boombox ▻ cameron boyce [1] ✓

twelve ☆ trips and plans

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Marie awoke to her sister shaking her awake.

"What the hell is—" Marie began to ask.

Grace interrupted. "Get dressed and pack your duffel bag for the day. Oh, and pack pajamas."

Marie got up, dressed quickly and packed her duffel bag just as fast. "Okay, but the fuck are we doing?"

"Road trip to tia Esmeralda's. Mom and dad are ready and in the car."

Once Marie was all set, she grabbed her bag as well as her phone and walked down the stairs. As soon as she was at the bottom, she opened the door and went to the car.

As she sat in the car, she thought of her aunts house and how much she loved that part of her home state. Throughout the drive, Marie noticed that Grace was on her phone; doing what, she had no clue, but she didn't disturb her.

▹

private conversation
grace [ grace 💛 ]
tia esmeralda [ french gypsy 💜 ]

grace 💛
we're on
our way

french gypsy 💜
okay, great. then
we can talk final
party plans

grace 💛
mhm. see
you soon, tia

french gypsy 💜
okay. te veo 😘

▹

After a while, everyone is together at Esmeralda's house. Once they arrive, the four greet their other family members and Marie goes to the room of her baby nephew. As the five—Rosalinda, Pedro, Grace, Esmeralda, and Esmeralda's husband Jonah—sit at the table with coffee mugs in their hands, they talk final party plans.

"The invitations have been mailed, the decorations are at home, and we have all that we need for the food." Pedro said, as he took a sip of his coffee.

Jonah nodded. "Do you know how many guests will come, yet?"

Rosalinda spoke next, "We have had some people tell us, but not everyone. Grace is taking care of a certain someone as a surprise for Marie."

Esmeralda grinned. "Oh, is that actor coming?"

Grace grinned, and nodded. "I can't wait for Marie to see him. She's going to be so happy."

Meanwhile, in Jeremiah's room, Marie's phone chimed.

▹

cam 🐨
hi, M. how's
your day going?

marie 👼
hi, Cam
good so far.
i'm spending
time with my
baby nephew

cam 🐨
aw. well,
if you're
busy, i'll
let you be.
i just wanted
to see how
you're doing

marie 👼
aw. how
are you
doing?

cam 🐨
i'm doing
pretty good.
i actually
graduate
tomorrow

marie 👼
wow, look
at you 👏

cam 🐨
thanks for
being proud
of me even
though i haven't
graduated yet

marie 👼
hey, it's what
i'm here for. i'm
supposed to support
you in your success

cam 🐨
i feel like
you just
quoted part
of the priest
Bible at weddings

marie 👼
i kind of did.
ever since my
cousin's wedding,
i've kind of had the
vows—that need to
he recited—stuck
in my head 🙈

cam 🐨
no need to
be ashamed

marie 👼
noted

▹

Back in the kitchen of Esmeralda Santiago house, everyone was still talking about Marie's party.

"Okay, so we've got food, decorations, mailed invitations and that secured surprise. Is that all?" Jonah asked.

Pedro, Rosalinda, and Grace all shared a look and nodded. "I think that's all."

Esmeralda nodded in approval. "You four can share the guest room. It's next to Jeremiah's room."

Grace stood from the table, grabbed her bag and made her way to the guest room and set her bag by the door. After she did that, she stepped into Jeremiah's room. Upon seeing her nephew, she greeted him. In response, he garbled as a smile lit up his features.

Marie grabbed one of his toys and waved it in front of him, as she and Grace watched his smile widen.

Marie smiled at the sight of his fascinated and happy expression. As she and Grace played with Jeremiah, Pedro called for them. "Girls, it's late. Time to get some sleep."

The girls headed to the guest room, got into their pajamas and slipped under the sheets to sleep.

Before she slept, Marie quickly went to her messages.

▹

marie 👼
i know it's
only a few
hours time
difference
between us
but since you'll
be busy for most
of tomorrow, i just
want to say it now.
congratulations on
graduating, Cam.
i'm proud of you 😌

▹

After sending the message, she shut off her phone and fell asleep.