After the three of us reunited at the airport, we returned home without wasting a moment.
Rosie opened the door and with a playful wave of her hand said, "Welcome home, Rudy."
Rudy stepped inside, giggling like old times. "I've missed you both so much," she said, and the three of us fell into another warm group hug, as if no time had passed.
"Go freshen up," I said with a smile. "Rosie and I will prepare the dinner."
"Alright, I won't take long," she replied, already heading to the guest room. "I'll help out in the kitchen in a bit."
Once she disappeared behind the door, Rosie and I headed to the kitchen and got busy. The quiet clatter of plates and the smell of something familiar cooking filled the space with a comfort we hadn't felt in a long time.
Just as we were setting everything on the table, Rudy returned, tying her damp hair into a loose bun.
"Sorry I took so long," she said sheepishly.
"Stop apologizing and sit down already," Rosie replied, barely looking up from arranging the plates.
"We made your favorite dish," I added as I stepped out of the kitchen.
"You two really are the only ones who spoil me like this," Rudy said dramatically. "Honestly, I wish you were married so I could be your daughter."
"Even if we were, you would never be our daughter," Rosie shot back without missing a beat.
"Heartless," Rudy pouted. Then turning to me with a mock-hurt expression and wide eyes, she said, "Acacia, you'd never abandon me, right?" She made sure to give Rosie a smug look as she said it.
I laughed, playing along. "No, I wouldn't. But both of you need to stop the drama and eat. The food's getting cold."
We dug into dinner, the table filled with warmth, teasing, and familiar comfort.
After cleaning up, we moved to the living room and settled into the couch, a soft piano piece playing in the background. It was one of my favorite tracks, quiet enough to let our conversation drift without pressure.
In the middle of catching up, Rudy suddenly sat up. "Oh! I almost forgot. Guess who I saw at the airport earlier."
Rosie tilted her head. "Let me guess… your sugar daddy?"
That made us all burst into laughter, the kind that made your stomach hurt and your eyes water.
"Well, jokes aside," Rudy said, catching her breath, "I saw Lucas. He was there."
Just like that, the laughter quieted.
"And he wasn't alone," she added. "There was a girl beside him. His arm was around her shoulder."
My chest tightened slightly.
"Oh my gosh," Rosie said quickly, almost out of instinct, "don't tell me they're-"
Before she could finish, she turned and gave Rudy a sharp nudge on her back, silently telling her to stop.
"Ow! Rosie, what was that for?"
"It's fine," I said before things got awkward. I smiled, even if it wasn't entirely real. "It's all in the past."
I stood up and stretched. "Anyway, I have to wake up early tomorrow, so I'll head to bed. Goodnight, you two." Then before turning away, I added, "Rudy, I'm glad you came back," offering a warm smile.
Rudy smiled back, soft and genuine. "Me too. Goodnight, baby."
As I walked to my room, I could hear them faintly from the living room.
"Why would you bring up Lucas like that?" Rosie asked in a low voice.
"I just want Acacia to move on," Rudy whispered back, sounding genuinely unsure.
But I was already inside, closing the door behind me with a soft click.
I sat down on the edge of my bed, suddenly weighed down. My mind wouldn't slow down, no matter how hard I tried.
Lying back, I stared at the ceiling. The image of him walking past me at the airport came rushing back in full force.
"He's gotten taller," I whispered into the silence. "And still just as handsome."
Tears found their way out before I could stop them.
"I guess you've moved on," I said softly, brushing my fingertips over my eyes. "Maybe I'm the only one still stuck in our past."
I turned over, clutching the pillow tight against my chest.
"How am I supposed to move on," I murmured, "when this little heart of mine still belongs to you?"
As I closed my eyes, letting the tears soak into the pillow, I whispered one last thing before sleep pulled me under.
"I miss you."