Passing Winter (Completed)

VI.

"So, how was your little date last night?" Mom asked as she was washing the dishes while I helped wipe them dry.

Looks like she's a bit nosey when it comes to these things. It's either that or she's worried that what happened the night before last night, happened during our date.

"It was great, mom. I had a lot of fun, and nothing serious happened." I said to reassure her of her thoughts.

"That's good to hear. Anyways, why don't head outside? Your little one said he wanted to play in the snow." She said as she gave me a nod.

I chuckled, thinking that Devin might want to make a snowman that was bigger than the last one we made in the park.

Taking my coat off the coat rack and putting on some gloves and boots, I head outside towards the backyard to see a giggling Devin making a giant snowball with my dad.

"Daddy Finn! Look! Grandpa Flint is making a giant snowman!" The little one said with enthusiasm as he was looking back and forth from me to the snowman that dad was making.

"I see, well, what can I do to help make the snowman?" I asked Devin.

"Find coal for eyes!" He said as he did the eye goggle thing with his hands.

"Okay buddy, I'll find the coal." I chuckled and went towards the back where I knew there was coal.

I saw the chopped wood outside that was covered in a thin layer of snow, and beside it was the coal I was looking for.

After picking up a bag of coal, I heard my phone ring and felt it vibrate in my pocket. I stopped to answer who it was.

"Hello Mr. Walker, this is Callie's Toys of U Mall branch. We are calling regarding your purchase. It has been wrapped and ready for pick up."

I couldn't help but release a sigh of relief, I almost completely forgot about my present to Devin and Lucas.

"Oh, yes. Thank you for the reminder."

"Would you like for us to extend the date on when you will retrieve your order? Or, may I suggest we deliver it to your address, and of course, additional fees will apply."

"Thanks for the suggestion, but no thank you. I'll be picking it up later."

"Of course, thank you again for your purchase." The worker said, before they said goodbye and hung up the call.

No more than a few seconds later, I also received another phone call.

"Good day, Mr. Walker. This is Artisanal Jewels and Jewelry of U Mall branch. We are calling in regards to your purchase. We have it wrapped and ready for pick up."

The worker from the jewelry store said the same thing, and also suggested delivering it to a given address, but I also said that I'll pick it up later.

After I had the phone call, I let out an audible gasp when I saw the turtle dove from before. Only now, I didn't see the other turtle dove it was with before.

It still feels like it was directly looking at me, which made my heart thump a bit faster and louder. I didn't like it looking at me, it made me feel anxious.

"H-hey there. W-where's your friend?" I tried to talk to it to maybe help calm myself, but when I got a bit closer it suddenly flew into my face.

"AGHK!" I suddenly fell flat on my butt, luckily the snow helped cushion my sudden fall.

When I opened my eyes, I looked around to see if the bird was still there, but it looked like it flew away.

After tidying myself up, I went back to where Dad and little Devin were and helped in building the giant snowman.

...

After lunch, I got ready to go to the mall without telling Lucas or Devin. I wanted it to be a surprise.

"Well, what do we have here?" I heard Lucas' voice.

I turned around and saw that Lucas was carrying Devin, also they both looked like they were coming along with me.

"N-nothing I just- corporate called and-"

"Love, don't lie. Your company gave all of you time off for the holidays." Lucas said with a knowing smirk on his face.

"Daddy Finn, where are you going?" Little Devin said as he raised his hand.

"Well- um, Daddy Finn is going to the mall and... ugh, ok, fine. I'm picking some things I bought from last time."

"See, now that wasn't so hard to tell, right?" Lucas chuckled.

"We'll go with you!" Devin said excitedly. Now I really can't say no to them.

I let them come along, but I told them to not touch or look at the things I bought.

"So, you bought some toys and some jewelry?" Lucas asked as he was looking at the bags I carried while he carried Devin.

Luckily, Devin wasn't paying attention to what Lucas said, so I let out a sigh of relief which Lucas saw.

"Y-yes. And?" I couldn't help my stutters. I want it to be a surprise, but I think Lucas already has an idea for who these gifts are for.

"Oh nothing." He said with a knowing smile on his face.

As we approached the car, I faintly heard the thumping. It sounded far away, but that was the last sound I wanted to hear.

It didn't seem to hurt my head, so I didn't pay attention to it. Now, I sat in the driver's seat, then drove back to mom and dad's place.

...

As we were driving, I dreaded this decision. The thumping slowly started to get louder and louder, it felt like the thumping was inside my head.

The abnormally loud thumping was worse than what happened before. I couldn't hold my tears back, I felt so jittery and anxious.

I felt Lucas' hand softly grip my arm, trying to calm me down. I gave him a quick glance, and saw that he was smiling softly.

"LOVE, I- I NEED YOU TO TAKE THE WHEEL! THE TUMPINGS CAME BACK AND-"

He let go of my arm, I looked at him and he mouthed words that I couldn't hear.

"Love, it's time to wake up. I know it's been a tough year, but you need to wake up. Remember, little Devin and I are always here. So, promise us. Continue being your caring, loving self, and try to be happy, okay? We love you."

What does he mean, wake up? I was confused, but when I looked back on the road-

...