The Choice

11) Aurora

Speaking of awkward moments; this one is the scariest out of them.

We're all frozen in our spots stunned, I don't know why are they, but I know why am I stunned and let me be honest, I feel another minute I might pass out from the intensity of the situation we're in.

He's standing as his perfect self; filling the doorway with his body, I want to rush to him, to hug him, to kiss him, but I cannot move my legs. I betrayed him, he said he doesn't want contact with them, yet I did. Also, how is he here? why is he here?

His gaze slide to me and I feel tears threaten to fall. I don't know what to do. His gaze softens a bit then intensifies again, we stay in a staring contest like that when Joe breaks it, "Who are you?"

Omer's attention swirls to Joe slowly, he stares him down deeply. Joe looks really young next to him. Joe stares back both unable to say something. I look at Ali or Eliana, they both are staring too. I know it; they all are questioning it in their heads now.

Omer opens his mouth then closes it, his gaze softens bit by bit as he looks between Ali and Joe. I feel needles prickle at my throat and tears start to fall.

"Tell me who are you. Please." Joe's voice crack.

A tear slides from Omer's eyes and he lifts them to look at me then to the clutches on my hand. His eyes are young and weak again. I nod at him encouragingly and he looks back at Joe.

I don't know whose wall collapses first when both of them fall into each other's embrace.

Omer cradles Joe's frame as Joe sobs, literally sobs as he clings to Omer's body.

They pullback, Omer's face is stained with tears as he slides his eyes to Ali. He still is frozen when it takes Eliana only a touch; she touches his shoulder as tears stream down her face too when Ali rushes for Omer too.

Eliana looks at me and comes to my side laying her head on my shoulder as she wipes a tear looking at them. The three of them stay like that for a while, none spoke and none moved out of their brother's embrace, but Omer's gaze finds mine again. it's unreadable, he doesn't look mad, but I don't know what else is in his silent gaze.

The both pull away and he looks at their faces; searches them as his face breaks into the tiniest smile when Joe starts laughing between sobs as they pull away. Omer looks at Ali then Eliana at my side then she rushes around the kitchen counter and straight into his embrace, "I missed you." She too lets out a sob and he pats her back with his eyes locked on me.

She pulls away and pulls him inside as Ali closes the door. She looks at him to find his eyes on me then steps out of his way, Joe too notices and does the same hugging Eliana as they both cry.

Omer makes his way towards me; I reach for my rings absent mindly. He frowns at my clutched hand and reaches for it as he takes it in his hand still looking at it then reaches for the back of my head and pulls me towards him. He buries my face in the crane of his neck, I close my eyes as I feel him and breathe him in.

I feel him crane my neck so, his mouth is at my ear as he whispers for the first time tonight saying,

"Baby menace."

He plants his mouth on my temple as he finishes, "Wait for it, dove."