No Ordinary Love
Chapter 50: Epilogue - No Ordinary Love
“Be careful with the sand on Momma’s face.”
Ira knelt down next to Star to remove Tawan’s sunglasses to brush her windblown hair and some sand she saw away her face before fixing the sunglasses back over her eyes.
Tawan smiled up to her in thanks before spitting some sand out of her mouth. Sammy nodded in acknowledgment as he started scooping more sand into his bucket while Star giggled behind her hand at Tawan’s current state. The twins had begged her to let them bury her in the sand so now the only thing visible of Tawan was the tops of her shoulders up to her head.
Ira was concerned about her getting sand in her eyes and mouth, but she knew her wife could not deny their children any request. Ever since they arrived in Greece near Mykonos a few days ago, Tawan went to great lengths to give their children the best experience money could buy. They had rented a two bedroom bungalow at a resort close to the beach that gave them some privacy.
Star and Sammy were in awe at how beautiful the white sand beaches were, how the cuisine was like nothing they had ever tasted before, how ancient history surrounded them, and how the exposure to a different culture was so exciting. Tawan made sure to teach them about some of the history and culture of Greece which gave her a chance to flex her history nerd muscles. Ira took charge in taking them out for food from the terrain and showing them pictures and videos of the places they would be visiting.
All in all, both women felt they had did a great job preparing their children for their vacation destination so that they would appreciate the place they were visiting by respecting the people and customs.
After all, they did have so many months of preparation after they returned from New York. Even with life having been so busy the last five months, they felt like they had blinked and time had passed. Before they knew it, it was the twins 7th birthday and they barely had time to mourn another year of their babies getting older. It was especially why they were excited about their upcoming family vacation to kickoff the summer.
Ira’s popularity had skyrocketed to the point that she even had some paparazzi and a small, loyal fanbase, whom were constantly enamored by her stopping to engage in talks with them, that would follow her around to events. She had been to multiple fashion shows as both a model and a special guest, still very much in love with that world and all if had given her. The biggest boost to her engagement, however, was a television executive specifically picking her for a guest starring role on a new series they were developing.
At first, she thought Mali was lying to her about this request, but her manager looked just as shocked as she did when she informed her about the call. Ira felt that she did not have an acting bone in her body, but producers thought otherwise having reviewed her commercial tapes and photoshoots. Besides, it was just a short role as a guest star and they would assist her with an acting coach to sharpen the details.
And that was not all...another big announcement that they had recently made was a podcast that Ira would be hosting.
Her coming forward to the public about her assault story had created a following that was very interested in how she was processing everything because the trajectory of her success seemed to keep going higher. She had inspired so many people in such a short amount of time, and they wanted to keep supporting her in any way that they could. For Ira, it was never about capitalizing on her trauma, rather, it was about bringing awareness to very serious subjects of women also being perpetuators of abuse and same sex domestic partner violence.
Her epiphany after winning her court case and settlement which allowed her to donate the money to a special cause was constantly on her mind. She shared this extensively with Tawan and they would discuss how they could continue that activism just as much. If Ira could do something that she enjoyed that also brought awareness to serious subjects, it could allow her to continue donating a portion of proceeds to great causes.
Meena and Tawan agreed and had been cooking up an idea for months prior to officially announcing it a few weeks after the twins birthday. Ira had shared in passing to Tawan that she had been thinking about what she wanted to do when modeling was no longer in the cards for her. With so many people sharing their own stories with her after finding comfort in her bravery, she felt like that may be a lane to explore in the vein of empowering women and other marginalized groups.
All she knew was that she wanted them to build something together to take them into the future, and though she still did not know what exactly, she knew she wanted them to invest in their next business adventure together.
Ira bringing up the idea about a podcast or live show for FleurDe came so easily that night in their bathtub because she had been thinking about it for herself for a while. She loved to talk, had working knowledge about the world of fashion, noted her social media accounts had been growing steadily, and her business degree would help guide her down the path. It was something that she knew would not be easy, but it was an exciting feeling to think about creating something from scratch that she and her wife would build together.
