Then you came along.

It was 4AM and I was still wide-awake contemplating if London was a good idea. It wasn’t like I was leaving much of anything behind, I didn’t have really any friends that I would miss, Sonny had Brad and they were getting ready for the baby. I’ve never had any family other than my mom and sister and now I really don’t have either. I got up from my bed and walked to my dresser to get some socks out, it gets pretty cold at night in Texas in November. I grabbed a sweater and went out to the kitchen to get some water to find Sandra siting at the kitchen bar online.

“What are you doing?” I asked her as I reached up for a glass.

“Baby shopping. I know I have 6 months but I just feel like time is going to fly and I’m not going to get everything on time.” She stressed to me.

“Sandra, you have plenty of time.” I told her as I poured her a glass too.

“But what if I don’t? What if this peanut decides to come way early. I want to be prepared MJ.” She told me.

“So I was thinking, you’re right. London is a good idea. London is always a good idea. “ I told her.

“Wait so you’re going?!”she said with joy.

“Yeah. I mean, you’re right. Mom would have wanted me to go. I should go.So I was wondering if you would sit with me and help me pack and get online and get my one way ticket” I said to her with a shy smile.

“Oh my god Marley, I am so proud of you and so excited for you. You deserve this so much. Let’s go get you packed. “ She said as she got up from the bar stool following me into my room.

Sonny pulled my laptop out and pulled up the airline website.

“So when do you want to leave? You already have your passport and what not. So technically you could leave tomorrow. “ she passed the idea on.

“Tomorrow it is then.” I told her causing her jaw to drop.

“Sonny I have to go now before I talk myself out of this. It’s not like I have a ton of stuff to pack or need to save up money. I have enough now.” I told her as I pulled my suitcase from the top of my closet.


“yes but where are you going to stay when you get there? What will you do? You need time to plan.” She went on as I zoned her out.

“Are you listening to me?” she asked.

“No, I’ll get there. I can afford to stay in a nice hotel for a week till I find a place. It’ll be fine. I’ll look for a job, I’ll work on my book. It will be okay!” I reassured her.

“One way ticket to London for tomorrow, coming right up master. “ Sonny sarcastically said.

This was it, the change that I had been looking for my whole life. It was about to happen.

The next morning I got up with Brad and Sonny taking me to the airport.

“Got everything you need kid?” Brad asked me as we pulled into the airport drop off lane.

“I hope so. “ I told him

“if you need anything , call me.” Sonny said.

“I know Sandra. “ I said to her. I was going to miss my sister. After all she basically raised me.

“I’m going to miss you so much but you have to come back when babe gets here and stuff…you know to visit. I know this; you going is the right thing for you right now.” She told me as she got out of the car with me. She hugged me so tight, almost like she was afraid she would never see me again. As she released me from the hug Brad grabbed and wrapped me in his arms then slipping something in my purse.

“Don’t open it till you’re on the plane.” He said.

“Got it. I love you guys, I’ll let you know when I land and stuff.” I told them both as I grabbed my suitcase handle and duffle strap.

I went through security and found my gate. About 20 minutes into my book it was time to board on the plane and if I ever wanted to run the other way, it was now. I forced myself into that boarding line and took deep breaths.

As we boarded the plane I was the last one on which if you’ve ever been on a plane before know that being the last one on sucks. Oddly enough it was a full flight meaning that there was only one seat left on the plane and now I just had to find it. The empty seat was next to this man who had been eyeing me in the lounge as we waited for the plane when I went to sit in the seat he looked at me and awkwardly said.

“We going to cuddle?”

I took a deep breath in when the man in the seat behind me got up only to give me his seat.

“Here dear, have this one. My wife won’t bite I promise. I’ll take this one.” He said protectively in his deep british accent.

“Are you sure?” I asked him.

“Absolutely. Go on now.” He insisted.

I released a breath of relief.

“You alright love?” The kind equally English woman asked me.

