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Hero

2 years ago

My "Three Kings" of Christmas

Hey everyone! 😀

🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄

I am SO excited to share my 2022 Christmas story with y'all this year. 😊 I've been working tirelessly on it since October and it has been a real joy. It - and the characters - are already holding a very special place in my heart. 💗

There are a few "firsts" for me as a writer in this story so I hope that will add to the excitement of it all for you. 😊 Thank you for being here and thank you always for your support in my work. It means so much. 😘

****PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE MOVED THIS STORY OVER TO MY BLOG WITH REVISIONS AND HAVE MADE IT TONS BETTER! 😀****
That's where you'll want to go to enjoy it fully!
Read it all HERE 😉

However, if you still wanna stick around here and read it...

**Since the migration of this thread to the brand new Sims 3 forums (July 2024) all the pictures to the story don't show up. 😢 It will take me some time to remedy that and the goal is to have it done before the end of the year! (If anyone is still reading it on here by then... ) Thank you for your patience - if it's not done - and do enjoy. 💜**

And now, without further adieu, here is, "My 'Three Kings' of Christmas."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Introduction

Ok, so you all know the song. And you’re probably wondering who exactly are these “three kings?”

Well they aren’t the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, of course, nor are they literal kings for that matter. But they may as well have been. Because they were the most handsome, lovely, heaven sent men to come out of the Orient and into my life that Christmas that I had ever laid eyes on! Yes, I said Orient. So shoot me! Because I'll have you know that I too come from the Orient…and I’m not ashamed to say it. Nor find silly offense in hearing someone say it. It’s all good everyone. Life's too short to be getting offended by every little thing.

Anyway, my mom has always encouraged me to keep a journal; to preserve my life story. “For posterity's sake,” she would say. “They will learn much from your life experiences and gain wisdom for their own.” Well…I'm ashamed to admit that I haven’t always been the best at keeping a journal. We live in such a busy, fast paced world. There’s way too much we're “supposed” to do on a daily basis and honestly, journaling has always been at the bottom of that list for me.

However this story…a piece of my story…was too amazing and wonderful not to pen down and share for the generations to come.

Let me start off with a quick introduction about me.

My name is Malai Reataza. I come from a family of three children. I am the youngest, aged 28, and I am half Thai, half Filipino. Bet you’re wondering the story behind that. Well…my father, Sergio Reataza, was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines. During his early adulthood, he accompanied his father on a business trip to Thailand. While at the airport, waiting for their flight home, his eyes caught hold upon “the most beautiful woman to ever grace planet earth,” working at the flight desk. Long story short, he bravely approached the woman and they struck up a conversation - both having learned English in school thankfully - and clicked instantly. He learned that her name was Nin which he also thought was the most beautiful name in the world too.

When the plane arrived, both couldn’t leave without the thought of ever seeing each other again. The bond between them was too strong; clearly driven and directed by a higher power, they would say. So they exchanged addresses and kept in touch through letters for almost a whole year. They even called each other on rare occasions, because that was pretty expensive to do in those days. Eventually my father saved up enough money to fly, with a simple ring in his pocket, to Bangkok to ask Nin, my mother, to marry him. And the rest, as they say, is history. They immigrated to the United States when my mother was pregnant with my oldest sister. My father got a job in the simple town of Maplewood Falls, Maine and it’s where I grew up and where they’ve lived ever since.

Currently I am living in Brooklyn, New York. Living out my childhood dream in the big city. I still can’t believe the dream actually came true. And it was NOT easy getting there, I’ll have you know!

After high school, I was accepted into the University of Maine where I spent four grueling, yet super fun years pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. So yeah, I’m a Graphic Designer! Designing for the critically acclaimed Chic Magnifique interior design Magazine. It’s right up there in popularity with Better Homes and Gardens - of course CM is 1000x better.

Landing this epic and honorable job wouldn’t have been possible without a little help from my best friend, Landon Adams.

Dear Landon…the story between us I could write pages about…but these aren’t the pages for it to be written on.

But suffice it to say, he and I were a couple once. And it really was one of the happiest times in my teenage life. We were friends first, and maybe that’s why the love we had for each other flowed so deep. And part of that love still exists between us to this day.

We dated for a little over 7 months between our sophomore and junior years of High School. It was towards the end of our courtship that Landon revealed to me that he had been developing feelings for men…and that he didn’t want to “lead me on” when he couldn’t give me all of his heart; in that way. I appreciated his honesty and thoughtfulness, but my heart broke that day. And it took a while to get over. We were both afraid we wouldn’t be able to stay friends, but we parted on good terms and our friendship still thrived throughout the rest of our high school years. He dated other guys and, well, so did I.

We kept in touch mostly through Facebook - and you know how casual that is - throughout our college years. But we went a good long while without speaking to each other as we worked to earn our degrees. In a way, we lost touch.

Not long after earning my degree I made a post on Facebook about how I was looking for a new job and it somehow caught Landon’s attention. He reached out to me saying that he was just hired on as an “Assistant to the Editor” for Chic Magnifique magazine and I about died! SO LUCKY! He told me they were looking to hire a new Graphic Designer and that I should totally apply. Then he added, “And I could put in a good word for you.”

“YES PLEASE!” was my immediate response. Of course, I thanked him for letting me know about it.

I don’t know how it happened, it was a legit miracle, but I was soon invited over to Brooklyn for an interview and out of 50-something other applicants, they chose ME! Malai Reataza! To be their newest Graphic Designer. It was the BEST day of my ENTIRE life!

Until Christmas break four years later...

And this is where my story with the “Three Kings” begins…

❄❄❄

Chapter 1

*Two days before Christmas*

Allow me to illustrate exactly how everything happened.

It was a typical weekday morning for me. Get up - after hitting snooze on my phone alarm about five times - shower, get dressed in one of my cute business casual outfits and stylish boots, blow-dry my hair, curl my hair, put on make-up, throw my coat on, grab my purse and keys, and head out the door. The crisp, cold air of winter instantly bit at my nose and ears as I rushed down the front steps to embrace the new day.