Since Tawan had also already been thinking about this, she thought it was a brilliant idea and so she brought it up to Meena the next day. Her business partner was already running the numbers and scenarios in her head about how they could do this and where they could take it. Meena had so much respect for Ira prior to learning about what happened to her with Lai, her journey back into modeling being so inspiring, so this seemed predestined at some point for her in her mind.
Thus, both Tawan and Meena concluded that Tawan and Ira should start a business together in the form of a small production company that would focus primarily on podcasts and other social media type live shows for now.
Tawan knew she had to talk to Ira first to not only get her buy-in, but to also get her ideas, changes, and any other missing information to make this successful. They would be equal partners in this business adventure, so she never wanted Ira to think she did not have a say in any of the planning and creating process. Still, though, she was ecstatic thinking about the proposal she would surprise Ira with once her and Meena discussed it a little further to have a basic framework.
They figured that FleurDe would be the first company to work with as both a security precaution but also the creative control. Though Tawan and Ira would be equal partners in this should her wife agree to this, Tawan would let Ira make all the creative decisions and negotiate talent acquisition for future partners. She trusted her to do what was necessary and best for their business same as she knew she would do for her.
To say that Ira was over the moon when her wife nervously shared the idea with her would be an understatement. She practically jumped into Tawan’s arms as she stuttered through the business proposal, nervous about asking her wife to take another leap of faith with her but this time together equally. Her hearty laugh escaped her as she caught her with ease and she peppered her face with kisses.
Ira almost fainted, though, when Tawan told her that she thought she should host the first podcast as a part of FleurDe. Her eyes were wide and watering, touched as she listened to her wife lay out her carefully thought out plan on how she thought her personality and spirit should be the groundbreaking start for them. Tawan had a few ideas for the content of the podcast, but she wanted Ira to suss her own to create this in her image so that it embodied her wholly and perfectly.
Tawan sat back after her speech and waited with baited breath as she watched her wife chew over everything she said. Ira was thinking about so many things at once, but one of the main things was the way the idea instantly consumed her for how she wanted to create this podcast. The confidence that Tawan had in her to do it all however she saw fit only confirmed to her that this did not just find her by happenstance.
To be in theme and in line with FleurDe’s content and audience, her idea was a podcast about women doing extraordinary and everyday things. Whether it was interviewing current and former models, women in fashion, women in beauty, or even women doing regular jobs, she wanted to showcase and highlight the power and beauty in all women around the country. This would help expose the world to their customs, culture, and history to then allow people to see all the amazing things they could do while honoring and praising them for their efforts.
She also thought about how this could also benefit the LGBTQ+ community by including them in the guest lineup.
There was also the chance for her to share her story in her own words at her own pace. She did not want it to be the main theme of the podcast, but she did want it to be the thing that spearheaded it and would be felt in how resilient the human spirit can be. It was why she did not want to immediately do interviews or shows or write an article or anything in the aftermath of her sharing it because not only was it suffocating, it was something she wanted to control from sensationalism and do on her own time when she was ready.
That was why she said when she was ready to do it then she would do it with Tawan for FleurDe.
It was not about using an available resource to her advantage, rather, it was about being comfortable and at ease telling her story to someone, the one person, at that, that would cradle it with careful hands. Now, with the podcast, she could also help others in a similar way while also using a portion of the proceeds of each episode to donate to organizations, shelters, and any other grassroots movements that supported causes for victims and survivors of abuse of any kind.
She really felt like she had found the next chapter of her career in this work and it all started now.
Ira immediately started smiling at how a new idea or guest popped into her head so rapidly. Tawan’s worries soon dissipated as she watched her start to grasp and run away with the idea. The fact that she was able to add a layer of brightness to her wife’s already beaming demeanor made her grin as she watched her focus back on her. They both shared a look of knowing that this was going to be the thing that carried them into the future with endless possibilities.
The podcast would not go live until next year once they finished finalizing some investor interest and studio building. FleurDe still had a few rooms not being utilized, so they decided to turn one of them into the studio for the podcast and the live show that Ira had come up with. She recruited two members from the team to host a week day, 45 minute show to discuss the day’s fashion hot topics and pop culture moments.
