Day With Family

discord.gg/q5KWmtQARF

Join my Discord!

**************

Awakening from the dream, Orion felt as though he'd been touched by a piece of heaven. Opening his eyes, he found himself looking into Luna's, who seemed to have awoken just a second before him.

"Good morning, you," Luna whispered, her voice tinged with a dreamy quality. "Sleep well?"

Orion smiled. "Yeah, actually. Had a pretty incredible dream."

Aurora stirred at that moment, lifting her head slightly. "Mmm, a good dream, you say? Do share."

He considered it, then shook his head lightly. "Some dreams are too sacred to put into words. Let's just say, our future looks promising."

Aurora leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek. "That's all I need to hear."

Elara and Selene woke up, almost in unison, as if their internal clocks were perfectly synced.

"Ah, look at our early birds," Elara said with a smile. "Something tells me it's going to be a beautiful day."

Selene stretched her arms, brushing away the remnants of sleep. "Any day that starts with all of us together like this is beautiful."

Orion tightened his arms around his family, recalling his dream and feeling that same sense of invincibility wash over him.

As Selene put it, love didn't divide in their family; it multiplied. And with that multiplicity of love, Orion knew they could face anything.

"Who's up for breakfast?" Selene finally asked, breaking the morning reverie.

Luna and Aurora chuckled, "Leave it to Mom to think about food first."

Elara stood up and stretched. "Well, love may feed the soul, but pancakes feed the body. Let's get this day started, shall we?"

Although it was Friday, thanks to the success of Orion's class play, the school had decided to declare the day a holiday for the students. Elara took the opportunity to take the day off as well. The plan? To spend the whole day together as a family, beginning with a lavish, love-filled breakfast.

The kitchen was a flurry of activity as everyone donned their aprons. Luna and Aurora took charge of the pancake batter, mixing in a bit of cinnamon and vanilla extract. Elara was at the stove, flipping pancakes with the skill of a seasoned chef.

Orion eyed the jar of Nutella, then winked at Selene. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Selene chuckled. "Nutella-stuffed pancakes? You read my mind."

Meanwhile, Aurora mumbled to Luna, "You think we should add some chocolate chips?"

Luna looked at her with a knowing smile. "As if that's even a question."

Orion caught their banter and grinned. "You know what would really elevate this? Whipped cream and fresh berries."

"I've got the berries," Elara chimed in, grabbing a bowl of freshly-washed blueberries and strawberries from the fridge.

Orion began slathering Nutella onto a freshly cooked pancake, and then folded it carefully, sealing the chocolatey goodness inside. Selene couldn't resist stealing a quick kiss, their lips meeting like two magnets unable to resist their attraction. "For good luck," she whispered.

"For good pancakes, you mean," he quipped, planting a kiss on her cheek in return, doubling the affection as was his nature.

As Elara piled the fluffy pancakes onto a plate, she looked around at her family—each person so different yet so irrevocably connected by bonds of love that only seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. "Okay, so who wants the first pancake?"

"Mom, you should have it," Aurora offered. "You've been flipping them for us."

Elara shook her head. "No, no. The chef never eats first. Orion, you pick."

He considered for a moment, then smiled widely, his eyes meeting each of theirs. "How about we do it like this—Mom cuts the first pancake into pieces, and we all share it. It's only fair."

Elara beamed at his suggestion, taking the knife and doing just that. Each took a piece and savored it as if it were a sacred morsel, a literal and metaphorical sharing of their love for each other.

After breakfast, the mood in the room was ebullient, filled with the sort of happiness that makes even mundane things feel magical. Orion caught his family's eyes, one by one. Their gazes were full of anticipation.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Luna reiterated her earlier question, her eyes twinkling.

Orion grinned, feeling a sense of excitement bubble within him. "Alright, listen up. I've planned a day that involves a little something for everyone, but also gives me time with each of you. Ready?"

Elara, Selene, Luna, and Aurora nodded, their faces lighting up like the morning sun.

"First up," he began, "a matinee movie at the retro cinema downtown. They're showing some classic rom-coms today."

Luna laughed. "You can never go wrong with rom-coms. I'm in."

"Good," Orion continued. "Because right after that, Luna, you and I are hitting that new art gallery that opened last month. I remember you saying you wanted to go."

Luna's eyes widened in delight. "Oh my god, yes! I've been dying to see the Impressionist collection!"

Orion turned to Aurora. "Don't worry, you're next. Remember that hiking trail you've been talking about? The one with the waterfall? How about we tackle that in the afternoon?"

Aurora's eyes glinted with excitement. "You actually remembered! I can't wait."

Elara interjected, "Well, you both better wear good shoes. Safety first!"

Orion laughed and then glanced at Selene and Elara. "And for my beautiful moms, how about a spa day? Just the three of us. Massages, mud baths, and all that jazz. What do you say?"

Elara and Selene exchanged a pleased look. "Sounds heavenly," Elara declared.

Selene agreed, "Absolutely. Count me in."

As the family piled into the car, Orion felt a sense of contentment wash over him. Today was all about them—about creating memories they would look back on fondly for years to come. Selene took the wheel, and Elara played the role of the cheerful DJ, selecting songs that had everyone humming along.

They arrived at the retro cinema, a charming, old-fashioned establishment with velvet seats and art deco accents. Luna couldn't help but snap a few pictures with her phone, captivated by the vintage charm.

