Return to normalcy: Part 2
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A short time later, Xavier sees Christian and his daughter, Rosalie, across the playground, heading their direction. Finally, Xavier thinks to himself.
Luna notices him too.
“There he is. Took him long enough.”
Xavier nods in agreement.
Christian approaches and smiles.
“Hey guys. I’m here.”
“I see that. Glad you could make it.” Luna says.
“Sorry, I was actually trying to be on time, but a certain little miss decided it would be funny to hide my shoes. My only pair of shoes, mind you. She found it pretty amusing, didn’t you, Rose?”
Rosalie giggles. Definitely her father’s daughter.
The twins laugh at the thought of Christian frantically searching around the house for his shoes while Rosalie watches on.
“So, where were they?” Luna asks curiously.
“Toybox. Probably should have looked there first.” Christian replies. “I’ve got a little prankster on my hands and I don’t know how to feel about that.”
“Like father, like daughter,” Xavier replies.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Christian says.
Christian walks Rosalie over to the others, waves a greeting to Cassie and returns to the table.
“So, how’s it going?”
“Same old, same old,” Xavier answers.
“Alright, I suppose.” says Luna.
Christian raises his eyebrows questioningly, but decides not to push it further.
“Okay, then.”
He takes a seat at the table across from them, looking slightly disheveled, but otherwise looking well. Months ago, Xavier didn’t think he would see him like this again. Truthfully, he thought Christian was too far gone to be helped, that he’d lost his brother for good. But seeing him here now, he’s thankful that things worked out. Christian is noticeably more relaxed, just enjoying life as it’s meant to be. Luna caught on to this as well.
“You look good, Christian. And dare I say… happy?” she says.
Christian looks taken aback for a brief moment and nods.
“I guess that’s what you can call it.”
A slight smile plays on his lips and he continues.
“Is this what it’s like to live like a normal person? Like, for real, I’ve been missing out.”
Xavier smiles and nods.
“Yes. Most of us don’t have to deal with all the bullshit that you did.”
“I could get used to this.”
“As you should,” Luna says “You deserve it.”
“I should probably stay out of relationships for a while, huh?” Christian asks.
Thinking of Christian’s track record, it probably was in his best interest to not date anyone, for the time being at least. Almost every partner he’s had in the past has been manipulative, toxic or not interested in anything serious. He really needs to work on himself before committing to someone else, in Xavier’s opinion anyway.
“Might be a good idea,” says Xavier. “At least until you’ve got things figured out.”
“Single it is, then. Got it.”
Christian goes silent, closing his eyes and taking in the sunlight, the breeze ruffling his dark hair. He breathes a sigh of relief, his body relaxing further. It’s so odd to Xavier to see his brother so chill and unbothered. It’s a refreshing change from everything that has happened over the past several years. As Luna said, he deserves it. For the first time in a long time, Christian was truly happy and it was a sight to see.
