"Markian, is the pasta already served at the table?"
He nodded and looked at his phone while looking at me. He's sitting in front of me. Still calm even if mommy and mama were coming.
He suddenly let a loud laugh come out of his mouth, "I'll post this on social media. You look so cute, love." he said and played the video on his phone.
It was just seconds ago. Ugh, this maaaaaaan!
"Happy New Year, dear!"
As soon as I heard that, I saw mommy running towards me. I immediately ran towards her and hugged her tightly. "Happy New Year, mommy." she kissed me on the cheeks and landed her hand on my waist.
"Guess who's coming." she said and giggled as she faced grandpop.
"It is weird if we'll have a meeting with the greatest Senator but I guess we'll have, haha." grandpop answered and laughed.
"Ho! Ho! Ho!"
We faced the door and saw grandpa standing there, wearing a Santa Claus costume. "Grandpaaaa, it's not Christmas." I said and pouted.
"But we did not celebrate Christmas. What's wrong if we celebrate it with you even if it's a bit late? Don't you want to know what's my gift for you?" he teased and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Drop off your sack first, pa. Markian, can you help him?" my mother said and pointed to the sack of my grandfather.
"Sure."
-
"Wow. I never liked pesto on pasta but I guess I'll change my mind." mommy said as she tasted the pasta I've cooked.
I giggled as I heard that. I love compliments, especially when it comes from my mother. I mean… I don't hear that most of the time. I don't know if it has been a blessing that I and Markian had an accident 10 months ago but my mom changed after that. She cares about me now.
"Right. I never tasted something like this before because you know… it's not that...attractive. I thought it tastes bad." grandpa commented.
"Agree. Anyway…" grandpop looked at Markian and coughed.
"Oh! I heard that the captain of our block prepared fireworks for the New Year, it's visible here. Let's go?" Markian said and smiled.
"Wait. I'll just go outside. Someone texted me. Go to the backyard already. I'll just follow you." mommy said and stood up.
"Let's go?" As soon as I turned on my side, I saw Markian, offering his hand.
I nodded and took his hand. He never let go of hand after that. As soon as we reached the backyard, we were welcomed by the small fireworks. They are beautiful. They were like glitters sprinkled above. I just love seeing this. It seems like my baby wants it too.
"Love, I'll just go inside." Markian said and let go of my hand. "Is it just alright?" he asked and I nodded. I thought he already left but I felt his hands around me.
"What?" I asked while looking at the fireworks. "It's a bit cold here, don't you want to go inside?" he asked and pushed his body towards me, more.
"Would you mind if I just stay here? It seems like our baby wants to look at the fireworks." I said and giggled as the fireworks became bigger, it means the calendar is going to flip after some minutes.
I am really excited when the New Year comes. I mean, who wouldn't be? It's another chance for us to change and be a better person. It's a new year to cherish with your family and friends. It is a new year to be filled with good memories. A new year to celebrate.
"Okay." he said and I focused on the fireworks, waiting for the biggest fireworks this day.
I was stopped by the sudden heat I felt. I looked at my shoulder and I saw Markian's jacket. I can't believe this man. He's too sweet to be a guy. I thought it would be gross if men started to be much more clingy than girls but I guess they also have that feminine side which cares for the one they love. Thinking about that made me giggle more.
"That star keeps getting my attention." I looked at where grandpop pointed his fingers while talking to my grandpa. They were catching up with each other and I found it cute. Their friendship is strong. I hope I also have that kind of friendship.
I mean, I had that kind of friendship until she did not show up anymore.
"Maybe that star is your Karmela." grandpa teased grandpop.
"D-daphne." I heard someone said. That's not my name but there's something inside me which made me turn around.
"Mama... " my lips immediately whispered as I saw who's standing in the backyard's door with mommy.
She came rushing towards me. She immediately hugged me and kissed my cheeks. "I missed you, Daph—Mackenzie." she said and smiled.
"I missed you, too." I said and hugged her back. "Is Daphne my real name?" I asked.
She nodded and pursed her lips. "U-uh. I know it's not Christmas but your mommy told me that this New Year celebration's theme is Christmas, haha. So here's my gift." she said and handed me a paper bag.
