Reaching home

Thomas and Melissa took a look outside of the SUV as they pulled into the neighborhood that X-Change told them their new house was located and it was a pretty nice, if not more upscale neighborhood than they were accustomed to, and the houses themselves were wide open and spacious. For both of them, having come from meager spots and a depressing home life, to see suddenly younger families and couples in the neighborhood, it was a godsend.

"Woah, this is nuts..." Thomas muttered and Melissa nodded in agreement. The SUV was a nice surprise, something that would befit him in his new position as a CFO, and as they drove from the airport, the more time spent behind the wheel, the more it felt right.

As they turned into the driveway for their new house, she was the first to spot a figure tending the garden off to the side. The woman was a bit older than she was, appropriate as this woman was now, for all purposes, her mother, but there was a very close similarity between the two. "I really am my mother's daughter," she muttered and then laughed a little as Thomas averted his gaze between her and the woman. "Down, daddy, not in public, please."

He muttered a curse word or two as he turned off the engine and the woman looked up, saw the two of them, and smiled. "Welcome home!" she called out, her voice was very melodic and welcoming. Grace approached the vehicle as Melissa got out first and the two women hugged each other. "Welcome home, sweetie."

"Thanks, mom," she replied, giving her another hug before the two women shared a moment, primping each other and looking each other over. Thomas smiled as he went to the back to get their bags, figuring to give them some time to adjust together quietly.

After he closed the trunk, Melissa grabbed her bags and walked into the house as Grace stood, watching her go in. "She's really looking like a little me..."

He walked up until he was standing next to her. "Well, you do good work." He smiled genuinely at her and Grace turned to look at him. "We're home."