Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 34: FAMILY TIME

"We should all go to the church to say thanks to our creator," Althea said over breakfast. "Zane, Aera, come with us before going back to your dorms."

He glanced at Aera. "Sure, Mom."

"We will also go to the theme park right after," his father continued. "This will be our first family day after many years. It will also be the celebration of Anne's healing."

"Yes!" Anne shouted. "I can now go to theme parks and have fun! I don't care if I'm sixteen now. I am still a kid." She grinned.

"I haven't been to theme parks. I'd love it!" Aera said.

"Even before?" Zane could not believe it. "What was Eur--er your father doing?"

"He's not into theme parks, and my Mom had no interest in me." Her eyes gleamed with loneliness.

Zane became wary of her mood. "We will enjoy today."

"Yes, Aera, you are now part of the family. We will enjoy the whole day," Althea said. "Think of us as your new family from now on."

"That's too much, Auntie Althea," she shyly said.

Zane held her hand. "Mom, Dad, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" Bren looked at his son's hand on Aera's hand, placed on the table. I thought he knew what his son was about to say, but he let Zane finish his words.

"A-Aera's my girlfriend now, and I am proud of her." He waited for his parents' response who were quiet for a few seconds.

"Brother, how did you catch a beautiful lady? Teach me how." Wane broke the mood.

"Try to be polite with girls, Wane, you might get one." He laughed.

"I am polite. I look up to you." He pouted. "I do what you always do. I even enrolled in archery like you, in that same club." He gave a wide grin.

"I knew it!" Althea exclaimed. "I know you are my son's type. I approved you as my future daughter-in-law."

"Mom! We're too young for that!" Zane's face felt hot.

"You're turning eighteen. I got married when I was nineteen." She chuckled. "I can't wait to have a grandchild."

"Mom!" He gave Aera an apologetic look. "Sorry."

Aera laughed. "We will go there after a few years, Auntie Althea."

"Brother, let her wear a helmet all the time," Wane said. "Just for precaution."

"Why?" His forehead wrinkled, wondering why his younger brother said that.

"She might hit her head somewhere and wake up from being hypnotized. Protect her head at all cost or she might realize she doesn't like you." Wane started laughing so hard.

"You, little monster!" Zane tickled him. Wane stood up and ran towards the living room.

"I was just joking, brother! Stop it!" Zane tickled him non-stop. His face turned red after being caught. "I surrender!"

Aera laughed at the scene. She was seeing a normal, happy family that she never had. Her laughter faded, recalling her childhood.

"Mom, this is my report card. I got the highest grade in school." She handed the report card to her mother.

"That's good, keep it up." Her mother continued eating the slice of cake and her eyes were glued on the magazine she was reading. She did not bother looking at her report card.

She hugged her card. "Okay, mother. Thank you." She looked down and turned back. She never felt any appreciation from her mother. "I"'m going back to my room."

Another memory crossed her mind. She was seven years old at that time.

"Mom, let's go to the theme park this weekend," she said to her mother, who was busy watching her favourite TV series.

"Aera, I can't. I have an appointment with my aesthetic doctor," her mother replied without looking at her.

"H-how about next weekend, Mom?" She still has high hopes that her mother would say yes.

"I can't, Aera. I have a meeting with the directors of the new company I just opened. Ask your father to go there. You two can manage that." Her mother let out a deep breath.

"O-okay," she said. She left her mother in the entertainment room, heartbroken and sad.

"Aera?" Zane called her attention. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah, I just remembered something. Don't mind me." She smiled. "Can I go back to my room to prepare?"

"Yes, please. Go now, kids, and get prepared for our Sunday fun day," Althea said. "I will just wash the dishes, then I will get prepared, too. You too, honey."

Aera stood up and walked out of the dining area. Zane followed her.

***

They visited the church near their house and offered a prayer, thanking the heavens for healing Anne. It was solemn and quiet; only a few people were there. They went back to the car after an hour.

"Let's go to the theme park now. We will also have our dinner in a restaurant later. Who wants some chicken and barbecue?"

Wane, seated on the floor of the car, raised his hand. "Me!"

"We will have chicken and barbecue later then," Bren responded.

"What do you want to eat later, Anne?" Althea asked her daughter.

"I want spaghetti and vegetable salad," she replied.

"We will have everything you want to eat later, kids."