First stop, The Coffee Cottage for my morning pick me up. And breakfast. It’s a lovely little walk up shop, shaped and colored like a humble cottage in the woods, nestled tightly between a gas station and a laundromat. Starbucks is much easier to get to, but their coffee is super overrated if you ask me! Mediocre tasting at best. If I’m gonna spend darn near $8 for a 20oz cup of coffee every morning, it’s gotta be good, rich coffee!

Landon agrees with me, which is why I pick up a cup for him as well. And because I like to do that for my buddy anyway. He pays me back the moment I hand it to him. Faithfully. I love him.

It takes some serious skill to hold two cups of hot coffee while briskly walking to work, weaving through crowds of people, and then going through the rolling door into the office building and up the stairs.

Speaking of Landon, he was promoted to Editor in Chief just two months ago after the previous EC left to work for another magazine. So now he’s my boss! It’s kinda crazy, but super cool at the same time. No worries, he doesn’t give me any special treatment over the others for being his BFF. He’s very professional.

I walk down the hall surrounded by cubicles and greet my co-workers with a smile. We’re all friends here and pretty much a family away from our own.

Never did I ever think that Landon and I would be the two people in charge of the famed Chic Magnifique Magazine in our future. Heck I didn’t think we would even have a future together, ever since we broke up, but I can’t even begin to express how wonderful it feels to be best friends again. We’re both where we’re meant to be at this stage in our lives and everything feels right in the world.

As I approached Landon's office, I blissfully thought, I love my life. And there’s not a single thing I’d change about it.

Of course my parents would love if something in particular about my life changed…and soon before I become an “old woman past child bearing age.” Can you practically hear my eye roll?

Getting married.

I mean, sure, it’d be lovely to find the perfect guy someday, get married, and maybe have a few kids, but…is it SO wrong for a girl to focus on her career before doing all of that? You know, have some financial stability in this ever changing world and economy? I guess that’s what always set me apart from my parents and siblings, and why I’m the child my parents worry the most about. My sister Liezel got married at 19 and my brother Direk, at 21!

Sure my parents have always shown support in my decision to go to college and earn a degree, but I could always sense that deep down they just wished I would’ve done things the more traditional way, or in my personal opinion, the outdated way. It’s not their fault though…It was just how they were raised and how society was when they were growing up. And they do mean well by it…

But every single time I go home to visit, mainly at Christmastime, they continually ask me:

“So how’s dating life?”
“Met anyone special yet?”
“Are you becoming too busy to date?”
“You still want to have kids don’t you?”

ARGH!

And what really gets to me is when we’re at church and people say to my parents, “Oh it’s so lovely to see Malai again. Is she engaged yet?” And then of course one of my parents will give the painful response in the most tactful way possible while the other looks over to the side with an inaudible sigh.

I’m sick of it.

I’M the one that’s in charge of my life and how I want to run it. I know what’s best for me and if people don’t like that, then…tough! It’s not like I don’t date. I do…when I have the time. And aren’t we always taught - mainly in the religious aspect - that everything happens “in its own due time” and that we should just trust God/Buddah/Fate/etc in ALL things. Well, that’s what I’m doing! For some of us, marriage and kids aren’t meant to come right away in our life! Why is it not more accepted that that’s OK!?

Alright, breathe. Calm yourself Malai…

Sometimes, I just don’t get it. Life.

So I just go with the flow and see where it takes me; striving to be the best person I can be - in virtue and success - at the same time.

That is why for the past 4 years now, I’ve utterly dreaded going home for Christmas…

The pushing inquiries from my family have gotten worse because here I am, pushing 30, and I’m still single and childless…

But I’m not going to focus on that right now. I’m at work and I need to get Landon’s coffee to him.

“Hey! Good morning!” I greet him after a light knock on his office door.
“Hey Mai,” he usually greets me in return, quickly glancing up in acknowledgement from his computer. Mai is the nickname he gave me back in high school and even when we broke up it still stuck. I don’t mind it.
“Here’s your coffee,” I approached, placing it on his desk.
“Great! Thank you. You’re the best,” he winked, sipping and slipping the payback cash to me between his other two fingers like he always does.
And as always I promptly swiped those folded bills. “You’re welcome.”

“I was just going over your final design templates for January’s magazine,” he informed, sipping again. “They look fantastic, as usual, buuuut…there are a few subtle changes I’d like to suggest in some areas; if you don’t mind?”
“No, of course not. You’re the boss,” I winked at him now.

So we discussed that and finalized everything.

“Guess that’s a wrap!” Landon declared, slapping his hands on his thighs and then getting up from his chair. “I’ll send it off to the printing department this afternoon.”
“Awesome! I’ve got a few more things to wrap up for the year so I’ll be–”
“Hang on a sec,” he kindly interrupted, passing by me to close his office door. Then he turned around with a smirking smile on his face. “As fun as it is ‘bossing’ you around,” he grinned, “I’d like to switch back to being your best friend now.”
I smiled.
“Soooo…you heading home for Christmas this year?” he asked in that tenderly inquiring, all knowing tone.

I slightly rolled my eyes. “Probably…”
“Probably?”
“Ok, most likely.” I shook my head at him with a quick grin. “I’ve been trying to come up with a way to get out of it, but…I dunno,” I lowered my head, picking at my fingernail. “I just feel like it would hurt their feelings if I didn’t come. Especially when I’m unable to visit them any other time of the year…”
He nodded. “I get it. You do have some great folks.”
“I know,” I replied with sincerity, “but not when they’re overtly and inadvertently shoving marriage down my throat every time I visit. Is it so hard to ask how it’s going with my job or–”

“I know…,” he hushed.
I heaved a sigh.
“Well, I had this thought that I wanted to run by–”

He was interrupted by my phone ringing.

“Sorry,” I expressed, reaching into my pocket to answer it. It was my mom. Coincidentally enough.

