TRACKS

wedding plans

Charlie sat at the balcony outside his room, his eyes following the fading streaks of orange in the sky. He hadn’t touched the plate of food left for him on the small table beside him.

The sound of soft footsteps approached, and when he turned, his parents Max and Nat stood in the doorway. They exchanged a glance before walking over, Nat settling down beside Charlie while Max leaned against the railing, arms crossed but gaze gentle.

Nat: Your father and I heard from Mr Therapanyukul today… about the wedding being resumed.

Charlie froze, his breath catching, before forcing himself to nod.

Charlie: Yeah… they think it’s time to bring some happiness back into the house. With all the heaviness, it makes sense.

Max tilted his head, studying his son’s expression.

Max: And what do you think, Charlie?

Charlie’s lips parted, but he didn’t answer immediately. He shifted, fiddling with his hands before sighing.

Charlie: I… don’t know. Part of me feels it’s too soon. Rain just lost Venice. He’s still fighting through every day. Having a wedding right now… it feels cruel, like we’re forgetting him.

Nat reached over, taking her son’s hands into hers, her thumb brushing across his knuckles gently.

Nat: Baby… grief and joy can live in the same house. They don’t cancel each other out. Rain’s pain is real, and so is the love Sky and Phoenix share. You don’t have to pick a side.

Charlie swallowed hard, eyes misting.

Charlie: But it feels like betrayal. Rain is my friend, Ma. He looks at me with those broken eyes, and I can’t stop thinking what if he thinks I’m celebrating while he’s drowning?

Max finally pushed off the railing and sat on the other side of Charlie, encasing him between them. His voice was calm, thoughtful.

Max: That’s the weight of empathy, son. You feel his pain so deeply, you can’t let yourself feel joy. But life isn’t that simple. Rain himself… he’s stronger than you realize. He may be the first one cheering Sky on.

Charlie blinked, startled.

Charlie: You think so?

Nat smiled faintly, brushing a tear from her son’s cheek.

Nat: I don’t just think so, Charlie. I know it. Rain has always been selfless. Even in his sorrow, he’s thinking of everyone else.

Charlie lowered his gaze, his shoulders slumping.

Charlie: I just don’t want him to feel abandoned… or replaced.

Max’s voice softened, the words careful but steady.

Max: Rain lost someone irreplaceable. Nothing and no one can take Venice’s place. Not a wedding, not another love. What he needs right now isn’t for you to reject happiness on his behalf, but for you to stand beside him remind him he’s not alone.

The tears Charlie had been holding back finally spilled. He leaned into his mother’s embrace, and Nat wrapped her arms around him tightly, rocking him like she used to when he was younger.

Nat: Our son… you’ve got such a tender heart. That’s your strength, Charlie. But don’t let guilt steal away your joy. Supporting Rain doesn’t mean burying yourself in his pain.

Charlie sobbed softly into her shoulder while Max rested a hand on his back, the warmth of family grounding him.

Max: We’ll face this together. For Rain, for Sky, for everyone. But most of all for you.