Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Coming back home was for two reasons. First, I missed you like crazy. Second, I hoped Mom and Dad could give me another shot to fix my mistakes." Said Roseanne.

For years, she'd stayed away, terrified of seeing that look of disappointment in her parents' eyes. It was also about proving to them that her choices weren't wrong. But reality had other plans, slapping her hard in the face. She was wrong and astronomically off the mark.

Norris' eyes trembled slightly. Did he hear that right? Was she admitting her mistakes?

Madge felt a pang in her heart. If their strong-willed daughter admitted her mistake, it must mean she'd been through a lot.

"Are you... are you sure about this?" Norris' tone visibly softened.

Roseanne bit her lip. "I've thought it over. It's just that I was afraid of upsetting you, so I didn't dare come home..."

She gave a sniffle, remembering how scared and unsure she was before coming back home.

She cautiously looked up. "Mom, Dad, can I stay? I want to spend Christmas with you."

Norris turned away, hiding the tears in his eyes, his voice gruff, "Since you're back, you might as well stay."

Madge sighed with relief. "Come on. Bring your suitcases to your room. Dinner's getting cold..."

Roseanne couldn't hold back her tears anymore, bursting into laughter and sobs. "Mom, Dad, I've missed you so much. This time, I've finally found my way back home."

Madge's eyes watered as she embraced her long-lost daughter. After six years, their family was whole again.

...

It took a long while for the family, reunited after six years, to calm their tears and compose themselves.

Norris denied crying. "It's just my seasonal conjunctivitis acting up. Don't you know?"

Madge rolled her eyes. Yeah, right.

She tenderly touched Roseanne's swollen eyes, half amused, half annoyed. "Look at you, crying when you get back. Wasn't it enough to cry yourself, and you had to make us all join in?" All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

Roseanne clung to her,

unashamedly leaning into Madge's embrace, acting like the child she once was "I haven't seen you in so long. What's wrong with shedding a few tears? Besides, how have you and Dad been while I was gone? You're both looking well.

Norris chuckled. "Your mother and I are doing just fine as always. No worries."

Roseanne nodded. Norris looked a bit older but otherwise healthy, and Madge could pass for a woman in her early thirties.

Roseanne's eyes felt uncomfortable after crying, and she instinctively reached to rub them.

Madge slapped her hand away. "I've told you not to rub your eyes."

"Norris, bring an ice pack for Anne's eyes, or they'll swell tomorrow morning."

Norris nodded.

His daughter was back, and though he didn't say much, his smile never faded. "Okay, I'll do it now."

As he headed to the kitchen, he remembered, "Wait. I haven't finished cooking dinner yet."

Madge chuckled, rising to check on

ё

his cooking. "Did you end up cooking

the fish

again? I've told you to leave

it to me. You never get it right Let

me see how you've done...

"We only had three dishes prepared, and that's not enough now that Anne's back. I'll head to the market to get some more."

Madge reminded him. "And don't forget the bacon."

"I know. Anne loves it."

Hearing her folks' voices, Roseanne felt a wave of warmth inside her.

She looked out the window. The storm had passed, and the skies were clear. It was perfect.