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."

watered as she embraced her long-lost daughter.

...

while for the family, reunited after six years, to calm their tears

crying. "It's just my seasonal conjunctivitis acting up. Don't

rolled her eyes.

you get back. Wasn't it enough to cry yourself, and you had

Roseanne clung to her,

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?

I are doing just fine as

otherwise healthy, and Madge could pass for a woman in her early

uncomfortable after crying, and she instinctively

away. "I've told you

an ice pack for Anne's eyes,

Norris nodded.

much, his smile never faded.

kitchen, he remembered, "Wait. I haven't finished cooking

chuckled, rising to check

ё

you end up