If it's fate

Part 22: Marco

Leo left when my summer break literally just started. I couldn't text or call him. I just hoped one month would be over soon. But I felt happier to know we are under the same sky.

(3 weeks later)
Every day is literally the same. I would wake up and Ella would be off to work. Unless it's the weekend. I stay home all day, doing nothing. I would sometimes go over to my parent's house and help my dad with his projects. The twin's dad, my brother, came back recently. The twins were probably overjoyed. Oh yeah, I have dinner at my parent's house tomorrow. In celebration of Marco returning.

(Next day)
"Candy, let's go to mom's house, hurry up we are going to be late," Ella shouts at me from downstairs.
"I'm coming," I say tying my hair up
I rush down in a hurry.

I walk towards Ella, scanning her.

"Ella, you look bloated," I say.

"Really," she says. 

"It's fine, you're still beautiful," I say.
"Let's go with the car," Ella says.
"Sis, Mom's house is right there," I say
"It's still far," she says.
I didn't want to argue with her because I was feeling lazy too. We get in the car. I sit in the passenger seat.
"Hey, why don't you drive. It's been long since you drove." She says.
I hesitated for a while and agreed with her. We both get out and walk around to change seats. I sit in the driver seat.
"I'm driving to mom's house, you're driving back," I say.
"Okay," she says.

We get to my mom's house, safely. We are early. My sister was exaggerating for nothing. I go sit on the couch and lay down, while Ella goes to help my mom. I look at my phone, re-reading the messages with Leo. 

"I miss him, wonder what he's doing." I hear someone walking towards me, I quickly close my phone.
"move Candy," Marks says.
"Okay," I say, still laying down. I shifted slightly. Mark lays down on the other side of the couch. We both sigh at the same time.
"What's wrong," I ask.
"Nothing, you?" He asks.
"Nothing," I say.
We both sigh again. In the distance I can hear, the twins. They are coming. I get up and go to the front door. I open the door and the twins are walking towards the door. They spot me.
"Aunty!" They both say running.
"Hey, be careful!" I hear in the distance.
I catch the twins and hug them.
In the distance I see Wendy coming, Marco was behind her. Marco is a big buff guy. He looks intimidating, but he's soft. I'm not lying.

"Woah look at mommy and daddy," I say to the twins.
Marco and Wendy looked happy. Wendy waited a long time for Marco. It made me reminisce about Leo. They finally get to the front door.
"Hello Captain," I say.
"How's my baby sister?" Marco says, giving me a hug. A tight hug.
"Bro, are you trying to kill me," I say.
"noooo," he says letting me go.
We walk inside. Mark was still on the couch laying down. Marco rushes towards Mark.
"Look at my baby brother, it's only been 1 year, and look how much you've grown," Marco says, hugging Mark.
Mark looks squished, but it was funny to the twins. They started giggling.
"Okay, you can let go now," Mark says quietly, breathless.

Ella then walks out of the kitchen. Marco finds another prey. He rushes over to Ella.
"How are you doing sis," he says hugging her tight also.
"Marco, I'm doing well," she says, trying to free herself.
Marco then drags Ella to sit down on the couch. He then makes me sit next to her and makes Mark sit next to me. We were in order according to our age. Oldest to youngest. Marco stands in front of us and observes us.
"Bro, you are not in the army right now," Mark says to remind him.
"I know, I know," Marco replies. Marco just looks at us, we look back confused.
"When did I get such good-looking siblings," Marco says.
We look at him, we are so tired of him. You can see it in our faces.
"Thanks," I say getting up.
"You're welcome," Marco says pushing me back down.
"When is this going to end," I say quietly to Ella and Mark.

"Kids let's eat," my mom calls coming out from the kitchen. "Mark, go get your father, he's in the workshop," my mom then says.
Marco spots his next prey. He rushes over to my mom. Opening his arms.
"No," my mom says. "My bones are weak." She says patting his shoulder. She gives him a kiss on his cheek.
Ella and I start giggling.
"You girls what are you doing sitting there, go help, Wendy." My mom says.

When we arrive in the kitchen, Wendy was already in the kitchen, preparing the food.

(Moments later)
My dad walks into the dining room. 

Marco spots his new prey. He runs to my dad. My dad doesn't see it coming.
"Dadddd!!!" Marco says hugging my dad tightly.
"You're a big boy Marco, okay let go," my dad says.
All of this happens when we are filling the table with food. As I take the food to the table, I can't help but drool.

"Okay everyone come sit down." My mom says.
I sit next to Mark. I'm at the end of the table, while Mina is across from me. Everyone is seated but my dad isn't.
"Henry!" My mom calls out.
"I'm here," my dad says running with a wine bottle in his hand.
"Henry, drinking is not good," my mom says.
"Cathy, it's fine, plus Marco is home." 

My mom gives in to my dad for the first time in a long time. My dad sits down. He opens the wine bottle and pours it for himself first. Then pours the wine for Marco.
"Ella, you want some?" He asks.
"No," she says.
"I want some," says Mino.
"No honey, that's not good for you," Wendy says.

"Wendy?" My dad asks.

"No, thank you, dad," she says.

"Candy, you are 21 now, want some?" he then asks me.

"No, not now," I say.

"You guys drink your orange juice," she says, looking at Mark, and the twins.

"Cathy?" 
"No!" My mom says looking away.

I finish eating and I put my utensils down.
"Candy, can you take the kids to play," Wendy asks.
"Yeah, sure," I say getting up. I take the twins out of their chairs and take them outside, in the backyard. Mark follows after me. We play with the kids outside. Inside the house is chaotic. My mom is getting mad that my dad drinks too much. Marco is passed out on the couch.

While playing outside, the sun starts to set. The colors were very vibrant. It made me remember the Ferris wheel ride.
"Mino, Mina look at the sky," I say pointing to the sky.
"Woahhhhh," they say.
 It gets chilly so I take the kids back inside. Marco is still passed out on the couch. Wendy and Ella are talking beside him. The twins run to Marco. I follow.
"Ella let's go." I say
" okay." She says getting up.
We say our goodbyes and start our journey home.