The Faulkersons

XXXII. - Tandem -

Things turned out great for the Faulkerson family over the next few weeks. RJ was able to secure a new deal with a fresh investor for the company. Maine's businesses are also doing great, one shop reached an all-time high when it comes to net sales. Thirdy on the other hand also had a good time, he was able to talk to Hazel and they are now on their way of patching things up to form a friendship. Their only daughter Athena is still in love with Tanner while her twin Anthony was able to make a new friend. And lastly, Jacob ended up as the first honor in his class and that prompted both of his parents to buy him lots of toys.

Maine smiled while thinking of the way their lives are going. She's extremely happy knowing that her entire family is thriving in their own ways.

"Bes, ang saya mo." Kelsey before she sat next to her.

"Paano ba naman ako hindi magiging masaya, masaya lahat ng pamilya ko." she replied.

"It's crazy isn't it? Almost twenty years ago, ito yung pinangarap natin, magkaroon ng magandang buhay at masayang pamilya. Tapos ngayon andito na tayo .... may mahihiling ka pa ba?" her friend asked.

"Wala na ... I'm perfectly happy." Maine uttered. Kelsey smiled at her and she smiled back. A few minutes later, the door opened and their husbands came in.

"Nag-date na naman kayo eh." Maine told RJ and Chris who in return laughed off the comment.

"Na-miss ko si Baby." RJ said and hugged his friend tightly.

"Ang cute niyo, tara na." Kelsey said and so Maine stood up. A few minutes later, they left home and went to the mall.

---

Anthony took a deep breath and entered the classroom. The past weeks have been great to him. However, he still hasn't ironed things out with Emmett. His once close friend is still avoiding him.

"Where are you?" he asked in a whispering manner. A few minutes later, Emmett showed up. Anthony quickly checked the time and after realizing that they still have enough spare to talk things out, he approached him.

"Hey Emmett."

"What do you want?"

"Can we talk? Please?" he asked. Emmett let out a frustrated sigh but still followed him outside. The two settled at the back of the stock room. Anthony looked at him and started thinking.

"Man, please help me fix this. You've been ignoring me for weeks now. Alright, I'm sorry for rejecting you okay? I'm not ... I'm not like you ..." he started.

"Anthony ... I'm sorry. I just needed time to convince myself that my feelings for you were real. That it's not just some stupid crush on a friend ... I'm sory if you thought I was avoiding because I was mad. I wasn't ... I just needed to put up a wall again. I opened up to you, I never did that to anyone."

Anthony's heart skipped a beat after he heard those words from him. Somehow, he felt a bit relieved when he realized that Emmett wasn't mad at him.

"I'm sorry too. We can still be friends and I will still treat you the same but I'm sorry, we can't be more than that." he said and Emmett moved closer. Anthony gulped and before he could even anticipate what's going to happen, his friend kissed him on the cheeks.

"Thank you. I appreciate that." Emmett said with a smile on his face. Anthony smiled back and the both of them walked away.

---

"San ba tayo pupunta?" Athena asked Tanner.

"My step mom is in the parking lot, you need to meet her." he replied ebfore flashing his famous smile on her. The young girl smiled and told him to stop walking.

"What?" he asked.

"Ang cute mo." she said and he did the knee-weakening smile again.

"Ikaw din." he replied and kissed her on the forehead. Athena is in awe of how far they've come. They've been dating for months now and he still hasn't crossed her waiting policy.

Athena is well aware of her tender age that's why she made it clear from the beginning that what they're going to have is a cute and non-sexual relationship. She's going to wait until she's 18. Tanner respected that and said that he too, is waiting until he turns 21.

A few minutes later, they reached the parking lot and she saw a woman standing near Tanner's car. He tightened his grip on her wrist and told her to stay calm.

"Ikaw nga yung kinakabahan eh." she muttered.

"Tita ... this is Athena, my girlfriend. Mi amore, this is Tita Amanda ... she's my step mom." Tanner told her.

Athena smiled before she and Amanda hugged it out.

--

Thirdy took a deep breath and sat next to Emery. Today is their third monthsary and he couldn't be happier with the way his life is going at the moment.

"Happy Monthsary!" he greeted and gave her a bouquet of flowers. The people around them quickly clapped their hands.

"Aw, thanks babe." she said and kissed him on the cheeks. The young Faulkerson blushed and grinned at her.

"Anyway, are you free tonight?" he asked.

"Yes, why?"

"My family will hold a family barbecue dinner tonight and I would love it if you go there."

"Can I come too?" Jack asked.

"Of course, love." Thirdy said and all of them laughed.

"You guys should be a couple." Emery uttered.

"Oh we are actually a homo couple, we've been fucking around for years now." Jack joked before adding "I'm an honorary Faulkerson."

"Yes he is ... now back to you babe, please come tonight."

"Fine ... since you're cute as fuck ... I will."

"Yes!" Thirdy yelled and hugged her tightly.

--

After he's through cooking the barbecue, RJ approached Thirdy and asked if he's ready for their surprise. Last night, his son approached him and asked for help regarding what treat or surprise they could do for Emery.

He suggested that they should sing a song. Thirdy laughed off the idea but agreed on it anyway. And now, here they are.

"You ready?" RJ asked.

"Yes Dad." Thirdy nodded and gave him the guitar. The door then swung open and they both saw Jacob and Anthony with Emery and Maine. Athena is trailing behind, holding the Bluetooth speakers for them.

RJ took a deep breath and started strumming the guitar. Thirdy hummed and started singing James Arthur's hit "Say You Won't Let Go."

"I met you in the dark, you lit me up. You made me feel as though, I was enough."

RJ smiled at the sound of his son's sweet voice. Thirdy is singing earnestly. He saw how much he loves Emery.

"I'm so in love with you, and I hope you know ..."

After that line, RJ started singing as well to Maine and the song became a full on duet. He looked at his wife's amuse face and fell in love with her all over again.

"I love you." He mouthed.

"I love you too." She said.

As soon as the song is done, Emery rushed in and hugged Thirdy. RJ and Maine's mouth fell open after he kissed her straight on the lips.

Maine coughed and so they stopped.

"Sorry." Thirdy uttered.

"Tapos na ba?" Anthony asked.

"Yup. Gutom ka na no?" Thirdy asked him and he nodded. RJ just smiled and said that it's now time for everyone to eat.

--

That's it for this part guys ^^ stay tuned for more :)