The test for the live show was a success and it allowed for them to fine tune any areas needing improvement while also using constructive feedback from the team and the test audience. Ira was over the moon with the process so far along with everything she had learned and taught herself leading up to that moment. The production team was so trusting in her vision and guidance, and she could tell that the senior leadership team genuinely believed in her not just because she was the CEO’s wife.
FleurDe had grown more in those months, as well, and especially after hiring more employees. The new hires included an editor-in-chief that freed up Tawan to solely hold the CEO position, and a Vice President of Marketing that saw to Meena taking over as the the COO. Both women were a little sad at leaving their roles because they enjoyed the creative process and team collaboration so much, but they knew it was inevitable and would give others an opportunity for growth.
Tawan was having so much fun working with Ira on her podcast and the live show that she did not have much time to dwell on her sadness of the change. She was mostly there to support Ira whenever she needed her, but Ira made a point to ensure that she added all of her value. Ira understood that Tawan wanted her to take this opportunity for herself with her being mostly a support system, but she was adamant about them being a power, and now a genuinely philanthropic, couple and doing all this together.
It was why she had to push her down into the corner of their couch so that she could hold her and tell her she meant every word she told her about being that power couple. Ira gave a rather passionate speech about how she wanted them to do this together in every capacity they could with respect to the roles - Ira the president and Tawan the vice president - they held within their production company. She was so adamant about driving these points home that it made Tawan tear up at how much she wanted to do this with her and only her.
The live show would launch in the fall and the podcast was scheduled for some time spring next year. Ira wanted the first episode of the podcast to feature the both of them so they could introduce themselves formally and inform their audience what they were expecting this platform to be and to do. She also wanted them to sort of interview each other to give background to the audience about who they were on a more personal level that the public would be made new to.
There was also no one better to be the first representatives of women and the LGBTQ+ community than a successful model and new CEO of a magazine.
Tawan blanched at the idea of being on the podcast as a co-host, even if for a few episodes, and on camera. Ira had the amazing idea of making the podcast available on YouTube which followed along her original ideas she shared about multiple platforms. She knew it would be somewhat of a battle to get her wife to agree, but she wanted the world to know how special she was to her so that they would fall in love with her in their own way, too.
And, like always, Tawan would suck it up and show up for Ira in whatever way she needed her to because she loved her more than she feared her insecurities. It was also easy to agree to when Ira told her that she wanted her to be the one to interview her for sharing her story for the second episode. Tawan was so touched not only because of the request but because Ira told her there was no one she trusted more or who led with more empathy for her subject when writing than her.
So much had changed and it was for the better for them as individuals and together. Ira’s modeling career was taking her to new heights and opening doors she did not even plan for. FleurDe was steadily rising the ranks as a respected publication to the point it was sharing seats at the table with the most revered, established magazines. Together, they had created something that would carry them in the future and would blossom to a pillar of the community.
Tawan and Ira felt like life was just getting better and better after such a difficult end to the year last year. It was what they knew all along, deep in the corners and depths of their hearts, that hard times would not last forever. As long as they remembered that they could do anything they set their mind to, that they were stronger together than apart, and that blessings would always find them no matter how dark the moment may be.
This was especially true every time they looked at their children and could feel the love they had for them rush through their veins to pump their hearts.
Star and Sammy were having just as successful of a year as they were and they could not be more proud of them even if they tried. They were their pride and joy, always making them feel like that whatever greatness poured into them overfilled them. In turn, they would share it with their children so that they felt big and strong to accomplish whatever they set their minds to.
Their biggest achievement in this life would be to grow and support their children to keep them afloat to traverse this crazy world.
Star was excelling so well in karate that she placed 2nd in her first competition at the regional level. Tawan was worried that she would have to console her for not placing 1st, but her little girl never ceased to amaze her when she did a cartwheel up to her mothers in victory. Using her parents’ teachings, she enjoyed the process so much that she would have been happy finishing dead last if it meant this rush of competition could be repeated again.
As for Sammy, he had his own achievements he was very proud of that made his little chest puff out some. The big one for him, and as Tawan had told him, was practicing his bicycle kick every time they plated in the backyard to the point that he landed one in a game. She almost ran out on the field to pick him up and throw him on her shoulders to run around with in celebration but, thankfully, her wife gripped her arm as if she could sense this to prevent her as they cheered boisterously from the sidelines with Star.
