That's the way I love you

52

Flashback

Pataya Beach 2008

The golden sands of Pattaya Beach stretched out before the Armstrong family, the gentle waves lapping at the shore, a serene backdrop to their long-awaited vacation. Mrs. Armstrong had suggested this trip, returning to her childhood village, and it felt like a nostalgic journey to her roots. Along with her husband and two children, Richie and Rebecca, they were embarking on a journey filled with family bonding and cherished memories.

Richie, a vibrant 9-year-old, and his 5-year-old sister, Rebecca, were practically buzzing with excitement. The promise of a beach adventure, coupled with the novelty of visiting their mother's village, had filled them with boundless energy. As soon as they arrived, they couldn't resist dashing towards the water's edge, their laughter echoing against the gentle crash of waves.

The warm sun caressed their skin, and Mrs. Armstrong smiled as she watched her children's joy. She could almost feel the echoes of her own childhood summers spent on this very beach. As the kids built sandcastles and chased each other along the shoreline, the family's happiness was palpable.

Amid the laughter and play, a moment of unexpected collision disrupted the sunny scene. Rebecca, her tiny legs carrying her at top speed, collided with a taller girl who had been running in the opposite direction. The impact sent both girls stumbling, and Rebecca ended up on top of the stranger.

Wide-eyed, Rebecca looked down and realized her beloved teddy bear was nowhere to be found. Panic instantly filled her, and her lower lip quivered as her eyes welled up with tears. The excitement and thrill of the beach seemed to vanish in an instant, replaced by the distress of losing her cherished companion.

The older girl, surprised by the sudden turn of events, looked up at Rebecca with a mixture of concern and guilt. She quickly assessed the situation and realized the significance of the teddy bear to the distraught little girl in front of her. She reached out, placing a gentle hand on Rebecca's shoulder, and tried to speak in a soothing voice.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. Don't cry," the girl said, her voice soft and reassuring. "I'm sure we can find your teddy bear together. Let's look around."

But Rebecca's distress seemed to intensify. The combination of the collision, the missing teddy bear, and the unfamiliar girl's presence overwhelmed her. Her sobs grew louder, and she clung to the girl as if seeking solace, even though she was a stranger.

My teddy bear... it's gone," Rebecca sobbed, her words interspersed with hiccupping breaths.

The older girl, who had tried to offer comfort, looked unsure of what to do as she watched the scene unfold. Her attempts to console Rebecca had somehow backfired, and she began to fidget, guilt etched on her features.

As Rebecca's tears continued to flow, the older girl felt a mix of empathy and determination. She tried various approaches to soothe the distressed child, from gentle words to offering a comforting touch. Yet, it seemed like nothing could break through the wall of upset that surrounded Rebecca.

The girl's hazel eyes widened as she rifled through her beach bag, her fingers brushing against something small and colorful. With a hopeful glimmer in her eyes, she pulled out a piece of candy. Holding it out in front of her, she offered it to Rebecca with a tentative smile. "Hey, would you like some candy? It might help you feel a bit better."

Rebecca's tear-filled gaze flickered to the candy, and for a moment, her cries subsided as curiosity overtook her distress. She hesitated, her bottom lip still quivering, and then she reached out to take the candy. As she unwrapped it, the girl watched with bated breath. To her surprise, a small smile tugged at the corners of Rebecca's mouth, and the sobs turned into sniffling.

"See? Candy can work wonders sometimes," the girl said softly, relieved to see a glimmer of improvement in Rebecca's demeanor.

The older girl gently wiped a tear from Rebecca's cheek, her heart going out to the little girl who was clearly feeling lost without her teddy bear. "You know," she began, her voice gentle, "I promise we'll look for your teddy bear together. We won't stop until we find it, okay?"

With those words, the girl's resolve seemed to spark a renewed determination in Rebecca's eyes. The tears were still there, but a glimmer of hope now shone through. Together, they resumed their search along the sandy shore, scanning the area for any sign of the missing teddy bear.

And then, as if in response to their collective efforts, a small mound on the sand caught their attention. Rebecca's gaze locked onto the familiar shape, and her eyes widened with a mixture of joy and disbelief. "There it is!" she exclaimed, pointing excitedly.

The girl's heart swelled with happiness as she hurried towards the teddy bear, gently swiping it off the sand. She turned towards Rebecca, her own relief mirrored in the little girl's radiant smile. With a soft chuckle, she held out the teddy bear. "Here you go, little hero."

Rebecca practically beamed as she took the teddy bear into her arms, holding it as if she would never let it go again. The girl's heart swelled as she witnessed the reunion, the simple joy of the moment touching her in a profound way.

Just as Rebecca clutched her teddy bear close, a concerned voice interrupted their moment. "Rebecca! Are you okay?"

The Armstrongs, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, hurried over, their expressions a mixture of relief and worry. "I'm so sorry for any trouble she might have caused," Mrs. Armstrong apologized, her tone full of genuine concern.

The older girl quickly shook her head, a warm smile on her lips. "It's really okay, ma'am. We were just trying to find her teddy bear."

Mr. Armstrong nodded gratefully, his eyes holding appreciation for the girl's kindness. "Thank you for looking out for her."

Mrs. Armstrong turned to Rebecca, her tone gentle. "Rebecca, what do you say to this nice young lady?"

Rebecca looked up at the older girl, her eyes wide and filled with gratitude. Without hesitation, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the girl's cheek, surprising both the girl and her parents. Then, she wrapped her arms around the girl in a tight hug.

The girl chuckled softly, returning the hug with a warm embrace. "You're quite the hugger, aren't you?" she mused, feeling a burst of affection for the young girl.

As the parents expressed their gratitude once more, Mr. Armstrong extended his hand in a handshake. "Thank you again. We really appreciate your help."

The girl smiled, shaking his hand. "Of course, happy to help."

Mrs. Armstrong chimed in, "By the way, we didn't catch your name."

The girl's smile grew, her eyes meeting Rebecca's for a moment before she turned back to the Armstrongs. "I'm Freen."

The family exchanged warm smiles, the moment of connection between them palpable. The unexpected circumstances had woven their lives together in a way that none of them could have predicted. And as Freen watched the Armstrong family walk away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment in having made a difference, even in a small way, in someone else's day.

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Tomorrow is the ending for this story. So proud of myself could finish this story. Never thought this story getting a response and support. Thank you for your support.. New story coming soon 👀 😎