"A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever."
-Unknown

Make beautiful memories, Gabrielle. Have a great day! -H 💋

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"I thought you were with Faith," my Dad said when he faced me after shutting the door. Yes, he pulled me in here and left Xander outside.

"I was supposed to, but..." I said, fiddling with my fingers. "Something came up."

"Is he your boyfriend?" Dad asked, staring daggers.

"What?! Of course not!" I defended.

"I told you, Marina Gabrielle. You are not allowed to date at this age, " he said and I sighed.

"Oh, come on, Mr. Lamppost. Let the girl live, " my Mom said, walking out of the kitchen. "She's 18. She can do whatever the hell she wants."

"She's still too young, " my Dad countered.

"Which is why we're here to guide her, " my Mom answered in a calm tone. "You were 18 when you slept with half of the girl's population, but did anyone stop you? No, because you don't want to be stopped."

"Crabby, I was young, then. I don't know what's right from wrong." He shook his head.

"But at least you lived the way you want. Let Marina experience that too. Not the sleeping with others part but the living her best life part, " Mom said and I smiled. This is why I love my Mom. She always has my back whatever happens.

"I badly want to do that, but–"

"Gabriel, you're being controlling again, " Mom reminded. Dad sighed. Mom told me before that they broke up because Dad was telling her who to be friends with and who to avoid. She got tired so she ended the relationship but they got back together after a couple of years.

Mom shook her head. "I suddenly remembered what you did before. You were literally so jealous of every guy especially Christian, " Mom said, stifling a laugh.

"That was all in the past. Christian and I are okay now." Dad shrugged. "And like you're one to talk. I still remember the day when you fought with that sales lady because you got jealous." Dad smirked.

"Don't remind me, " Mom said.

"I haven't heard of that story yet, " I said, sitting on the couch and looking at my Dad like a little girl who wants to hear a fairytale.

"My mood swings were killing me at that time. End of story," Mom said.

"Tell me what happened, please, Dad!" I pleaded while pouting.

"Well, here is how it went."

Flashback... (This flashback will be told in Gabriel's POV)

"Love, where are you?" Lianna asked, looking for me.

I didn't answer because this sales lady was flirting with me. I know what you're thinking but no, I wasn't flirting back. She follows me around and I'm getting sick of her.

We are currently inside the department store in the baby's section. Lianna wanted to shop for our little girl so I accompanied her.

"There you are," Lianna said when she finally saw me. "What are you doing here? I was so worried." She hugged me.

The sales lady then cleared her throat. "Is there a problem?" Lianna asked, getting out of my embrace and glaring at the saleslady.

"No, ma'am," the sales lady replied.

"Are you sure?" Lianna asked, raising a brow.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I saw you flirting with him a while ago. Can't you take a hint, miss?" Lianna asked, crossing her arms.

I know it's wrong but why does Lianna look so hot when she's mad and to think that she's already six months pregnant.

"Hon, let's go," I said, grabbing her arm.

"No, Gabriel. I'll put this b*tch in her place," she said, pulling her arm from my grip. "Wanna know what happened to the last b*tch that flirted with my husband? She's now in a coma."

The sales lady's eyes widened. I, on the other hand, was stifling a laugh.

"Here's a tip. Just focus on your work and stop trying to steal other people's husbands, understood?!" Lianna asked.

The sales lady nodded. Lianna then walked away and I followed her.

"Calm down, baby, " I said, catching up.

"I don't want you flirting with other girls! You are mine and mine only, understood?!" She stopped walking and pointed at me. I nodded as a response and she continued on walking.

"And you said I was the possessive one, " I mumbled.

"I heard that!" she called out. I chuckled before running after her.

"OMG!" I laughed. "I didn't know you had that in you, Mom, " I said. "Did you really put a person in a coma?"

"No, I just said that to scare the lady and mood swings!" she countered.

"Whatever you say, love, " Dad said, chuckling.

"Okay, fine! There's this one time when you're dad got pretty possessive too, " Mom said, glaring at Dad.

"Tell me, " I said, scooting closer to Mom.

"It happened when I was 2 months pregnant."

Flashback... (This flashback will be told in Lianna's POV)

"Miss?" a guy called from behind.

"Yes?" I asked, facing him.

He scratched the back of his head. "Is it alright if you show me where the restrooms are?" he asked.

"Sure, " I answered. "Just go straight ahead then turn left."

"Thank you so much! My name's Jack, by the way, " he said, giving out his hand.

"Lianna, " I said, shaking his hand.

