The Coincidence

Chapter 15 - I loved the stars too fondly

It was snowy. The streets are beautiful when it snows. Sometimes I wonder if I was in a snow globe in some kid's hand and enjoying the view of me walking the streets. I laugh to myself at the thought. I have made my decision. I was not sure if what I decided for was right or wrong, but I know that I followed my heart once before and it didn't let me down. Hopefully, it won't this time too. It was a month since we sealed that deal. It was getting late though, will I really leave alone? Was it all a game? A dream? I keep checking my watch and enjoy watching my aunt at the kitchen washing the dishes and I think she was humming to herself. It's getting colder, so I decided to wait in the car instead. Then my heart started racing. Did he forget? Did the last events change the deal? Did he give up already? I started to panic even more. Then I reminded myself that if he didn't show up, then maybe it was for the best. At least for him. Lost in my thoughts, I fell asleep. Woke up as the phone started ringing. 

"Hello?" I answered.
"Where are you? We have been waiting for you for so long now! You even missed dinner." It was Adam.
"What? Who? What dinner? What are you talking about?" I sat up straight.
"Look at your aunt's window." He said and I did. He was waving at me from the kitchen's window. What was he doing? Why are my eyes watery? I got out of the car and just stood there for a while. "It's cold out there. Don't you think you should come in? Say hi to your aunt?" I could see his soft smile through the window and I couldn't help but smile too.
"I think you are right." I started walking to the front door and knocked the door. A middle age, beautiful lady opened the door for me. She was wearing a simple pink dress with a jeans jacket over it. She looked like my mother. Except that she was more natural and belonging to this life and to this house than my mother. She smiled at me.

"Hi." I simply couldn't say anymore. We stood there for a moment looking at each other, before she broke the silence.
"Oh, please come in." She stepped aside to let me in. I walked to the hallway and found Adam standing there. She left to the living room and we followed her.
"This is my husband, Michael." He extended his hand and I shook it with a smile. Somehow, I still couldn't believe it. I was shaking my aunt's husband hand. I was in my aunt's house, that place that I have always watched but never got the courage to come in. I think I might have made the right decision falling for him after all. We all sat down and Michael was the one to start the chat.
"So, you are Emilia's daughter. Wow, you look alike. Same look." I was astonished that he knew my mum. I thought they hated each other.
"You know my mum?" I asked eagerly. He laughed quietly for some reason and answered me.
"Off course I do." He stopped for a moment studying my face before going on. "I know what you are thinking. That your mother abandoned her family and left for the money? Love?" I swallowed hard on this. I kind of feel ashamed. He let again another laugh and shifted in his chair, held his wife's hand and looked at her eyes for a brief moment like he was asking for her permission. Then he looked back at me and started telling the story. "Your mum simply fell in love. Back then, things weren't that easy like nowadays. She followed her heart, just like you guys. The only difference was that she had to pay for it." He shrugged.
"Honey." That was aunt Rose. I looked at her. Her eyes are so warm, I wish I could have known her long ago. I felt like I wanted to talk with her all day long. "Adam briefed us with your situation." I looked at Adam and he shrugged. "Honey." She got my attention back. "I know you are scared to pay the price for your love, like your mum did. Especially with you guys under the microscope of not just your family but the world's spotlight. However, you are way different from your mother. Back then, your mum couldn't have here own career, she didn't have the opportunities or the family understanding that you have now. You two are dependable and in love, you have control over your lives, isn't that wonderful?" She stopped for a while before continuing. "Besides, you have us you know?" She took Michael's hand in hers and they both beamed at us. I looked at Adam once again and I could see some hope and fear in his eyes but he was still smiling. I smiled back and I knew for sure, that it's worth a shot.