“Now I am. Thank you so much to your husband.” I told her as I sat down.

“yes he is quite the manly man. I’m Johannah, but you can call me Jo. “ the woman said putting her hand out for me.

“Hi, I’m Marley but you can call me MJ or Marley or whatever. “ I smiled and told her as I shook her hand back.Johannah was one of those people you just knew had a good heart and these days, there are very few people that you can meet and feel that way about I think. I trusted her, she reminded me a lot of my mom visually. Long brown hair, young face with an aged soul, and a bright smile.

“So ready to be back in London, been in Texas far too long.” She told me.

“What were you in Texas for?” I asked her.

“Dan, my husband. His Brother got married.Are you from here?” she asked me.

“Yes ma’am. I’ve lived here me whole life.” I told her.

“So why you going to London, class trip or something?” Jo asked me curiously.

“Uhm, I’m actually moving there.” I told her surprised at my own words.

“Wow! That’s a massive move, where will you live?” she asked me catching me off guard.

“Uhm, I’m not really sure yet. Probably a hotel for the first week or so, till you know I can find a place. This whole move is really spontaneous.” I told her laughing at myself.

“Sounds that way! So if you don’t mind me asking what brought on this move?” she asked.

I sat there thinking about my Mom and all the things she wanted to do with my life, London being one of them. I wanted to make her proud, I wanted her to know I lived my life to the fullest every day.

“Uhm…I lost My Mom about a week ago and it just seemed like the right thing to do.” I explained to Jo who now had tears in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry sweet girl. What happened?” she asked again.

“Cancer. She was terminal for a while, battled for 5 years. “I told her with now tears in my eyes.

“And your dad?”

“He’s not around. Not particularly a good part of my life. “ I confessed.

“Well I’m sure your Mum would be proud of you for going after what you want. I know I would want my girls to live their life after I left.” She told me as she was holding my hand.

“Thank you, you know you remind me of her a lot. “ I now told her.

“Well that means a lot to me.” She said.

We talked the whole plane ride to London and I learned all about her family and the many children she had. She was loved and I knew that for a fact.

As the plane landed in London she grabbed my hand.

“Listen this will not be the last you see of me, promise me that” I nodded my head. “ We are having a family dinner next week to celebrate my sons homecoming and I would love for you to be there to meet everyone” she demanded of me.

“I would love that.” I told her as we walked to baggage claim together.

“Good because I know my girls will adore you and Louis’ girlfriend and you are going to be great friends. Let me see your phone.” I handed her my phone.” Okay I put my number in there and address and such! If you need anything before then just call me!” Johanna was exactly like my mother and it was the most amazing thing ever.

“Absolutely. I can’t wait to see you all!” I told her as I hugged her and Dan.

I caught a cab to a hotel and checked into a room for a week.As soon as I got up to my room I turned the TV on to see One Direction on my screen doing an interview.

“With tour being over I think we are all just most excited to have some time off with our families and loved ones. I know I can’t wait to get home to My Mum and her cooking!” one of the boys said.

I miss this, just being able to sit and watch TV and not stress about anything for like a second. I wish I could just catch up on everything I missed for the last 5 years. I know this band is called ‘One Direction’ but I don’t know their names or how old they are or much of their music at all. I guess this is my chance to catch up.

I left the interview on my TV and admired how surprisingly naturally attractive they were especially this one with the dark shaggy hair; although he looks unimpressed he sure is nice to look at.

My phone buzzed from the bedside table and it was a text from Jo.

Johannah: I don’t know what your plans are for tomorrow but my son’s girlfriend and I are going to get lunch if you would like to join! I told her all about you and she really would love to meet you! Let me know!

Me: That sounds perfect! Thank you!

I fell asleep with the british boys on in the background.

Notes

Hey guys, Here is the second chapter, I really hope you enjoy this so far. What do you think will happen next?

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Have a great monday!