“Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of withering, of tarnishing.” -Anais Nin
•R O S E •
I went back to where it happened. I wanted to take away the power of the painful memory for hurt and prove to myself that I could choose to move on. So, I took the one I care about the most, my best friend, Aiden, and on that spot, we made a great memory, a happy one. Now when my brain goes back there, I divert it only to the good memory, the healing one. It's as if I wrote a good story over the top of a bad story, and in time the ink of the bad story fades away until only the good one remains.
But I happened to do this because I am an adult, how was this small child supposed to do this?
I smiled at him when he introduced his perfect name to me, "That's a perfect name for a tough boy like you." I said, holding his small hands in mine.
"Do you know who I am?" I asked Alexander.
Nodding his head furiously, "Yes! You're Rose." Said, Alex.
Looking up at Xavier, I found him smiling a bit with unseen tears in his eyes, looking back at this munchkin, "You're intelligent, little buddy." He grinned at me, showing his perfect smile to me.
God! This boy would be a heartthrob in his adulthood.
Alex's eyes shifted to Aiden beside me, "This is Aiden, he’s, my friend." I said to which Aiden crouched down beside me with a pout, "Just a friend?" My heart pounded when he said that as my eyes widened a bit, I looked at him with surprise.
Aiden chuckled at my reaction as he said, "I thought we were best friends, you hurt me, Rose."
Sighing, I nodded, "Of course, best friend." I said while looking at Alex who was busy looking at something behind me as he wrapped his hands around my neck in fear, when I looked back, I found Savannah glaring at him.
Nobody noticed her nasty glares at Alex, and I hated her entire existence at that moment.
I wrapped my arm around his little frame and picked him up as Aiden helped me. Numerous questions swirled in my mind; does she torture him? If she does, I would personally chop her hands off.
"Stop glaring at her, she won't disappear." Aiden whispered in my ear, as I mumbled, "I wish." And pulled a smile on my face when Xavier walked towards us, he was about to take Alex from my arms, "It's fine." I assured him.
His hands stopped midway as he asked, "Are you sure?"
Nodding, "Yes." I spoke.
"Shall we proceed?" Asked Marcus, nearing my side and my stupid stomach chose that moment to grumble. I blushed all shades of red and each person present in the room chuckled, even Alex chuckled in my arms, shifting him in my arms, "I thought you were my friend." I said in a fake sad tone.
He immediately kissed my cheek with one of his hands around my neck while the other against my cheek to angle my face, "I am." He said, looking extremely adorable. By now, I guess he was okay as he got down and stood beside me with a smile on his face.
"Seems like someone is hungry." Carolina teased, if it was possible, I blushed more. "Let's not tease her anymore." Marc scolded sternly but held a teasing glint in his hazel eyes.
Xavier yelled for someone to set the dining table. An old man, late in his fifties came walking down the hall. He was dressed in his black dress while a white apron around his waist. He set the table and when I looked at the food in front of me, I frowned.
How do they know my favorite food?
"Is something wrong, Rose?" Xavier asked with a look, as it was hard for me to comprehend.
"No, everything is fine," I answered and the old man excused himself from the table.
Why does everything about this place feel strange?
I shook the feeling and raised a brow when Xavier and Aiden both pulled the same chair for me. I nervously mumbled a small thank you and sat down.
Marcus sat on the head chair with Carolina on his right, while I sat on his left with Alex in between Aiden and I. Xavier sat in front of me and Chris seated between Xavier and Savannah.
Looking at all the delicious food in front of me, I smiled. I forgot the feeling of how it felt to just sit on the chair and devour the delicious food.
"I'm sorry our friends couldn't join; their flight was delayed." Said Marcus.
"It's okay, Mr. Williams," Aiden replied, with a smile.
Soon dinner was served, and everyone started eating dinner. Alex ate his food perfectly, but I did ask if he needed anything from time to time. The entire dinner was filled with different ideas for Marcus and Carolina's wedding.
Savannah's eyes were on me the entire time, instead of looking away I continued staring at her with equal intensity as after some time she herself averted her eyes, and I smiled in satisfaction.
After some time, "I'm full." Alex declared and we chuckled looking at his expression.
"How about go and wash your hands buddy?" I suggested and he immediately did what I had asked.
"He never listens to us," said Marcus looking at the retreating figure of Alex as he shook his head, smiling a bit.
