Luna excitedly carried Rocco, her son, his small hand gripping hers tightly, as they stepped out of the airport lobby. The air buzzed with the low hum of conversations and the rolling of suitcases, a familiar symphony of travel. She pressed video button, called her husband, Rhyns.
"Hi, love! We just arrived! We're in the lobby!" Luna said cheerfully, her voice brimming with excitement. She could almost feel the warmth of his smile through the screen.
Rhyns let out a deep sigh, his longing evident in his eyes. "Thank God! I already miss you both... how's Rocco? Was he well-behaved during the flight?"
Luna chuckled, remembering Rocco's antics on the plane earlier – his endless questions, his wide-eyed wonder at the clouds below, his tiny hand clutching his well-loved toy airplane. "Of course, our baby boy was very well-behaved! But he kept chatting! He asked so many questions! He even asked how airplanes go up! He said he has a plane, but it doesn't fly!" She shook her head fondly, her eyes fixed on her husband's handsome face, a warmth spreading through her chest.
Rocco tugged at Luna's arm, his small fingers insistent, curiously scanning the bustling airport lobby. He was wearing his favorite superhero shirt, his bright eyes wide with wonder.
"Mommy! Plane!" he exclaimed, pointing excitedly. "Big plane!"
Luna kissed Rocco's forehead, feeling the softness of his hair against her lips. She smiled, her heart swelling with a happiness so profound it took her breath away. "Yes, baby. Let's talk to Dada." She crouched down, so Rocco could see his Daddy Rhyns on the screen.
"Dada! Dada! Plane go up! Rocco not scared! Rocco big boy!" Rocco exclaimed excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet, his small body radiating energy. He held up his toy airplane, its tiny wings catching the light. "Whee!" he added, making airplane noises.
Rhyns laughed heartily through the phone, the sound echoing in Luna's ears. Luna couldn't help but chuckle as well, the sound a mixture of relief and pure, unadulterated joy.
"Rocco looks so excited! Love, enjoy your time there. Call me again when you get home, okay? I love you," Rhyns said with a smile, blowing a kiss toward the camera.
"Okay, love. I love you too," Luna replied tenderly. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she ended the call, the lingering warmth of his love a comforting presence in the bustling airport.
After they finished their call, a blonde woman waved enthusiastically to them from a distance.
"Lunaaaaaaa!!!" Meagan shouted, her voice brimming with joy. She ran towards them, her blonde hair bouncing with each step.
Luna's face lit up, a wide, genuine smile spreading across her features. Her shoulders relaxed visibly as she saw her cousin and best friend. "Meagan!!!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with delight.
Holding Rocco in her arms, Luna hurried towards Meagan. They both squealed with joy as they embraced tightly, almost jumping with excitement. The air crackled with their shared joy.
"Finally! I've been waiting for you for so long! I missed you so much!" Meagan exclaimed, her embrace warm and tight.
"Me too! Gosh, it's been so long!" Luna replied, her voice brimming with happiness. The scent of Meagan's perfume, a familiar and comforting fragrance, filled her senses.
They laughed, their joy unrestrained. Rocco, meanwhile, watched his Mommy and Meagan with wide, curious eyes, his small hand clutching his toy airplane.
"Mommy! Who?" Rocco asked, pointing a chubby finger at Meagan. His words were a little slurred, and his pronunciation was still slightly imperfect.
Meagan laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She gently pinched Rocco's cheek, her touch soft and playful. "Oh my gosh, Luna, he's adorable! Hello, Rocco! I'm your Tita Meagan!"
Rocco stared at Meagan with innocent wonder. "Tita Meagan? Pretty!" he declared, his gaze lingering on her bright blonde hair. "Like Mommy!" he added, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Meagan's laughter rang out, bright and infectious. "My goodness, Rocco! You're going to be a heartbreaker, I can tell! Thank you... baby Rocco. You're so handsome, too, like your Dad."
A cheerful man, Jacob, Meagan's fiancé, approached, taking Luna's luggage with a smile.
"Welcome home, Luna! Let me take these for you." Jacob said, his voice warm and friendly.
"Thank you so much, Jacob!" Luna replied, her smile radiant.
"Of course! I mean, look at that smile! The lady's got good taste, and Rocco's inherited it!" Jacob joked, winking at Rocco and playfully ruffling his hair.
They all laughed as they walked towards the parking area, Rocco waving enthusiastically at the people they passed, his little hand still clutching his toy airplane.
Inside the car, on their way to Meagan's condo.
Luna and Meagan were in the backseat, Jacob driving. Rocco sat beside Luna, quietly munching on his cookie, occasionally letting out happy little crumbs. The two women's laughter filled the car, a constant stream of joyful chatter.
