Chapter 113 Happy Birthday
>>Amara
The air was charged with excitement as my sister and I dove into the whirlwind of birthday arrangements. The atmosphere buzzed with the laughter of guests who had eagerly volunteered to help, turning what could have been a mundane task into a collaborative celebration. As we adorned the space with decorations, my heart swelled with a mix of joy and gratitude. My mate and his family were here, along with Eli and his family. Nico and Asher were invited as well and Nico was spending a good time talking to my Mom.
Nico moved in with Asher's family while his own disowned him. But surprisingly he said he didn't feel all the bad about it. Rather, he felt so much relief after leaving that toxic household!
But he didn't take anything from the Blairs, instead he started working so he could afford his studies and Asher was supporting him.
It turned out good for him. I always felt so bad that I could never do anything for him but life really is weird. Because he won that art event, he gets a lot of commissions and is earning good from that.
The guests, like a festive ensemble, busied themselves with tasks, laughter serving as the soundtrack to our collaborative endeavor.
The act of setting up became a celebration in itself. As we arranged decorations and positioned the cake, I couldn't help but be touched by the warmth of the shared experience. The whole thing just felt so wholesome.
The laughter and chatter intertwined with the rustle of wrapping paper and the clink of glasses, creating a harmonious background.
As we neared the completion of the arrangements, a sense of satisfaction settled over the room.
Grace and I stood back to admire our collective creation and then exchanged glances that conveyed the unspoken joy of a successful endeavor.
Everything was ready and we were just about to take our place and cut the cake when the doorbell rang
We all paused and looked at each other. Everyone that was invited was already here, so who could be at the door?
"I'll open it," Eli walked to the door and opened it slightly, then paused, looked back at me with a confused look but didn't say anything and opened the door some more while the rest of us stared at him.
What could have gotten him confused? Who's at the door? Did someone order something?
As he opened the door, a man stepped inside
!!!
A man no one had expected.
Oh My...
"Dad?" Grace said and everyone froze. I looked at my sister and got a little worried. She met Dad at the hospital but they didn't talk. Grace did tell me she didn't hate him but her feelings were mixed up.
I walked up to her just for a little moral support and we both stared at our father. Everyone else went completely quiet since they all knew this was a sensitive topic.
"Oh," Dad seemed flustered, "Sorry to intrude," He looked quite weak, "I didn't mean to ruin anything," He ran his hand on the side of his neck nervously, "I thought I could join..." He wasn't meeting our gaze, as if he was embarrassed and guilty, "I-uh," He was jittery, kept tapping his foot on the ground, "Wanted to try and be a part of the family." His last line was merely a whisper. It barely reached us sisters and I'm sure no one behind us heard him at all
...
So that's why he came...
"He remembers our birthday...?" Grace was astounded. There was an expression of disbelief on her face but there was something else there too mixed with it. Under that mask of bafflement, there was a sense of pleasant relief.
There was an awkward silence, no one spoke. I'm sure the others thought that this was family business and chose not to say anything.
But neither one of us was expecting Dad to come along out of the blue. I wasn't sure what to say. It's not that I want him to get out or something. I don't hate him, it's just that, I'm really surprised.
He said he wanted to join... And he came here on this specific day. So is it safe to assume he wants to be a part of our family? We four never got to be a normal family and only recently did the three of us move in together.
It's really nice with the three of us but I won't lie. I always thought about how it would be if Dad had joined us too.
I thought about how nice it would be if our family was complete and we had our father living with us.
While everyone was at a loss though, the sound of running made everyone look at my mother who ran up to Dad and wrapped her arms around him in joy
!!!
She hugged him tightly and he wrapped his arms around her. Grace and I exchanged a glance, then looked back at our parents.
'Are you back for good!?' Mom asked the question she's always waited for
Dad nodded, 'If I'm allowed to...' He signed back for her, 'I would want nothing more,' They looked into each other's eyes and a soft vibe surrounded them that moment.