"Agreed." Said Xavier in return.
While we were finished with our dinner, Alex came running back as he slipped a bit in between, "Slowly!" I exclaimed in fear.
These kids!
He walked towards me slowly as I mumbled shaking my head, "Kids-"
"They never listen." Xavier completed it for me.
The day I saw Xavier, his face was full of tension and dullness, but tonight he looked relieved and happy. My heart fluttered when I saw the wedding ring on his fourth finger. He might have loved his wife a lot as he still wore the ring with pride.
We walked back to the living room after we finished having desserts, "The food was delicious." I commented with a smile.
"Thank you," Xavier replied back, "There's a small party we have set for our friends. Why don't you guys join us?" He asked as our eyes shot up in question. Why was he inviting us to their family gathering? I glanced at Aiden who had the same expression on his face, "Sure." I answered with a smile.
What? I had to agree as I didn't have the heart to decline such a sweet offer. In fact, it was fine to know them more as it would really help in making their wedding event successful.
Xavier smiled widely at that, "Awesome!" He turned around and walked towards the door to see us off. Carolina, Chris was also behind us, and Savannah was nowhere in sight.
Whereas, Marcus was behind me as if he was keeping me in his eyesight. I walked towards him and embraced him, "Thank you for inviting us." I said and he smiled back.
When I pulled away, his smile faltered as we stared at each other for a moment and he held his hand against my cheek, he shook his head and then the smile returned on his face, "You're always invited here." He hugged me for the one last time.
I was about to walk towards Aiden who was standing at the door beside Xavier, when a small hand grasped mine. Looking down I found Alex staring at me with his honey brown eyes.
I smiled and leaned down to his height, "I think it's a goodbye for us, little buddy." When I said that his smile faltered immediately.
He shook his head, "No! We don't say that, Rose. It's… until we meet again."
His words stole my heart, what was with this Knight guy stealing my heart again and again?
I brushed his hair from his forehead and said, "Aren't you full of surprises, little buddy? I said, smiling at him, and added, "Until we meet again, Alexander."
He scratched the back of his neck and said, "You can call me … Xander."
I furrowed my eyebrows with a smile still intact on my face, "Oh! So, we're now on a nickname basis, huh?" I smiled teasingly.
He shrugged and said innocently, "If you don't want to, then-"
"I will," I cut him off in between, "I will call you, Xander." And smiled just the same way he did after listening to me.
I hugged him for the one last time, and he kissed my cheek before departing. I straightened my back as Aiden took my hand and we together walked towards his car. He opened the door for me and after I settled, he shut the door and walked towards the driver's seat.
My eyes caught Xavier in the side mirror, he stood with one of his hands in his pocket while the other held Alexander's hand. His face looked full of pain, and that confused me, but then again, the more I spent time with this family, the more I got confused. The pain announced its presence with a full-blown wave. I massaged my temples as a warm hand touched mine which rested on my lap.
I looked at Aiden, who was looking at me worriedly, "I'm fine." I answered.
The whole journey to my home was silent as soon we reached my humble abode. Ascending the stairs, I unlocked the door and found Linda on the couch with Isaac and Isabella at her either side while her hands were on their heads. All three were fast asleep, Aiden and I chuckled while looking at them.
They might have slept while watching the TV as it was on at this time. Aiden switched off the TV as I locked the door behind me.
Walking towards Linda, I shook her shoulder as she groaned and opened her eyes, when her eyes landed on me, "Hey, guys." She was about to stand up when I said, "You can spend the night here."
It was already midnight and wasn't safe for her to leave, and she was tired too so she nodded and went back to sleep.
I picked Isabella as Aiden picked Isaac in his arms and walked towards their room. We laid the kids on the bed as Isabella groaned softly and I chuckled while brushing the tendrils from her face. She never liked anything on her face while she slept. I kissed her forehead and covered her with a duvet as Aiden did the same with Isaac.
I heard Aiden sighing when we walked out of my kid's room. "You can stay," I said as he turned around and looked at me.
"I wasn't leaving either." He replied with a tired cocky smile on his face.
Rolling my eyes, I departed to my room as he did the same. After changing my clothes, I got under the sheets. Ignoring the weird feelings swirling in my heart, I closed my eyes and gave in to sleep. Before completely blacking out, I remembered the appointment Aiden made for me. I hope there's nothing serious.