Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

We have planned a little brunch gathering in our apartment, before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. We just want to make sure we remember what is important. And to Bronx and me, that is family. Lenora and Milo come over and | finally get to meet Bronx's parents. 2

The first thing his mom, Sandy, does is give me a crushing hug and call me her son's saviour. A little extreme, but she's excited, so you know, whatever. | will take hugs whenever | can get them. | feel a familiar warmth coming from my hands. | quickly let go of her, feeling a little embarrassed.

“Oh! Honey, it's alright. Bronx already warned me that your energy goes into overdrive when you're happy. | take it as a compliment, "she smiles warmly at me.

“Thank you, Sandy," | smile shyly.

“No nono. You call me Mom, young lady," she gives me a faux stern look. 2

“A-alright, Mom," | test the word in my mouth. It is going to take some getting used to. | have never called anyone Mom before. Not even my real mother. | hope the Moon Goddess understands.

Bronx has Sandy's facial features including her green eyes but with his dad, Michael's dark hair. Michael and Bronx have the same hulking size, personality, and mannerisms. Just like Bronx, Michael acts tough but can't fool me, he's a big softie. He is obsessed with making sure everyone has enough to eat. | think | win him over when | offer him an oversized snickerdoodle.

Lenora shows off her baby bump and announces she and Milo are having a girl. Sandy and | can't stop admiring her and complimenting her pregnancy glow. Milo dotes over her, not letting her lift a finger for anything. Even when she wants a refill of her water, he jumps up and gets it. It's pretty adorable. | look forward to one day when that is Bronx and me.

living room to chat. | overhear Bronx tell

that bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue?" Milo begs. « Bronx laughs and agrees. He asks Milo to invite James, Delilah, and Marco to join them in

our way to the kitchen to start putting food away and talking about

later. Once everyone leaves Bronx tells me he has a gift for me even though we agreed not to exchange gifts. He insists | need it after our conversation about starting a bakery. | unwrap the small box to find a framed sheet of paper. It's a recipe for a baguette written in French, but next to it is

| cock my head as | look at

it. Cason translated it for me. | haven't had a good time to give it to you, but after yesterday, it seems like the right time.” “Thank you so much, Sweetheart.

as he

formal party, but Lenora had taken the liberty of buying a dress for me. She was convinced | wouldn't want to spend the money on the perfect dress. She isn't wrong. | still don't have a job, after all. | have no money for a fancy dress. ° She wants it to be a surprise, so | can't say no. So an hour before the party, she brings the dress bag to the apartment, along with a shoe box and takes it to the closet. I'm standing in the closet with her and Delilah looking at the bag, dreading what is inside. The side of the

reveal a shimmering silver dress. The color matches my hair. It is a floor-length style with spaghetti straps and a completely open back. “Lenora, everyone is going to see my scars," | feel a little self-conscious as | look at the dress. Delilah has already pinned my hair into an updo. | don't

telling you, people won't even notice the scars when they see how beautiful the dress is on you,” Delilah reassures me, "They all already love you. When they

mind, “| am so happy you finally get to look as beautiful

her back. She always knows just what

dress.” Lenora helps me touch up my makeup and into the dress. She's right. The dress fits me like a glove. It shows off my curves and | have never felt more beautiful. | turn in the mirror to catch a glimpse of the

past the closet before he stops

to Lenora, "Leni, no. Find another dress. “Uhh, Bronx...yes," Lenora retorts. She stands up from the bench and puts her hands on her hips, "And you are not going to stop her. And not only are you not going to stop her, you're not going to be jealous, either. You're going to be proud and show off your gorgeous mate. Do you understand me?” Bronx looks like he wants to start an argument