After grabbing popcorn, sodas, and an assortment of candy that would make a dentist wince, they settled into their seats. Orion sat between Luna and Aurora, his arms casually draped over both their shoulders. Selene and Elara took the seats next to them, holding hands and exchanging sweet smiles.

As the lights dimmed and the screen flickered to life, Orion felt the day's first real thrill. There was something about watching a movie in a theater, especially with the people he loved, that made him feel fully alive.

"This is perfect," he thought. "Just perfect."

The rom-com unfolded on screen, mixing laughter with tender moments, eliciting chuckles and sighs from the audience. Selene would lean over now and then to whisper a quick joke to Elara, and the two would burst into quiet laughter, their shared joy infectious.

During an especially romantic scene, Orion glanced over at Luna. She was absorbed in the movie, her eyes slightly misty. He squeezed her shoulder affectionately, and she looked up, smiling as if to say, "I know, right?"

He then turned to Aurora, who was munching on popcorn with an intensity that made him chuckle. She caught his eye and grinned, her expression softening as she seemed to realize the same thing he did: they were in a snapshot moment, one of those rare instances where everything feels just right.

As the characters on screen navigated the ups and downs of love, Orion couldn't help but feel grateful for the love that surrounded him in that dark room. Love that wasn't scripted but just as magical, if not more so.

During the film's climax, he felt Luna's and Aurora's hands reach for his. They didn't say anything, but they didn't need to. Their intertwined fingers spoke volumes, affirming the unique but equally strong bonds he had with each of them.

When the credits started rolling and people began to leave, Orion felt a sense of fulfillment he hadn't felt in a long time. He looked at his family—his moms who were still holding hands, Luna who was wiping away a tear from the movie's emotional resolution, and Aurora who looked like she had just lived a mini-adventure.

He leaned in close to his sisters. "You guys up for sharing that first piece of pancake at the gallery and the hiking trail later?"

Both chuckled. "You're incorrigible," Luna said, her voice tinged with affection.

"But we wouldn't have you any other way," Aurora added, giving him a quick, loving hug.

-

The vintage cinema had been wonderful, and the classic rom-com they watched had put Luna in an upbeat, even dreamy mood. The smell of buttered popcorn still lingered on their fingers as they left the dim lighting of the cinema and stepped into the bright sunshine outside. Orion took a moment to appreciate how Luna's eyes sparkled in the daylight, reflecting a mix of joy and anticipation.

As they walked down the cobblestone streets, Luna couldn't help but glance at Orion. "You really nailed it with the movie selection. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard."

Orion chuckled, pleased by her reaction. "Well, it's not every day we get to enjoy a good rom-com, right? But speaking of enjoyment, are you ready for the art gallery?"

Luna's face lit up. "Are you kidding? I've been waiting for this. Let's go!"

They reached the gallery—a modern glass structure juxtaposed against the old buildings around it. Orion held the door open for Luna, his eyes meeting hers as she walked through. "After you, milady."

She smiled, her cheeks tinting a soft shade of rose. "Why, thank you, kind sir."

The gallery was thoughtfully designed, each room flowing seamlessly into the next, guiding visitors through a timeline of art history. But they were here for the Impressionists. Orion had remembered.

As they entered the Impressionist section, Luna's eyes immediately caught a Monet painting. She stood there, mesmerized, her thoughts swirling in hues of blues and greens.

Orion watched her for a moment, taking in her rapture. "It's amazing, isn't it?"

"It's magical," she whispered, her eyes still glued to the canvas. "Each brushstroke seems so arbitrary up close, yet when you step back, it all comes together into something spectacular."

"Much like life," Orion mused, smiling at her. "A collection of random moments that somehow come together to make something beautiful."

Luna turned to him, her eyes twinkling. "You know, that's one of the things I adore about you, Orion. You see the beauty in randomness, the meaning in chaos."

Orion leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a near-whisper. "And you, Luna, are a masterpiece I could admire forever."

The electricity between them was palpable. Luna felt her heartbeat quicken as Orion's eyes locked onto hers. She was about to speak when he softly placed his fingers on her lips. "Shh... let's not dilute this moment with words."

Gently, he replaced his fingers with his lips, and they shared a kiss that was as tender as it was profound. It was as though all the art around them faded into insignificance, their own moment eclipsing the curated beauty on the walls.

Breaking the kiss, Luna looked into his eyes. "This...this is perfect."

Orion nodded, his gaze unwavering. "A perfect moment in a perfect day. But remember, this is just one brushstroke in the canvas of our life."

"As long as you're in the picture, it's bound to be a masterpiece," Luna whispered.

Orion took her hand, squeezing it softly, his philosophy of doubling back resounding in his heart. With Luna by his side, he felt the desire to make every moment twice as beautiful, twice as meaningful.

"Shall we explore the rest?" he finally suggested, unwilling to break the spell but knowing the day was still young and full of promise.

"Lead the way," Luna replied, her heart soaring, knowing that no matter how much art they saw today, the most beautiful creation would always be the love they shared.

And so, hand in hand, they moved to the next painting, and the next, each piece of art merely a backdrop to the living, breathing love story that was theirs.

-----

You can read up to 20 advanced draft chapters and the Next Checkpoint for extra chapters is missing 19 Dollars! You can now support me and have a weekly extra chapter!

patreon.com/thefanficgodM