"I'm pretty sure Lawrence will be here, too," Cherry added. She shifted her bag in her other hand and fixed her hair. She still looked young and so beautiful.
"Mom, I'm really getting jealous every time you praise my brother like that," Violet teased Cherry. She knew Lawrence was always her mom's favorite and precious son but it annoyed her whenever her mom said it in front of her.
"You're such a silly girl, Violet," Cherry couldn't help but tease Violet back. She shook her head and smiled at her daughter. "You're a big girl already, why do you still act like such a kid sometimes?"
"Who said that I'm a big girl? I am still your little baby," Violet stressed.
The three of them laughed as they exited into the arrivals hall.
Alice saw Violet immediately as soon as they stepped out before she saw Jackson and Cherry.
"Violet! Violet! Over here, Violet!" Alice shouted over the crowd. She waved at Violet, not even caring if she hit someone in the crowd.
Violet heard her name and Alice's voice and scanned the crowd for her. She saw her in the middle of the crowd. She let go of her parent's arms and waved to Alice, "Alice! I'm back, Alice!"
The two ladies ran to each other's arms and hugged each other tightly, not wanting to let each other go. Jackson cradled his arm around Cherry's shoulder and walked towards Violet and Alice. "Look at these two, so excited and thrilled to see each other. They don't even notice us anymore!"
Cherry laughed. "It's like you don't even know who your daughter is!" Cherry turned to Jackson and pretended to grumble. But she couldn't hold the grumble and a smile appeared on her face.
"She's your daughter, too. You gave birth to her!" Jackson argued. Cherry and Jackson still acted like a young couple, bickering at each other constantly.
"Jackson! Are you looking for trouble? You've just arrived!" Cherry replied.
Jackson held up his hand, "No, I'm not gonna dare. I'm just going to follow your orders," Jackson admitted defeat, after all, his wife was always right. Jackson looked up and saw Lawrence on his way to them. Jackson pointed him to Cherry, "Look, it's your precious son."
"Dad, mom," Lawrence greeted them. He hugged his mother tight.
A big smile appeared on Cherry's face and she patted her son's back. She beamed, "My son, I know you'd come. Your father was afraid you were too busy to come."
"I told you I'd come, Mom. That's why I'm here," Lawrence confirmed.
Violet and Alice joined them and Alice rushed to Jackson and Cherry.
"Uncle Jackson, Auntie Cherry, welcome back!" Alice greeted them with hugs.
Cherry hugged her back and pulled her back to take a closer look at her. "Oh my, Alice, you've grown up to be such a charming girl!"
"Auntie Cherry, Violet has grown up, so have I!" Alice said with a smile. She hugged Cherry again and placed her head on Cherry's shoulder, "I've missed you so much, Auntie!"
"Oh my dear, I'm always here for you. And I won't be leaving anymore," Cherry replied.
"That's great news! I miss your homecooked food!" Alice complimented Cherry.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ice and Fire