Heartache to Happiness

2 - Long ass flight

Waking up as my alarm goes off, I stretch in bed just as Aunt Caroline pops her head in the door to tell me Uncle Steven went to the local café to get breakfast, as we pretty much got rid of all the food or gave it to the neighbours so it was not wasted.  I jump out of bed, have a quick shower, and get changed into comfortable clothes for the long ass flight to America.

I head downstairs just as Uncle Steven comes in the front door, bags in hand of delicious smelling food. I’m not much of a breakfast person, normally just have a glass of orange juice and a cereal bar, but today I will make an exception. Uncle Steven places a big Scottish fry up in front of me. My mouth is watering, hash browns, bacon, square sausage, scrambled eggs, baked beans and haggis. “Thought you would appreciate having your last bit of Scottish food before leaving” Uncle Steven says as he pats my shoulder. “Thanks” I say as I start tuck into the food. I moan at the taste “I’m going to miss this” I tell them as I look up to see Aunt Carolines nose scrunched up in disgust, as she sits and eats her pancakes and fruit “Haggis, I have never understood why anyone would eat that”  I hold back my laughter at the faces she makes. “An acquired taste Aunt Caroline.” I tell her as I finish up eating just as the doorbell goes. “That must be the movers” Uncle Steven says as he gets up to get the door. And he was right it’s the movers. They start straight away taking the furniture that is labelled to go with us from my room, I finish up eating, clear up the table and head up to my room to pack the few bits I have left. Zipping up my case and loading up another box to go with the movers, I head downstairs, hand the box over to the guy at the door of the van and head back in to get my case. I drag it downstairs with me leaving it by the front door, running back up to double check I haven’t left anything, in all rooms. Uncle Steven following me to make sure he has everything he wants and needs also. Satisfied that I have everything that I want, Uncle Steven sends the movers away. Watching the van drive off from the side of the road, I turn to look at the house. Tears escape my eyes but I quickly gather myself and head back in.

“The flight leaves in 3 hours, lets get the cases in the car and we will head off” Uncle Steven says as he pulls me in for a hug, rubbing his arms up and down my back. I nod, scared I won’t get the words out with out sobbing. And that is exactly what we did, loaded the cases into the car, Uncle Steven, checking everything is switched off that needs to be and making sure the windows and all doors are locked.

“Ready” Uncle Steven says as he clips his seat belt in.

“Yeah, lets go” I say as I sigh and look out the window towards the house.

Soon we are on the road, I just stare out the window taking in my surroundings, not sure when I will see it again, if at all.

About half an hour later we arrive at the airport, not before having to return the car to the hire shop. We check in and head through to the departure lounge. It's lunch time so we grab a bite to eat, Nick video calls Aunt Caroline asking if everything went ok at the house and what time the flight leaves and just checking in with his parents. He’s such a sensible lad, sometimes forget he is just a few months older than me, he sounds so mature asking if we are ok and safe. I’ve always been close to Nick and I knew he was devastated that he couldn’t come over to help pack the house up and move my stuff over, but he had already committed to this tournament before my parents died, and I knew how important football is to him and he is one of the star players.

Just as our flight is called for boarding, we say bye to Nick and head for the gate. We are soon in the air roughly twelve hours we will be flying depending on weather, but the pilot announces it could be less as the wind is behind us, giving us a little boost. I soon get comfortable and fall asleep with my earphones in my ears and a random playlist playing. A few hours into the flight I must have fallen asleep as I wake when my Aunt says we will be landing in about half hour. So, I head to the bathroom to do my business, I splash some water on my face and head back to my seat.

We soon land and make our way to arrivals to collect our luggage, we head out luggage in tow and head to collect my uncles car from the valet type system they have at the airport. Once the car is loaded with our suitcases, we settle in for the forty minute drive to my new home.

The drive didn’t feel that long, and soon we were pulling up to a mansion type house. My Uncles business is pretty big and they are pretty loaded. So the house is massive, 6 bedrooms most of them have en-suites, cinema room, games room, and massive kitchen diner area and a separate dining room, 2 family rooms and a massive pool out the back, with a gym/fitness room, to compared to the house I lived in Scotland which was 4 bedrooms and basic open kitchen dinning area.

We all get out the car, unload the luggage and head inside. They have a house keeper/maid called Stella, she has worked here for years and used to me Nicks nanny when he was younger. I haven’t seen her in years. Uncle Steven calls her as he closes the door behind us, I stand and take it in. The entrance hall hasn’t really changed much from what I remember. Still big and bright with high ceilings. Stella soon appears and pulls me into a hug. “Oh my, how you have grown, such a pretty young lady now” she tells me. I give her a hug back and thank her. She really hasn’t aged at all. She looks the same, maybe a little bit more grey, white hair but she hasn’t changed.

