They had a lot of memories...

Memories that brought joy to their hearts...

Memories that they will always cherish...

“Are you sure they will like the presents I got them?” Chanyeol asked, biting his lower lip.

Alex couldn’t help but chuckle at how nervous he was. “I am sure,” She smiled. “Relax. They are a bunch of cool people, you’ll see.”

He nodded his head. “I just want to make a good impression…” He mumbled.

“Just be yourself,” She said. “That’s all you have to do.”

“Got it.” He nodded slowly.

Alex walked up to him and he wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. She smiled shyly and pecked the corner of his lips. “By the way…”

“Yes?” He whispered, leaning their foreheads together.

“You still didn’t answer my question from last night,” She pouted playfully.

He chuckled and kissed her nose. “I know enough for a daily conversation but that’s it. As for why I didn’t tell you, well I wanted to surprise you.”

“And you succeeded.”

He winked. “I know. Your expression was priceless, babe.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Hmm,” He bit his inner cheeking. “It’s no fun if I spoil it for you.”

She pouted, making him laugh.

“Tease!” She huffed playfully.

He winked and suddenly their lips met.

*

The two arrived in front of her Uncle’s house. It was a huge mansion with kilometers and kilometers of vines. The house that stood before them was a traditional Italian house. Concrete building with a colorful facade. The stairs that led to the entrance had many pots of flowers placed on their sides for decoration. Around the house there were many rose bushes as well, neatly cut.

Alex got out of the car, followed by Chanyeol and the dogs. At that moment her aunt opened the door and grinned, opening her arms for a hug. At that moment, one black truck stopped and her uncle walked out. He grinned as he approached. 

"Amore! Why didn't you let us know you'll come?" He said greeting her with a hug.

“I wanted to surprise you all!” She smiled and hugged him tightly. 

Her aunt glanced at the Chanyeol and smiled. "And this young man?"

Chanyeol smiled. "I'm Chanyeol, nice to meet you," he spoke in Italian, "her boyfriend." 

“That’s the guy you presented as your friend?” Her uncle teased.

“At that time, he was…” She mumbled.

The male laughed slightly and shook his head. “Welcome, son!”

“Thank you,” Chanyeol smiled and bowed. 

"Let's get into the house, lunch is ready as we speak," her aunt said.

“Aunt and Uncle are the best when it comes to cooking!” Alex grinned. “You’ll see.”

He chuckled. “I can’t wait.”

“She likes to flatter us a bit too much,” Her uncle winked.

They all walked back inside, excited that Alex had arrived. Seeing her was always a lovely thing. Even though they preferred that she call them and tell them that she is coming, they still adored her surprise visits. Alex led Chanyeol into the living room as T and Zzar followed.

“Make yourself comfortable,” She smiled. “T? Zzar? Would you like to go into the garden?”

The two dogs barked and wagged their tails. She chuckled and opened the glass sliding door that led into the garden. 

"What are your intentions with my niece?" 

"Francesco!”

Alex blinked. “Really?” 

"We are talking like two men? Right, son?" 

"Yes, we are," said Chanyeol, "my intentions are honest and humble. I fell for your niece and I don't intend to leave her." 

Her aunt turned away as she sniffed. Francesco grinned. Alex blushed at his words and smiled shyly. 

"I'll make the wedding that nobody else saw. It wi be loud and crazy," the male said.

“Uncle!” 

Chanyeol chuckled. "I heard Italian weddings are crazy." 

"It's a big thing, son. You'll see. Alex, tomorrow you can bring him with us so he can see what I am talking about."

“Who is getting married?” Alex asked. 

"Your cousin, mother invited us to come." He said.

“It’s so late minute!” She pouted. “Why didn’t you guys tell me earlier?” 

"Don't worry, we got it all covered. I already bought something for her which I know you would!" Her aunt smiled. 

"We were about to," her uncle winked. "Be aware if she catches the flowers, son." He said. 

“Aunt, do you need help in the kitchen?” Alex mumbled. “I’ll be glad to help!” 

"Nope," her aunt smirked.

Alex blinked. “So, how are my dear uncle and aunt doing?” 

Chanyeol chuckled.

"No changing the subject, young lady." Francesco narrowed his eyes.

“I’m not,” She mumbled. “I am just worried, that’s all.” 

Chanyeol wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Her aunt sniffed. "She grew up well..." She sighed. 

Francesco sighed. "Really... You talk as if she joined the mafia..."

“Aren’t we?” Alex teased them. 

"You two..." Her aunt narrowed her eyes. 

The housemaid walked in and smiled. "Signora, cominciamo." 

Her aunt smiled. "It's ready. We can sit at the table."

They all got up and headed toward the dining room. On their way there, in the hallway, Chanyeol noticed some pictures. All of them included family members and Alex with her twin. The two were was same, even in height, the only difference was the hair color. One had a darker shade than the other. Back at Alex’s place, he didn’t see any of the pictures displayed, but then again he understood why. It was a painful topic.

“That’s Chris…” Alex said, her voice sounding a bit sad and distant.

"Your twin…" He said.

She nodded. “As you can see, the only difference was the hair color, that’s how they knew who is who.” 

"Tell me about her."

“She was five minutes older than me,” Alex began. “Growing up, we did everything together. If she played the piano, I played the piano. If she had a new toy, I had the same. If I didn’t want to do something, she always found a way to make me change my mind. She was more talkative than I, but with her, it was impossible to stay in my shell.” 

"Twin connection, that's why you're this way. I understand," he said.

“Sorry… every time I talk about her  a limp will form in my throat…” She said. “I keep happy memories of her, but I miss her dearly…”

He nodded his head. “It’s alright, babe. It’s all normal.”

