Chapter 873: "To Family!"
The Pedrarruna manor backyard was already a stunning place with the Pedrarruna Forest extending until the horizon and the small, calm lake. But on that Sunday afternoon, after Aurora and Shizuka’s decoration work, the place genuinely looked freshly out of a fairy tale.. Aurora, bless her slightly magical mind, had gone full-on inspired fairytale. Fairy lights twinkled amongst the blossoming cherry trees, a rainbow of streamers danced in the gentle breeze, and paper light gently floated above the calm lake, giving the scene a touch of warmth. But the real killer was the various blooming trees from the Pedrarruna Forest.
And so, the stage was set for Theo and Aurora’s first Bloom Week family lunch. The siblings Theo and Aurora, along with their new family members Ayia and Shizuka, had transformed the Pedrarruna manor backyard into a fairy-tale-like setting, with a magical touch that would make even the most stoic of guests smile.
As the sun shone brightly on that Sunday afternoon, their friends began to arrive, and what a feast awaited them! Theo and Ayia had been hard at work in the kitchen, preparing a spread of traditional dishes that filled the air with mouth-watering aromas. The manor’s backyard, already a stunning natural wonder, had been enhanced by Aurora and Shizuka’s decorative touches.
"Happy Blooms!" Everyone wished to each other as they arrived.
"Theo! Aurora! You’ve outdone yourselves!" exclaimed Sayuri, stepping onto the patio, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Welcome, Sayuri, Sam! Come in, come in! Everything’s ready," Aurora called, beaming.
It was her first time receiving guests for Bloom Lunch, so she decided to receive each guest as they arrived.
"My goodness, what is that incredible smell?" asked Sam, entering behind Sayuri, sniffing the air appreciatively.
"That would be my famous lamb kleftiko," Theo announced proudly, gesturing towards a large roasting dish. "And Ayia’s baklava is almost ready to come out of the oven."
"Oh, I’ve heard legends of your baklava, Theo!" chuckled Max, joining them, clutching a bottle of wine. "I brought a little something to contribute to the feast."
"Perfect timing, Max!" Shizuka chirped, stepping forward with a radiant smile. "We’re just about to get the table set."
"Aurora! You’ve transformed the garden!" gasped Lauren, her voice filled with awe as she took in the beautiful decorations.
Aurora blushed slightly. "It was a team effort with Shizuka. We wanted to make it extra special for everyone."
"Well, it’s absolutely magical!" agreed Kumiko, as she settled onto a comfortable chair, already eyeing the abundant food. "This is going to be a fantastic afternoon."
"Indeed it will!" Ayia replied, leading everyone towards the beautifully laden table. "Help yourselves, everyone! There’s plenty to go around!"
The guests were in awe as they took in the sight before them. The fairy lights twinkled merrily amongst the cherry blossoms, adding a whimsical touch to the already enchanting setting. Rainbow streamers danced playfully in the gentle breeze, bringing a touch of color and movement to the scene. But it was the paper lanterns floating above the calm lake that truly captured the essence of the celebration, providing a warm and inviting ambiance.
Some time later, all the guests had finally arrived.
Theo and Aurora’s eyes shimmered with emotion as they observed the scene in front of them, a shimmering reflection of the warm lights dancing on the faces of the crowd gathered around the long table. It was a sea of warmth, a breathtaking contrast to the lonely years past. A wave of bittersweet nostalgia washed over them; they remembered the meager meals, the clinking of mismatched forks, the empty chairs that mocked their small family unit, but there was never silence as Theo would always try to entertain his little sister. The memory of their parents’ absence was a phantom limb, a constant ache that had shadowed their teenage and childhood years. The crushing weight of responsibility, the fear that gnawed at their hearts every single day, all came flooding back. They had been so alone, adrift in a sea of grief, forced to navigate the treacherous currents of life with nothing but each other to cling to. But now, surrounded by love and laughter, a profound sense of gratitude swelled within them. Those sparse, heartbreaking Bloom Feasts, those times of quiet desperation, had forged a bond stronger than any hardship, a love deeper than any sorrow. It was a love that had bloomed not in sunshine, but in the face of relentless storms. And in that moment, amidst the joyful chaos of the feast, they knew they wouldn’t trade a single memory of their shared struggle, for their suffering had birthed an unshakeable family, a testament to the enduring power of love and resilience.
"I’d like to speak a few words before we start," Theo said as he picked up his glass of wine.
Everyone looked at him and picked up their glasses as well, as they noticed that Theo wanted to give a toast.
"For a long time, it has been only been me and Aurora." Theo started, "But the last year, it seems like the gods and the universe have shown kindness upon us. I was able to build a business from which I can raise Aurora without problems. I can finally give her the princess life I always wanted to give her." Theo said with a warm smile.
Everyone smiled as they heard that. They could see how much Theo doted on his little sister.
"This is the first time in years that the two of us can commemorate the Bloom Week with other people. I hope each one of you here today is aware that Aurora and I appreciate you. Meeting you all during this past year has been a blessing for our lives. We finally have a big family after being only the two of us for so long." Theo said those words with a brilliant smile; these words were from the bottom of his heart.
*sniff* *sniff* *sniff*
Theo’s heartfelt words have touched everyone’s hearts, and their eyes started tearing up, and some even started crying.
"Come on, Theo." Sam said as she tried to use the napkin to stop her tears from ruining her makeup, "You can’t make us cry like that."
"Yeah, dude!" Max exclaimed, "Why do I always cry?"
"’Cause you cry over everything," Lauren replied as she tried to hide the fact that she teared up as well.
"Huh, but you teared up!" Max retorted.
"Shut up, you idiot!" Lauren shouted as she had to use the napkin to dry her tears.
The others laughed at the couple’s quarrel.
"Come on, guys." Theo just smiled, "Let’s toast."
Everyone raised their glasses as Theo said, "To family!"
"To family!" Everyone shouted.
As they all gathered around the table, laden with delicious food and surrounded by the beauty of nature, it felt like they were part of a fairy tale themselves. The blooming trees from the Pedrarruna Forest provided a natural backdrop that couldn’t be replicated, and the happy laughter and chatter of the guests filled the air, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft lapping of the lake water. It was a perfect blend of nature’s music and human joy.