Be My Dream Family

Chapter 03

Nancy's PoV

"If anger is the 2nd stage of grief, what is the third then?"

Astrid asked, his curiosity piqued as he watched the cooking show with me.

"Well, the 3rd stage is bargaining."

I told him while my eyes are focus on watching my favorite cooking show.

"Bargaining? How?"

he asked, his forehead furrowed in confusion.

When I first saw that bargaining was part of the stages, I have the same reaction as well.

"This is a stage where the person struggles to change the situation somehow. It's a shame."

I explained to him, hoping he get it.

"Wait... huh?"

Astrid’s bewilderment was evident, prompting me to look at him for a clearer explanation.

"Okay, let me give you an example. Someone... going through a breakup might say, 'If I promise to change my behavior and be more understanding, maybe we can get back together and fix what went wrong in our relationship.'"

"Get it? Just remember this, It’s a way of trying to cope by wishing things could be different."

I stated to him, he just nodded his head slowly as an answer so turned back my head to the tv.

"Depression comes next. Usually this stage last longer than other. However, some people overcome it quite quickly. That would make their lives easier, I guess?"

"Well that's reasonable... Can we go to the last stage?"

I raised my eyebrows at his lack of questions about the fourth stage.

"Following the Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, the final step is Acceptance."

"The person accepts reality... and sometimes finds hope."

I told him while smiling, I don't know it feels like an achievement to finish a certain topic when teaching him.

"By the way, how do you know that so well? Did you read it in the workbook?"

"You're too young to know. You didn't know anything about life."

I told him sarcasticly while smirking.

"You were only born 1 minute and 30 seconds before me."

He answered making me looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Hey, do you even know the pain and sorrows of life?"

I began to respond, but we were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. We scrambled to tidy up, turning off the TV and clearing away the food mess, thinking it was Mom coming home.

"Dad, where did you go?"

Astrid asked.

"Me? I paid the price to avoid an unfortunate event. Seeing that I paid a lot, something good will happen."

"My daughter and son, don't you worry."

Dad said with a broad smile, heading toward the kitchen.

Astrid and I exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what Dad meant.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Always remember that the five stages of grief can be repeated."

"If you're asking why. Tragedy is always nearby..."

I told to Astrid.

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"Hmm...hmm...hmm..."

I hum while stirring the soup I'm cooking, I was about to taste it when my phone rings so I pick it up from my apron pocket.

"Yes, honey. Where are you? Why aren't you home yet?"

"What?"

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Faye's PoV

"Oh my. He did listen to what I said."

I said to myself when I saw Oliver wearing a suit and long blazer running towards my direction.

"Don't run in that suit. It will get wrinkly."

"What has gotten into you? Why do you want to buy a gift for me?" Oliver asked, catching his breath.

"Is it because I brought you bread earlier? Did it make you happy?"

He added, leaning in closer with a grin. I turned my face away with a smile, slightly embarrassed.

"Gosh, It didn't make me happy at all."

"You've been whining about not having winter gloves. I'll buy you a pair."

I told him.

"It's okay, winter is almost over. But still... it sounds great, really great. Ahh, good things keep happening to me today."

He said while having a big smile on his face, making me quite confused, I don't know it just feel different than his usual.

"Good things?"

"Nevermind. You don't have to know. Let's go."

Oliver said, guiding me into the clothing store. We headed straight to the winter gloves section.

"You can choose now."

I said, gesturing to the array of gloves.

Oliver began examining the gloves, his hesitation evident as he looked at the prices. I noticed he was about to pick the cheapest pair, so I gently stopped his hand and selected a more expensive pair of leather gloves.

"How about these?"

I offered with a smile, showing him the high-quality gloves. His face lit up with surprise and joy.

"Are you serious? Wow, you're so cool. I'll treasure these, I will use them for the rest of my life."

He said to me with a smile, then took the gloves from my hand and held them tightly.

"We'll take this."

I told the saleslady, reaching for the ziplock plastic in my bag. I checked the price of the gloves and counted the money.

"50 dollars... There's no one-dollar bill in here."

I said to myself, rummaging through the plastic. Oliver watched me with a shocked expression.

"Why? Do you know something about this money?"

I asked him.

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*FLASHBACK*

"It works fine, right?"

"Can I take a look?"

The person who is buying the foot spa asked me, I immediately nodded, put the box in the table and opened it.

"Yes, sure. Go ahead..."

I smiled as I answered her. As soon as I opened the box, I immediately noticed a ziplock plastic tucked into the side of the foot spa.

"Wait for a moment."

I said, pulling the box away to examine the contents more closely. I extracted the ziplock, which held both papers and money.

"What is this?"

I asked myself while holding and looking at the plastic, but after a moment I realized what is this and who own it.

"I can't believe him." I muttered in disbelief, understanding now that the money belonged to Oliver.

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*END OF FLASHBACK*

He didn't answer my question so I just smile at him and about to give the money to the saleslady to pay but he stopped me.

"No... wait, honey."

He said and carefully examined the money I was holding, including the ziplock plastic.

"Why? Is there something else you want to buy?"

I asked him, he just closed his eyes and nodded.

"Okay. Bring it here."

I told him with a smile, so he slowly moved away from me to get what he wanted to buy. He went to the blazers, took a black blazer, and looked in my direction.

I just nodded at him, so he looked around and picked up another one.

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"You should just be satisfied with the gloves today."

I told Oliver as we walked home, handing him some bread. We were just a few steps from our house when he suddenly blocked my path.

"I'll buy you other things later."

I stated while smiling, I stopped walking when he suddenly blocked my path.

"Don't you think you're being too harsh?

Do you know what I went through..."

he said, pointing at the money I had found in the foot spa box. His frustration was palpable, but my attention was caught by a familiar figure.

"It's father."

I said, my voice trailing off as I saw Dad standing in our neighbor's yard.

"Oh, please. Don't try to change the topic."

"Why did he come here?"

I asked when I see dad standing in our neighbours' house. I was about to walk towards him when an old lady come out and... hug him.

"You're here." - "Hi."

Oliver and I stood in stunned silence as we recognized the woman. Our jaws dropped, and the bread I was holding fell from my hand. It was... Ms. Carmelita, standing right there in front of us, greeting Dad with open arms.

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END OF CHAPTER 03