Uncle Steven, takes my cases upstairs and shows me my room. Let’s just say I will be happy with this room. It looks out to the back yard, with a tiny balcony and has an en-suite and massive closet. Kimberley and Nick have done a great job decorating it, light grey and white walls with dark grey queen sized bed and bedside tables. Its stunning to say the least. “You like it?” Uncle Steven says as he opens up the bathroom door to show me, “It's perfect Uncle Steven, thank you” I say as I wrap my arms around his waist. “Good. If you don’t like anything we can change it, anytime ok?” he tells he as we sit down on the end of my bed.  “So, how about you freshen up, come down for something to eat then we will help unpack before bed” he tells me, “Sounds good” I say as I get up to pull some fresh clothes from my case.

I head into the bathroom, striping my clothes off as I take it all in. The bathroom suite is white but the walls are a light grey colour with some black thrown in here and there. Its pretty smart. I defiantly like the colours. I slip into the shower, washing my hair and body. I’m soon washed, dried and changed. I towel dry my hair and put it in a messy bun, too lazy to blow dry it. I head downstairs to find Aunt Caroline in the kitchen helping Stella with a quick, light dinner. I settle on one of stools in front of the kitchen counter. Stella offers me something to drink, I take orange juice which is one of my favourites.  Aunt Caroline soon handing me a plate of chargrilled chicken pasta and garlic bread. It smells and tastes amazing.

After finishing our food, Aunt Caroline and Stella offer to help unpack what belongings I have with me. The movers will not be here until tomorrow with the rest of my stuff. So, we head upstairs and unpack my cases which is mainly clothes and toiletries and a few accessories that takes the three of us no time at all in unpacking. The closet is big enough for me to store my cases in. Once done we head back downstairs to chill outside, it is so warm here. I feel like I’m melting. I only have on a pair of short and vest pyjamas. Stella soon leaves, she lives in the house up to back of the property along with her husband Pedro who is gardener and maintenance guy and sometimes he drives Uncle Steven and Aunt Caroline around. I am making this sound all very posh, but they get paid well and don’t have to pay rent or mortgage. They didn’t have a family of their own so they almost treat Caroline and Stephen like their own children and Nick like a grandchild. They are a sweet couple.

I sit by the pool with my feet in the water, watching the sun set in the distance. Just relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze. The water at my feet cooling me down as well. Aunt Caroline calls me inside as she says is getting cold. I’m still roasting hot but don’t want to have an argument with her on my first night. I head into the lounge Uncle Steven sitting watching TV. “Unpacked already?” he asks as I sit beside him. “Yeah, didn’t take long. Stella and Aunt Caroline are quite a tag team” I chuckle. “Nick will be back tomorrow afternoon, I’m picking him up from the school, I’m assuming you will want to come with?” he asks.

“Defo. I cant wait to see him” I tell him getting excited to see Nick.

“I’m sure he is the same. He has messaged me nonstop since we left Scotland” he laughs as he shows me some of the messages on his phone.

We sit in silence watching the sport on the TV, not been a fan of sports but I will have to get used to it as this house is sports crazy. “I’m going to head up to my room, if that’s ok?” I ask, not sure if they will mind me disappearing on my first night. “Emily, this is your home now, you can do what you like when you like, within reason of course. We don’t have many rules really. Just the normal, stay out of trouble and be sensible in your decisions and the most important, no lies and being open and honest” he says as he pulls me in for a side hug.

“Thanks Uncle Steven. It’s going to take a little getting used to, being here. Thanks.” I say as I hug him back. I head upstairs and I say good night to Aunt Caroline as I pass her room.

“Emily, remember if there is anything you need, you just ask ok. We know you are still grieving, and this move to the other side of the world will be daunting, but we will get there together. We are family and we always stick together.” She says as she kisses my forehead and says goodnight.

I walk into my room and look around, It still looks a little empty, but I will soon put my stamp on it when the rest of my stuff gets here tomorrow. My vanity table will look great in this room, the colours will be perfect. I walk to the balcony and open the door to let some fresh air in, the cool breeze is nice. I go to sit at my desk, where I put my laptop earlier, I open it up and send a message to Sarah, saying I have arrived and all is ok, telling her about the flight and my room. Told her I will take pictures once I have all my stuff here and unpacked.  I soon climb into bed and sleeps soon follows. Moving to another country sure is tiring.