She was calling to confirm if I was for sure coming home for Christmas - since it was two days away and they hadn’t heard from me yet. Oops. I meant to call them after work today. By this point, I told her yes.

“Good! Now remember that Liezel and Direk are spending Christmas with their in-laws this year,” she informed.
“I…don’t remember that…,” I uttered, shooting a glance at Landon.

Although what I really felt like saying was, “Fantastic,” in a very sarcastic tone through a fake smile. Now all the attention would REALLY be on me; and all my “flaws.”

“But I have a surprise!” my mom exclaimed.

“Oh?” I was honestly afraid to ask.

“I’ve invited the new neighbors to join us for Christmas dinner. They came from Canada and are originally from Japan. It’s so nice to have another Asian family in Maplewood Falls.” We both chuckled. “Mami is just the sweetest lady and we’ve become fast friends. She and Hoshi are a lovely couple; they’re about the same age as me and your father.”
“Great.”
“They told me their three children and granddaughter will be joining us for dinner as well so...I wanted to give you the heads up.”
“Oh…uh…ok.” This was different. But good.
My mom agreed by saying, “I figure, the more the merrier! I can’t wait for them to meet you, and you to meet them.”
“Yeah, me too, mom. Sounds great.”

“Alright, well you let me know when your plane lands ok? You coming tonight?”
Guess so…, I thought. “Yes, and I will mom. But right now I’m at work, so I have to go.”
“Oh yes, yes, sorry honey. Finish work. Say Hi to Landon for me and we’ll see you tonight. I love you!”
“Love you too mom. Bye.”

Landon gave me an incredibly curious, wide-eyed look as I tucked my phone back into my pocket.

“Guess I’m heading home for Christmas…,” I mumbled.

“I heard that.”
“Oh and my mom says Hi.”
He smiled, then pressed, “So?”

I told him about the new neighbors joining us for Christmas dinner.

“Cool! Maybe then with guests around your parents won’t bug you so much about not finding a man and getting married and stuff,” he said.

I nodded slightly. “True…or it just provides them with more people to gossip to about it behind closed doors…” I don’t know why I was feeling so negative.

“I doubt that. They love you, Mai. They wouldn’t offend you like that.”
He was right, and I said as much.
“Just relax,” he kindly assured, placing his hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be great. I can’t wait for you to tell me all about it later.”
I gave him an appreciative smile.

“How about you?” I inquired. “Are you coming home for Christmas too?”
“I dunno,” he looked away with a sigh. “Probably not because there’s still a lot I gotta finalize here at work for the end of the year. Plus…I have a date tonight.”
I gaped. “What!? But I thought things were going so well between you and Chris–”
He shook his head in answer to that before I could even finish.
“Oh Landon…,” I frowned. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he assured with a shrug. “It just wasn’t meant to be. Seems that’s how it’s been with me and my partners for years now…,” he trailed off, staring at the wall for a moment. He returned his gaze to me and concluded with, “Hopefully I’ll find a potential future with Justin tonight.”

“Oh so that’s his name huh?” I winked. “Where did you meet him?”
“Online. We hit it off pretty quickly so we thought we’d meet in person.”
I smiled in happiness for him. “Well,” I started, placing a caring hand on his chest, “I hope you have a very wonderful time with Justin tonight and that he’ll be ‘the one.’ You deserve a good partner Landon, because you’re a good partner. I hope you find all the happiness in the world in that regard.”

I could see a little glistening in his eyes. “Thanks Mai. Love you.”

“Love you too,” I expressed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then headed for the door.

“Merry Christmas,” he wished to me, which made me stop and turn for a moment. “And don’t worry, your Christmas is going to be great. I know it.” He smiled.

I really appreciated it; and his confidence. “Thanks Landon. Merry Christmas to you too. See you later!”

❄❄❄

Since I was for sure heading home for Christmas, I booked the first flight I could get my hands on that evening of the 23rd. I don’t know how I got so lucky because normally it’s almost impossible to find a flight home for Christmas last minute! (I guess nowadays they have special seats reserved if one is willing to pay out the wazoo for one, which...I ended up doing. Because I had to…Sigh…) It was ok though. I just kept reminding myself of Landon’s confident assurances.

My parents were overjoyed to see me, as I always am to see them. Even if they do drive me crazy sometimes.

Honestly, all the marriage nagging aside, I couldn’t have asked for better parents. They've always set a good example to me and my siblings, in word and deed, and I owe much of who I am to them.

It was also great to see my old room again, still unchanged from the last time I lived in it.

I love that they haven’t changed it into a sewing room or a home gym or something. (Because they totally could!) It gives me the warm fuzzies and reminded me of their love for me all the more.

There’s just something about being in your parents home that instantly wraps you up in a cozy, secure blanket, shielding you from all the cares of the world for a time and permitting you rest. It’s a feeling unlike any other, one you never forget, and one you long for over and over again in your adult life. Why I didn't go home more often for that much needed feeling…well…you know. Perhaps someday that would change. Or maybe it was my perspective that needed to change...

But no matter. I quickly threw on my PJs, plopped myself right down onto my bed, and basked in the feeling of "home."

Ahhhh.

Wow. I’m surprised mom and dad didn’t immediately ask me about my love life when I walked through the door…, I thought, my eyes popping open. Or looked down at my hand in hopes of seeing an engagement ring.

Hey DON’T JINX IT!

❄❄❄

🎄

Stay tuned for Chapter 2. TBA. 😊

KevinL5275
New Traveler
2 years ago
Oh wow, you weren't kidding when you said Malai looked gorgeous in her dress. :mrgreen: I like how you posed the shots from behind first, so the reader didn't get to see it. B)

And I'm going to say "hubba hubba" for Tara too. <3

Too funny about them playing footsie under the table. :D It's little details like this that make your stories so awesome.

