Chapter 8 First Birthday In Austin, Texas

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Zaffi, happy birthday to you." They sing while clapping. "Make a wish before you blow your candle." Said Daddy. I closed my eyes and whispered my wish without them knowing. "What is your wish?" Sister Vaness asked. "That is a secret." I still laughed. "I just want to tell everyone that I am really really overwhelmed with happiness. This is the very first time I have a birthday and we are complete, we are all together. This is the happies birthday ever. Thank you mommy! "And I hugged my Mom. "Dad, I am super happy that we are together now." Dad was the one I hugged. "Brother Vhil and Sister Vaness, thanks for taking care of me as the youngest sibling. For bringing me to school everyday since we came here. For making sure, I belong here." And I hugged my siblings. "Aunt Dyessa, I reserve my birthday wish for you. I prayed for a miracle. I know, a person who is kind-hearted like you will be blessed with a second life. You deserve it! You are very considerate and loving. You are a mother to me. Please, be strong for us. "As I held the hand of Aunt Dyessa who was sitting in her wheelchair. Remember Aunt Dyessa? She is Daddy's real wife. Like I told you before, we are just a second family. She is an angel from heaven. How was she able to accept that her friend was pregnant by her husband? That's kinda weird and hard. But she did! She still accepted my mother. She never left my daddy. She took care of me as if I am one of her children. She is still close to my mom. They are like sisters. How did she do that? Yes, my mom feels really, really sorry for what she did but because it seems that the first to really have a relationship is Mommy and Daddy. Then they separated. Until Mommy heard that Daddy and Aunt Dyessa were married. That is why when my Mom and Dad met again, they still felt the love and that was how my beauty was formed. It's a long story. But to cut it short, our family is unusual but we love and care for each other. My siblings Sister Vaness and Brother Vhil already have jobs. They support me all the way. They never made me feel like I was an outcast. I am precious to them. The decision of moving here together with them was so sudden. I have to graduate from college. But we were shocked when Brother Vhil returned to the Philippines to pick us up. Aunt Dyessa is sick. Colorectal Cancer, stage lVB. And sad to say, it's malignant. She is getting weaker and weaker each day. "Thanks Zaffi for that wonderful wish." She answered weakly. "Do you want me to bring you in the room? Are you okay?" Mommy immediately asked when she noticed that Aubt Dyessa seemed to be weakening. "I am good. I have to say something to all of you. Charlotte, Teodore, ~~~ in front of our children ~~~, promise me that ~~~ you will get married after ~~~ I passed away. " She said in a broken voice. "Dyessa, do not say that. What we have gone through is enough for me to say that I feel no envy or anger towards you. Live for your family. "Mommy touch Aunt on her shoulders. "Same here! I am not angry with you at all! ~~~ you're my friend til the end ~~~ and if anyone else can take my place ~~~ as a wife and ~~~~~ mother of my children ~~~~ it is just you! Vaness, Vhil, we've talked about this. Love your ~~~ Aunt Charlotte the way that you love me. As well as ~~~~ Zaffi, take good care of your sister. "While there was a smile on her lips. As if she didn't feel any pain from what she was saying. It is all straight from the heart. I glanced at Mommy. She is crying! "Yes, mom! You prepared us for this. As the eldest, I will take care of them." Brother Vhil also smiled and put his arm around me. "Sweerheart...." She turned to Daddy. Daddy approached her and held her hand. "We have also talked about this for a long time. I know how much you love Charlotte. And you have been a good husband to me. Promise me, you will marry my twin sister. "Exactly, they are like twins the way they take care of each other. "Just live as long as you can." Daddy kissed her forehead. "Arrange Zaffi's papers. I want her to ~~~ be Thompson. Arrange the ~~~~~ affidavit of paternity the soonest." Aunt Dyessa looked at me and smiled. I flew a kiss to her as my tears dripped. "Zaphia Adeen W. Thompson. That is what I want your name to be. ~~~~~ And I want to read that name in your papers, Dear." A sweet smile from Aunt Dyessa. I am lucky for having them as my family. I am slowly getting used to it here in Austin, Texas. It is one of the best places here in America. It has a wonderfully weird culture, restaurant scenes and job market. Gradually I was also able to adjust to the college I was attending. They are so independent! There I changed. I really miss Khaye and Jazzy. Here I have to walk alone. I don t have a friend yet that I can say I can be with most of the time. Little adjustment yet! Everything will be alright too. How is Apollo? THEIR POINT-OF-VIEW "She is not active on social media. Can you still talk to her?" While Apollo was browsing his social media account. "Her account is deactivated. Jazzy also doesn't want to tell us how we can talk to Zaf." Cloyd replied. "Dude, I feel like I am going crazy! Since she left, I don't seem to have the motivation to move forward." Apollo even grabbed his forehead. "Hey, stop doing that. The loss of Zaf should be your motivation. For your next confrontation, you will have something to be proud of and show it to her. Soon after we are done for school, find her in America." Cloyd's advice. "America is too big. But I hope I can still find her and I can say she is important to me. And when that happens, I won't let het go. "He said seriously. In Austin, Texas ..... "I am Thompson now! Mommy, I am Thompson now! "I shouted when I saw documents inside the mail box. "Approved? Wow! I am happy for you, Zaffi." Mommy hugged me. "I have waited for so long. I am super happy." As I look at the documents again. Because of this great news, we went for a night out to celebrate. I am legitimate Thompson now.