Every day they were excited to wake up and see what life had in store for them and their family.
Ira smiled as she adjusted the umbrella that blocked the sun and protected them from the very harsh rays. She was glad she was being so diligent in keeping them shaded and hydrated the past hour since they had arrived. It was why even though they had a very nice breakfast to keep them fueled, she also made sure they had plenty of of snacks to hold them over until they ate their lunch they had packed.
“Mommy? Can we go to the water now?” Star asked, looking up to her.
Ira sat down beside her and moved her bangs away. “Yes, in a minute. Momma’s feet still need to be buried,” she told her, pointing at them with her eyes.
Star laughed as she looked at her mother’s toes wriggle half buried in the sand. Her brother was focused on Tawan’s upper body, so she scooted over to finish her bottom half so that they would go swimming. Ira smiled as she watched her for a moment before looking over her shoulder to her wife who was smiling at their son as he told her about something at school.
“Do you want to go out into the water in a minute?” Ira asked her.
“Yeah,” Tawan answered, smiling to her. “It’s pretty hot out here. Somehow, worse than back home.”
Ira nodded in agreement as she reached over to pat her forearm to her forehead where she saw her start to sweat. They chalked it up to their acclimation back home as to how they were able to navigate the weather here. It was still scorching hot, even in their bikinis, but they knew how to take care of themselves and their children so that no medical emergency happened during their trip.
However, they did decide that the next family vacation would be somewhere in the mountains where it was cooler.
“Let’s take a picture,” Ira smiled as she grabbed her Sony camera. She took a few pictures of the twins with Tawan then some of them all together.
The twins spent roughly another ten minutes playing in the sand with Tawan before Ira announced that it was time to go cool off in the water. They had the most adorable, uncontrollable laughs that filled the air when Tawan acted silly by raising from the sand like a zombie. When she stood, she dusted herself off then proceeded to chase them like a zombie which made Ira laugh at her childlike mannerisms that always popped out at the best time.
Before they went out to the water, Ira wrangled everyone up for another lathering of sunscreen for extra protection.
“Grab a hand,” Ira instructed them, reaching her left out to Star.
Tawan picked up Sammy to put him on her shoulders as they all headed out to the water. He was getting a little heavier and would soon be getting taller, so she was glad she was able to hoist him up knowing that this may be the last time she could. Ira kneeled down as they go closer to the water to let Star on for a piggyback, her little arms circling securely around her neck.
“You okay?” Ira asked her, turning her head some to smile at her.
“Yes, Mommy,” she giggled excitedly, locking her fingers together.
Ira shifted her higher up some more then carefully walked them to the water, dipping her toe in and shivering at how cold it was, always shocked by this because of the scorching heat. She slowly waded them into the water and laughed at Star’s audible shock at how cold the water was, her arms tightening as she shifted higher up her. Ira squeezed her little feet to comfort her then rubbed them to prepare her for going deeper.
Tawan and Sammy were already out in chest deep water, and he had switched to also ride Tawan piggyback style now that he was not afraid. The reason she had to heave him up on her shoulders initially was because he thought sharks were going to nibble on his toes. He was kicking his feet in the water while Tawan told him some interesting facts about the ocean, listening intently and asking questions occasionally.
“It’s so cold, Momma,” Star said in a shiver, wiggling her toes in the water.
“We gotta dunk you so you won’t be cold anymore,” Tawan joked, winking at her in jest.
“No!” Star shrieked, pulling on Ira to move them back.
“S-Star,” Ira choked, coughing some. Her eyes widened some as she felt her larynx being pressed against.
“Hey, hey. I’m kidding, baby,” Tawan rushed, a laugh escaping her as she grabbed her arms to loosen them. “You’re choking Mommy.”
Star still looked cautious even as she slowly relaxed her arms around her mother’s neck. Ira shot her wife a death glare as she caught her breath again, kicking her shin under water and making her laugh in pain. Sammy laughed at them then told his sister that the water was not so bad once you got used to it. She rolled her eyes and it made Tawan laugh at how much she could look like Ira with the simplest gesture.
“Momma? Dunk me, please,” Sammy requested.
