Elena immediately picked up her phone and dial the number. It was Teddy's parents number.
Half an hour later an older looking car pulls up in front of Elena's house. A man and a woman gets out and the two runs towards Teddy.
The woman balling said, "My baby boy has returned."
Couldn't help but keep on crying. Teddy was also emotional. Though his parents did look older he still recognized them.
He missed them so much. His father was never an emotional man and yet here he was hugging his son.
Teddy felt truly touched. It felt even longer for Teddy than it did for his own parents.
Teddy knew he couldn't tell his parents of the cave and the realm he was in. He knew he couldn't tell his parents of the Devine Heavenly Cultivation Arts. And he knew he could not tell his parents about the spirit.
Then something hit his parents. Teddy had some strange clothes on. What had happened to their boy?
Almost instinctively knowing their thoughts Teddy decided to explain something.
He told them that he found these clothes and this staff out in the wilderness. Once he was big enough to wear them he immediately put them on to have some kind of clothing.
His explanation did not make sense when it comes down to the gauntlets or the mask but his parents didn't care. He was home and he was safe, that's all that mattered.
Teddy's mother spoke up and said to him, "We'll take you home and you can put some of your dad's clothes on. They might not fit quite right but at least you'll have something to wear and will take you out to get some clothes of your own right after. We don't want you looking like a cosplayer in the store."
Taddy just nodded his head and followed his parents into their car. Before getting in he looked back and waved at Elena.
"I'll see you soon Elena."
Elena was happy that he at least acknowledged her. It means their friendship still matter to him. Also he was quite handsome.
As Teddy got into the car she found herself blushing. Teddy didn't notice and she was glad he didn't. Otherwise their next conversation will be quite awkward.
A half hour later, the car pulled up to a one story house. It was obvious that his parents had downsized. Everyone thought he was dead.
Teddy got out and followed his parents into the house.
"Surprise!"
A whole bunch of people was in the living room. These were his cousins and his aunts and uncles. Many members of his family had come to welcome him home.
They all stare at him because of what he had on, but no one said anything about it. They all figured he had to have been traumatized from everything he went through.
Now that he's home it didn't matter anyways. And Teddy would be lying if he said he wasn't grateful for the welcome home party.
"Hey Teddy, you used to pull my hair when we were younger. Don't forget I will get paid back."
This cousin of his that was teasing him was two years older than he was. She used to pick on him all the time so he would pull her ponytails to get back at her.
"If I remember correctly, you used to bullying me all the time. So as far as I am concerned we are even."
The two started to laugh. Another one of his cousins walked up beside him and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Dude. You gave everyone quite a scare. Don't do that again."
This was Frank. Frank was his age and the two always found themselves playing with Elena. The three were unseparable when they were younger.
Frank and his parents lived across the street from Teddy. After Teddy went missing, Frank's parents got a job overseas.
So Frank hadn't seen Elena since. Frank actually just moved back to the United States a few weeks ago.
Frank said seriously to Teddy, "Did you hear about that sonic boom. Several people's windows were blown out. I live about ten minutes from the epicenter of the sodding boom. I got repairman coming over tomorrow to give me a quote on new windows. No one seems to know the cause of it."
No Teddy felt guilt because he knew the sonic boom was caused due to his breakthrough, he didn't let it show on his face.
"That's crazy man. I get away for fifteen years and when I come back all hell breaks loose."
Frank busted out laughing. What made it even funnier was how Teddy made it sound like it was his choice to go away.
This broke the tension in the air. Everyone realizes me not be offended if they made mention about what happened.
Frank's mother, Joanne turn to Teddy's mother, Jeanette and said, "Sis, now that Teddy is back, we need to find him a job. Also he probably should get his GED.
Jeanette looked at Teddy. It was obvious her sister's words didn't bother him but she didn't want to talk about this now.
"We'll cross those bridges when we need to. For now we need it let Teddy get settled in."
Joanne knew she had overstepped, so she quickly backed off.
"You're right sis."
Then Joanne turned to Teddy.
"So I assume you got to talk with Elena. You two still good friends?"
Teddy was not sure where this conversation was heading in.
He nodded and said, "We are. She seemed extremely happy to see me again."
Joanne nodded.
"Yes I figured she would. When I heard that she had called your mother and said that you were home, I figured she had to have been excited to see you. I also thought how lucky she was to be the first one to see you in over fifteen years."
Teddy is getting more and more confused. His aunt was acting very strange. Too strange. She never acted like this before.
Joanne continued, "Elena is a good woman. You know she never dated anyone?"
Jeanette got irritated at this comment. Her face turned red. This was her sister's nephew and her son. This matter should be left to her not her sister. Didn't Joanne know this?
"Joanne!"
Joanne turn to Teddy's mother, Jeanette. She had a huge grin on her face.
Jeanette couldn't believe her eyes. Her sister did this on purpose. Teddy has only been back for a few hours and Joanne is trying to play matchmaker.
Course Jeanette would be defensive of her son. And Teddy can see something wasn't right.
"Mom?"
Jeanette turned to Teddy and just smiled sweetly at him.
"Don't worry dear we could talk about this later."
Teddy was confused but decided to trust his mother. His mother never steered him wrong in the past.
As time passed, more and more of Teddy's relatives greeted him and talk with him. There was a lot of catching up to do and not enough time.
By the end of the day everyone said farewell and left. Now Teddy's parents can put Teddy into some decent clothes. And then they will take him out shopping. Tomorrow they will go job hunting.
Teddy got changed and left with his parents to go clothes shopping. It's been a long time since his parents shopped for clothes for him.
Even his stern dad was excited. He missed his boy. They went to several stores and by the time it was evening Teddy had a full wardrobe.
Needless to say he won't need any clothes for the near future. His parents even got him a couple of suits for job hunting. If Teddy got himself an interview he could wear one of these suits to the interview.
Teddy's parents was satisfied. Teddy's mother teared up because her little boy was all grown up. However this did present a new problem. Teddy was twenty three but had the education of an eight-year-old.
They had to make sure he could read and write before going job hunting. So they quizzed him for a few hours. They were shocked to find that he was actually up to date.
What they didn't know was when Teddy had encountered the spirit in that cave, the spirit had filled his mind with all mathematical, reading, and writing knowledge that Teddy would need.
Some may ask how would this spirit know what was needed. The answer was simple. The spirit at one time was a human cultivator. Cultivators of the ancient times needed to be able to read write and do at least simple math.
So this spirit made sure that Teddy could do the same. So as Teddy was cultivating in that cave, his mind was also being filled with the relative knowledge he would need in the cultivation world.
His family wants him to take the GED. All Teddy wants to do is cultivate and get stronger.