Unrequited Tides And Lunar Desires

Part 5

So , are u team boy or team girl, readers??

We stand in the beautifully decorated garden, surrounded by blue and pink accents. A large purple balloon hovers above the cake, flanked by two pink balloons on one side and two blue balloons on the other. The excitement is evident.

Brandon, Danny, and I position ourselves beside the blue balloons, proudly representing the "boy's side." Meanwhile, Alex, Vanessa, Aria, and Hayden gather opposite us, eagerly expecting a girl. Only Mrs. Heather knows the secret.

With a mischievous grin, Mrs. Heather produces a balloon pricker. The crowd holds its collective breath. She pops a blue balloon, followed by a pink one..

Now, only the purple balloon remains, preserving the mystery of the child's gender. Mrs. Heather's pricker pierces the purple balloon, and she exclaims, "IT'S A ....................

BOY!!"

The garden erupts in a flurry of blue confetti and candies. I leap into the air, hugging Mrs. Heather. Hayden's initial disappointment melts away, replaced by a warm smile as he joins the celebration. The group's cheers and laughter fill the air, basking in the joy of the special moment.

As we savor the feast after the cake cutting, our laughter and giggles fill the living room, Thanks to Hayden's comedic skills and dad jokes ."I'm going to be a dad!" he exclaims, wrapping up his comedy routine.

My mind wanders, flooded with memories of my own dad. "Is he this thrilled when I was born?" I wonder.

I lean back into the plush leather couch, taking a deep breath. "Hayden?" I say softly.

He turns to me, his expression gentle. "Yeah, baby?"

"Can you take me to my dad's grave tomorrow?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Hayden's face softens. "Of course, tomorrow's the anniversary of his passing. We'll visit him together."

I smile faintly, gratitude welling up inside me. As I head to my room, tears begin to fall. I close the door behind me, letting the emotions overwhelm me .

The Next day
We arrive at the graveyard after a two-hour drive, Alex joining Hayden and me. Mrs. Heather decided to rest, still tired from the previous day's celebrations.

As we step out of the car, the calm atmosphere envelops us. The graveyard, a beautiful garden filled with vibrant flowers, is a peaceful oasis untouched by pollution. The flourishing green fields stretch before us, soothing and calming. Even the birds respect the silence.

Hayden and Alex pause, allowing me to approach my father's grave alone. I gently place his favorite flowers on the stone and pray, lost in thought.

Sitting on the soft grass, memories flood my mind. "Dad, your daughter is 18 now," I whisper, my voice trembling. "She's growing up, pursuing her dreams of becoming a fashion designer. And yesterday, Mrs. Heather's gender reveal showed it's a boy!" I share every detail to my dad as if he is listening to all my words .

Tears fall as I recall the tragic accident that took him from me, leaving an haunting scar. My fingers tracing his beautifully carved name, "Mr. Andrew William," I mutter, overcome with emotion.

After a emotional breakthrough, I rise, dust off my pants, and steal one last glance. Returning to the car, I let Hayden and Alex pay their respects, praying at the grave.

As we continue our journey, we stop at a restaurant along the way. Stepping out of the car, I glance at the restaurant and my breath catches in my throat. I swiftly turn to Hayden and Alex. Alex envelops me in a comforting hug, patting my back reassuringly.

We enter the restaurant and settle into a cozy table. Hayden calls the waiter over, and as we scan the menu, my eyes scan each line, memories flooding my mind. My gaze lingers on a particular dish, and I order it with a mix of nostalgia and longing.

"Red beans and rice, please," I say to the waiter.

This restaurant holds a sacred place in my heart, where cherished memories of my family linger. Every weekend night, we'd gather here or at the beach, creating a treasure experiences of laughter and love. I vividly recall sitting on my dad's lap, feeling his warmth and security, as my mom fed me my favorite red beans and rice. My little sister's wide eyes would sparkle, mesmerized by the twinkling lights. Those carefree moments were my happy norm.

It's been two years since I last stepped foot in this restaurant. The pain of losing my parents still felt too raw, and every bittersweet memory , every familiar scent, every taste of red beans and rice was a painful reminder of what I'd lost. After that devastating day, I couldn't bear the thought of returning, fearing it would shatter the delicate balance of my emotional recovery.

But today, with Hayden and Alex by my side, I've found the courage to confront these memories. As I take a bite of the familiar dish, the floodgates of memory burst open. Tears stream down my face as I'm transported back to a time when love and laughter filled every moment.

No matter how lovingly Hayden and Mrs. Heather have raised me for the past decade, it's impossible to replicate the profound comfort and security I felt with my mom and dad. Their absence still aches, a hollow echo that only memories like these can temporarily fill.

Few months later,

As I step out of my room, refreshed, the mouthwatering aroma of pancakes wafts through the air, drawing me to the kitchen. Aria, our quiet and gentle soul, stands at the stove, lost in her own world, unaware of my presence. I sneak up behind her, wrapping my arms around her in a playful hug.

Aria flinches, her introverted nature momentarily startled as I giggle.

"Good morning, Iris," she says softly, flipping the pancake with a smile.

"Good morning, Aria!" I respond cheerfully, settling onto the counter.

Just then, Vanessa bursts into the kitchen, her contagious energy and bright smile radiating throughout the room. "Morning, guys!" she chirps, her hyperactivity already in full swing. We share a knowing glance; she's been up all night binge-watching her favorite show.

Brandon trails behind, his reserved nature evident in his hesitant smile. I offer him a reassuring nod, and he settles beside me. He gives the soft boy vibes.

Daniel, our resident jokester, enters last, cracking a joke that sets us all laughing. He's always ready to lift our spirits with his jokes .Alex joins us as we  exchange a warm smile.

As we gather around the breakfast table, our diverse personalities blending together in harmony.