The Ango Sisters

Fahmeen's POV:

Rolf sleeps soundlessly next to me as it's night up here in the clouds. I take a peak behind the shutter and see clear skies as we cross the waters. I don't think we're too far, we'll probably be there by the morning. Rolf thought I was asleep but I caught him staring at an early ultrasound scan of Willow. He's been keeping it in his wallet and he just sat there with it, I couldn't imagine what would have been running through his head at the time. I kept my eyes shut after that, I didn't want to ruin the moment between them.

As we approach his home land, I find myself imagining his family and how they will see me. I've always wanted it to be a joyous, beautiful occasion when we did meet but after what's happened, I can't quite imagine that's how it'll be like anymore. I remember bits of what he's told me of them. There's his father, Thomas, who's a kind hearted tough guy. His mother's name is Elizabeth, she's fairly traditional but gentle nonetheless. And his sisters; Raven (the eldest daughter) and Angie. I knew Raven as hot tempered but she's softly spoken, much like her father. And Angie? She loves kids and is a lot like them herself. As much as she annoys her siblings, they all are pretty close and in age too. It reminded me of my own family. I guess me and Rolf were home oriented because we had such similar family upbringings.

"You're awake?"
I hear his deep voice from beside me, he seems surprised I still am. He takes my hand from the seat rest and kisses it, laying it on his chest as his tired eyes can't help but close once again. I watch him for a few seconds. We will get through this. We have no choice but to get through this and I trust his decisions with my life.

...

"Wake up, baby. We're here." I awake to a pair of comforting green eyes, that are sparkling with something that I've never quite seen before. They're telling me he's anticipating the moment he sees home for the first time in years. It's refreshing and both breathtaking at the same time and I close my eyes and breathe him in as he kisses my forehead.
Home.
We're home, he tells me.

The air is different here. A little cold but fresh. New. The people are friendlier, always smiling when you catch their eye. It's so unlike England where we're so desperate to avoid each other.

"Let's get something to eat, please." I tug his hand and he chuckles as I lead him to a cosy breakfast diner. The smell of brewing coffee and freshly baked bread makes my stomach rumble.
"Damn, I need pancakes." He groans and a smiley waitress takes us to a table.

I watch as he wolfs down his hearty stack, the maple syrup dripping down the many layers. As per usual, I've finished mine and so I contentedly watch him. It's fascinating. He meets my eye and stops eating for a second, with an amused look on his face as he tries to understand why I do this.

"What? It's like taking a bit of home with me. I always do this." I shrug and lean further into my hand and he smirks, continuing his eating.
"Can I get you anything else?"
We're disrupted by the smiling waitress, who is looking too smiley at Rolf right now. She places her pen behind her ear, I suppose that's to charm him and works 99.9% of the time. Rolf doesn't miss the action though, and I see the way he quickly assesses her as all guys do when they're confronted by a pretty female. Food and pussy, men are easy I hate to admit.

"Just the bill, thanks." I smile too eagerly at her, and don't try to hard the sarcasm behind it. She gets the message regardless and scurries off. I give Rolf a look and he turns a little red.
"I'm sorry."
I shrug my shoulders and sit back, desperate to change this topic of conversation.
"How are we getting there?" I'm referring to our ride and he suddenly perks up, his eyes brightening and body upright on his seat.
"My buddy's going to meet us." He takes a few notes from his wallet, slamming it down and almost jumps up taking my hand in his. I giggle as he rushes us through the morning crowd, incessantly checking his watch and worried if we missed him or not.

Finally I realise we've stopped and I barely have time to register this mysterious buddy of Rolf's as they're too busy hugging and meeting each other after a very long time.
"You haven't changed much, man."
"Nah just grown bigger." The friend chuckles, as they pull apart. Then his eyes clock me and I feel like a deer caught in headlights and he looks stumped. I feel stumped because this man is very beautiful. Gosh did I just say that?

He's wearing a trucker hat but I see his eyes. His arms are stretching through his t shirt and I see what he means by getting bigger. This dude is ripped and tall, similar height to Rolf actually. I feel a little intimidated as they both stand there. Rolf notices him checking me out and clears his throat.
"So, I'm guessing this is her?" He says and I realise I've been staring. I find Rolf tensing a little and he remembers to introduce me to his friend.
"Yeah, er baby meet my very good friend and family neighbour, River."
Cool name.
River puts out his hand for me to shake, his eyes expectant and waiting for me to take it. He hasn't stopped looking at me yet.

