Chapter 13:
For the sake of money, Raya ended up going back to work, but in her mind it was only a temporary thing until she could figure something else out. Everything was different. She didn't enjoy putting on the small outfits and she didn't really want to flirt for bigger tips. It was turning into a chore being there and she just wasn't having fun anymore.
She continued to stay with the Hanson boys not wanting to go home. It actually worked out well because she helped do the things the guys didn't have time for like cleaning. They were so busy trying to make a new record that things were just getting neglected at the house. Having a girl living there was actually somewhat of a blessing for them.
Taylor really enjoyed having Raya around too. He could protect her better that way. If she was staying at her house who knew where she was or who she was with. At least with her staying with him he knew when she left for work and when she should be back and so if she wasn't he could at least call and make sure that she was okay. To her surprise, Raya didn't even mind the super protective Taylor. It was what she needed in her life.
Thanksgiving came quickly. Raya was still dead set against going back to Tulsa even though Taylor had tried to persuade her a few more times. So when the day came for he and his brothers to board a plane home, Taylor couldn't help but try one last time.
“Are you sure you don't want to come?” he asked as he packed the last few things in his suitcase.
“I'm sure,” Raya laughed.
“But what are you going to do here by yourself?” he asked concerned. Honestly he didn't really want to let her out of his sight.
“I don't know. Relax...”
“You could do that in Tulsa too,” he hinted.
She laughed again, “I'm not going. Get that that through your head Tay.”
“Fine,” he said zipping up his bag, “Will you at least drive us to the airport?”
“Yes, now that I can do.”
So Raya took the guys to the airport hugged them all goodbye and then went back to their place. She decided that even though they weren't there, she was still going to stay in the house. It was her comfort zone now. However without the presence of her 3 protectors, it didn't seem so comfortable.
After one day, all of her laundry, all of the guys laundry, vacuuming the whole house, dusting, the whole nine yards Raya was bored. There was nothing to do. Nobody to hang out with, she had all but gone MIA as far as her friends were concerned. She had the week off of work for the holiday and so there was nothing to do but sit at home and twirl her thumbs. Suddenly Tulsa didn't seem like such a bad idea.
* * * * *
The doorbell rang in the Hanson house just as Diana Hanson was taking the turkey out of the oven.
“Will someone get that? It's probably grandma and grandpa,” she asked to the various people who were helping her out in the kitchen.
“I will,” Taylor offered abandoning his job of cutting up cranberries.
He wiped his hands on his jeans as he walked to the front door and opened it. His jaw just about dropped to the ground when he saw the person standing on the porch.
“Raya?” he asked almost not believing his own eyes.
“Hey,” she smiled.
“Wha... how...wait, what are you doing here?” he stuttered not being able to form a sentence due to his shock.
“I thought I was invited for Thanksgiving dinner,” she said, “Is that offer still good?”
“Yes! Absolutely!” he said stepping aside to let her into the warm house.
“I sat at the house for a day and realized that this is where I'm supposed to be,” she said as she unwrapped the scarf from her neck.
“I'm so glad you decided to come,” he said helping her out of her coat.
“Let me make this clear though,” she warned as he hung up her coat and scarf in the hall closet, “I am NOT going to see my family. So don't even try to persuade me.”
“That's totally fine with me. I'm just glad that you're here.” Taylor wrapped her up in a hug. He knew it wasn't easy for her to come, but he was very proud of her for showing up. He'd be true to his word too, he'd be there to take care of her.
“I would never have the guts to come back if it wasn't for you,” she said into his chest as they hugged.
“Come on, my mom will die seeing you here,” Taylor smiled letting go of her and leading her into the kitchen, “Mom, look who's here.”
Diana turned and screamed, literally. “Oh my God!!!” she freaked running over to Raya and hugging her in the tightest hug Raya had ever felt. “Raya!! My Raya! What are you doing here?”
“Taylor invited me,” Raya said enjoying the old feeling of giving Diana a hug. Something she had done a million times growing up.
Diana pulled away with tears in her eyes, she couldn't believe that Raya was there. She had spent years on end worrying about her and wondering how she was doing. She knew that Taylor and the guys had met up with her again in California, but the report that she had gotten wasn't good. Raya was partying and drinking, being promiscuous just like her mother. She was afraid that she'd never get to see her again, but here she was standing in front of her looking healthy and all grown up.
“Oh my God, I can't believe it,” Diana said hugging her again, “You look great. I'm so glad you're here.”
“I'm glad I'm here too,” Raya said with a genuine smile. Just hugging Diana again brought back all the good memories of Tulsa. All the fun times that she had had with that family. It wasn't the bad memories that flooded her mind like she thought it would be. Taylor was right, it was the good memories that she remembered.
Taylor stood back and smiled on the sight of his mom and Raya reuniting. He knew how much his mom loved Raya and Raya used to be really close to his mom. It was a wonderful feeling seeing the happiness in both of their eyes as they talked. This is where Raya belonged, with him and with his family.
“Tay?... Earth to Taylor!” Raya called waving her hand in his face. He snapped out of his thoughts.
“What?” he asked.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah I'm great,” he smiled, “It's so nice to see you two back together,” he said slinging an arm around both Raya's and his mom's shoulders.
“Thanks for bringing her back home,” Diana said hugging her son.