Three years later.
It was a bright and cheerful spring afternoon. The air humd with joyful laughter in the backyard as everyone enjoyed the celebration.
Calix and Leslie hosted a charming birthday celebration for their youngest daughter, Chaline, who had just turned three. The event was small and intimate, involving only the close family and friends.
The family’s spacious backyard by the lake was adorned with pastel decorations and balloons, including an array of vibrant flowers that swayed gently in the breeze.
Calliope, now almost ten years old, was still a bundle of energy. She darted around in her lavender dress, her giggles echoing through the yard as she played with her cousins near the lake.
"Chali! Catch if you can!"
Calliope called, waving at the little Chaline, who tottered after her with unsteady but determined steps. The birthday girl was lovely in her pink dress.
"Poppy, not too fast!" Leslie called out gently as she balanced a tray of iced strawberry lychee drinks toward the refreshnt table, "Your sister is still little."
"Mama, I’m just teaching her to run faster!"
Calliope shouted back with a mischievous grin. Turning around, she ran toward Chaline before catching her little sister, eliciting hearty giggles from the little one.
"Big Sister! Hahaha!!"
"Oh! My dear Chali~"
Leslie laughed in helplessness once she saw Calliope and Chaline hugging. She didn’t realize Calix had co closer, taking the tray from her hands.
"Seems like our youngest will just follow our eldest’s fiery spirit ah."
Shooting her husband a look, Leslie gestured at Calix to quickly bring the tray to the table. He threw his head back, laughing.
Leslie glanced at Calliope and Chaline, who were now joined by Alia and the two-year-old Theodore, her younger brother. Instead of the lake, the cousins headed to where Old Madam Xu was.
Sweeping her gaze around the place, Leslie saw the familiar faces who she had weaved deeper relationships with.
Andrian and Harper seed to banter near the table where the gifts were placed. The husband and wife playfully nudged each other.
Vernon was escorting the heavily pregnant Lucille to the seating area. The Xu family would gain their newest mber before spring ended.
Irene was busy taking photos of Old Madam Xu and the children. She was on a short break from the university.
Now that Irene was an adult, she freely went wherever she wanted, not caring much about the Li family’s opinions.
Aunt Wendy and Uncle Raymond walked around the yard, admiring the man’s latest topiaries. Mrs. Wang and her youngest son join them.
Evelyn was chatting with Ryken, the ambiance between them was quite intimate. Not far from them, Edward seed to tease Theresa, earning a playful slap on his back.
Davin led his fiancee, Ophelia to see the lake, walking alongside Xander and Violet. The male lead and the female lead had just wedded in a lavish, beautiful wedding a few weeks ago.
Life only turned better, even better than before.
"Mama! Papa!"
"Mama... Papa..."
Calliope and Chaline walked together, holding hands as they headed to Leslie and Calix. The husband and wife crouched before their daughters, wondering what they wanted.
"Yes, my darling princesses," Leslie chuckled, looking from Calliope to Chaline, "Do you two need sothing?"
Arching his brows, Calix gestured at the dessert table, "Want so cupcakes? We haven’t cut Chali’s birthday cake tho."
Calliope burst out laughing, hearty giggles slipping out her mouth. She put both hands on Chaline’s tiny shoulders, saying, "Chali, don’t you have sothing to give to Mama and Papa?"
The toddler Chaline understood what her elder sister was saying. Laughing, her toothy grin was displayed on her adorable face.
"Flowers for Mama and Papa."
Chaline raised her other hand, not the one being held by Calliope earlier. Grasping in her tiny palm were two daisy flowers, their color was vivid yellow, reflecting in Leslie’s and Calix’s eyes.
"These are so pretty. Thank you, Chali."
"Thank you, Chali. Did your Big Sister Poppy help you to pick these flowers?"
The answer to Calix and Leslie’s questions was another toothy grin from Chaline. The little one looked at Calliope before giggles bubbling from her mouth.
"Big Sister Poppy help . Hehe~"
Calliope grinned, looking so proud as if she accomplished the biggest feat ever. Chaline looked at her elder sister again, hugging her tightly.
Calix and Leslie’s hearts lted into a puddle of honey. Letting out chuckles, they pulled Calliope and Chaline into their arms. The two girls giggled before returning their parents’ hug.
The precious, heartwarming scene was clearly captured by Irene’s cara.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the party gradually transitioned into a more relaxed affair.
So of the guests had returned ho. A few lounged on blankets spread out on the grass, watching the lake shimr under the sunlight. The others wandered down the lake for a mont of quiet.
Ryken started a lighthearted ga of charades, pulling Xander, Violet, Davin, Ophelia, Evelyn, Edward and Theresa to join. The children laughed watching the successful, also the failed attempts by them to mi.
Calix and Leslie found a mont to themselves. They sat on the wooden deck, their legs hanging above the water.
The husband and wife smilingly watched Calliope lead Chaline to dance, spinning and twirling in the golden light.
"They both grow up so fast," Leslie said softly, leaning her head against Calix’s shoulder, "Like, in the blink of an eye."
"They are," Calix agreed, his voice imbued with tenderness, "And, we’ll keep watching them grow, sweetheart."
So much had happened in the past years. Leslie and Calix often took a pause, chanting their gratitude for this beautiful, new life they built together.
Calliope’s laughter rang in the air, a sound so pure and joyous, seemingly expressing the spirit of the day. Chaline joined in, her giggles harmonized with her sister’s.
Drawing her eyes away from their beautiful girls, Leslie looked at Calix, taking in the look of the man she held dear in her heart since her previous life.
"I pray that, wherever Charlene goes, she receives an abundance of blessings. If not for her, there won’t be us, there won’t be our children."
Calix curled up his lips, nodding once before pulling Leslie closer. His words were a whisper above her head, "May she receive the happiness she deserves. As for us, we’ll live well to honor her."
Leslie let out a soft hum as the warmth flooded her heart as if to tell her everything in the future would be alright.
Not only to them but, to her.
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In a place of different ti and space...
A young lady, clad in a blouse and a knee-length denim skirt, stepped inside an apartnt. She swept her gaze around the place while pulling a big wheeled suitcase behind, stopping at the entryway.
"This apartnt is old but, looks so well taken care of," murmured the lady, her voice soft, carrying a hint of anticipation.
The lady still rembered what the neighbors said when she was apartnt-searching the other day.
This unit was previously occupied by a pair of a young mother and daughter, killed tragedically in an accident.
The neighbors said the pair was well-loved by the apartnt community. Everyone mourned their sudden deaths, praying for them to remain together in the afterlife.
The lady didn’t know who the mother and daughter were but, she also wished for the sa.
Putting her suitcase in a corner of the living room, the lady headed toward the windows. She unlatched the locks and opened them wide, letting the crisp spring breeze in.
The view of the town, now her new residence was revealed to her eyes.
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