More doom and gloom from Aizen? I gotta know his story, please hurry up with that part, ok? :tongue:
Ninja-Dan22
New Spectator
2 years ago
I feel like Malai running into things so quickly with Kai might not end well, but maybe I'm just saying that cos I like Aizen more lol :p Even if he is very grumpy!
meerkattime
Seasoned Novice
2 years ago
@emorrill

That is a beautiful dress indeed :star: , and Malai's hairdo looks great too.
I wonder if Aizen feels a tiny bit bad about having been rude to Malai before... He looks like that looking down on the table.
Tara is adorable.
Aww, I love the picture of the romantic kiss :heart: .
Aizen is acting strange. It's none of his business what his brother is doing with his love life.
Kai is right defending Malai to Aizen. Aizen is not acting reasonable at all.
I guess Landon's Christmas has been a lonely one :frowning: . Poor guy.
The picture of Malai on the phone, touching her lip with her finger, when she's telling Landon that she's not coming back yet, is so cute :heart: .
Malai's mom prefers Aizen? Interesting. I don't think she should have told it to her daughter though, since Malai already picked Kai... Is she hoping she'll change her mind?
Looking forward to seeing how their date goes :blush: .
Silverofdreams
Seasoned Adventurer
2 years ago
@emorrill

This was a great update!
the dress Malai got for Christmas is gorgeous, it fit her so well.
Oh, arranged I understand she got upset, but her parents just want her to be happy.
Lovely kiss photo!
Amaya is such a cute little girl
Ryu and Tara look adorable together.

Great job
emorrill
Hero
2 years ago
Oh my goodness! I thought I replied to y'all already. :open_mouth: (I was coming on here to get ready to release Chapter 6 and I'm glad I double checked to see if I made comments first. <3 )

@KevinL5275
Oh wow, you weren't kidding when you said Malai looked gorgeous in her dress. :mrgreen: I like how you posed the shots from behind first, so the reader didn't get to see it. B)

And I'm going to say "hubba hubba" for Tara too. <3

Too funny about them playing footsie under the table. :D It's little details like this that make your stories so awesome.

^Aww, thank you for every one of these compliments, especially the last one. ?
Hee hee, guess Ryu is a lucky guy eh? :smirk: I really should've expected you'd think Tara is hot, I have no clue how that escaped my mind. ? I'll get her to you eventually. Might be after Christmas until I do. :kissing_heart: Thanks for being patient with me. ?
Yep, Aizen's still being a stinker, but I'll get to his story eventually. I think you're really going to enjoy Chapter 6 in that regard. ;)

@Ninja-Dan22
I feel like Malai running into things so quickly with Kai might not end well, but maybe I'm just saying that cos I like Aizen more lol :p Even if he is very grumpy!

^Lol! :lol: Guess we'll see. :smirk:
I love that you like Aizen so much. :blush: <3

@meerkattime Thanks. <3 I found Malai's dress on an old simmers site (via the wayback machine) that had all sorts of Asian clothing, accessories, and items. I snagged them while I could! :mrgreen: :star: If you'd like the dress, let me know. <3
I wonder if Aizen feels a tiny bit bad about having been rude to Malai before... He looks like that looking down on the table.

^He may just have been. ;)
I enjoyed taking the perfect picture of Malai and Kai kissing there. :blush: <3 Such a beautiful, wintery backdrop.
Yeah, Aizen is definitely a "mystery wrapped up inside an enigma." :joy: Sure his brother's love life is not his business, but I know my brother's sure liked to inquire much about the other's love life. :p
Kai is right defending Malai to Aizen. Aizen is not acting reasonable at all.

^I enjoyed writing that part. :mrgreen:
I guess Landon's Christmas has been a lonely one :frowning: . Poor guy.

^It sure seems like it... :(
Malai's mom prefers Aizen? Interesting. I don't think she should have told it to her daughter though, since Malai already picked Kai... Is she hoping she'll change her mind?

^Probably! :lol: She wants close grandbabies! That's probably the real reason. :p Or not... ?‍♀️ :p
Thanks for the sweet comments as always. <3

@Silverofdreams30 Thanks for the compliment on Malai's dress. :blush: I'm so glad I found one that's so pretty. (Cause I almost had to use an EA one. :p )
Oh, arranged I understand she got upset, but her parents just want her to be happy.

^Yeah, they really do. <3 And combining their family together with the Yamamotos is a lovely plus. :blush:
Thank you. :kissing_heart:

? ***Chapter 6 coming later this afternoon!*** :smiley:

Thanks for reading (again) everyone. <3 I love reading your reactions!
emorrill
Hero
2 years ago
Oh wow. Chapter 6 is more loaded in the happenings then I realized... :open_mouth:

But it's all good! ?? :grin:

Y'all ready for a twist? :smirk: Prepare yourselves! :p (Ok, it's not that crazy. ;) :kissing_heart: )

I'll go back to getting the Chapter put together now. :p
emorrill
Hero
2 years ago
Chapter 6

The next morning, I accompanied my mom to Bangor on her post Christmas day shopping; to make returns if need be, hit up sales, buy things with gifted gift cards or money, that kind of thing. Normally my sister always went with her, it was their tradition, but since she wasn’t here this particular year I decided to go in her place. And I was happy to. Sure it was an hour’s drive to and from Bangor and traffic was a bit nuts, but I found it to be a very nice bonding time with my mom. Of course we talked a lot about the Yamamotos. I’d never seen my mom so excited about a friendship like the one she developed with Mami, and I was so happy for her. Kai and I texted on and off throughout all the shopping.

When we got home around 2:30pm, I had to hurry and get myself ready for my date with Kai at 5. I know what you’re thinking, that’s more than enough time to get ready for a date, but you know how it is with a FIRST date! And I know I didn’t have to make too much of a good impression since we already kissed, but I still wanted to look my best.

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I had just finished getting ready (around 4:40) when I got a text from Kai:
Hey. Sorry, I’m going to be a little late picking you up. Emergency call again…
That’s ok, I texted him back. It’s a hard time of year for a lot of people.
Yes it is. Thanks for understanding. ? I’ll pick you up as soon as I’m done with the call. Or, you can meet me here if you want? ;) Either way is fine with me.
I knew I was going to get super antsy waiting at home for him to arrive so I texted back that I would meet him there. I’m sure Amaya will keep me company ;) I added.

