Chapter 72

Ethan hugged Bailey who was with her son's photo, they quietly sat together the next morning on a sofa. "I still think of him all the time," Bailey said softly, still looking at the picture.



"So strong-willed just like his son and you." Ethan held her hands softly. "Today would be a really sad day for my grandchildren." Bailey faced him. "They will cry and Carlos would act bold and try to hold back his tears which might even get him sick."



She sobs as her husband hugged her shoulder. "You should consider your health honey," Ethan told her. She was fragile and crying could also make her sick.



Bailey looked at him. "Don't act so strong with me Ethan. I know you're hurting in your heart."



"We have Carlos and Gabby now and even Triffany, soon they will have babies too. Life goes on." His eyes were so gentle, looking up at her face.



"That's true Ethan." Bailey pursed, tears flow down the corner of her cheek. "But Gabby...Gabby can she stop crying?"



Ethan thought for a while, he knew a solution could only stop her from crying. "Want to invite them over?"



Bailey shook her head. "We should let them be alone today, it's their parents memorial."



"Our son and his wife memorial." His eyes became wet, but since he had to comfort his wife, he had to act strong.



Carlos cancelled all his schedule at work that day and went with Gabby to their parents grave. Triffany accompanied them, when they got there they drop the flowers they came with on the grave.



With tears in Gabby's eyes, she began speaking. "Dad, mom your children are here today, it's been 15 years since you both died leaving me and Carlos alone to ourselves. We miss you so much, mom and dad."



"I miss you and to tell you the truth, I got nightmares every time it's your memorial day and I can't help it anymore." Tears were already rolling down her cheek as Carlos pat his sister's back.



He looked at the grave, suppressing his tears. "Mom, dad, we miss you both, but we will have to move on now." Carlos looked at Gabby and then back at the grave. "Gabby and I will take care of ourselves from now on.



"I'll protect Gabby and be here for her always." Gabby sniffles,



pressing her lips together as she looked at her brother and then back at the grave.



"I will stop having nightmares." She said swallowing her tears. "I'll make sure I take in every good memory and always think of the time we have amazing times together."



She smiles and wipes her tears away. "Mom, dad, it's time I let go now. Rest in peace and watch us like stars from heaven." Carlos held her hand and they both smile.



Carlos looks back at Triffany who stood far off at their back. "You shouldn't stand over there like a stranger, come pay your respects." He frowned at her.



She came close to him and whispered in his ears. "I don't know what to say." She said honestly.



Carlos looked at her and then back at his parents grave. Holding her hands to her surprise. "Mom, Dad, she's my wife." Triffany looked up at him and then bowed to the grave.



"I'm Triffany, it's so unlucky I didn't get a chance to meet you both, but Carlos told me how nice you were. Rest in perfect peace."



Carlos looked at Triffany as they all stood there silently for a while. "I will take care of them, so just like Gabby said please look after us." He closed his eyes gently, thinking back on all the fun he shared with his parents.



Triffany prepared dinner herself and set them on the dining table. She walked over to Gabby's room, she knocked on the door and there was no answer so she opened the door and saw Gabby looking at her parent's picture.



"Gabby." She called out and moved close to her.



Gabby saw her and drop the picture by her side. "Yes, Triffany."



"Dinner is ready." Tiffany has already seen the picture but she looked up pretending not to see it, she knew it was not easy for them all today.



Gabby shook her head. "I'm not sure I have an appetite," Gabby told her honestly.



"You haven't eaten since morning." Tiffany was worried. "I won't let you get sick." She took Gabby's hand and pulled her up.



Gabby looked up to Triffany with tender eyes. "Triffany...I love you." Triffany looked at her surprise as Gabby flashed her a smile. "I'm glad you are here today with us, at least today is different from other days of mom and dad's memorial."



Triffany smiled. "You're making my heart melt." She said jokingly as they both chuckled and came out for dinner.



Gabby sat on the dining chair. "I'll go let Carlos know it's dinner time," Triffany said and went upstairs.



She opened the door. "Carlos." She saw him with his laptop, perhaps going through some work files.



"Yes." he looked up from the laptop.



"Dinner is ready and please don't tell me you've got no appetite." She went close to him. She was not ready to talk him into having dinner just as she had done to Gabby.



Carlos scoffed. "I'm not a kid. Is Gabby there?"



Triffany nods. "I got to drag her out." She said smiling. "Let's go." she turned to go but Carlos held her hand, she looks at him with big eyes.



"Thank you for today." He said seriously looking directly into her eyes.



Triffany averted her gaze, why are the two siblings thanking her like she was someone else. "Hey, can you both stop thanking me as if I'm a stranger?" She said.



"You are to me," Carlos told her as she turns her eyes back to see his face.



"What?" She couldn't believe he would say something like that.



"My sister needed someone and it happens to be that you were there, so.." He started saying something but Triffany pulled her hands away from his grip.



"Then yesterday....yesterday we were at that room." She pointed at the room door as she looked at him. All that happened yesterday makes no sense to him? She thinks it's absurd.



"Don't get ahead of yourself." Carlos put down his laptop. "You're still a stranger to me." He stood up and walked out of the room with a smile on his face.



Triffany stood there stunned. Then, him introducing her to his parents hours ago, saying they were not a stranger, was all a lie and an act.



So everything that happened yesterday last night meant nothing to him not a single thing. Damn it! He was right, she had gotten ahead of herself, what was she expecting.