They’re holding a sign that says WELCOME HOME JO.
I drop my bags and run toward them.
Collette catches me first. "You're here," she says.
"I'm here." I cry.
Pierre hugs me next.
Then Felix. "Welcome to New York, sis."
"Glad to be here," I tell him.
Then I see Harper and Issy, the newest members of our family, and give them both cuddles. I couldn't be happier for my brothers for finding love.
We grab my bags and head to the party bus they have arranged for me. When I step in, there are LED colored lights,a stripper pole, and black leather seats. I burst out laughing because this is insane.
"It was the only thing that fit us all," Collette tells me as she walks onto the bus with me.
"Who's ready to party?" Harper smirks. She grabs a bottle of champagne out of the fridge and pops it like a professional, then pours us all a glass.
Pierre stands, holding his glass high. "Welcome to New York, sis. We are so happy to finally have you home."
Everyone cheers as we leave the airport and drive into the city. Traffic is worse than in London. It takes us a while to get there, but by the time we're pulling up to this skyscraper of a building, we're all tipsy. Thankfully, the doorman is there to help us with the luggage as we pile out. The boys introduce me to him and let him know I'm moving in, then we head up. The elevator ride feels like forever, and we’re all squished in, giggling, still tipsy from the champagne.
"What floor?" I ask.
"Fiftieth," Collette says.
The elevator dings and we pile out into a hallway. It’s modern, clean, expensive-looking, completely different from my old London Victorian apartment.
Collette leads us down to the end of the hall. "This is it," she says, stopping at a corner unit, she unlocks the door.
And oh my god. The apartment is massive. I could fit ten of my London apartments in this one, I think. Floor-to-ceiling windows with city views, open concept living room and kitchen, everything sleek and modern. It's gorgeous.
"This is incredible," I breathe.
"Lucky we know the landlord and get cheap rent." Collette smirks. Nudging me with her elbow.
Pierre bought this for them all to live in, but when he got back together with Issy and Felix and Harper decided to live together, they both moved out, leaving Collette here by herself.
"Wait till you see your room," Collette says. Grabbing my hand, she pulls me down a hallway and opens the last door. "Ta-da!" She smiles, holding the door wide for me.
I step in and die. I've gone to interior design heaven. The room is huge, with a king-sized bed, a walk-in closet, a desk, a mounted TV, a lounge, an ensuite, and windows overlooking the city.
"This is mine?"
"All yours. I'm across the other side of the apartment. I moved into Pierre's old master suite, and you have Felix's master suite."
"Collette, this is ... I don't know what to say."
"Say you love it because I decorated it for you. Got rid of Felix's dark furniture and added lighter, nicer furniture for you. I went for a London cottage theme so you would feel like you were still in London. It's like what you had there," she explains.
And she's not wrong, it really is my style.
"She studied any photos you had of your London flat to make sure it was similar," Pierre adds.
"You did?" I get teary-eyed that my sister would do something so beautiful for me. Collette shrugs like it's no big deal. "I love it."