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I texted Landon earlier about getting ready for the date and my excitement about an hour prior and…he hadn’t texted me back. Guess he’s busy, I thought with a shrug. Not that I particularly needed his well wishes for the date, but it would’ve been nice to hear. And it’s hard not to worry about people when you’re so used to hearing back from them within 5 to 10 minutes of your text. First world problems, right?

Hoshi answered the door and bowed his head to me like he often did before welcoming me inside. As he retreated to the living room and informed whoever was in there that I had arrived, Amaya came running out into the foyer to greet me. “Malai! You’re here! Yay!”
“Yep.” I smiled.

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“So you’re going on a date with Uncle Kai?” she coyly asked after our hug, hands clasped behind her back and digging her toe into the wood floor.
“Yep,” I answered again, only this time with a blushed smile.
“You gonna kiss?”

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“Amaya…,” Aizen gently intervened, emerging from the living room as well. “What did we talk about when it comes to manners?”

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“Sorry, I–”
“She’s ok,” I assured them both. “Amaya is my little buddy so it’s ok for buddies to ask each other those kinds of questions.” I winked.

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Amaya’s face beamed, while Aizen’s looked unamused. I really wasn’t meaning to undermine or disrespect his parental authority.
“So are you gonna?” Amaya excitedly asked.
“...We’ll see,” is what I chose to say, especially with Aizen present.
“Ok! Oh yeah, I made something today and I wanna show it to you. Be right back!” And she raced up the stairs.

I chuckled as she disappeared then met eyes with Aizen again. His expression was blank; as usual.

“Well hello to you too Aizen,” I teased to ease the tension a little. Maybe a little playfulness would help loosen him up a bit.

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“Hey,” he simply said, leaning his shoulder against the banister.
“You’re giving me that look again...”
“What look?” he asked, perplexed.
“Like…,” I bobbed my head, “I did something wrong or…something is wrong with me in general.” I was actually surprised I said it.

His eyes darted down to the floor, taken off guard of course, and then brushed the bangs away from his eyes. “No, uh…there’s nothing wrong with you, really, I just,” he paused, standing up straight and drawing in a breath, struggling to meet my gaze now. Clearly struggling to speak as well which I found…odd. “I just tend to…space out sometimes.”

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I raised an eyebrow at him, getting the feeling he wanted to say more, but was holding it back for some reason. “Ok,” I simply acknowledged.

He scratched at the back of his head with indecision as Amaya came rushing down the stairs waving a paper. “Here’s what I wanted to show you,” she addressed to me. We sat down in the nearest chair to look at it together.

“I drew a picture of all of us at Christmas dinner together. Here’s you, me, daddy, Uncle Kai, and…”
I gasped in awe, truly amazed by her artwork at such a young age. I recognized everyone’s faces instantly without her having to point them out. “This is amazing Amaya,” I expressed, putting my arm around her. “You’re a natural artist! I was never able to draw this well when I was your age.”

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She giggled in shyness as I gave her a little squeeze.
“I think someday you could become a graphic designer for a magazine, like me.”
“Really!? I’d love that!”

I looked up and noticed Aizen smiling at us, but it faded slightly once he recognized that I was the one staring at him now. It was hard not to stare when the man actually smiled. It made him look so much better.

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“I want you to have it,” Amaya said, handing the paper to me.
I held my hand to my heart. “Oh Amaya, I couldn’t–”
“Please? I made it just for you.”
Gosh she sure knew how to hit me in the soft spot. I smiled and took it gladly. “Well thank you. I’ll hang it up in my office back home. That’s the perfect place for it.”
“Hee hee!”

“Hey,” Kai greeted, coming down the stairs. I stood from the couch at his presence, my heart fluttering. I quickly folded Amaya’s picture and tucked it into my purse. “Sorry again about the wait,” he expressed while approaching me and lightly kissing my cheek. “You look beautiful as always,” he complimented.

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Aizen looked uncomfortable behind us at the gesture. I wasn't sure why…

“Come Amaya,” he beckoned to his daughter towards the living room.
“Ok. Bye Malai and Uncle Kai! Have a nice date!” Amaya sweetly wished.
“Thanks kiddo,” Kai said in return with a smile. “See ya Aizen,” he nodded in departure, opening the door for me. I nodded to Aizen as well.

“See ya…,” I barely heard Aizen utter as we stepped out the door.

❄❄❄

Kai took me to the fanciest restaurant in town: Delicieux Bistro. I was surprised it was still open with how expensive it’s always been, especially after the global pandemic and how it affected the economy. They sure decked it out for the Holidays. It was beautiful.

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Kai and I talked about anything and everything over dinner. We laughed about things that were humorous and things we revealed about each other that we didn’t expect.

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I swear there is nothing horrible or unappealing about Kai. He’s kind, thoughtful, smart, sincere, handsome, a perfect gentleman, the whole package.

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I kept expecting to find at least one thing I’d dislike about him and…there just wasn’t. Why can’t Aizen be more like his brother, I found myself asking a couple of times. Guess I couldn’t help thinking it, because I could sure point out many things I disliked about Aizen as opposed to anything good about him, which I couldn’t identify very well. No thanks to his behavior.

When it came time for dessert we both found out that we prefer ordering plain cheesecake over any other dessert on the menu, no matter how delicious the other options might sound. Cheesecake is da bomb! (Yes, I totally said it like that.)

It was the best time I had on a date in a long time!

As much as we would’ve loved to take a long walk on the beach, preferably barefoot, after dinner, it was winter so…indoors it was. And neither of us minded that. We cuddled on the couch in front of a Christmas movie. (At my house - less people around.)

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The movie was quickly forgotten though as our intimate desires got the better of us, exchanging many many kisses and caressing each other’s bodies a little bit, but not taking it too far. My parents were sleeping in the next room after all.

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Kai was very respectful of me. Another thing that added to his wonderfulness.