So he does want to be with us! The answer sent a happy vibe down my brain. Out of us three, I was the one who barely met Dad. So, it would be nice to have him now, even though we've lost a lot of time.
Mom was overjoyed, 'I knew it,' Tears welled up in her eyes, 'I knew this day would come!' She hugged him tightly again and he returned the embrace.
...
It was the first time I had seen them so intimate but also the first time where they both looked like they were at peace. They broke the hug after a moment and then they both looked at us.
I looked at Grace and she spared me a glance. I never spoke up about this because I knew about my sister's pain. I want her to make the first move here.
There was a moment of silence between us and then we smiled, nodded our heads, and understood what the other wanted.
So much had changed around us and it all had happened unexpectedly that we both knew change shouldn't be dismissed.
More often than not, it is for the good.
>>Grace
"Welcome," I managed to say, the word carrying the weight of years that had passed with me being someone else to him. His eyes, weathered and regretful, met mine for a fleeting moment. It was a glance that spoke unspoken words, a silent acknowledgment of the wounds time had etched on our family.
"I can leave if," He stepped back but seeing that Mom got hurt.
Right,
Mom's always been waiting for him. And he's finally here. I heard about the News that Rachel and him got divorced and the thought did cross my mind that now that they were free from each other couldn't he come for Mom?
Or perhaps... for us, his daughters...
Deep down I've always wished for this. For him to be here for us and for him to recognize me as what I really am.
His daughter
"No," I replied, "Please," Saying the words brought no harm to me, "Stay," I smiled, "Dad,"
Amara passed me a smile as well.
The opportunity had finally made its way to us. I shouldn't let it go. I want to feel what it's like to be in a normal loving family.
"Really?" He was surprised at my answer and when I nodded at him, I saw his expressions get weary. Like he could cry at any moment and that made my heart go soft.
And I knew I was making the right call.
"Well then," I ushered him to the table, "Mom, Dad, come, let's cut the cake." This was going to be a symbol of unity despite the fractures that had marked our history.
Amara and I took our place right behind the cake. The warmth of the flickering candles played on the tablecloth, casting a glow while the others joined around us.
As we settled around the table, there was a hesitancy, a pause before conversation found its rhythm.
The cake, adorned with candles that flickered like beacons of hope, stood at the center. My sister and I shared a glance and then we blew the candles while everyone sang the birthday song.
As we sang the familiar tune, I noticed Dad again, and so did Amara, his eyes held a mix of regret and gratitude. He was here now, a belated presence in the melody of our lives but he seemed really thankful.
Amara turned her face to look at me and our eyes met, 'We'll be fine,' She signed and passed me a smile which in turn made me smile.
"Hm," I nodded at her.
Everyone clapped.
We cut the cake and popped the party poppers.
Everyone ate, talked and laughed but Mom and Dad took their place in a distance, in the corner of the room where they both talked quietly.
It was understandable, Dad was more of an outsider at the moment but now that he's here, everything will eventually settle down in its place.
I'm sure it will.
The laughter that filled the room was a salve for the scars of a fractured family, a reminder that even in the late chapters of our shared story, there could be moments of joy.
I looked around the room, letting the whole thing settle in my mind.
For a long long time, I've wanted this.
I've wanted to have this event with the people I love and for it to happen on my real birthday.
I thought I'd never get here.
My heart trembled a little
But at this moment, I feel so blessed.
Eli came and sat beside me. I glanced at him with a subtle smile and he met my gaze, returning my smile.
"Are you okay?" He whispered and I nodded at him.
I then looked at my parents.
I know we've lost a lot but we're beginning again.
I looked at my sister, she was enjoying her time with her mate and friends.
And I'm happy that we made it this far. I'm happy that we're going to build ourselves up again and that we got the chance to build it all up again.
Eli held my hand and I squeezed his tightly, then I leaned my head on his shoulder, letting myself relax.
I'm glad I got what I had always wished for.
The End