Autumn is a second spring

126. Surprise 2.0

Kao's heart almost stopped when he read the word stitched on the label.

Darla.

Not surprise—shock. His throat tightened, his pulse quickened. Darla... Earth's mother. The woman who had died with the rest of Earth's family when Earth was still in high school. 

Kao blinked, his eyes darting back to the delicate handwriting. It wasn't a mistake. He had seen Earth's mother's signature before on old recipe books Earth kept tucked away, on birthday cards Earth sometimes stared at when he thought no one was looking. This was the same hand, delicate but firm.

Kao looked down at the man trembling in his arms. Earth was crying so hard his body shook. Kao's instinct was to hold him tighter, to shield him from the storm of emotions crashing inside.

"Earth..." Kao whispered, his voice hoarse.

But Earth couldn't stop crying. His sobs were loud and broken, like a wound torn open after years of healing. Kao quickly called for the maids, hoping someone might explain how something like this had ended up here.

The maids exchanged glances. Instead of answering, they stepped aside silently, parting like a curtain.

And through them, Fluke walked in. "Surprise?"

Earth froze. His crying halted mid-sob as he stared at Fluke standing in the doorway. For a long second, no one moved. Then Earth scrambled to his feet and rushed straight into his brother's arms, burying his wet face in Fluke's chest.

"Fluke!" His voice cracked with relief and heartbreak.

Fluke held him tightly, one hand stroking the back of Earth's head. His voice was soft, almost lullaby gentle. "It's okay... it's okay. Don't cry too hard."

Earth shook his head, clinging desperately. "It's her. It's really her..."

Fluke nodded, his own eyes glistening. "Yes. Mae designed this for you, Earth. Years ago."

Kao blinked, still trying to process. "She... designed it?"

Fluke's gaze softened. He smoothed Earth's hair as he explained. "Mae noticed how much her son wanted to wear a wedding dress instead of a traditional suit. She didn't say it aloud at the time, but she began sketching. She worked on it until it was perfect, something that was you. She wanted nothing more than for you to wear this when you married P' Kao."

Earth's sobs returned, muffled against his brother's chest. "Mae..." His voice cracked, broken with longing. "She really... she really thought of me..."

Fluke's own voice faltered with emotion, but he continued. "She left the design with me after you and P' Kao broke up back then. You were devastated... and she told me that if the day ever came again, if you and P' Kao found your way back to each other, then I was to make sure this reached you."

"Thank you," Earth whispered again and again, clinging tighter. "Thank you, thank you."

Fluke kissed the top of Earth's head like a parent comforting a child. "You don't need to thank me. I'm just doing what I should do... as your Phi chaai."

Watching them, Kao felt a swell of relief. Relief that Earth had found this gift, that the dream outfit he had wished for so long was finally here, and that it came wrapped in his mother's love.

But he couldn't help adding gently, "Fluke... you could have told me about this sooner. We have been so stressed, worried nothing would be right for the wedding outfit. If I had known..."

Fluke gave him a sheepish smile. "It wasn't intentional. The design was incredible, but pulling it off was harder than you could imagine. The fabric had to be custom made. Every flower in that embroidery? Hand-stitched. Finding artisans who were skilled enough to bring Mae's vision to life took time. I wasn't even sure it would be ready before the wedding." He glanced at Earth fondly. "And I also wanted Earth to have the chance to choose freely. I didn't want him to feel pressured just because this was Mae's design."