At bedtime I checked my phone for any missed calls or texts. Landon finally texted me back saying:

Sorry I didn’t respond right away Mai, something came up. In fact, I’ll be leaving New York for a little bit. It’s nothing serious so don’t worry. I’ll fill you in later. Love you. <3

“Oh good!” I whispered in relief. I was just glad to hear he was ok. And of course that whatever was making him leave the city wasn’t serious. Still…I was pretty darn curious about it. I was very much looking forward to his “filling in” call later. Whenever that would be.

❄❄❄

The next day - despite the high being around 15 degrees (F) - my parents and I and the Yamamotos decided to play a lax version of touch football out at the beach beside my parent’s house. It was a sunny day and we all desired a little fresh air after being indoors for so many days in a row, even if it was freezing outside. Naturally we all bundled up and my dad brought the portable fire pit to keep warm by and to roast marshmallows to make s’mores with! Yum! Amaya was especially excited about that.

I was never the best at touch football, in fact I was getting “clobbered” often by Kai and his dad. I blamed the uneven sand beneath my feet.

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At one point, I had the ball and was about to make one glorious touchdown...

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...when quite unexpectedly Aizen came out of nowhere and snagged the ball from my grasp, but I barely gripped it in time to keep him from taking it completely. A drastic tug of war ensued between us.

“Let go of the ball!” he demanded.
“No, YOU let go!” I glared.
“Cheater!”
“I’M the cheater!? You’re supposed to touch me in order to get the ball, not grab it!”
“That’s not how we’ve always played.”
“Well that’s how MY family has always played!”
“Give it!”
“No!”

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We groaned and grunted for a good two minutes while trying to rip the ball from the other’s death grip. I don’t know why, but all my inner frustrations towards the man came flooding out in my tone and behavior and I could clearly tell his were doing the same. It wasn’t intentional, just unavoidable. The others watched us with wide eyes from the sidelines, unsure of what to do or if they should even try to intervene. I was about ready to just give up the ball and be the bigger person, but in that split second of weakness, Aizen ripped it from my grasp which made me lose my footing and fall flat on my butt. “Ow!” I hissed. Sand is not as soft as it looks.

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Kai and Amaya raced to my side, Kai kneeling before me, both asking if I was alright. As I nodded, Kai looked up at his brother and said, “Geez Aizen, lighten up.”
Amaya then whipped towards her dad and sharply asked, “Why are you always so mean to Malai daddy!?”

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“No Amaya,” I hushed, placing my hand on her arm. “It’s ok. Really.” I wish she hadn’t said it… but I couldn’t blame her for saying it either.

In that moment, Aizen’s arms lowered, as well as his expression, guilt and sorrow projecting in his eyes. I could feel it too.

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Trying to hold back the pri'ckle of intense emotions due to the verbal sucker punch his daughter just gave him, Aizen dropped the ball onto the sand and walked away. It made me feel awful…mostly because I felt guilty too.

As Kai helped me up onto my feet, I watched as Aizen headed towards the water, stopping right at the edge of the beach, and gazed out towards the horizon. He shook his head with that same guilt and sorrow I saw earlier and my heart sank. It was the first time I realized that…he didn’t hate me.

And the truth is...I didn’t hate him.

“I guess now would be a good time to make s’mores,” Hoshi suggested. And that’s exactly what we did.

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While roasting my marshmallow I watched as Mami went over and joined her eldest son at the edge of the beach, calmly chatting with him while affectionately rubbing at his back. I could see some opposition in Aizen’s eyes as he spoke to her in return, but it had to be due to all the inner pain he was always carrying. And Mami seemed to know just how to handle it. I wish I knew what she had said to him.

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Soon Mami came back to join us at the firepit and for the life of me, I could not stop looking over at Aizen. Maybe because I was afraid he’d unhesitatingly walk right into the freezing water and disappear, the very moment I looked away. I just couldn’t…

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I quickly made up a s’more, rose to my feet, and told Kai I would be right back.

Carefully, I approached Aizen, the sound of the sand below my feet giving away my presence. He took one side glance at me, then looked right back out at the water again.

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I inched closer, holding out the s’more - half wrapped in a napkin - to him. “I thought you might like one of these,” I said. It might've been a little peace offering.

Aizen gave me a side glance again, a hint of a smile forming, as he took it from me. “Thanks,” he said.

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Pressing my lips together, but still smiling, I nodded, and turned on my heel to join the others out of respect for his wanting to be alone.

“Wait…”

I immediately turned.

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“I’m…I’m sorry,” he expressed with a look of sincerity I’d never seen on his face before. “Not just for stealing the ball, but…for everything. It was never anything about you…it’s all me.”

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And what about you exactly? I wanted so desperately to ask, but with an appreciative smile I said, “Thank you. I really appreciate that.” I stepped closer.
He nodded. “Despite how it may seem, I’m not a complete je’rk.”
“Complete?” I playfully asked.
There was his rare smile! “As in I don’t intend to be a je’rk, I just…don’t realize, or even recognize, I’m being one sometimes. It's complicated.”
I lightly shrugged. He's had a rough past. I get it. “It’s ok. It happens to all of us.”
He seemed to appreciate that response and dug at the sand with the tip of his shoe, debating within himself it seemed. I waited patiently for him to speak again.

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“I just get really cautious when a new woman comes into Amaya’s life,” he timidly admitted. “Normally they aren’t very nice to her, or are fake towards her, when she expects so much from them…” He lowered his head sorrowfully. “But I know you’re not that way with her.” Then he looked back up at me. “You’re sincere with her. And for that…I thank you. Deeply.”

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Wow.

This was more than I was expecting from him and it made my heart swell with joy. “You’re welcome,” I said through a beaming expression.

