I closed my eyes and let myself be enveloped by the sun's warmth and the cool breeze. It was soothing. I was lying on the picnic mat that we laid on the ground. It was big enough for me and my family. It was only the four of us here. I can barely remember how a month went by, but I'm now totally recovered. The doctors allowed me to go back to doing my normal activities.
Traian and I have started spending more time at home, doing things like watching movies and having strange conversations. He occasionally taught me how to cook, and I truly loved it.
I also have some quality time with my parents. With my sister, Claire, Sally, and Kate, I occasionally go outside to eat. I also spent some time with the boys, Cayden, Evan, and Adam. There has been some development between Adam and Sally also. They started to talk casually to each other but Adam is still distant. I can't hold him responsible for it, though. That's something I cannot blame him for. And I think Sally was aware of that as well.
The month was really full of fun and laughter. Now, my parents asked my sister and me to join them for a meal at the creek. My mother said Traian did take them to the place.
It was my third time here. The second time was when Traian invited me to go for a stroll one afternoon. We simply strolled into the forest holding hands and soaking up the serenity the forest was offering us.
"You want some?" Jane asked me, catching my attention.
I look at her and scoff when I see pickles and peanut butter on her plate. "Hell no!" I exclaim.
She laughed and retorted, "What?"
"Your food might actually kill me with a stomach ache, Jane. So no thanks"
"It's super tasty though"
I rolled my eyes, "For you maybe"
She suddenly pouted like she was going to cry, "Okay I know it is weird to eat pickles and peanut butter. But that's what I am craving"
I laughed, "I don't find it weird Jane because I know you're pregnant and that's one of your cravings. Who told you, you're weird?"
"Um..me?"
"Okay, that's settled. It's your fault"
Mom interjected, handing me a paper cup with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, "I also have t some crazy cravings"
I answered confidently, "Like? I'm convinced I didn't make you eat something that you don't usually eat”.
Beaming, mom said, "Oh honey, you are so wrong."
Jane nudged my arm, "See?"
I sat up and placed my head on dad's shoulders who was next to me, silently eating a sandwich while glancing at mum.
"I used to crave Tuna fish and chocolate when I am carrying you"
I grimaced, "Really? That sounds not tasty at all"
"It is not" Dad replied, glancing at me, laughing, "I tried to eat a little of those and I immediately spit it out"
"And I hit him for wasting it" Mom seconded.
"What about Jane?" I asked.
"Mom crave Boiled eggs with horseradish when she was pregnant with me"
I giggled, "How did you even know that?"
"Because I asked mom. You know so I can feel comfortable that someone eats weird foods like me and not just me"
Mom answered, sniggering, "Yeah, she did ask me in the middle of the night”
I said with a smile, "Well, the dish you're calling odd was something my niece or nephew wanted."
I really like to emphasize that I am both for either gender.
She rubbed her swollen belly and beamed at me, saying, "I know. She will have such bizarre but amazing choices throughout her life. And I also don't care what gender this little life I have here is."
I acknowledged her with a smile and said, "I know you are."
She grinned, "I simply want to tease Jaxon."
Mom shook her head and said proudly, "You little mischief."
Dad quickly reacted, "Your mum has been doing it a lot up until now."
I cast a quick glance at my sister as we both chuckled at the same time. It looks like Jane got that thing from my mom.
Soon after, silence passed between us. I close my eyes again for a second, inhaling that pure and soothing air.
I asked, still leaning my head on my father's shoulders, "Can you guys tell me more about our connection with Shifters?"
Mom said hesitantly, "Are you sure?”
I grinned and said, "Yeah, I'm really pretty intrigued about it, but asking you about it only crossed my mind these last few days."
My mom looked at Jane and dad before she held my hand, patting it. I looked at her expectantly, ready to listen.
"So, um.... remember your grandmother?"
"Grandma Rebecca? Of course, Mom. I love her" I said.
She smiled. It was my grandmother on my mom's side. She passed away when I was 8 years old.
"I didn't know about Shifters until my mom told me about it when I was 18 years old. I was also shocked because I didn't believe it existed but my mother proved it to me. She brought me to a few packs around the world and I witnessed Shifters with my own eyes. My mother let me read about them. She told me that she came from a family that has ties with the descendants of a human that was mated to Shifters hundreds of years ago"
My mom glanced at my dad for a second who gave her a nod of support. That's what I like the most about my parents. They just have each other's back and are so deeply in love with each other till now.
