Second act

The car ride home felt longer than usual, or maybe it was just my own anticipation making time stretch and bend.

It had been two weeks since I last saw my mom and my sisters, and as much as I loved my work and the life I was building for myself, there was something irreplaceable about being with family. 

I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, watching as the buildings blurred past, the city gradually giving way to quieter streets, fewer lights.

I missed them so much. Even with all the noise and chaos that came with a house full of sisters, it was still the place where I could be myself, let my guard down, and just... exist.

Mom had always been the glue that held us together. After Dad left, she took on everything without a second thought, shouldering the burden of raising four daughters on her own.

I was twelve at the time, just old enough to understand what was happening but still too young to fully grasp how much our lives were about to change.

The memories of him walking out were hazy now just flashes of him packing bags, raised voices, my mother crying softly in the kitchen.

I hadn't heard from him since, and honestly, I didn't want to. He'd made his choice, and as far as I was concerned, we didn't need him. 

Mom was all we ever needed.

And then there were my sisters. Three of them, all older than me, all with their own personalities and quirks. I grinned just thinking about them.

The oldest, Alicia, was thirty and acted every bit like the big sister she was supposed to be.

Always responsible, always taking charge, like a second mom, really. Then there was Sofia, who was twenty-eight, the fun one always cracking jokes, always bringing a lightness to the room that no one else could.

And finally, there was Marisol, the middle child at twenty-five. Quiet, thoughtful, but with a sharpness to her that could cut through any nonsense. 

I was the baby of the family, and even now at twenty-two, they still treated me like it sometimes. I didn't mind, though.

It was nice to be taken care of, to feel like no matter how old I got, I'd always have that cushion of family beneath me. A soft place to fall.

"Excited to see them?" Maya's voice cut through my thoughts as she glanced over at me from the driver's seat.

I smiled, not even trying to hide the excitement in my voice. "You have no idea. I mean, it's only been two weeks, but it feels like forever."

She chuckled, her hands gripping the steering wheel as she turned onto a quieter street. "That's the price you pay for being a rising star, Layla. You're busy now. They'll get used to it."

"I hope so." I stared out the window, watching as familiar landmarks came into view. We were close now. My heart started to race a little in my chest, anticipation bubbling up.

"But I don't want to miss out on too much, you know? They've been there through everything. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them."

Maya nodded but didn't say anything more. She understood, though. She always did.

The house came into view, and my breath caught in my throat. It wasn't anything grand a big house but nothing like the villas or penthouses I'd seen in the industry.

Just a simple, two-story home with a wide front yard and a white picket fence that was a little worn from years of weather.

The porch light was on, glowing warmly in the dim evening, and my heart swelled with a familiar sense of comfort. This was home.

Maya pulled up to the curb, and I jumped out of the car before it had even fully stopped. I could feel my body buzzing with excitement as I hurried to the gate.

The metal was cold against my hands as I pushed it open, the hinges creaking softly in the quiet night. 

The front door stood just a few feet away, the faint glow of lights spilling out from the windows. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rush of emotions swirling inside me.

Even though I had been gone for just two weeks, it felt like an eternity. There was something about stepping back into this house, into this life, that made everything else fade into the background.

No cameras, no pressure, no expectations just my family and me.

I reached for the doorknob, my hand trembling slightly with excitement, and pushed it open.

The first thing I saw was the banner.

"Congratulations!" it read in bright, colorful letters, strung across the living room with what looked like homemade decorations hanging from the ceiling.

And then I saw them my mom and sisters, all standing there with wide grins on their faces, their arms stretched out as they cheered in unison.

"Layla!" 

The sound of their voices, the warmth in their smiles it hit me like a wave, and suddenly I was wrapped in a whirlwind of hugs and laughter. Alicia was the first to pull me in, squeezing me so tight I could barely breathe.

"There's our superstar!" she said, her voice full of pride as she ruffled my hair, something she always did, no matter how old I got.

"Two weeks and you act like it's been two years," Sofia teased, but there was a softness in her eyes that betrayed how much she had missed me, too.

Marisol stood off to the side, arms crossed with a smirk on her face, but I could see the glint of happiness in her eyes. "Glad you could fit us into your busy schedule," she said, her voice dry but warm.

And then there was Mom.

She was standing in the back, her hands clasped together, tears shining in her eyes as she looked at me with that same look she always had the look that said she was proud, that she loved me, that no matter what happened in the world outside, I would always be her little girl.

I walked over to her, my throat tightening with emotion as I wrapped my arms around her. She was smaller than me now, but she still felt like the strongest person in the world.

"I'm so proud of you, mija," she whispered in my ear, her voice thick with emotion.

"I love you, Mom," I whispered back, my heart swelling with gratitude.

We stood there for a moment, just holding each other, before Sofia broke the silence with a loud, exaggerated cough. 

"Okay, enough with the mushy stuff. We have food, and we know how you like to eat, Layla. Come on, let's celebrate!"

I laughed, wiping at my eyes as I turned back to the room. The table was set with all my favorite dishes tamales, empanadas, arroz con pollo. The smells hit me all at once, filling the room with the warm, familiar scents of home. 

We sat down together, the conversation flowing easily between bites of food and sips of wine.

My sisters told me about what had been happening in their lives while I had been away Alicia was dealing with a particularly difficult case at work, Sofia was planning a trip with her girlfriend, and Marisol was thinking about moving to a new apartment.

It felt like no time had passed at all, like we had just picked up right where we left off.

As the night went on, the laughter grew louder, the stories more animated. I felt lighter than I had in weeks, surrounded by the people who knew me better than anyone. 

It wasn't until much later, after we had eaten our fill and the conversations had started to slow, that I finally let out a long, contented sigh.

"I'm so tired," I said, leaning back in my chair, my eyes drooping with exhaustion. The warmth of the evening, the laughter, and the familiar comfort of being home had finally caught up with me.

Alicia raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "Tired, huh? Or maybe you're just missing someone?"

I blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Sofia chimed in, pointing at the hoodie I was wearing the one Zaya had given me years ago. "Still wearing that old thing? Isn't it a bit chilly for something so... sentimental?"

Heat crept up my neck as I glanced down at the hoodie. I hadn't even realized I'd still had it on. "It's just a hoodie," I mumbled, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"Oh, please," Marisol added with a smirk. "You've had that thing for, what, two years? We all know where it came from."

"Yeah," Sofia said, her voice dripping with mischief. "That model, Zaya, right? The one who—what was it again? Gave you a kiss for an ad shoot?"

I groaned, covering my face. "It was just for work, guys."

"Sure, sure." Alicia leaned forward, her grin widening. "Maybe work, but the way you've kept that hoodie says otherwise. You're practically keeping her close."

I shook my head, trying not to laugh. "You're all ridiculous."

Alicia chuckled, but then her expression softened. "Speaking of ridiculous… I've got some news." She paused for effect, her smile turning warm. "I'm getting married."

The room went silent for a moment before it erupted in cheers and excitement.