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."

daughter. After six

...

long while for the family, reunited after

crying. "It's just my seasonal conjunctivitis

rolled her eyes. Yeah,

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

Roseanne clung to her,

so long. What's wrong with shedding a few tears? Besides,

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

nodded. Norris looked a bit older but otherwise healthy, and Madge could pass

felt uncomfortable after crying, and she instinctively reached

"I've told you not to rub

an ice pack for Anne's eyes, or

Norris nodded.

was back, and though he didn't say much, his smile

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

chuckled, rising to check

ё

"Did you