"Here comes the airplane!" I say, holding up the spoon and pretending it flies towards her mouth. She watches it in anticipation, mouth already open.
My phone rings, and I pick it up to find Kenna calling.
"Gabriel, is Aura ready? Are you ready? We are getting ready to leave for the photoshoot." Kenna whisper-shouts, her voice filled with excitement and urgency.
I nod, even though she can't see me. "Aura is ready, so am I. Everything is fine. I am ready, more than ready."
Kenna's voice drops a little, filled with a hint ofseriousness. "Remember, Gabriel. Be yourself today. Don't hold anything back. She'll understand. You're doing the right thing."
Kenna gives me the details again, reminding me to meet Josh and get everything set up for the proposal. My nerves are already a mess, but I have no time to dwell on them.
Once I get Aura settled in her car seat, I make sure that I have the ring and we are ready to go. My heart pounds as I head out the door, determined and nervous.
When I arrive at the park, I see the Feely family already gathered, posing for their photos. Millie is there, looking as beautiful as ever, and I feel that familiar pang of longing in my chest. I don't want to just look at her from a distance anymore. I want to be with her.
I slip around to the other side of the park, spotting Josh. He takes Aura from me.
"Go get her tiger!" Josh calls out as I head off towards the park where the Feely family is taking their photos.
I nod, my pulse spiking.
I hide behind a tree as I wait for the signal word from Kenna. It feels like hours, but I know it's only been a few minutes.
My mind races as I think about all the things I want to say to Millie. The times we shared, all of it comes to mind. I have never felt such immense feelings for someone before. I thought I did with Haley, but that turned out to be wrong.
Finally, I hear Kenna's voice whisper the signal word. "Tree."
With my heart pounding in my chest, I step out from behind the tree and drop to one knee.
"Bumper."
Home is Where the Chaos Is
MILLIE
I always sleep at my parents’house the night before family pictures. It’s become a tradition. A small tradition that, over the years, has kept us all connected. Since we’ve all grown up and moved out, this is the one time each year when we are all together—under one roof, in the place where it all began.
The night before family photos is the only night that feels like nothing’s changed. The chaos of everyone’s schedules, the distance between us, as we lead our adult lives—it all disappears, and it’s as if we’re kids again, sneaking glances at each other in the living room, trying to guess what game we’ll play before mom insists on getting everyone to bed early.
When I pull into the driveway of my parents’ house, I immediately feel a sense of relief was over me. It’s like a comfort blanket wrapped around me with the promise of home. There’s no place like it, especially now that life feels so…different.“Mom, Dad? I’m here!” I call as I open the front door.
I’m greeted by the soft sound of laughter coming from somewhere in the house. It’s warm, inviting. The kind of laughter that’s become synonymous with this place.
The kitchen is empty, and so is the living room. The only place left to check is the game room downstairs.
I take the steps down to the basement, my footsteps echoing through the quiet. The muffled voices grow louder, and I hear Kenna and my brother, Asher, arguing about something. Their voices are raised, but it’s all familiar.
“Fine, you choose, Kenna,” Asher says, but the sarcasm in his tone is unmistakable. “I swear you can’t let anyone have a turn around here.”
“Not this time, buddy,” Kenna retorts, her voice firm, but there’s a playful edge to it. “The youngest siblings get to decide for once.”
I roll my eyes and deadpan, “Come on Ashe, let the babies of the family decide since the oldest siblings are acting like children.”
I open my arms for hugs as I step into the room, and everyone in the game room freezes. Their heads snap toward me, and then, like a magnet pulling them in, they rush over, engulfing me in a sea of arms. The warmth of my siblings, the closeness of being surrounded by people who’ve always been there for me is exactly what I need right now.
“Beanie,” Asher says, using the nickname he’s called me since I was a kid. “That only worked when we were little.”
I chuckle and shake my head, moving past him to give Mom and Dad a hug.
