━━━─── • ───━━━

• Luna •

New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

Five months later . . .

"Say cheddar!" Luna exclaimed as she smiled at the baby boy in his pale blue outfit.

Getting a young client to smile while taking their picture had never been a problem for her. Even if his life depended on it, the boy wouldn't smile.

"Look at mommy," she said quietly, nodding her head at him. He pouted and puffed out his bottom lip, an evil sneer illuminating his bright blue eyes. "She's right there."

How can she convince him to smile at her?

"Caiden, look at daddy and me standing by the window. It's lovely outside." Kneeling to his eye level, the boy's mother, Michelle, spoke. Her brown skirt and long red hair dangled on the floor. She adjusted her back and looked at her husband, who was typing on his iPad.

She turned her neck and ran her hand along her son's cheek, causing him to laugh. "If we finish our photography session, we'll go into town and get some ice cream. How does that sound?"

Caiden smiled and nodded with his mother. Michelle stayed still while Luna took out her Nikon 500 and photographed the boy. He laughed and smiled as she played peek-a-boo with her camera.

"Mimi, I need to make a call. I'll step outside," his father said, gazing down at his wife.

"We'll stay here and finish up," Michelle said, smiling up at him. "Don't forget. I want to visit the antique shop across the street."

"It won't take long," he told her, and then turned toward Luna. "Thank you for your time."

She gave him a small smile and returned to photographing Caiden.

"You have a way with children and clients, Luna. How do you do it?"

She chuckled. "Do what?"

"You know . . . getting my son to feel comfortable. We always have a difficult time getting his picture taken. It's his second birthday next week, and I'd figured he'd grow out of that by now."

Luna laughed. "Sarah, my daughter, was like that until she was four years old. Now that she is six, she enjoys fantasy photography. When we go out to the bayou to take pictures, she would dress up as Alice in Wonderland," she told her, reminiscing about the times she and Sarah had fun in the woods.

"Fantasy photography?"

"Fantasy photography is a style of photography with fictional scenes. A photographer would follow a concept from a book, such as Little Red Riding Hood, or, Alice in Wonderland. They're a big seller of mine. Sometimes I'd get creative and capture something new, something I haven't done before."

"What do you do?" she asked, glancing at her son.

"When I can get Sarah to stay still and lie down, I'd capture her picture, then photoshop it for a double exposure effect."

Michelle gaped. "That is fantastic. You have some amazing ideas. It's no surprise you have a large clientele."

Luna's face brightened. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

"I'm serious. I'm curious about your other tricks and methods. Mike and I have been coming to you for years, but I have never shown any interest in your photography."

"It's fine," Luna reassured her. "I'm glad I'm here for you."

When sunlight filtered through the window, casting a beautiful glow around the top of Michelle's head, Luna quickly raised her camera and snapped a picture before the light faded.

"Did you take my picture?" Michelle asked and rose to her feet.

She nodded. "I noticed the sun casting a luminous glow over your head and thought it would make an exquisite photograph. I'll delete it."

"No. Don't do that. I wasn't prepared to have my picture taken. I'm not even wearing makeup." Michelle laughed as she looked out the window.

"The best images are those that are unexpected. They are more natural," Luna replied, comforting her.

"It's no wonder you were named 'Photographer of the Year.' You have a knack for capturing amazing images."

Luna gave Michelle a sly grin. "That's sweet of you to say, but don't tell my fiancé. He enjoys making my life difficult by taking pictures of my face first thing in the morning. He'd catch me walking out of the bathroom with face cream all over my skin."

She chuckled, gazing outside for her husband. "Fiancé? When did that happen?"

Luna smiled. "He proposed to me two days ago."

"I'm sure he did it creatively. You two have been together for . . . three years? Or was it longer?" Michelle hissed.

"Chase and I have been together for five years. We met on Halloween, and his proposal being on that day was sentimental."

Michelle beamed. "That's lovely. I didn't see your ring, and that's why I didn't know you were engaged."