"My mom thinks that I am mated to a Shifter so she makes sure to let me visit packs. I visited here in Grevis Town once as well but I didn't find my mate here until we both came to the conclusion that I am not mated to any Shifters. That's when I met your father and we got married. When I first had your sister, I didn't tell her about Shifters as well because I don't think that she will be mated to one. I thought that it stopped because it's been three generations passed in my family that no one was mated to a Shifter. But you're sister met Jaxon''
"And mom told me about them. I actually also tried to leave Jaxon that time because I couldn't believe it but I decided not to in the end" Jane added. “One of my best decisions probably”
"Are you telling me that Jaxon was Shifter as well?"
Jane nodded, "Yes. Actually, the town we are living in was his pack. He was an Alpha there"
"Woah, that's some newsflash!" I exclaimed. "Then why did you come here after your wedding?"
Jane shrugged, "To visit Traian. He was one of the few family members of Traian. They are cousins"
My eyes widened, "They are?!"
Jane nodded with a grin.
"We didn't tell you about it because you were so happy with Anthony at that time. And we believe that maybe you are not mated to a Shifter because we really saw you and Anthony as soul mates" My mom continued.
"But that asshole betrayed you," Dad grumbled angrily.
I raised my head and looked at them, shocked, "You knew?!"
"Of course. I can't believe you hide that from us and if not for Jane suddenly asking us to go with her and meet you, we would not be able to know about you and Anthony breaking up" my mom said.
"I told them not to contact you for a while because I know that they will ask you about that issue a lot and I am aware of how you must be starting to feel confused about things around you. I told them about you being mated with Traian in the end, that's why they quickly fixed their schedules and we set the date to come here quickly" Jane added.
"So basically it was you, mom, who came from a family that was connected with the Shifters," I asked.
"Yes, exactly," My mom replied. "We're sorry for hiding it from you and for what happened to you and Anthony. We're very sorry"
I smiled and shook my head, "It's okay Mom. I honestly felt betrayed that time when I found out about the Shifters myself and when I realized that maybe it was what Jane wanted to tell me about. And it just all comes so heavy for me to take, especially about mates. But I am fine now. I finally absorbed that information and kind of want to know more"
My mom hugged me, "I am really glad that we are talking about this now"
I giggled and hugged her back, "Me too, Mom"
We pulled away after we heard a faint sniffing and both looked at my sister. We laughed when we found her crying.
"What? I'm getting emotional" she countered. "That's a very touching moment and I can't find my phone to capture it"
"I did, Jane," Dad said, waving his vintage camera in the air.
"You're the best dad" Jane muttered, giving dad a thumbs-up. My dad loves taking random pictures, and so was my sister.
I took a deep breath and spoke, grabbing their attention. "I still have something to say, guys"
They all looked at me.
"What is it? Wait, are you planning to marry Traian?!" Jane exclaimed.
I chuckled, feeling my cheeks heat up at the mention of marriage with Traian, "No, but I hope we get to that” I quickly added before they gave their comments on my first statement, “What I am trying to say is, I planned to leave. Go with someplace and stay there for some time..... alone"
I emphasized the word 'alone'.
My mom and Jane quickly asked, shocked, "Why?"
"I want to start over again but this time alone. I want to know myself better and sort my feelings out. I want to explore more outside of my comfort zone. You know how I always travel with a companion"
"You have this planned out right?" Dad asked calmly.
I glance at him and nodded, "Yeah, I have listed my plans"
My mom sighed. She knows me from head to toe, "Then there's no stopping you"
Jane chimed in, "Absolutely" she suddenly scooted towards me and hugged me, "You silly girl. I can visit you there, right? Wherever you plan to do your escapade"
"Of course. I know I can't stop you as well" I said, hugging her tightly.
When we pulled away, my dad placed a kiss on my forehead and whispered, "Do what you must and come back to us, Jaidyn"
I felt tears gathering in my eyes. Those words coming from my father made me cry. Dad seldom speaks sentimental wordings.
"I will dad" I replied and hugged him.
Suddenly, we both heard a noise in the distance. We both snapped our heads to the forest while my sister sighed irritatedly.
"Come out, Jaxon," she said, annoyed.
And in an instant, Jaxon came out along with Traian. They were with the gang.
"I told you guys to keep your movement light," Jaxon grumbled.
"You're the one who made the noise, Jaxon” Traian said, earning a hit on the arm from his cousin.
Everyone laughed while they all looked at us.
"Come here, guys. These kids'' My mom said, gesturing for them to come forward.
I laughed even though I know they are way older than my parents. Still, my parents treated them the same way they did to me and Jane. And honestly, overlooking our ages was a good point because we are interacting with people in a different world than humans.
As Traian walked to us, his hands were buried inside his coat. His gaze met me and he smiled.
I smiled back, waiting for him to come closer.
This day was one of the memories I will treasure the most.