The Love From Vengeance

245: THOSE TIMES

ARIEL’S POV

FLASHBACK

It was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for a birthday celebration. I woke up early, excited to take my twins, Lukel and Janice, out for their third birthday. Something I did? I always made sure to make their special day extra special. I had planned a fun day at the park and then a visit to their favorite ice cream parlor.. After getting dressed and ensuring the twins were ready, we headed to the park. Luke and Janice were bubbling with excitement, holding my hands tightly as we walked towards the park. As we entered, their eyes widened in amazement at the colorful balloons, decorations, and bouncy castle that I had arranged for them. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them run towards the castle, their laughter filling the air. They were growing up so fast, and I wanted to cherish every moment with them. I joined them in the bouncy castle, and we played and laughed for what felt like hours. As the sun started to set, I knew it was time to move on to the next part of our adventure.

We walked to the ice cream shop, and Lukel and Janice couldn’t contain their. excitement. They loved ice cream, and I promised them they could choose any flavor. As we entered, they were greeted with a chorus of “Happy Birthday” from the staff, and they couldn’t stop beaming.

After choosing their favorite flavors, we sat outside and enjoyed our ice cream. I watched my twins with their faces covered in ice cream, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this moment. Lukel and Janice were my worlds; I would do anything to see them happy.

After finishing our ice cream, I surprised them with a small gift each. They were overjoyed, and their squeals of delight filled my heart with warmth.

“Come on, you two, let’s go to the pizza shop now!” I said, holding their hands as we walked out of the ice cream shop.

“Yay, pizza!” Lukel exclaimed, jumping up and down.

“I want pepperoni pizza!” Janice added, her eyes shining with excitement.

We entered the pizza shop, and the smell of freshly baked pizza instantly made our mouths water. We ordered a large pepperoni pizza and a cheese pizza, and the twins eagerly waited for it to be served.

“Mommy, can we have some soda too?” Lukel asked, looking up at me with his

big, innocent eyes.

my love,” I replied, smiling at him.

were having the time of their lives. They were making silly faces with the pizza slices, and

the twins to a nearby shop with various costumes for kids.

can we try on the superhero costumes?”

Iron Man costume.

smiling as

costume.

put it on as well. They both twirled around, pretending

should be a superhero

request and joined them in trying on a Wonder Woman costume.

cool!” Lukel exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration.

spent the rest of the day trying on different costumes, taking silly pictures, and playing pretend. As the day came to an end, I knew that this was one

END OF FLASHBACK

day was something I would never forget. I was looking at pictures of Lukel right on my

thinking about?” Luke asked, sitting next to me. We were both at

“Oh,” his tone softened

loved him so much.” I closed my eyes as I could feel tears about

deep sigh. “I know. It’s really painful losing the ones you love,

sure is,” I answered softly

a look at what happened to Riley. She had a lot of things ahead of her since she was a smart kid. Scholarships so many opportunities. She was so nice and extremely amazing; everybody loved her. But she died, and even today, Te still feel her presence.

soul too. I remember when she first saw me when we first met. She was asking me all sorts of questions, and I

want to know something,

eyes on Luke.