As Elizabeth and her younger sister sat in Lily's car, they discussed what had happened.

"I can't believe I punched him. I've wanted to do that for two years."

Elizabeth laughed at her sister's giddiness. She was glad that someone had put Sean in his place and that someone was her baby sister. Elizabeth could feel her thoughts creeping up on her again, so she changed the subject.

"So, sis. How are things? How is school?"

Lily had not decided what to do in college, yet she remained at Oklahoma University. She had changed her major six or seven times, trying to find out exactly what she thought she should be doing for the rest of her life. Their parents had asked her about becoming a teacher, taking after their mother, Thalia. Thalia Fletcher had been the only second-grade teacher in the little town of Athens, Alabama, before moving to the big skyscraper city of Oklahoma City, following Abraham Fletcher, her beloved.

Lily contemplated telling her sister her plans before realizing they might come true. "I'm thinking of becoming a teacher, like Mom."

Elizabeth quickly faced Lily. "Lil, that's awesome. Mom would love that so much. Have you decided..."

The conversation kept them talking for the whole two-hour ride. Elizabeth knew she was anxious to see her family after two years of no speaking. How would they react to the news of her and Sean? Of course, her family was why she learned about his extra activities. So maybe they already knew, but she shook her head at the idea; She knew her family might've never forgiven her for ditching them for Sean, but she hoped they would.

Elizabeth's thoughts were cut off by the engine being cut. They were home. She looked out of the windshield and smiled at the cute house before them. She remembered her childhood here. She remembered her friends coming over for sleepovers, birthday parties in the large backyard, and prom. She sighed at the memories flowing through her mind, wishing life could still be that simple.

Tears welled in her eyes as she heard Lily exit the parked car. She quickly pushed the thought of crying away as she pushed the passenger door open.

She smelled the fresh Autumn air, the brisk chill almost hurting her lungs. Although she knew it would hurt, she took a lungful of air and breathed out, pushing thoughts of her husband out with the breath.

"Lizzy, you go on in. I'll get your stuff," Lily spoke, noticing Elizabeth's sudden reluctant attitude.

Elizabeth stepped toward the quiet two-story house with its blue shutters and wrap-around porch. She could see her mother's garden close to the right side of the house, with the daffodils, roses, and what looked to be lavender, as she remembered being a little girl and helping her mother plant those flowers. She smiled and relaxed as she raced up the stairs and opened the creaky screen door. She pushed the white wooden door and entered the all too familiar house.

She was overwhelmed by the smells of many foods, making her mouth water. She could smell her mother's famous spaghetti and garlic bread and nearly squealed like the little girl she knew was inside. She rushed past the white-walled living room into the kitchen and almost laughed as she launched into her father's arms, seeing as he knew she needed a hug.

"Daddy! I'm so sorry. I didn't know; I was blind. I'm so sorry that I didn't listen to you and Mom," Elizabeth cried, holding onto her father as if he were going to disappear.

Abraham Fletcher clutched to his twenty-five-year-old daughter, knowing she needed him more than she ever would. He could see the hurt in her eyes, and he promised himself then and there that he never wanted to see that again. He hugged her back as hard as her tears soaked his gray shirt. He looked toward his beautiful wife and quickly shooed her out of the room, knowing Lizzy liked to talk alone.

"Now, baby. Tell me everything on your mind," Her father cooed at her.

Elizabeth scoffed as she told her father everything, even though she was sure he knew everything. She started with Nathaniel, the rude private investigator, and ended with coming home. Her father rubbed her back the entire time, listening to every word of his little girl, vowing to be there for her. He knew he had to protect his little girl from the same hurt she was experiencing now.

Elizabeth's sob story ended just as Lily walked into the kitchen, her hands void of Lizzy's things, making Lizzy think she had already placed them in her old room. Lizzy confirmed her suspicions as Lily quickly told her that her belongings were beside her old bed. Abraham wiped his daughter's tears from her face and pushed to take a quick shower while Thalia finished her famous dinner. Elizabeth quickly nodded and rushed back to the white-walled living and straight up the oak stairs. Her feet hit the carpet at the top, and she relaxed at the thought of removing her shoes.

Elizabeth glanced around the hallway, gazing at the scattered pictures. She smiled at the pictures and decided her shower could wait for a few minutes as she reminisced.

The crisp summer air blew through her hair as she sat on the tailgate of her sister's boyfriend's truck, singing lullabies that the pastor of her church taught her. She smiled at Heath and Lily as they flirted off in the distance; Lily's flowing blue dress blew around her as the wind picked up speed. Lizzy could taste the air around her and smell the cool grass. The sun was setting, and she knew they had to head home soon, but she gave her sister a few more minutes with Heath.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by someone calling her name, "Lizzy. Dinner's ready."

Elizabeth nodded, smiling, "Be there in a minute."

"Lizzy, can you believe what a wonderful night I just had!"

Her sister rattled off all the good things that happened that night as she drove home with a smile plastered on her face. She could imagine Heath and Lily tying the knot, having little Lily's and Heaths running around.

Elizabeth smiled at her sister's beaming face and chuckled, "No, I can't, Lil. I bet it was the best night of your life."

Lily looked at her sister and sighed happily, "Yeah, best night of my life."

Lily slinked to her room once they arrived, and Elizabeth watched her sister's happy dance up the stairs. She hoped that her sister never felt heartbreak and that Heath was the one for her. She prayed for her sister and herself, for their husbands to be God's plan.

Her name was called again as she decided to grace them with her presence. She rushed down the stairs to the kitchen and smiled at her family.

"This smells delicious, Mom. Thank you," she said, giving her mom a long-awaited hug. Her mother engulfed her in a hug that melted Lizzy's heart; She missed her mother, the smell of the hairspray she used, and the big hugs she received every morning. She could remember waking up on weekends to the scent of home-cooked pancakes with bacon, eggs, and milk on the side. She couldn't believe how much she missed this place.

She let go of her mom and sat at the table before Lily, her usual spot. She smiled at Lily and began to dip her a plate of her mother's spaghetti. She felt at home and relaxed. She chuckled to herself as she began to enjoy the family dinner.