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“She’s a sweet girl Aizen; and a really good kid! I’m sorry the other women in your life couldn’t see that…You’ve raised her well in this hard world.”
He huffed slightly in objection. “I have my parents to thank for most of that.” He lowered his head again. “It’s just been really hard since…”
Since your wife died. “Aizen, you don’t have to explain,” I kindly interrupted. “I understand.”
He raised his head with a somewhat questionable expression on his face, like how I would even know the situation, but he shrugged it off.
“What matters is now,” I continued, inching a little closer. “And what you’re doing to make a good life for you and Amaya. It seems like you’re doing pretty well in that department.”
He smiled at me with gratitude. I could get used to seeing more smiles on his face.

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“So,” I changed the subject, gazing out at the ocean with him, “You gonna build the perfect house for you and Amaya someday?”
“Maybe,” he sighed. “When she’s older and can be home by herself. My job can be pretty demanding at times so…she still needs someone to be at home with her until then.”

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I nodded. How hard it must’ve been hitting his pride all these years to have to rely on his aging parents to raise his daughter for him. And it’s not like he wasn’t trying to find another companion apparently; those were totally the women he was alluding to earlier. It broke my heart.

“Hey,” Kai addressed from behind us. We turned. “Everything ok?” He was mainly asking me.
Shooting a quick glance at Aizen, I smiled and replied. “Yep. Everything is fine. We're just enjoying the view.”
Aizen nodded to Kai in agreement.
“Great!” Kai happily exclaimed, taking the two of us into a hug. “Gosh I’m so glad you two worked things out.” We all were.

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From that time forward, things were good between me and Aizen.

❄❄❄

That afternoon, about an hour before dinner, the doorbell rang.

Naturally I hurried to answer it, thinking it to be Kai. When I swung the door open and saw who it was though, my jaw dropped in a stunned surprise.

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“Landon!? W-What are you doing here? I thought you were out of town?”
“I am,” he answered solemnly. “Here. I had to see you…”
My heart started pounding. There was something very different about his demeanor and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I prayed nothing was terribly wrong.

“Can we talk?” he asked. “Over at our special place?”

A smile worked its way across my lips. I’d almost forgotten about that place. “Sure.”

❄❄❄

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When Landon and I dated back in the day, we got tired of constantly getting interrupted by our friends and parents during our alone time so we set out to find our own place to talk, cuddle, and make-out where no one would ever find us. It was a flat little area in the cove, situated inside the marsh grasses, that somehow never got wet. It provided just enough cover - well, if you were on the ground together. Oh the memories…

Later Landon made a bench in shop class to put there, after we broke up actually. I figured he was taking his male companions out there for the same solitude, which kind of bothered me at the time, but I’m over it now.

“It’s still here,” Landon marveled, as we approached the said bench. “Doesn’t look a day old.” We both brushed the snow off of it before sitting ourselves down.

There was only a moment of the strange and mysterious silence until I couldn’t hold it back any longer. “Landon, what’s wrong? What’s so important that you had to fly all the way out here to see me?”
He rested his arm on the back of the bench behind me and swallowed.
“Are the Magazine Execs pis’sed at me for taking so much time off? Because if they are–”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” he hushed. “I just…I just really needed to see you.”
Ok? “Landon…you always see me. You couldn’t wait a few more days? Save the cost of a roundtrip ticket? I mean we could’ve FaceTimed–”
“No,” he whispered. “No we couldn’t…Not with this.”

My heart pounded again, especially with the way he was looking at me. He hadn’t given me that look since the last time we were here together and I suddenly felt short of breath. “What is it?” I nervously asked.

Landon shifted his weight and rested his hands on his lap before answering. “I don’t mean to alarm you Mai, like I said it’s nothing too serious, it’s just…I’m feeling really conflicted and lost right now,” his voice choked, “and I need to talk to my best friend about it. In person.”
I finally found my breath and nodded, placing my hand on his lap as well. “Tell me.”
He lowered his head, clearly trying to hold back much emotion. “Remember that date I told you about, before you flew out?”

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“Yeah. The one with…Justin? Right?”
“Yeah. We had a decent first date so we decided to spend Christmas day together. Well,” he swallowed again, "that day didn't end very well at all. Turns out he was only hitting me up because of how rich I am…” Then he sighed. "I kind of got that vibe on our first date I just...didn't want to believe it. But it was way more apparent on the second date so..."

My face fell. All the while thinking, Gosh, not again. “Oh Landon,” I sympathized while caressing his leg, “I’m really sorry…” I shook my head. “I don’t understand what it is with these guys…”
“Me neither…”
“Because you are such a great catch! And I don’t say that lightly or because you’re my best friend. You're a wonderful guy, Landon.”
“I guess…”

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His disbelieving response made me feel all the more sad. “You are,” I assured, “it’s their loss. Besides, you don’t want to invest too much time into a relationship where the other person doesn’t truly appreciate you anyway. The right one is always still out there.”
He nodded, his head still lowered. “I know. And you’re right. It just," he somewhat hesitated, "seems like every relationship I’ve had since you Mai has gone terribly wrong. Never sticking.” Then he looked me in the eye. “And I can’t help wondering...if there’s a reason for that…”

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Now I gulped, because the feeling in the air changed right back to where it was originally and my heart started pounding again. I had this deep, pit in my stomach feeling that maybe--

“When you told me you kissed Kai and decided that you wanted to stick around here to see where it might go,” he began with a tremble in his voice and in his hands, “it - it produced all these feelings within me that I haven’t felt in years. Feelings that I thought were long lost. And it terrifies me.” His tearful gaze was so piercing that it tugged at my every emotion, and my tears. “It terrifies me because I suddenly started to question everything about myself,” he continued, his voice choking, "and my sexual preferences. I began to wonder if I’d just been kidding myself pursuing men all these years, when none of those relationships have worked out and maybe that’s because…” His eyes bored into me again, with such deep affection, “there’s still feelings there for you Mai. And I think...I think I’m still in love with you.”

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My heart screeched to halt.

“You’re the one person in my life who’s always been there for me. Never let me down. Always accepted me for exactly who I am and loves me, for who I am. Well, aside from my mom. No one else, Mai. It feels like it was such a mistake letting you go.”

Still in shock, I closed my eyes, making the tears escape. Hating this moment, but…at the same time...

