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after a few days and several visits to the hanson household, sutton realized that she would be treated well if she chose to move in with them for a year, and had forgotten how much she enjoyed all of their company. knowing her parents needed to pursue their dream with each other and knowing that she would only be unhappy overseas and away from her home made the decision to stay with the hanson’s come quickly. the week before her parents left for milan, the walker household was chaotic, and resembled a mass garage sale. boxes were scattered everywhere, labeled either “italy” or “sutton” to differentiate between the appropriate member of the family and locale of where they would be moved. bills, papers and letters were atop every table, notifying companies and friends of the recent situation. the last night before her parents would fly halfway across the country and sutton would move a couple neighborhoods away was a somber one, as the family had one last dinner together and discussed plans for the next year. the next morning came quickly, and sutton awoke from the beeping of her clock radio. 4:50am. she had overslept twenty minuets, and she groaned when she finally pulled herself out of bed and recognized her messy room. she would be taking most of her belongings with her to the hanson household, coming back to her own household for certain items such as clothes or other items only when it was absolutely necessary. sutton stood and stretched, and turned on a small night table lamp that flickered on, off, and on again. she winced at the sudden brightness in the room, and slowly made her way over to her closet where her outfit for the day lay, all other clothes in season packed in boxes and sitting in the foyer of their home. sutton abruptly pulled off her warm pajamas, and shivered as she pulled on a pair of worn boot cut jeans and a red fuzzy v-neck sweater. she automatically put her long blonde hair that turned slightly curly when she let it dry naturally into a loose ponytail, and pulled on a pair of adidas sneakers, and then wandered down the hallway to her parents bedroom. “what time are we leaving to go to the hanson’s?” she quietly asked her mother who was zipping up her large floral suitcase. “your father wants to leave around 5:30 so we can leave their house by 6 -- at the latest to get to the airport. he’s already arranged for a cab to be there. it shouldn’t take that long at all to get situated at the hanson’s anyhow.” sutton smiled and nodded, and tried to be strong for her mother who she knew would have an equally hard time leaving her daughter as sutton would have leaving her mother. “i’ll get the rest of my stuff ready then and put it in the van.” ellie managed a weak smile and gave her daughter a quick hug before she left the room and back to her own. the walker family were going to go to the hanson’s and get sutton situated and then were going to call a cab to bring ellie and ethan down to the airport. the majority of their belongings had already been shipped to Italy and her parents were bringing only minimal items with them on the plane. by 6am the walker family was at the hanson’s, on schedule and cab ready to take sutton’s parents to the airport. sutton, her mother and father, and diana stood in the foyer as sutton said her last good-byes to her parents. “we’ll take good care of her, el. i’m disappointed that walker and the boys only left two days ago on the first and aren’t here not to greet sutton, but they’ll be back by the end of the week. until then i know sutton and i will have a good time together. it seems like its been ages since we’ve been able to get together.” diana smiled. “we definitely owe you, and thank you very much for this,” ethan mentioned as sutton stood by his side. he put his arm around her shoulder, and drew her in for a hug. sutton willingly let a tear fall from her eyes as she felt her mothers arms envelope her. she stood sandwiched in-between her mother and father, and gently pulled away several moments later. “i’ll be okay guys, i promise. i know this is something you guys need to do and i respect that.” sutton smiled, weakly. “okay, hon. i love you.” her mother said. “i love you too, mom. i love you dad.” “love you, sutt. we’ll call once we get there.” her father said, and they quickly left. sutton looked at the closed door for a few moments, glad that her parents had spared her a long goodbye. it was easier this way. she looked behind her to diana, and accepted her outstretched arms. “i know i’ll be okay,” she reassured diana. “i love all of you guys. thank you again.” “don’t mention it. we’ve always considered you part of the family anyhow.” diana said, and rubbed her back. “i’m just disappointed that Walker and the boys aren’t here right now.” “yes, so am i.” sutton agreed as they made their way to the kitchen and sat across from each other at the large rectangular table. “it seems like i haven’t seen them in forever. first my family vacationed in washington and then you all were gone for a couple weeks on vacation so we kind of lost touch. i miss seeing everybody everyday.” “well, they’ll be back by the end of the week. they’re currently in new york recording some concert show for mtv, and a couple other tv shows, i believe. they’re trying to get in a couple more publicity stunts before the tour. which has all of us extremely excited.” sutton grinned, excited and anxious for them. “i haven’t heard all about it yet, the tour. i know all about the promotional tour this past year and i always watch them when they’re on tv. i remember mayfest and everything, too. wow, that was so long ago. “well, they knew what they wanted to do and they knew that it would take a lot of hard work, but they’re determined and dedicated. Its still surprising sometimes to think about the past year and everything they have accomplished and have done. Its so amazing. the boys have been waiting for this moment for longer than Walker and I can even remember.” “i know, i remember them always talking about music and singing together, too. they used to put on little private concerts for me in the backyard.” sutton smiled as she relaxed into the oak kitchen chair. “yes, they’ve always been quite the performers. i don’t think any of us truly know what this world tour is going to be like, or what its going to take out of them. i’m very thankful that you’ll be with us. one more support can’t do any harm.” diana smiled. “well, i’m very happy and anxious about all of this, too. i’m sure by the end of things they’re going to be utterly exhausted, too. probably won’t want to sing for a couple months. plus the whole time they’re touring they will have to get used to another member of the family.” sutton said. “don’t worry, we’re used to having a big household. i am sure the boys will be happy to have someone else around here their age, and until then i will be happy to have someone here to keep me company.” diana replied. “and help with the kids?” sutton grinned. “so you knew i had an ulterior motive?” diana laughed. “no, i’m glad that i am here, and i love all of the kids and will be happy to help out.” “great, we’re glad you’re here too.” |