Jun 12, 2024
just cuz 💙
seen from Türkiye
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seen from Russia
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seen from Australia
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seen from Malaysia
seen from China
seen from China
just cuz 💙
Feast your eyes 🥧
Harvestfest arrived, giving the family a chance for a much-needed reunion. Kate had agreed to host and was happy to cook for their families who would be travelling to visit. The girls even helped her start dinner. But as soon as the doorbell rang she lost both sous chefs. She pulled the turkey out of the oven before following the sounds of teenagers shrieking.
Her sister's family was the first to arrive. The girls squealed collectively before running off to Charlotte's room, to get reacquainted without the adults overhearing them.
Kate welcomed their relatives inside, remarking how their familiar faces had changed. The kids were taller, and her brother looked older, she pointed out with a teasing smile. Then they caught up on the year that had passed. Sharing all the little stories they’d saved for a moment just like this. Together again, it almost felt like when they were children. But the noticeable absence of their parents made the distinction clear.
Kate called everyone to the table and as they ate Jack and Noah began recounting stories of their grandparents. Soon the whole room joined in, with James and Lucy imitating Diane and Michael, until they couldn’t breathe from laughter.
Lovingly introducing their parents to the grandchildren they hadn’t gotten the pleasure to know.
⭐️Part 1/2 - Link to Part 2
When dinner ended the girls had asked their parents for a sleepover. Citing the fact that they rarely had time together. “Family is so important, isn't it?” Heather had said, and the adults all caved. So while their parents headed home to tend to their menagerie of animals, they were allowed to stay through the weekend.
They stayed up late gossiping and talking about their crushes. Charlotte watched her sister and each of her cousins describe their perfect men as lanky, bespectacled teenagers and had never felt more out of place. But she reminded herself to be more humanlike and tried to brush it aside as they finally tucked in for bed.
The next morning, they headed to the pier in Copperdale. Arriving just as the park opened, they had the whole place to themselves.
The girls marched confidently into the haunted house. Angelica the oldest, assured them it would be childish, so the others tried to be brave, following her lead.
But when the lights went out her younger sister Ophelia screamed and grabbed her arm. They all got spooked, shrieking like banshees. They left ride laughing and teasing one another for their reactions.
They arrived at the Ferris wheel and Alice noticed their uneven numbers and politely stepped aside. “It’s okay, I’ll sit this one out. You guys go have fun.” She insisted.
Just as she finished her sentence, she noticed a familiar face to her right. She turned to run over to him but was stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh.”
Avid horror fans, Kate and James, have been long awaiting the release of the latest Moonlight Massacre film. On opening night, Elle and Gemma happily agreed to watch their nieces, granting them a much-needed date night.
After hugs, kisses, and several reminders to “be good”, Elle finally ushered them out the door. “Go have fun!” she insisted.
The couple gladly obliged, heading into town hand in hand. Glad for the opportunity for some alone time. Their lives had always been busy, and moments for just the two of them were rare. But since becoming parents, those moments were stolen from empty hourglasses.
They enjoyed a romantic dinner before heading to the theatre, then picked a spot in the back where they could cuddle. Kate loves a horror movie, but that doesn’t mean she’s never afraid.
Unable to resist the temptation, James came up with a devious plan. Patiently, listening for his queue. As the music began to swell he snuggled closer as if for protection.
Suddenly thunder cracked, and a flash of lightning brightened the room as the killer was revealed on screen. James struck, tickling her ferociously. She screamed at the top of her lungs and the whole theatre turned to look at her, while James failed to contain his amusement.
They laughed the whole way home as he reenacted her reaction. But their banter stopped abruptly when they walked in the door, stifled by panic.
Kate’s unintelligible scream woke the room. “What’s wrong,” Elle mumbled sleepily. Rounding on her sister with all the ferocity of a bear Kate roared,
“I said where the plum is Charlotte?”
The next morning, the house woke to the sound of excited giggles and footsteps as the children raced downstairs. Squealing as they saw all the presents waiting for them under the tree. The adults followed, taking their spots on the sofa to join in the magical chaos about to unfold.
Though receiving gifts is exciting at any age, watching their children learn about the joy of giving was a special treat.
Once all the presents had been unwrapped and the girls ran off to play, James discreetly reached behind the tree and pulled out a final gift. Revealing a bunch of mistletoe, he earned a tender kiss from his wife.
Delighted that he remembered the tradition, Kate was ready to sneak back upstairs and show him further appreciation. But they were interrupted by a sudden gust of cold air, ruining the moment.
The front door swung open to reveal her brother Tom and his family.
Their presence warmed the room as cousins reunited, and the siblings exchanged hugs. They spent the rest of the day enjoying the precious gift of being together again.
Dinner was a lively affair, filled with laughter and the clinking of utensils. But Kate sat quietly at the end of the table, looking at her loved ones with gratitude, feeling fortunate to be surrounded by them now. She caught her husband's eye, and he winked down the table, flirtatious as ever.
After their feast, they sat at the table and watched the girls play with their cousins. A bittersweet joy filled Kate; she wished her parents could be here to see them.
As if summoned by her thoughts, her sister pulled her from her reverie to present her with her gift.
“I hope you like it,” She said as Kate unwrapped a beautiful portrait of her and James. “I thought you’d want to immortalize how hot you were.” Elle teased as she saw her sister tearing up. Luckily they were interrupted by Gemma calling them all for cake.
James and Kate shared a glance before each blowing out the candles, embracing the next chapter of their lives together.
Their guests enjoyed a slice of cake before gradually departing, leaving only the echoes of their laughter.
When the last guest left James and Kate picked up their tired girls, and shared a kiss before heading upstairs to put them to bed. Excited for their next adventure together.
*Before and after under the cut*
Harvestfest Portraits with the Borden and Carson families 🌳