"Lianna!" someone called from behind.

I turned around and saw Gabriel rushing towards me. He then crashed his lips on to mine. He didn't mind the people staring at us. I pulled away and then Jack is nowhere to be found.

"Why did you do that?!" I asked, hitting him on his shoulder.

"You know I don't like when you talk to other guys, Lianna." He crossed his arms.

"I thought you changed. That guy was just asking for directions, " I said, suppressing a laugh.

"You're my wife now, Lianna. I have the right to do that whenever I want."

"Tss... possessive much?" I said before walking away.

"You're even worse than Mom, Dad!" I laughed hysterically. "That guy must've felt like sh*t! His poor virgin eyes! Bless his soul!"

"Language!" My Mom reminded.

"Sorry, mom!" I said, trying to stop laughing.

"That's not so bad. At least, I just kissed your mom. I didn't make love with her in public." Dad shrugged before Mom hit him on his chest. 

"Good thing mom pulled away, " I said, finally recovering.

"Okay. Let's just proceed with your mom's craving, " Dad said, changing the topic.

"You seriously don't want to lose, huh?" Mom asked.

"Nope, " Dad said, shaking his head.

I chuckled before listening to Dad's story.

Flashback... (Gabriel's POV)

"Baby, what are you making?" Lianna asked, taking a peek at the peanut butter and ketchup sandwich I'm preparing.

"My favorite sandwich. Why?"

"I want one, " she said.

"You sure?" I asked and she nodded as a response. "I'll just prepare cheesy fries and your Nutella dip. Fine with you?"

She sighed. "Okay."

I quickly prepared her fries and then, served it to her. "Enjoy!" I said.

"Can you get me some water?" she asked.

"Okay. Wait there."

I stood up to get some water from the fridge. I also grabbed two glasses. When I arrived at the table, I saw my plate completely empty. I looked at Lianna. She is now eating her fries but she's not dipping it in Nutella. "Lianna!"

"What?" she asked, trying to look innocent.

"Did you eat my sandwich?" I raised both my eyebrows.

"What? No, I didn't, " she answered.

"Tell me the truth, " I said, crossing my arms.

"Well..." she said, standing up and walking towards me. "I did eat your sandwich." She whispered before kissing me on the cheek and leaving me on the kitchen.

"Why you little-" I said, following her. I chased her around the house. She can't run so we chase each other by just walking. When I got tired of chasing her while walking, I ran and I caught her in my arms.

I spun her around. "I'm craving you're sandwich, baby. I'm sorry," she said, pouting.

"I thought you hated that sandwich?" I asked, stroking her cheek.

"I take that back. I'm sorry. I love you," she said, smiling. I smiled back before pulling her back to the kitchen.

"So you did try it, huh?" I said, looking at my Mom.

"I hate that sandwich more than anything," Mom said. Dad and I glared at her. "You wanted the sandwich, not me. I'm eating for you too."

"How can you insult my favorite sandwich, babe?" Dad clutched his chest.

"Mom? Dad?" Max called, making the three of us face him. "I'm hungry. Aren't we going to eat yet?" he asked and Mom chuckled.

"Yes. Sorry, baby. Dinner is almost ready," Mom said, standing up and walking to the kitchen.

I stood up and walked to the stairs.

"I have to meet the guy before you start dating him, okay?" Dad said.

I faced him and gave him a small smile. "If he wants to date me, then okay, Dad. You'll meet him soon."

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Hey, Max. Want to watch a movie or something?" I asked my brother who is busy playing games on his phone. He is sitting on the barstool near the sink where I'm currently washing the dishes.

"Sure," he replied.

"What will we watch?" I asked, finishing the dishes.

"Anything. Just don't choose those romantic movies."

I chuckled. "Alright," I said, drying my hands.

Max nodded and walked over to the living room. I turned the kitchen lights off before following him.

"The remote is not here," he said, fixing the pillows that he scattered.

"Dad must've brought it in their room again." I chuckled. "I'll go get it," I said before climbing up the stairs and walking to the master's bedroom.

"I just want Marina to experience what we had then," Mom said. I furrowed my eyebrows. Why are they talking about me?

"I want that too but you know why we have to be extra careful of her, right?" Dad asked and I covered my mouth in shock. "She's not like the others. She's already so fragile and anytime, she can break."

Just like that, a wave of bad memories came rushing in my head. I closed my eyes and tried to forget but I can't. And just like that, I felt them. What I've been avoiding for so long.

Anxiety attacks.