They parked the car at the parking lot right outside the theme park. "We're here!" Wane shouted.

"I'm not riding that thing though." Anne pointed at the roller coaster. They can see it from their spot.

"I won't ride it either," Aera said.

"Are you scared of heights?" Zane asked. "We won't ride it if you don't like it."

'I'm okay riding the Ferris Wheel." She grinned.

"Let's go inside, kids," Bren said. "I'll buy our tickets now. Just wait at the entrance."

They proceeded to the entrance and waited for Zane's father.

"I am so excited to ride the carousel and the bump car!" Anne giggled while thinking of riding those. "I hope this wasn't just a dream and I can walk now!" She glanced at her shoes, then she started circling and dancing.

"Aera, I owe you this so much," Zane whispered to his girlfriend. "I am truly happy to see Anne smiling again, full of life."

"Anything, Zane, and you are most welcome." She gave him a sincere smile. "I want to see you happy as well."

Bren handed them the sticker wristband. "Wear them for an unlimited ride."

"Yes!" Wane shouted. "Let's get inside!"

Wane was hopping like a kid while passing through the entrance. "He is still a kid."

"He is still a kid. Your brother is so lively and jolly."

"He is my opposite. I am boring and timid." He laughed.

"That's what I like about you. I am just so proud that you are mine now." She gazed into his eyes. She wanted to kiss him, but she held back because they were in a public place. "Let's follow them."

They held hands while walking and checking out stalls they passed by. Zane felt so happy and content, having fun with his family and his girlfriend in a theme park. "I think it wasn't just Anne who's thinking this is just a dream. I feel the same."

"This is real. I am real." She looked around to see if people were looking at them. When she noticed no one was paying attention to them, she quickly kissed Zane on his cheek. "Do you think that's just a dream or that's real?" She gave him a teasing smile.

Zane held his cheek, not believing he received his first kiss ever. His heart beat fast. "I was not prepared! Give me another one!"

"No!" She ran away from him. "Catch me first."

Zane went after her. They ran around the park while laughing and giggling.

"We were like that when we were younger," Bren said to Althea while looking at the young couple.

"Are we not like them until now?" She gave him a peck on his cheek.

"You're a tease, honey."

She giggled. "See?" She glanced back at her son. "Do you think we should tell him about the truth?"

"We will, at the right time. Not now. He is happy and enjoying his youth." He sighed. "I'm also afraid he would change how he sees me."

"I'm sure he won't. He loves you so much."

"I hope so." Bren looked at his son with a loving stare. He loves the kid like his own son. "I am happy he found the girl he likes, and she likes him back."

"Let's ride the Ferris Wheel." Aera pointed at the enormous ride. "I want to try it."

"I'll ask permission from Mom and Dad first. Stay here." He went to his parents who were just watching them while sitting on a bench. Anne and Wane were riding the bump car. "Mom, Dad, we will just ride the Ferris Wheel."

"Go ahead, just be careful," his father said.

"Thanks, Dad. We will." He ran back to Aera and told her that his father permitted them. He held her hand. "Let's go."

They went to the entrance and waited for their turn. "I'm so excited!"

They rode the Ferris Wheel in no time and they seated beside each other. The ride started to rotate slowly.

"We're moving up! Whoa!" Aera's eyes were fixed on the beautiful horizon. "It's so amazing up here!"

Zane could not remove his eyes away from Aera. She looked so stunning in his eyes. "And it's more beautiful seeing you with that in the background."

"You're making me blush!" She held her cheeks using her both hands.

"I was just telling the truth." He stared into her eyes. "Heaven sent you to me. I love you, Aera." He held her hand and kissed it.

He could hear his heart beating so fast while staring at those deep-blue eyes. Their faces went closer. He kissed her lightly on her lips. It was a gentle, mild kiss.

"I love you, too, Zane." She kissed him again. She opened her lips and welcomed his deep, passionate kiss.

Zane felt butterflies in his stomach. He felt like he was floating. "You're mine, my goddess," he said while breathing heavily.

"I am yours, my archer."

He hugged her tight. He loves her so much. "I'm not letting you go, ever."

"I will kill you if you let me go." She pouted. "Don't you even think about it?"

He laughed. "It won't happen."

The Ferris Wheel stopped. "Let's go now." They were holding hands while walking, two hearts connected and beating as one.