HOLDEN FAM 2.0 | ADVENTURE AWAITS

HOLDEN FAM 2.0 | UPDATE 09
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FRIDAY
After a sleepless night, Wade got out of bed feeling like his battery was on low. He had been up all night, tossing and turning, over a stressful situation at work. He has never been one to surrender to stress, so he put on some workout clothes and went for quick jog around the block. While jogging, he focused on his senses; gazing at the dry desert landscape, listening to children laughing and playing, and feeling the warm sun rays on his skin. Normally, grounding himself using this technique always worked, but this time— it didn't. He felt his body tense up and his mind got cloudier and cloudier. He felt like something just wasn't right. "I'll deal with this another day" he thought as he finished his jog. Today was Spooky Day and Darla had planned their entire day together to celebrate. It was time to put his issues aside so he could enjoy the rest of the day.
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First on Darla's agenda after breakfast and decorating the house with spooky decorations was costume shopping at Borgin's Boo-Tique! Neither of them had any clue what they wanted to dress up as this year for Spooky Day, but Darla thought it would be cute if their costumes had a couple theme.
Darla: "Hmm, what about a witch and wizard?"
Wade: "Nah, I don't wanna carry around wands. What about a cop and criminal?"
Darla: "Haha no! That's not a couple, that's enemies!"
Wade: "Alright, well I want to be something cool...don't think for one minute I'm getting in salt and pepper shaker costumes.."
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They browsed around the store for a few minutes until Darla found two costumes she thought paired well together. She immediately bought the costumes before telling Wade so he would feel obligated to wear them. "Got 'em!" she yelled. They tried on their costumes and wore them out of the store. They were dressed up as a knight-like prince and princess! Outside of the boutique were pumpkin carving stations, so they each bought a pumpkin to carve and take home. Darla carved a traditional looking pumpkin, and Wade showed off his carving skills and made a pumpkin that looked like it was throwing up.
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The couple went home to feed Captain and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters before their dinner reservations. Wade was on door duty, and one of the children was in awe when he opened the door. He looked like a real prince! The child yelled "Trick or Treat!" and Wade gave him a Fizzy Whizzbee, which was one of his favorite candies growing up. "Thank you!" the child cheered before prancing off to the next house.
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Later that evening, they went to the Spotted Pumpkin for dinner. The restaurant had a Spooky Day tradition to give their diners a family-friendly, yet spooky experience with all staff in costume and a spooky-themed menu.
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They each got a Granny Smash to start. Wade held up his glass for a quick toast!
Wade: "Happy Spooky Day babe!"
Darla: "Yes, Happy Spooky Day!"
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Wade caught a glimpse of something moving. He looked up at the portrait hanging above their table.
Wade: "Uhh, babe..did you just see that?! The picture just changed! Just a minute ago those bodies had heads!"
Darla: "I don't know what you're talking about, dear. It's just a picture, nothing changed! Are you okay?"
Wade: "I'm not going crazy, Darla. The picture changed!"
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Darla: "Gotcha! It's what this restaurant is famous for— their portrait illusions!"
Wade felt relieved and they both laughed.
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Darla: "So what do you say we do our rose and thorn of the week?"
Wade: "Haha alright. Do you want to start?"
Darla: "Sure! Okay so my rose was my spa day with the girls a few days back. It was so nice to see them and catch up, plus I love a good massage!
Wade: "That's no surprise! Haha you've never passed up a massage. What about your thorn?"
Darla: "And my thorn, well, my thorn has been really bothering me lately. I took a pregnancy test a couple days ago, and don't worry I'm not pregnant, but that was kind of the problem..."
Wade: "Pardon? I don't understand. What's the problem? I didn't think we were trying to get pregnant. I thought we both agreed we weren't ready for children anytime soon. Am I wrong?"
Darla: "I think you aren't ready, and so it doesn't really matter what I want."
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Wade took in a deep breath and gave Darla a disappointed look.
Wade: "Look, I'm really sorry to hear you feel this way, but this isn't the time nor the place to have this discussion. I think we should get the check and go home."
Darla: "I didn't mean to cause an argument, Wade—"
Wade: "That's fine if it wasn't your intention, but I feel kind of ambushed, so let's just go home. We can talk about it another time."
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As they got up from their table, the greeter told them to go outside to get a complimentary Spooky Day portrait taken by the restaurant photographer. Honestly, the entire exchange was kind of awkward since they clearly cut their dinner short due to a disagreement.
Photographer: "Alright, get close together you two! On the count of three— 1,2,3!"
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The Holdens went home in silence and immediately went to bed. When things are good, they're great! But when things get ugly....they're pretty ugly. Sorry to cut this part short, but we will see how the Holdens deal with this issue going forward in the next part.

Thank y'all for reading! :)

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