"And River, this is my wife to be, Fahmeen." Rolf's hand hugs my waist close to his side and I see them both look at each other for a second. Then River smiles politely and his eyes twinkle as he's still waiting for me.
"Nice to meet you, River." Finally I shake his hand. He returns it slowly, his grip soft but firm.
"Likewise."

...

"Yeah, so we finally bought the place and after my dad passed, mom wanted to move back to the islands. She still had her family house there and who was I to stop her, right?"
I'm sitting in the backseat as River drives us out of the city and towards the country. They've been catching up and I've been content sitting back and listening. It's been a lot to take in, the different sights and the very fact we're on the wrong side of the road.

...

"Isn't that right, baby?"
"Huh?"
I'm pulled out of my daydream as Rolf asks me something. My eyes are startled to find River watching me from the rear view mirror. His eyes are so intense.
"It's fine. She's getting used to a new place, man. Let her adjust." River smiles at me and then he watches as Rolf turns back and strokes my face. I kiss his hand but I can't stop my eyes going to the rear view mirror because I feel his eyes on me again.

...

"We'll take everything in. Come in when you're ready, or I can wait with you?"
"No, no I'll be fine. You go ahead. I'll be a minute."
"Okay." Rolf pulls me close and kisses me on the lips. I wasn't prepared for it to be quite so deep and he breathes in, and leans into the car so much I almost fall back onto the seat.
Suddenly, a car door shuts hard and I pull back to see River leaning against the hood of the car, avoiding looking at us. I clear my throat and I feel my cheeks get warm imagining he saw us like that. I was still pretty shy when it came to PDA. Rolf just smirks at me and didn't looked so phased. He kisses me on the nose and I see him look over at River. He's been doing that a lot. Then he steps away from the car, and River joins him taking in the luggage.

We've pulled into the huge drive. Rolf wasn't exaggerating when he said they were well off. I suspect their ancestors were of the colonial past of New England. It would explain the plentiful land and affluent neighbourhood full of white people. I watch the guys walk up to the double wooden front door. The patio was beautiful and neat. Hanging baskets and garden furniture were planted where necessary to make the property more attractive. It screamed luxury but comfortable.

I'm preparing myself mentally. I guess I have images of them in my head but people never quite meet your expectations. I can't help but imagine friendly faces swarming Rolf, desperate to see him after all these years. He speaks so highly of them, I genuinely cannot wait to finally meet my other family.

The door opens and a petite woman with thick, brown hair gasps. She covers her mouth and I know her eyes are seconds away from tearing up as she takes him in. River steps back and lets mother and son have a moment.
"Mother." I hear Rolf say. It's such a tender moment, he drops the bag and scoops her small frame in his arms.
"Oh Rolf. My boy."

A few more seconds, then I'll come.
I see River look back at the car. I'm too nervous to meet his stare, so I look away fiddling with my fingers.

Female shrieks and squeals make me look back and now Rolf is struggling to hug all three women. He's laughing and crying at the same time and I'm feeling emotional watching him look so peaceful.

It's time.
I step out, and as I slowly close the door behind me I notice them all look my way. My heart's beating fast now and I'm nervous as hell. Rolf gestures for me to come over and before I do just that, Angie runs to me.

"Hi!" She's out of breath but she hugs me nonetheless. It's one of them bone crushing hugs but I can't help but hug her back. I see Raven slowly walk over with a gentle smile on her face.
"It's so good to finally see you." I say to Angie. We pull apart and I get to see her properly. I knew they were in their twenties, and Angie had her blonde hair shoulder length. Her eyes were as green as her brother's. She wore cropped jeans and a pale yellow vest.
"I can't believe we get to meet you! You're here. With my brother." Her voice suddenly grows quieter as I see her eyes fall to my stomach. She places her hand there and I swallow hard as recently buried feelings threaten to spill.

"Angie, don't."
We both look as Raven steps towards me. Her eyes have gotten sad the closer she's gotten. I think now that the excitement has passed, the reality is sinking in of what's happened and who's missing. Of who they'll never get to meet.
"Be careful." Raven says to her and both sisters share a look which causes Angie to regretfully look down.
"It's alright. There's no pain. There, anyway." I struggle to smile now and suddenly Raven pulls me into a fierce hug. I see Angie's eyes widen as nobody expected this. Even I heard she wasn't the affectionate type.

"I'm so sorry." I hear her whisper close to my ear. I rub her back, and close my eyes as we share this moment. Already, I feel part of this family.