"Aww. Thank you, mama. This means a lot." I said and smiled widely. "But let's just don't open it now, haha. I want to be curious and excited about this. I'll open this wonderful gift inside." I kidded and laughed.
"Ten. Nine. Eight…" I heard Markian counted as he went at the backyard.
"Seven. Six. Five…" we all counted and the fireworks became bigger and bigger.
I looked intently at them while adoring how wonderful they are. I felt Markian's hand on my hand but I still looked at the fireworks. "Four. Three. Two. Happy New Year—" I faced Markian but I saw him kneeling on the ground. I immediately covered my mouth with my hand.
"Happy New Year, love. Would you mind if I invite you to stay not just this year with me but for the rest of our lives?" he asked and waited for my answer.
I was shocked as mommy got the large curtain hiding a projector. My pictures and videos started to play. Those pictures I am not looking at the camera. Some of them were disgusting. Still, I appreciate it. How could he do that? How did he do that?
"I-I know I'm not as good as Uncle Michale with poems but you're the reason behind my songs. When you think I don't believe you're gorgeous, I want you to know that you are the greatest moon and I am one of those stars who admire you. I know this poem doesn't have any rhymes, pattern nor count but I made it with all my heart. So...Lynale Mackenzie Jacobs Gavin, will you still accept it?"
My tears began to fall….that I had to purse my lips to stop a cry. I gently nodded and Markian stood up to hug me. Do I really deserve a man like him? I am way more blessed than I had before. With all of these people around me… I feel like I'm floating with their love. I don't want anything in this world other than having them. Having my family. Having grandpa and grandpop. My mommy and mama. My twin… and my future husband, Markian.
"I would give the world to you, Mackenzie. I've never been this happy. Ah! I'm really blessed. Praise you, my God." he said and hugged me even tighter.
"Shall we go inside and celebrate New Year, slash Christmas?" Grandpa asked, still wearing the Santa Claus costume.
I looked at Markian and he's still crying. "Stop crying, Markian. I'll take back my answer." I said and laughed.
I looked at my finger as he stopped crying. As we walked inside, I thought about this. I am now wearing a ring and I will have another one as I finally have his surname on my name. That was way happier than receiving jewelry. I was happy that he chose a gorgeous ring but I am much happier that he gave it to me.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Please fall in line. From oldest to youngest." grandpa said with the usual voice of Santa in movies.
We happily moved and formed a line like kids, excited to receive their gifts from Santa. We teased grandpop as he didn't want to lead the line.
"Achilles Cruz." he said and grandpop sarcastically smiled at him. "I don't know Santa Claus is meaner than the Senator I had during my administration." he said and sarcastically smiled again as he faced us.
"Ursula Santos." My mama got her gift and hugged grandpa. "I did not expect this but Mrs. Gavin pushed me here." she said and smiled.
"The pusher, Daughty Gavin." We all laughed at him as we heard him. "Why does it sound illegal? Geeze." she said and sarcastically smiled, too.
"Markian Cruz. The greatest man of this year who created a human." He gave Markian his gift and winked at him.
Oh, I get that. HAHAHAHA.
"Lastly, the oven."
I glared at grandpa as he described me that way. "I get that but that was mean. Do I look fat?" I pouted and they all laughed.
We started giving each other gifts and started opening the gifts we received. I gave my mama and mommy the gifts I prepared. I didn't know mama would come here but I was planning to go to her house after this evening but she came here and that made me so happy. Imagine having two mothers. I'm so lucky.
We stopped as we heard the doorbell, "Do you expect another visitor, Mackenzie, Markian?" granpop asked and we shook our heads.
"Oh, maybe that's the pizza I ordered!" mommy said and stood up.
As soon as the door opened, the policemen came rushing inside. "Lynale Mackenzie Gavin, you are under arrest."
My jaw dropped as I heard my name. What did I do?
"Wait, Sir. What's the matter?" mommy asked and immediately stopped them from putting handcuffs on me.
"She is the mastermind on Gracey Santos' murder."
Tears flowed down from my eyes as he said that. I-I just visited her a while ago… What happened?
"B-but I don't know anything about that—" I tried to explain but they were too many than we are so they successfully put the handcuffs on my hands.
"You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future."