Who to trust

Chapter 26 Backseat

"Great, you got the sodas," Their mom spoke, referring to the grocery bag their dad was holding, before the awkward atmosphere could build, "I'll prepare the table so we can eat already."

"I'll help you," Mia volunteered, standing up from her seat. Her mom just nodded, women always work in the kitchen anyway.

"I'll get that," Maven took the bag from his dad and left to go put the soda in the fridge.

The only ones left are their dad and Alex in the living room.

"Let's sit down first and wait for them to finish," Their dad spoke, and so Alex obeyed. 

It took a couple more beats when someone spoke, "How is she?" Their dad asked, referring to Mia.

Alex looked at him for a brief moment, thinking of how to answer his question. He was having an internal debate, choosing the right words because he didn't want to say something that could offend. In the end, he decided to go for, "She's getting better. She's still trying to recover, but she's almost there."

And they both understood what Alex was referring to... her depression from losing her child and her anger.

Her dad released an apologetic sigh, "Thank you. For being strong for her."

"Well, one of us has to be."

The atmosphere around the two was getting heavier, and it didn't help when Alex realized their dad was on the verge of tears.

Their dad inhaled to keep the tears from falling, then spoke, "I've never really apologized to you for what happened. And for everything else." Alex continued to stay silent, looking down on the floor. He didn't really want to open the subject of the accident and their child. Heck, he never talked about it to anyone, that's why he's thankful for his mother and sister for comforting him in silence during that particular dark moment in his life.  No one knew how much he cried and how much effort it took to keep himself sane.

"Forgive me. You were the ones who suffered from my mistakes, but you still come here and treat me with respect. I don't know how to thank you enough. Thank you for helping us fix our relationship, and for bringing my daughter here."

Alex could only give a sad smile, "It's all in the past, Sir. What's important is that now, we're trying to make it right. And.. your daughter wanted to come here by her own decision. Rather than me bringing her here, it's actually the other way around."

***

"So where's the trip going to be?" Maven asked. They were already talking about the trip over the meal.

"We've already found a good resort beside a beach, we're just trying to fix the date," Alex answered.

"We're thinking 3 weeks from now, is that going to be okay?" Mia added.

"We don't have any plans, so yes, I think that's okay." Their mom answered.

Mia looked at Alex and asked, "How about your mom and Alessia?"

"I've already asked them, they said they're good."

"Then we can reserve rooms now. I'll do it when we get home." Mia said.

"Is there anything we should bring aside from personal things? Like food?" Their mom asked.

"No, you don't have to. There are a lot of food establishments there. We can just buy so you don't have to tire yourself."

"Alright, how long is this trip going to be by the way?"

"3 days." Mia smiled.

***

"Why do you have so many things with you? It's only for 3 days," Maven frowned at Alessia. They were trying to fit all the bags at the back of their SUV, but Alessia brought 2 huge bags it couldn't fit anymore.

"What are you bringing anyway?" Alex chimed, who's thinking of a way to fit everything.

"Her whole closet maybe," Maven laughed at his own joke, which Alessia rolled her eyes.

"Fine, I'll just remove some of my things so it can fit-" Alessia was about to get her bags when her brother stopped her.

"That would take long. No time," Alex began to rearrange all the things in the back when Mia came.

"Hey, what's taking you guys so long?" Mia asked.

"Bags won't fit," Maven answered, looking back at the culprit Alessia.

"What? A girl has a lot of things, okay?" She defended herself.

"It's okay now," Alex announced, they all looked at the stacked bags and seeing that everything went in, Alessia clapped her hands.

"Yey, let's go!" Alessia skipped her way to the other door of the SUV to settle herself, which Maven followed.

"Is that everything?" Mia asked after Alex has closed the door.

"Yup," Alex answered. Mia naturally went in Alex's embrace, in which the latter welcomed. She looked up at him with a wide smile. "You're really excited about this trip aren't you?" Alex commented, in which the other nodded.

Finding her wife adorable, he placed a quick kiss on her lips before walking to the car's seat.

"You'll be sitting at the back by the way," Alex informed which earned him a confused look. Alex chuckled before explaining, "Your dad's gonna sit in front. He said we should take turns in driving in case I get tired." 

Mia breathed trying to think of an argument but she quickly gave up with narrowed brows.

Smiling, Alex teased, "Why are you suddenly so clingy?" He placed his hand under her chin. squishing her face.

Mia swatted his hand away and proceeded to the backseat.

Alex laughed, as he also made his way to the driver's seat. "Everything good? Did we bring all we need?" He asked.

"Yas! Let's go"

"Yup!"

Alessia and Maven answered excitedly. And with that Alex drove away to their destination.

Mia felt her phone vibrate so she checked for the notification only to see a message saying:

We'll have plenty of time at the resort.

In which she rolled her eyes, but with a smile on her lips.