She smiled lightly and the two joined her uncle and aunt at the table. Francesco looked at her and cracked the corner of his lips into a smile. He had heard her a moment ago so he understood what made her change. When they all talked about her, it was a way to keep the memory of her but they all knew how painful it was for Alex, yet she smiled, but the change was felt.

“They two always came here for the weekend and the holidays,” Francesco said.

“It was their favorite place,” Her aunt added.

***

“We are here!” Christina yelled out the moment she walked in.

Francesco and his wife came out to greet them. “Amore!”

The two girls ran to them and hugged them tightly.

“We have news, don’t we Alex?”

The little girl nodded her head.

“And what is that?” Francesco asked.

“We take the offer of learning how to ride a horse!” Christina said excitedly.

Francesco and his wife couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay, okay, but first let’s wash up and eat,” He added.

The two nodded and ran up the stairs to wash up.

***

“Those were the good times,” Her aunt smiled.

“They sure were and there are many more stories of those two and their friend Diana,” The male added.

“Those three combined, meant trouble,” The woman chuckled.

Chanyeol raised his eyebrow, amused and interested in it. Alex laughed slightly and shook her head. “I admit, we were troublemakers at times.”

“You don’t say…” Francesco rolled his eyes.

***

“They are awfully quiet…” Francesco squinted his eyes.

“Let’s go see what they are up to,” His wife said and the two got up.

As they headed up the stairs and toward their room they saw red paint on the floor and looked at each other. Francesco hurried into the room and his eyes widened in shock. There was paint all over and even on them.

“What in the world?” The woman blinked.

“We were playing camouflage?” Chris grinned.

“Dear Lord…” Francesco facepalmed himself.

“I tried to stop them?” Diana blinked.

“Sure you did…” The woman shook her head.

***

Alex couldn’t help but laugh as she remembered that day. They were surely crazy back then and always came up with something new. There wasn’t a day that they found boring, even if it was walking through the vineyard. They would pick up their basket and compete who it faster in picking the grapes.

***

“The last one to reach uncle with a full basket is a rotten egg!” Christina giggled and ran off.

“After her!” Diana exclaimed.

Alex chuckled and the two ran after her.

***

Chanyeol listened, enjoying the food and the stories as well. Alex smiled and laughed from time to time. Her smile and laugh were the most beautiful thing in the world… at least, in his world. But there was sadness in her eyes as well, yet she tried to hide it as much as that was possible.

“One of the traditions was also decorating the Christmas tree,” Francesco said softly. “The girls adored it.”

***

“We bought some new decorations,” Francesco said.

“And more decorative veils,” His wife winked.

The girls clapped their hands and quickly opened the bags and started taking out the decorations and deciding where to put them on the tree.

***

Alex’s smile slowly faded away. It was true that it was a tradition, but not anymore. Not since her sister died on Christmas day. On that day, she can’t be reached. She would be alone and mourn her twin in the best way she could. Unlike others, she hated going to the memorial center because of her parents. They would always cause more drama and arguments, so to avoid it, she avoided going.

Was she blamed for that as well? Yes.

She was called heartless.

Emotionless.

They would spread rumors that she hates her twin and that’s why she won’t come, but those who know her knew that wasn’t true. They knew that wasn’t the case. Her parents were the real reason. They weren’t worth it. They weren’t worth her time. Her tears. Her energy. Thanks to her Uncle, Aunt, and the others, she managed to get out of the darkness. For that, she will always be grateful. Her family was her everything.

“There are pictures as well,” Her aunt said. “I’ll show you later.”

“I would like that,” Chanyeol smiled. “By the way, I love the food. It’s very delicious.”

“I told you,” Alex chuckled lightly.

“Well, thank you,” The woman smiled.

As they continued to eat, the topic changed. This time, Francesco wanted to know more about Chanyeol. His job, hobbies, life, and whatnot. Chanyeol was fine with it. He felt comfortable around her aunt and uncle. They were cool people, laidback and open-minded. Even the fact that Chanyeol was ten years older than Alex wasn’t a problem and for them, it was just a number and nothing else.

Did he regret coming? No.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Chanyeol said.

“And what is that, son?” The male looked at him as he finished eating.

“We got you some presents,” Chanyeol smiled.

“And why did you spend money on that?” The woman shook her head.

“Hush, we wanted to,” Alex winked.

“Well, thank you,” Francesco smiled.

*

They all sat in the living room, chatting with each other as they waited for the other family members to come over, including her grandparents.  They wouldn’t miss her visit for the world. Chanyeol was excited about it as and he can surely say he was having the time of his life.

There was one more thing that Alex wasn’t telling them, though. It was the fact that Diana was coming. It was their little secret and Alex promised not to say anything. Both of the girls loved surprises and loved to surprise others, of course, in a pleasant way. They had always been like that, even when they were kids. That was one thing that never changed and it probably never will.

***

“I will be arriving tomorrow afternoon.”

“My lips are sealed,” Alex said. “They will not suspect a thing.”

“You are the best, Al!”

***

“More coffee?” Alex asked, getting up.

“Yes, please,” Chanyeol smiled.

“And the two of you?”

“Thank you, darling,” They said and smiled.

“I will be right back,” Alex winked and walked toward the kitchen.
 

Diana and Jongin had an early morning fight so that they could have time for rest and to do shopping before they head to see Alex's family. Her own parents prepared gifts for them - his father sent a sangria that he and Diana both made, her mother sent a homemade cheese, and, for Alex's grandmother Diana's aunt prepared special medicine knowing that the woman has issues with arthritis. 

She heard so many times