"Oh, I keep it around my neck while I work sometimes. My ring may move in a certain way on my finger and cause me to lose focus. I decided it's best to wear it as a necklace."

A cheerful smile graced Michelle's plump red lips, her vibrant green eyes twinkling under the soft light. "That's good. Especially if it distracts you."

The bell to the door dinged, halting their conversation. Mike stepped inside.

"Hey ladies," he said, beaming at both of them. "Guess who I ran into?"

Chase and Sarah waltzed in slowly behind him.

"Hey, sweet pea!" Luna quipped, wrapping her arms around her daughter's small waist. "What are you doing getting out of school so early?"

"The school let out to get ready for the fall carnival," Sarah explained, her blonde hair flapping around her shoulders. "Can we go?"

"We'll see. Why don't you and your father wait a few minutes in my office?" she said with a gentle smile and a quick hug and kiss from Chase. "Thank you for picking her up."

"It's fine, Lu. I left early for lunch," he said, his pretty smile glistening.

"You're never off early, so I guess I was surprised," Luna replied.

"Well, I like to surprise you," he told her.

"It's good to see you again," Mike said to him, and Chase nodded over his shoulder.

Turning back to her clients, she gave them a joyous smile. "I think I may have all the shots I need for this session. Once I get them printed, I'll give you guys a call."

"That sounds good. And once again, thank you," Michelle replied as Mike picked up their son, hugging Luna's neck.

"Making sure my clients are taken care of is my priority." Twisting her frame toward Caiden, she pinched his cheek and giggled. "And you — you are a handsome little guy. Thank you for being cooperative."

The family chuckled as they stepped out of the studio and Luna turned her 'Now Closed' sign around in the window, then secured the locks.

As she walked into her office, she noticed Sarah on the couch skimming one of her photography books, and Chase standing next to the bookshelf.

"Hey," Luna whispered.

"Hey, honey. Sarah has been bugging me about the carnival at school. Do you want to eat there or pick something from a restaurant?"

"Hm . . . " Luna paused for a moment, contemplating how long her next client would take. It wasn't ten thirty yet, and a good photographer doesn't work well when rushed.

"Cajun House is now open. They have some poboys that have gotten rave reviews," she suggested.

Sarah jumped out of her seat and cuddled her mother's waist. "I know what we can eat."

"What is that, princess?" Chase asked, lowering his body.

"Chinese!" Sarah exclaimed, causing them to burst into a fit of laughter. Luna was certain she would say pizza.

Sarah's laughter was similar to a summer's rain and as sweet as a bird's song. Each time her parents heard it, even on glooming or dreary days, the sun brightened. It was as if her sound lifted a veil from their eyes and allowed them to see the world distinctly. It was funny how laughter could do that, those honest rumblings of the soul. Sarah surprised her mother by suggesting her second favorite food to eat, and Luna loved that surprise.

"Chinese it is," Chase said, and the family stepped outside into the crisp autumn air, the atmosphere soothing and relaxing.

━━━─── • ───━━━

Luna returned to her table after a quick visit to the ladies' room and noticed the lighting was dim in Asian Fusion Gourmet. The smell of fish penetrated the air. As a waitress carrying a plate of squid passed by, she tried not to gag. She never seemed to enjoy the taste of it.

She listened to the noisy chatter of the people sitting near them while the family waited for their ticket. The restaurant was small, which made her feel cramped.

"Mommy, what does your fortune cookie say?" Sarah asked, and Luna shoved a bite of Chicken Chow Mein into her mouth.

Her daughter had always been fascinated by their fortunes. When they ate at a restaurant, the family made it a tradition to read the slips of paper tucked away in their cookies.

Shifting her gaze between them, Luna wiped her hands with a white cloth and reached for the small, crisp cookie. Peeling it gently with her fingers, she slowly pulled it out to read what it said. "You will be at an impasse soon."

"What about you, peanut," Chase asked Sarah, laying his chopsticks down.

"A fresh beginning will put you on your way," Sarah said, beaming.

They smiled at her.

Chase then chuckled after reading his fortune.

