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𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐁𝐘'𝐒 giggles carried across the air, a soft harmony that floated over the gentle breeze as they stood by the edge of the small lake, tossing bits of bread toward the waddling ducks below. the sun peeked between scattered clouds, casting golden light over the water as the ducks quacked in delight.
from a nearby bench, luna and jordan watched, coffees in hand, bundled up in their coats as the early afternoon unfolded around them.
"look at them," jordan murmured with a smile, his gaze fixed on the two little girls who were now trying to name each duck as if they were family pets. "like two peas in a pod, aren't they?"
luna chuckled, tucking a curl behind her ear. "una rubia and una morena ... que combinación más hermosa."
"they're like the two of us," he added, nudging her gently with his elbow. "when we used to sit right by the canal and feed stale bread to those grumpy swans."
"except we used to argue over which bird was 'cuter,'" she giggled.
"oi, i still say that fat white one with the dodgy eye was my mate."
luna burst into laughter. "he bit your hand, jord!"
"yeah, well ... he had character." jordan grinned proudly, taking a sip of his coffee.
they both turned back to watch the girls, martina now gently guiding ruby along the path, her hand protectively holding onto her friend's sleeve as they skipped over a small puddle.
"mira eso," luna whispered, heart softening. "that's the kind of friendship you can't teach ... that's pure."
"makes you wonder, dunnit?" jordan mused aloud.
"about what?"
he paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "about fate. maybe they were meant to find each other ... just like we did."
luna glanced at him, something wistful flickering in her eyes. "maybe they're luckier than we were."
"maybe," he said quietly. "or maybe they're here to remind us we've still got time."
the girls waved at them excitedly from a distance. "miss luna! dad! come on!" ruby called out, her face lit with joy.
"vamos," luna said, standing up and offering him her hand with a grin. "they're gonna want us to race them back to the playground."
jordan took her hand without hesitation. "you know i'm still faster than you, right?"
"in your dreams, idiota."
and just like that, they started walking, two grown-ups still carrying the echo of a childhood that never really ended, and two little girls up ahead, writing the next chapter of something beautiful.
