Last Friday Night (ManxMan) ✔️

Chapter 36

Hunter pushed his way past the crowd, entering the huge ballroom with a gasp. The large space was adorned with ornaments and glittering lights. Piles of fake snow were placed over the corners and ice-like chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The low hum of house music vibrated across the floorboards and through the leather of Hunter's shoes. His eyes traced the corners of the room, amazed by all the Christmas cheer Kellie managed to stuff into one room.

A hand slipped into his, interlocking their fingers.

"This place is beautiful," River breathed. Hunter could barely hear the words over the music but he knew what River meant. 

"You're beautiful," Hunter shot back with a cheesy grin. River rolled his eyes, pushing past Hunter to move deeper into the room. "Come on. You know I had to!"

Freshly irritated, River found their seats in record time. Josh wasn't as much of a stickler for traditions, so his groomsmen were seated at separate tables. Instead of being crammed on the long table with a ton of Josh and Kellie's relatives, Hunter was secured a seat next to River and Melodie.

The child was seven and well on her way to eight years old. This was one of the moments when Hunter noticed her age. She carefully picked up her name card before turning to Hunter excitedly.

"Look, it has my name on it!" she told him, handing the older man the gold-lined paper shaped like a christmas present. "Right there."

Melodie Conyers was printed in a cursive font. Hunter was surprised they were still teaching kids how to read cursive. When Hunter looked at Melodie again, he noticed her hair. Single braid flowed down her back instead of the pompoms she usually asked for. She was also wearing lipstick for the event. While the application was a bit messy on the edges, its presence made Hunter nostalgic.

"That's pretty cool," he said instead. Because this seven year old would not understand how sad he was to watch her grow up.

Luckily, he was going to be there while she did it. With Christmas coming up, Hunter was dealing with a new parental challenge. Although she talked constantly, Melodie rarely asked for things. Which made Christmas shopping a nightmare.

Not to mention figuring out what to say when she asks "Why did Santa give me 3 presents  instead of 1?" Currently, his explanation was very good behavior.

A few hours later, the reception was in full swing. Half of the songs were 90s hits that came out before Hunter was born but they still made him dance. It was River who pulled him away from the dancefloor, citing sore feet as the reason. When they sat down, River admitted that he just didn't want to see Hunter's 'sprinkler' anymore.

Panting, they flopped back into their chairs, holding hands below the table, out of view. Hunter was content to sit with his little family: him, River, and Melodie.

The same Melodie who he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Where's Melodie?" Hunter asked. He sat up anxiously, eyes combing the room. She was usually holding one of their hands when they went out. Not running around alone in a huge ballroom. River paused Hunter's panicking, bringing him to a stop by squeezing his hand.

Then, he raised his hand and pointed. The older man didn't have to comb the room or do any searching. He knew exactly where she was.

Children circled the candy buffet like moths to a flame, chattering excitedly over the superb selection. Melodie was leading the flock, passing wrapped chocolates down the line like a conveyor belt. It was so cute, Hunter pulled out his phone, recording it for a few seconds.

"Should we get her?" Hunter asked when she stuffed yet another jubejube into her mouth.

"It's fine," River chuckled, waving off Hunter's concern. "She'll have a bunch of sugar and then be tired for the rest of the party. A win-win."