leg? How the fuck you gonna dance?" Larra yelled in frustration while others flinched at every cursing.

Tyler and Ron laughed harder, silently, of course, while Shirley and Rayan looked at her with wide eyes.

This girl!

The one thing about her never changed is her habit of cursing.

"Woah! McLaren is really here, guys!" Riley raised her glass and announced, earning an eye roll from the other person.

"I’m showing you one last time," Larra said as she grabbed Winnie’s waist and danced to demonstrate the reference. Shirley nodded and carefully followed her lead, eventually succeeding.

"Damn! I’m so tired," Larra said as she approached the three onlookers and took a seat.

"Give me the damn drink, Jenner," she said, grabbing the glass without waiting for a response.

"It’s your punishment, McLaren," Riley teased. Larra glared at her, visibly irritated.

"By the way, why the hell did you keep me seen, bitch?" Riley leaned towards her. Larra glared again but soon chuckled.

"I was hibernating," Larra replied with a sheepish smile.

"Of course you were," Riley scoffed, snatching her drink back.

"How's Riler?" Larra asked, looking at the couple.

"We're good. Long distance is really our thing," Tyler said, intertwining his fingers with Riley's.

"Aww! That's so sweet. Let me take a picture of you two," Larra said as she pulled her phone from her pocket. The couple posed for many lovely pictures.

"You should join them, surgeon," Larra said to Ron, who looked at her in surprise. She gestured for him to come closer to the couple, and he nodded, standing next to Tyler.

"Me too!" Winnie squealed, joining them, followed by Rayan and Shirley.

When Larra's phone beeped, her eyes widened.

"Shit! I have to go," she said to everyone as she turned away.

"Where?" Riley asked, confused.

"I have a meeting now."

"A meeting?" Shirley replied, puzzled.

"Yeah. I forgot to mention it—I got promoted and transferred to New York a month ago," Larra said with a grin. Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

"Now you decide to tell us?" Riley asked, sounding angry. Larra winked at her.

"Don't come to my room, you two," Larra called back to Riley and Shirley as she hurried off.

"What about me?" Rayan asked from behind.

"You’re not even on the list,” Larra shouted back without looking.

"I wonder how she became my best friend," Rayan murmured, feeling disappointed.

At the lunch table, Lilly insisted on calling Larra for lunch.

“Mom, she said she has a meeting, so we can't disturb her,” Rayan said, shaking his head. His mother got her daughter back.

“A meeting?” Larra's dad asked for clarification.

“Yeah, she said she got promoted and transferred to New York,” Shirley added. Every adult at the table looked at each other in surprise.

“Wow. The girl arrived as a surprise and keeps bringing more surprises,” Rayan's dad said. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“I hope she’s doing well. She was a workaholic when it came to her interests. She used to spend sleepless nights writing,” Larra's dad said, sounding worried.

“Don’t worry, man. She is a self-made woman now. She knows how to take care of herself. I can see she has become more mature than our other kids here,” Riley's dad remarked, which offended the kids present.

After lunch, the men practised their group and solo dances while the women worked on their own work. Riley and Winnie assisted the ladies with their dance steps, while Shirley took a nap in between.

Don’t worry—Shirley can sleep whenever and wherever she likes, no matter how chaotic the atmosphere is.

By the sunset, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Riley went outside to get some fresh air and spotted Rayan, Tyler, and Ron chatting with Mr. McLaren, Mr. Merchant, and her dad. She smiled as she saw the men engaged in conversation, excitedly discussing something. Tyler had been nervous to talk to her dad before, but it seemed like they had cleared the air.

“What’s the topic?” Riley asked as she pulled up a chair beside Tyler.

“The old men are complaining about their health issues with the doctors,” Rayan said teasingly, pointing at the two groups.

"Yeah, don’t miss a chance for free consulting," Riley chuckled, teasing them.

"We're fitter and healthier than you kids. Let’s see who gets diabetes first," Rayan’s dad said with a teasing smirk. Rayan raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Did he just roast his son?!

"We're just having a conversation, sweetie. These young men were sharing their career experiences with us. I’m very proud of you guys," Larra’s dad said, looking at the doctors among them. Tyler and Ron nodded gratefully.

"Jenner! Jenner!"

They heard Larra shouting for Riley. Soon, she came into view, looking annoyed.

"When did she step out of the room?" Rayan asked in confusion.

"There you are, Jenner. Leave your boyfriend and come with me, now," Larra ordered, glaring at Riley. Both Riley and Tyler choked in surprise.

"Wait! Don’t you know that this hot-looking surgeon is your daughter's boyfriend?" Larra exclaimed to Riley’s dad, pointing at Tyler. Larra’s dad chuckled, while Rayan shook his head, looking exasperated.

"Of course, I know. And I’m really proud of her choice," Riley’s dad said with a genuine smile, looking at both of them, which made them relax and smile back.

"Glad to hear that, Uncle," Larra said appreciatively.

"What the fuck are you dreaming about now? Come with me. We have to practice our group dance," Larra ordered Riley impatiently.

"Larra... language," her dad said with a mock stern tone.

"Sorry, Father," she replied to him with a face that suggested she wasn’t really sorry, "move your asses faster, Jenner." She then dragged Riley away.

"Larra McLaren!" her dad yelled, warning her.

"Sorry, Dad, but I love you!" Larra called back as she stepped inside the hotel, leaving them laughing behind.

"Damn, I missed her so much," Larra's dad said, wiping away tears. Mr. Merchant patted his shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"This is the old Larra, the one who always roamed around and got into mischief with Rayan," Mr. Merchant said, pointing at his son. Rayan smiled sheepishly and nodded.

"I'm glad she's back. I lost her for a long time. After she met Noah, she became more composed, like him," Larra's dad said thoughtfully.

"Oh, you guys know Noah?" Rayan asked Tyler and Ron. They nodded slowly.

"Noah was just the opposite of her usual taste. Still, she was head over heels for him. He was like a spider—once we met him, we couldn't back off. But the young man had to leave too soon," Larra's dad sighed heavily, unaware that he had stirred up old feelings in Ron once again.

***

The story is going on in different directions!

Ones who are waiting for the celebration, sorry, but this emotional episode was necessary!

Vote⭐ and comment 😀