Luna wiped away a tear of joy, her eyes sparkling. The warmth of the sun on her skin, the gentle hum of the car engine, and the scent of Meagan's perfume all contributed to the overwhelming sense of joy and relief. She missed her friends so much. "Wow, that story about Josh is crazy! What's the deal with him? Why does he keep dating everyone?" she asked, stifling a laugh, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Meagan rolled her eyes dramatically, like a sitcom star. She leaned back against the plush leather seat, her blonde hair catching the sunlight streaming through the car window.
"That guy is unbelievable! He even messed with Marley! Honestly, Luna, it's like a never-ending telenovela. There's always some kind of drama whenever we get together!"
Luna's eyes widened, her curiosity instantly piqued. The eager anticipation on her face was unmistakable as she leaned closer to Meagan, barely breathing, "What kind of drama?"
Meagan cleared her throat, a mischievous glint in her eye. "It's like this..." she began, pausing for dramatic effect before launching into her re-enactment. In a low, dramatic whisper, she channeled Marley: "'Hey Josh, why did you leave me on Valentine's Day?'" Her voice then soared, mimicking Josh's smooth, arrogant tone: "'Hey, chill out, it was just a misunderstanding!'" She finished with a dramatic sigh, "The messiness is just… unbelievable!"
"Oh my god, Meagan! I can totally picture them! Even their faces!" Luna said, laughing so hard Meagan joined in.
Jacob, driving, chuckled. "Sounds like Josh needs a love life coach... or maybe a ghostwriter," he added.
Meagan grinned, pointing at Luna. "Perfect! You should write their story! Your life is way more dramatic than theirs!"
"Hey! That's not fair! I'm not writing anyone else's love story... I have enough drama in my own life, thank you very much."
Meagan shrugged, feigning innocence. "Well, your timing is perfect for these dramas! It's like you're always the star of your own romance movie!"
Jacob shook his head, glancing at the rearview mirror. "That explains all the talking during the video call! I thought you were a writer," he joked.
Luna raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Talkative? It's Meagan! I just get caught up..." she replied, though she was clearly still happy. "Okay, Meagan, back to the topic. What's the news with the others? What's up with Tanya?"
Meagan adopted a dramatic breaking news anchor voice, hand to her mouth as if holding a microphone. "Oh my gosh, Tanya! She's pregnant again—with her fourth child! It's like a yearly event!"
Luna wiped a nonexistent bead of sweat from her brow. "Haha! She's a champion! She beat me to it!" She added, with a grin, "Seriously though, major couple goals!"
Meagan laughed. "Right? It's like a sitcom—Season Four! Why hasn't Rocco gotten a sibling yet?"
Luna smiled, stroking Rocco's hair. "He's still so little. But hey, what about Jovy? Any news?"
Meagan's eyes twinkled. "She's pregnant! First baby with Rome. You know, her husband, the half-American, half-Filipino lawyer? He's like Chris Hemsworth who aced the Bar Exam!"
"Wow! That's amazing! So, Meagan, when are you and Jacob having a baby?" Luna teased, glancing at Jacob.
Jacob smiled in the rearview mirror. "Hey, give us time. We're working on it!" His playful response sent them into another round of laughter.
Meagan bumped Luna playfully. "Working on it, he says! We're enjoying married life before we start multiplying! One at a time, okay?"
Luna stifled a smile. "Ouch, okay, okay! Back to the topic. What's the latest with Luke?"
"He's still single, focused on his military career, but always shows up for gatherings and important occasions," Meagan said, smiling fondly."Luke's like a legendary Pokémon, Luna—almost impossible to catch!"
Luna pretended to be sad, letting out a dramatic sigh. "He was so cute, even back then. My first crush!"
Meagan roared with laughter. "Oh honey, your taste has definitely improved! Remember nerdy, awkward Luke? If you saw him now, your jaw would drop. He's a total heartthrob now! He's even told me he regretted not asking you out before Kai did!"
The two laughed at the memory. But the air changed after mentioning Kai. Meagan noticed this.
"So... Kai?" Luna asked hesitantly, a strained smile playing on her lips. The subject had been carefully avoided since their last encounter.
Meagan cleared her throat. "He's... busy. We haven't seen him at gatherings for years. Luke, who works with him, says he's fine. Apparently, he's been in a relationship for two years." Her forced smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
Luna's gaze drifted to the window, the memory of their unsettling encounter at the Singapore airport flooding back. "Good for him," she said quietly, the words devoid of genuine enthusiasm.
The silence felt charged before Meagan abruptly changed the subject. "So, Luna, how long are you staying? Called your parents yet?"
Luna's answer was brisk, almost defensive. "No, not yet. I'll call them later."
Meagan is aware of the unresolved issues between Luna and her parents. Luna is deliberately avoiding returning to their house.