0028| binge night

ARABELLA ARMANI

The next morning, the sun rose lazily over the horizon, casting a soft golden light across the Bahamian shoreline. Arabella stood on the balcony of her hotel room one last time, sipping her coffee and watching the waves roll onto the sand. The trip had been transformative in ways she hadn't anticipated, and while she felt ready to head home, leaving the island felt bittersweet.

Her phone buzzed with a message from her dad.

Dad❤️

Wheels up at 10. Meet us in the lobby by 9:30. Let's head home, kiddo.

By 9:15, Arabella was packed and ready, her suitcase neatly zipped, and her canvas carefully wrapped and tucked away. Sarah and Carter joined her in the elevator, their chatter light and playful.

"Private jets. Fancy dinners. Beach movies. Your dad sure knows how to end a trip," Carter said, winking at her.

Arabella laughed. "He's always had a flair for making moments memorable. Wait until you see what happens when he's in full 'at-home dad mode.'"

The private jet sat gleaming on the tarmac, its sleek body glinting under the mid-morning sun. Arabella spotted her dad, Emilio, standing near the stairs, chatting with the flight crew. His warm smile grew as soon as he saw her.

"Here comes my favorite crew," Emilio called, pulling her into a hug before turning to Sarah and Carter. "And the two who keep her out of trouble."

"Or drag her into it," Carter quipped, grinning.

The group settled into the plush interior of the jet, the soft hum of the engines soothing. Arabella found herself next to her dad, who was already perusing the flight's menu.

"I figured we'd keep it simple for lunch," he said, nudging her with his elbow. "A little fruit, some sandwiches. Save the real feast for when we get home."

Arabella raised an eyebrow. "What kind of feast are we talking about?"

"The best kind," Emilio said with a grin. "An order-everything feast. Pizza, Chinese, Mexican—you name it. Just like the old days. And I thought we'd do a movie marathon. It's been too long since we've done that."

Her heart swelled at the idea. Growing up, those impromptu movie-and-takeout nights had been their tradition, a way to bond after busy weeks or stressful days. It felt like the perfect way to close out this chapter and step into the next.

The jet landed smoothly on the tarmac back home, the chilly air a stark contrast to the tropical warmth they'd left behind. Emilio's driver was waiting, and soon they were cruising toward their neighborhood.

Arabella gazed out the window as familiar streets rolled by, her chest tightening with a strange mix of nostalgia and comfort. Home had always been her anchor, but now it felt different—like she was returning to a life she could finally reshape on her own terms.

By the time they reached the house, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon. Emilio wasted no time, pulling out his phone and calling their favorite restaurants.

"Okay," he said, pacing the living room as he placed the orders. "Two large pizzas, extra cheese. Pad Thai, spring rolls, and dumplings from the Thai place. And let's throw in some enchiladas and tacos for good measure."

Sarah's eyes widened. "Are we feeding a small army?"

"Better to have too much than not enough," Emilio said with a wink.

Carter flopped onto the couch, grinning. "I love your dad, Bella. Can he adopt me?"

An hour later, the dining table was overflowing with takeout containers, their savory aromas filling the house. The group settled into the living room, plates piled high as Emilio flipped through movie options on the TV.

"First up," he announced, "a classic: The Princess Bride."

Arabella groaned playfully. "You always pick this one first."

"And it never gets old," he shot back, grinning.

They sank into the couch as the opening credits rolled. Sarah and Carter traded witty commentary, Emilio recited half the lines by heart, and Arabella let herself be pulled into the familiar magic of it all.

By the time the second movie started (Back to the Future), Arabella was curled up under a blanket, her head resting against her dad's shoulder. The warmth of home enveloped her, a stark contrast to the uncertainty she'd felt before the trip.

As the night wore on, and the pile of food dwindled, Arabella couldn't help but smile to herself. This was what she needed—not just the comfort of family and friends, but the quiet reassurance that no matter where life took her, she'd always have this to come back to.

Eventually, Sarah and Carter dozed off, their heads tilted awkwardly on the couch. Emilio glanced at Arabella, his voice soft.

"You seem...different," he said. "In a good way."

Arabella nodded, her eyes shining. "I feel different. Lighter. Happier. Ready."

He squeezed her hand gently. "That's all I've ever wanted for you."

As they sat together, watching the screen flicker with the familiar glow of their favorite movies, Arabella felt a deep, unshakable sense of peace. She wasn't just going home—she was finally home.

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soo hey guys i know it's took me a while to update and i apologize deeply about that but i've been busy with school and finishing my other book so make sure to check that out

im gonna make up for it and give yall a wholeee bunch of chapters