Gonzales

17

The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting golden rays that filtered through the trees, dappling the grass with spots of light. It was the kind of afternoon that felt like a celebration of life—perfect for an outing at the park.

The  family, a lively and tight-knit bunch, had come together to enjoy the day. Alexandro and Evelyn, stood by the picnic table, laughing with their sons. Alexandro, tall and broad-shouldered, had a relaxed air about him, like someone who was always in control but enjoyed the chaos of family life. Evelyn the calm at the center of it all, her bright eyes constantly scanning the group, ensuring everyone was okay.

Their six sons were scattered around the park, each in their own world but united by an invisible thread of love. Romeo, the eldest at 24, was the first to introduce a sense of responsibility into the family, though he was also known for his spontaneous spirit. Today, he was with his fiancée,Charlotte, laughing at something she'd said, their hands intertwined. Matteo, at 22, was ever the curious one, the thinker of the group who rarely went anywhere without dragging his thoughts along with him. Marco, 20, was the joker—always full of energy and ready to make light of any situation.

Then there were the twins, Luca and Leo, 16 years old. Luca was the more extroverted of the two, always chattering with his brothers, while Leo was quiet, introverted, and often content to sit back and observe.

Finally, there was Aurelio, the youngest at just 5 years old. His golden hair caught the sun, and his bright blue eyes shone with a mischievous glint. Aurelio had always been spoiled, in the most charming way, but he was also the family's baby.

On this particular day, the family was enjoying a casual afternoon, and as usual, Marco and Aurelio had found a game to play. Aurelio, as always, was eager to start. "Marco, let's play hide and seek!" the little boy chirped, tugging at his older brother's sleeve.

Marco grinned, ruffling Aurelio's hair. "Sure, little man. You know the rules, right?"

Aurelio nodded eagerly. "I'm gonna hide so good you won't ever find me!" His voice was filled with determination as he glanced around the park, looking for the perfect hiding spot.

Marco chuckled and nodded to Matteo, who was lounging by the picnic basket where Evelyn had packed their lunch. Matteo, ever the thoughtful older brother, gave Aurelio a quick nod.

"Want some help?" Matteo offered. He was a bit of a softie when it came to Aurelio. Despite his tendency to disappear into his books or deep thoughts, he was always there for his younger siblings when they needed him.

Aurelio's face lit up. "Yes! Help me hide!"

Matteo leaned down, whispering in Aurelio's ear as he guided the little one toward the picnic basket. It was the perfect spot—just large enough for Aurelio to squeeze into, with a thick cloth covering the contents.

"Okay, don't make a sound," Matteo said with a wink, gently helping Aurelio slip inside.

The little boy giggled as he nestled in between the food and blankets, his eyes wide with excitement. "Shh... don't tell Marco!"

Matteo smiled to himself, watching his younger brother settle into the hiding spot before returning to the main picnic area. He leaned back against the basket, pretending to be lost in his own thoughts, though his eyes couldn't help but occasionally dart toward where Marco was starting his counting.

Marco's voice rang out from across the park. "One, two, three..."

Aurelio's giggles bubbled up, muffled slightly by the layers of fabric, but Matteo caught them and smiled, shaking his head fondly. He was so used to his little brother's antics by now, but Aurelio had a way of making everything feel like an adventure.