106 | the taste of happiness-3

"He's too happy, he's at a loss for words. Someone else can't stop moving around the house." Ashton turns his head around. "Oy, Sam, you're going to fall off that ladder. Watch out," he exclaims, and we notice the confetti balloons hanging from the ceiling. Sam is putting the Welcome Home banner. Ashton shakes his head and faces us again. "Well, that's a sneak peek." He sighs. "Sorry for ruining the surprise. In the meantime, just enjoy spending more time with your family. And don't forget to pack more coats." With that said, he hangs up, leaving me wondering about his last sentence. Our parents are somehow already gathered in the middle of the room. Dad huffs, shoving his hands into his pants pockets. "So, where are we going now?" Luke shoots Cassie a meaningful look. A smirk creeps on his lips. Cassie squeals before she tells all of us the idea that has probably been going on in her mind for quite a while. Hallstatt, Austria Winter in Hallstatt is beautiful. No, beautiful is an understatement. It feels like I'm in a fairytale. Yes, no one objected when Cassie and Luke suggested a sudden vacation in Hallstatt to spend the rest of the winter break. Hallstatt is a small town in Austria. This town is a special place for Aiden, his parents, and Luna. It's the place where Luke and Cassie met each other for the first time and fell in love. It turns out that many years ago, when Luna was still a little girl, Luke purchased a big house overlooking the lake. Now, as all of us step on the back patio, we can see the spectacular view. Around the beautiful lake sit the mountains. We can also see the village resting on the hills as well as the winter sky. This house is every family's dream. This is the place where The Kleins always stayed every time they went to Hallstatt, and judging by how big the house is, Luke must have expected a large family gathering. A day like this. "Wow," Max says beside me as he stares at the view. He looks stunned, and so does Sienna, who's standing beside him. Her mouth hangs open. "Let's make a snowman over there," Luna exclaims, tottering toward a heap of snow, but none of them seems to realize because they're still starstruck by the view. I shift my gaze to the house, watching as Dad, Uncle Vaughn, and Luke sit on the chairs on the back patio. Mom, Cassie, and Aunt Melanie are still chatting inside the house. Then the three of them walk toward the kitchen to prepare something. Aiden is walking toward me. "Max," Luna calls. Max turns his head toward her, only to be attacked by a pile of snow. Luna laughs, throwing her head back. Max wipes his face and smirks at her. "You sure you want to do this? I never miss." Luna giggles, sprinting away. Max grabs a pile of snow and throws it at her. It hits the backside of her head, causing her to let out a small scream. It's Max's turn to laugh now. Luna hisses, grabbing another pile of snow. She then throws it in his direction. Max ducks, and it hits Sienna instead. Sienna's jaw drops as she looks down at her clothes. Clearly, she didn't expect the attack. Luna abruptly puts her hands up, shocked that she just missed. "I'm sorry. So sorry." She points her finger at Max. "It's his fault." I laugh. Right. Too bad that Max ducked it. Blame his reflexes. Sienna throws her fist into her palm. "Let's get back at him." And just like that, the two girls are chasing Max and throwing snow at him. Our fathers laugh as they watch from the back patio. It's then I realize the look in my dad's eyes. It's not sadness. It's contentment. Aiden takes my hand in his. "Come with me." I follow him, and when I look at the ground -- at the foot trails our boots left on the snow -- I realize how much smaller mine is compared to his. We stop as we reach the edge of the property. I rest my arms on the railing, gazing at the lake as I feel Aiden's arms wrapping around my torso from behind. The breeze blowing through my hair and skin feels so good. It's fresh, even cold. But Aiden's embrace makes me feel warm at the same time. Aiden kisses my hair and breathes on my neck. "Heaven," he whispers. A soft smile touches my lips. "Tell me what you're feeling." Aiden's sigh is close to my ear. "I can't even describe it. What more could I ask for? I'm here, in this special place. I have my family around me. I have you, my wife." Another smile forms on my lips. I turn my body so that I can face him. His arms are still circling my waist. "I love you, Nevaeh." The look in his eyes when he says that sentence is pure bliss. "I love you," I say it back without any ounce of doubt. A voice calls us, and when we turn our heads, we find my mom walking toward us with a tray of drinks. "Hot chocolate?" With a cheerful smile, she hands Aiden a cup of hot chocolate. "How did you know--" Aiden's words stop short as his eyes find his mother. Cassie is standing near the patio with Luke pulling her to his side. They're watching us with a loving gaze, and Cassie has a knowing smile on her face. "Thank you." Aiden smiles at Mom. Mom hands me a cup of hot chocolate too. "And one for you too, sweetheart." "Thanks, Mom." I watch as she makes her way back to the house. Aiden sips his drink, closes his eyes, and sighs in satisfaction. I sip my hot chocolate too, savoring the taste. After a moment of silence, I ask, "Do you still remember that time when you told me about your comfort drink?" The corner of Aiden's mouth lifts. "Yeah. I told you that hot chocolate reminded me of--" "The taste of happiness," I finish for him. Now that I'm staring into his eyes, I know that it's exactly what he's feeling. Aiden nods. "I never forgot that taste of happiness when I was a kid. In this place. With my parents holding my hands. I really did think that it was the best day of my life." My eyes water. The broken man I saw crying at the altar two years ago has come a long way. I'm grateful for everything that has led us to this day. I'm grateful that he's mine, and that we can continue to complete each other. "But you know what?" Aiden smiles. "I think it's even better now." "What about now?" I whisper. "I'm the happiest man on earth." Our lips meet, and a tear of joy drops to my cheek. Two years ago, on the day Aiden Klein was waiting for someone else, we were meant to be. We couldn't escape our destiny even though we didn't really know each other well at that time. It was fate that led me to look for the flowers. He was destined to be with me, and so was I to be with him. Forever. Always. Because we are meant to be. The End