“Shelly?” I heard the voice of my brother, and I blinked my eyes, hoping it wasn’t a dream.
“Samuel? Is that you?”
"Yes, Shelly, it is I.”
“Samuel!” I cried out, wrapping my hands around him and digging my nails into his neck to confirm that he was indeed the one in the flesh. And I broke down as I got my confirmation, tears streaming down my eyes.
“Shelly, it is alright. I am here.” He tried to console him, rubbing circles on my back, but I continued crying, holding onto him tighter.
I don’t care if it was going to turn out to be a dream; I was just happy to be with my brother.
“Shelly?” I turned my head to the sound of the voice, and then I saw them—my dad, standing tall and strong, with my mom by his side. They wore identical smiles; their gazes were locked onto mine, and the dam broke.
“Dad, mom? Is this real?”
“My baby.” My mom opened her arms for me, and I wasted no time running into her arms.
Yes, she was real.
The familiar scent that always clung to her clothes filled my nose, and I dug my nose deeper into her neck, inhaling her scent.
“Dad.” I cried out as I ran to his arm, and his warmth enveloped me like a thick blanket.