Luna jabbed his arm and nodded for him to read it aloud. "We're waiting for yours right now," she insisted, sipping her sweet tea.

Clearing his throat, he peered their way and then gazed down at his fortune. "Accept something that you cannot change, and you will feel better."

Sarah squealed and grabbed another cookie. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Luna giggled. "I know what it means," she said, giving Chase a stern look.

"What would that be, baby?"

"That you can't always have your way. You're on laundry duty this weekend."

He laughed, showing Luna that he couldn't win their laundry argument. They had chores scheduled for a reason, and their system worked. She did it last weekend, and they had to keep going with their routine. It would be a good example for Sarah to follow.

"It's my turn, but don't get mad at me if I put some white clothes in with the colored ones."

Chase sat there quietly as he waited for a reply.

Luna scooted forward and whispered, "As long as the clothes are washed, dried, and put up, I'll be fine."

His smile was infectious, and she could stare at his finely carved chiseled cheeks all day. His nose was perfectly symmetrical, with slightly full lips that ended in a cute little smirk at the corners. The bright light above them highlighted the tiny dimples in his cheeks.

He brushed his skin against his fianceé, which was soft and gentle. She inched away to get her glass of sweet tea, then nodded to the other guests who passed by her family.

When a server collided with a chair behind them, causing her tray of food to spill across the floor, Luna broke their gaze and shifted her gaze to the young woman. She was frantically picking up food scraps from the floor while quietly crying. As two coworkers rushed by to help clean up, she looked embarrassed and hurt.

Chase took a glance at the scene, then jumped up and grabbed some towels to help with the mess.

After he and the staff finished up, he made his way back to the table, lowering his neck to kiss Sarah on her head. She wasn't his biological daughter, but he helped raise her like she was his own.

Gazing at the girls, he asked, "Is everyone finished eating?"

Sarah nodded as Luna opened her mouth. "We're finished. That was kind of you."

"I understand how they feel. I was one of them back in the day," Chase said, gazing at their food.

"I'm in the mood for a Peanut Butter Shake," Sarah said.

"Not yet, my little one," Luna replied. "I have some more work to do, and then we'll all go out for dessert."

"It's Friday, peanut. You are out of school tomorrow," Chase reminded her. "I'll take us out for a daddy-daughter ice cream day."

"Yay!" Sarah jumped to her feet and dashed toward him. "I love you, Daddy!"

"I love you, sweetheart," Chase said. "Y'all are precious gems, and I'm completely devoted to your mother. I can't wait until we're officially a family."

Glancing at his ring, he gave her a gentle smile and said, "I can't wait until you're Mrs. Luna Reneé Carlyle-Marquette. That will be the best moment of my life."

"My name will soon be a mouthful."

He chuckled in his seat.

"Can I be the ring bearer?" Sarah asked, smiling sweetly.

"You don't want to have another role in our wedding?"

Sarah shook her head. "I think I'd prefer keeping up with the rings," she said, twirling her fake silver ring with her fingers.

"We'll think about it. I may have a more important job for you to do."

Her brows perked. "Like what?"

"How about walking with mommy down the aisle?" Luna said.

Sarah nodded. "Yes, and I can hold the rings."

They laughed as they hopped out of their seats, and Chase placed some money on the table for their food.

Luna paused for a moment as they walked toward the front door, catching a whiff of something she recognized. It was bitter, acidic, and strong.

Turmeric.

She recognized the aroma because it reminded her of the scent of Pakistani food seeping toward her studio. Mera, a friend and fellow business owner, cooked a variety of Pakistani cuisines since she was from Pakistan. The Chinese restaurant does not serve that type of food or use any spices in their dishes. How did she smell the food so vividly?

"Come on, Mommy," Sarah said, tugging on the hem of her shirt.

"I'm coming," she told them, as they stepped outside, the scent of Mutton Korma filling her nostrils, not a single Pakistani restaurant in sight.

━━━─── • ───━━━

Thank you for reading my story. I appreciate you.

• Book cover credit: Guinealove2005