“Landon,” I whispered, opening my wet eyes. “I really wish I could’ve heard this from you years ago. So why do you have to say it to me now?” I sniffed. “Of all times?”

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“Mai,” he stopped to take my hand, “I - I just couldn’t let you go into the arms of the man who could very well be your future without telling you how I feel.”
I understood, but couldn't help saying, “Well it’s too late!”
“No…,” he softly corrected, lifting my chin and leaning in, coaxing me with his breath.
“Yes it is…,” I whispered, just before his lips touched mine. I tried not to kiss him back, I really did. But…

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You know how in the movies when something super wonderful happens and then it gets terribly interrupted by something else that rings in that ever familiar record scratch sound? Well, I swear I heard that sound in the middle of mine and Landon's kiss and…I think he heard it too…

Because that kiss didn’t feel good - or right - at all. And suddenly things felt horribly, horribly awkward between us, like some massive realization set in. I can’t even adequately describe it. It was just, sad to say, bad.

Landon lowered his head while a slight grimace took hold of my mouth. “Wow,” he said, then cleared his throat. “Well that wasn’t as earth shattering as I was expecting it to be…” The color had practically drained from his face.
“Yeeeeah,” I kinda hated to admit for his sake, but…
“Guess we really are just friends aren't we? Who love each other like friends...,” he ended with a head shake. “Gosh I feel like such an idiot!” he belted through a depressed sigh, burying his face into the palms of his hands.

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“No,” I consoled, putting my arm around him and pressing my cheek against the top of his head. “You’re not Landon. You’re just heartbroken…and that causes all of us to feel lost and confused. Not knowing what to believe anymore. It’s normal and nothing to be ashamed of. I’m just sorry I can't make it all better for you.”
“It’s ok Mai…”
I still felt bad though.

“I think," he spoke after a couple of minutes of silence while composing himself, "I need to do some soul searching for a while. Put dating on hold and take some time to just focus on myself."

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“Yeah,” I agreed, caressing his back. “I think that’s a great idea. Definitely take some time for yourself and figure things out. I know you will. You'll get through this. And no matter what, I’ll still always be here for you Landon,” I sniffed, getting emotional again. “And I’ll always support you in everything you do.”
“I’ve never felt anything less from you,” he said with a sniff also.
I smiled.
“Thank you Mai. I needed this. And I really do love you...friend,” he chuckled a little.
I did as well. “I love you too buddy. Best friends forever.”

I walked with Landon to his childhood home and it was nice to see his mother again. She asked if I'd join them for dinner and I accepted. I called my mom to let her know where I was at, and then I texted Kai informing him that I was hanging out with a friend (cause he asked me in a text where I had “mysteriously disappeared" to. It was cute.) The three of us had a wonderful time catching up over dinner and then I bid them both goodbye around 8pm. Landon was flying back to New York in the morning. The job required it.

Was I going to tell Kai about Landon kissing me? No. It wasn’t necessary; literally nothing. I was just helping out a dear friend through an emotional crisis and for Landon’s privacy, I wasn’t going to bring it up. Unless the situation called for it. And if that situation ever came, I knew Kai would be understanding about it. Because he’s a therapist, and he’s wonderful.

❄❄❄

<3

Hope y'all enjoyed. :)
meerkattime
Seasoned Novice
2 years ago
@emorrill

Malai looks so great that I'm quite sure she wouldn't have needed even 5 minutes to be ready for a date ;) . But I like the mirror.
Hmm, I'm worried about Landon too. He didn't sound happy the previous day :/ .
Gorgeous Aizen <3 . And he's being almost friendly this time. I see even Malai sees his charm now :p .
But there is Kai. The bistro looks great! I hope their food is nice too and there is more than one spoonful per plate like in those expensive restaurants sometimes :wink: . The pictures of them sitting at the corner table are so pretty! I love the wintry view from the place.
I wish those "kind, thoughtful, smart, sincere, handsome, perfect gentlemen" were more common than they are :neutral: .
I do wonder why Malai keeps comparing Kai so much with Aizen though... She's having a perfect date, and she's thinking about the date's brother :tongue: .
Malai's winter outfit is very cute.
Haha, well, it's better make sure you play by the same rules before you start playing. Oh dear, that game didn't end well... :confounded:
Ok, this looks much better. Aizen apologized! I didn't know "sorry" was a part of his vocabulary ;) .
Well, he cares and worries about his daughter. Understandable. As a daughter of a single dad I think I know quite well these ladies in a father's life who basically wish the man in their life didn't have kids at all and are therefore not genuinely nice to those kids either...
I'm glad they had a good talk about it <3 , and that they are fine with each other now.
Landon?! What on earth is he doing there?? Does he regret them breaking up? And right now when Malai just met Kai? :o
Poor Landon, for having a broken heart again. I feel sad for him. :heartbreak:
I think I was right... What are you going to tell her, Landon??
***reading on***
Yeah :| .
Well, well... Another beautiful kiss in the wintry outdoors... But I guess Mai was right, and it's too late :/ .
Well, that was awkward and I feel even worse for Landon now :cry: .
Fortunately the evening still went fine and Landon and Malai are still friends <3 .
Ninja-Dan22
New Spectator
2 years ago
Oooo honestly Kai having no flaws at all is a bit of a red flag, like he's hiding something :# Landon's sexuality crisis is so real, it's hard to distinguish platonic and romantic feelings sometimes. And of course I'm curious to see where things go with Aizen ;) If he doesn't end up with Malai, maybe he can have Landon LOL
KevinL5275
New Traveler
2 years ago
Hrrmmmm.... The Aizen plot thickens. Glad to see he opened up a bit more. I don't want to see him with Landon though. He doesn't seem that type.

Yes, Kai seems too good to be true. Would @emorrill do that to us? :neutral:

Poor Landon. I know someone who is similar to him.

Good for Amaya for standing up to her dad.

No offense, but I would not have chosen those purple pants for a date. :tongue: But va-va-voom! on that top. :mrgreen: