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💗🌷🍭🦩🦄
"Where's the raw chicken to be grilled?!"
I snorted as I heard Cavin screaming, followed by Adelia screaming back, telling me to wait.
"Come on, Adam. Let's go out," I happily said before carrying Adam with me. We exited our bedroom and went downstairs. Downstairs was a busy place.
"Hi, Adam!" Mom stopped by to say hi to Adam.
Ever since Adam was born, all attention has been shifted to Adam. Less towards other people and me when Adam is present.
Currently, we're back in dad's hometown, Kota Marudu, to celebrate New Year's together.
"Where're the kids at!?" I heard grandma shouting.
I chuckled while watching my few nieces, nephews and young cousins swimming in our backyard pool. All are having fun as if they don't even remember the time.
"They are still in the pool, ma!" I replied to grandma.
"Oh, dear. They have been in the pool for over an hour! Aren't they cold?" Grandma came out of the kitchen from the back door and out to the backyard.
I chuckled when grandma stood beside me, "Uh, I don't think so."
The parents of these kids are mostly my cousins, aunts and uncles. Most of them went out to buy more things. This has to be our first big gathering in grandma's house. We even pitched some tents on the porch of grandma's house.
All our cars are parked outside the house because the front and back yards are used. To pitch tents and for a karaoke session. Also, for dinner in another few minutes.
Some of my male cousins are professionals in fireworks. So, we have tons of fireworks to watch tonight. This will be our first new year together as a big family. We haven't had this huge celebration in years.
However, Mark couldn't come tonight because he has work to do. I mean - I can understand him. I've been in his place for years. It's impossible to escape from work.
"Come on, kids! The food's almost ready. Go shower and change your clothes!" One of my uncles said.
Some of the kids got out of the pool but some needed persuasion.
"Come on; you can swim there again tonight or tomorrow. You have the whole day tomorrow. We promise you," my uncle persuaded my niece.
After some time, all of the kids take a shower.
"Aunt Sunny!" I heard.
"Yes?" I replied while turning towards the voice.
One of my nephews came to me with a towel wrapped around him.
"Mommy told me to tell you. Your phone in your room is ringing," he told me.
"Ah, okay. Thank you, Rafael," I said before walking back inside the house through the back door.
"Sunny, you can rest upstairs. I'll WhatsApp you when it's time to eat. Just rest upstairs," Grandma said. I nodded and replied with an okay before walking up the stairs.
I went upstairs; Belle; Belle was in the living room with her kids.
"I heard your phone was ringing just now. It stopped ringing just a few seconds ago," Belle said.
"Yeah, I left my phone in the room. Didn't think someone would call," I chuckled.
I entered my room and gently put Adam in his crib before grabbing my phone. I turned it on and saw that Mark was the one who had called me.
I texted him a hi with a smiley face and he called me again.
"Hey," I greeted him on the phone.
"Hi, what are you doing?" He replied.
"I just got back from downstairs. I was looking over the kids at the swimming pool," I told him, sitting on the bed and watching Adam playing with his legs on the bed.
"How's Adam?" he asked.
"He's good. Just playing with his legs right now," I said, smiling at Adam.
"What about you? How are you?" he asked.
I smiled small, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. How are you? How's the show? I'm sorry I couldn't watch you guys perform."
"Nah, not a problem. You're celebrating New Year with your family. The show isn't your priority. Your family first. I should be the one who should be apologizing for not being able to be there with you and Adam for our first new year," he said.
"It's alright. I've been in your shoes. I know it's hard to get out of there. Don't worry. We can celebrate next time," I said and smiled.
"I just want to know how guilty I am, not being able to be there for you and Adam," he added.
"Hey, don't worry. We all can understand that. You're busy. It's your career. Plus, it's not only you who cannot be here tonight. Adrian will be coming only tomorrow with Jasmine. They're all busy. Mom nearly couldn't come because of the company's dinner."
"Some of my cousins are only coming tomorrow too. So, don't worry. It's just a celebration. We can celebrate Chuseok together too. Don't worry."
"Umm, about CHuseok," he mumbled before clearing his throat.
I raised my eyebrows and smiled blandly as if I knew what he would tell me.
"You won't be able to make it?" I guessed.
He took a long pause before sighing, "I'm sorry."
I smiled and exhaled, "ISAC. I know. I figured it out since NCT was one of the lineups."
"I'm sorry," he apologized.
"Don't be. We'll have another time together," I replied.
"I love you guys a lot, and I wished I could just leave my work right now," he said.
I chuckled, "Don't. You love your work a lot, and I won't force you. I'm good here, Mark. We'll be alright. Will be waiting for you patiently."
"Thank you, love."
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"Five!"
"Four!"
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Happy New Year!"
I smiled when the countdown ended; in a second, the dark sky was filled with all sorts of fireworks designs. It was colourful and also loud.
I watched the fireworks from my room through my window. Adam was fast asleep in his crib with noise-cancelling headphones over his ears. I walked over to his crib to see his calm face.
"Happy New Year, mommy's boy."
"Mommy hopes for you is for you to grow another year older this year. Please continue to give mommy and daddy happiness and joy in our lives. Continue to remind us that you are the one that connected us when we felt nothing but just responsibility because of you."
"Adam, you were the one who connected mommy and daddy. You are our joy. Please continue to laugh to make our life brighter. Mommy will always pray for the best for you. Pray God that He always guides mommy and daddy to guide you to a more positive lifestyle."