Tawan turned her head some to smile at him, thankful he was her more adventurous child and willing to try new things. It was also because it was so hot and she wanted to take a dip herself to cool off. She told him she was going to countdown from three and that he needed to hold his breath and nose. He got excited and started bouncing against her as he thought about opening his eyes to see if he could find a turtle.
Ira told them to be careful as she stepped back some to give them room and to not splash her and Star. She planned to only get her body from the chest down wet as they waded and relaxed in the ocean. Star sat up some curiously to look over her shoulder at her other mother and brother preparing to go under water. Ira smiled as she hoisted her up some more so she could see and she could firmly grip her more safely.
Sammy let out an excited squeal as Tawan jumped them up out of the water then down into the ocean. As bubbles rushed all around them and the water whirled around his ears before settling, he opened his eyes to see all the wonderful and beautiful marine life around them. Tawan knew how interested he was with nature, so she gave him a moment before shooting them back up for air.
It was only for a few seconds, but he was so amazed by what he saw that he tucked the memory away into his collection.
“Mommy!” Sammy yelled, swallowing some water and trying to catch his breath. “There’s so many fish down there!”
Tawan and Ira laughed heartily at his enthusiasm, Tawan squeezing him close and Ira stepping to them to clean his face. She grabbed his little chin and shook it as she kissed her lips at him for how adorable he looked so enthralled with excitement. Tawan shook her head to get rid of the water, so Ira reached over and ran her hand over her face to help her then pushed her hair away from her face.
“Thank you,” Tawan sniffed before quickly kissing the palm of her hand.
Ira winked at her then hoisted Star up some so she could secure her hold of her again. Sammy started telling Star about what he saw down there and his mothers listened to him. He wanted to see a turtle, so Tawan told him that she would see about them going diving with a local if she could find someone. Ira grinned at how excited he got as he tried to look around to Tawan to ask her what that was and how it would work to which she explained it all to him.
They spent another 15 minutes out in the water before Ira said it was time to go back to their spot to rest in the shade and get ready for lunch. Their mothers walked them back to the shore and set them down when it was up to their knees. Ira wanted to take a picture of Tawan and them then a family picture before they got out.
Tawan posed by holding their hands and smiling into the camera, then Ira set the camera up on one of the beach chairs with a timer to get a family photo as she held her wife from behind.
Tawan got an idea as Ira released her waist, wanting to spend some time in the water with her and playfully for even just a second. She quickly grabbed Ira from behind around the waist as she headed to her camera, making her squeal at suddenly being lifted up. Tawan told the twins to go play in the sand and they laughed as they watched their mothers head back to the water.
“Tawan! Put me down,” Ira half warned, trying to not laugh. She kicked her feet and tried to squirm from her strong arms.
“Go in the water with me,” Tawan requested, kissing her shoulder.
Ira thought for a moment, looking at the twins playing then the water. “Babe, we can maybe do it later tonight. We need to keep an eye on the kids,” she reminded her, mostly for her benefit.
Tawan rolled her eyes in amusement. “Is that your best excuse? We won’t even go out that far, my love,” she promised, squeezing her waist.
“It’s really hot and I need a break. You do, too,” she reasoned, crossing her fingers.
Tawan frowned at her lame attempt to get out of going back into the water. She knew that she was pulling every excuse she could find, so she smirked as she slowly set her back down but towards the water. Ira tried to hide her smile of victory as her feet touched the wet sand and her wife’s arms loosen from around her. Just as she thought she had won, she suddenly felt a knowing sensation go up her spine.
“Come here!” Tawan snickered and reached for her again.
Ira yelped and took off running as fast as she could next to the water, laughing into the air as she heard her favorite sound from her wife mix with hers from behind. She knew it was a losing game thinking she could outrun her, but she was going to give it her all until she had nothing left. Tawan was enjoying the chase, so she gave her a few seconds of triumph before quickly closing the distance to carefully tackle her into the low tides of the ocean.
They both laughed as the low waves cascaded over them, Tawan putting her hand up protectively by Ira’s face and ear to block the water from hitting her.
“Baaabe,” Ira half whined and laughed up to the sky, grabbing her face as she crawled over her. “My hair is wet now!”
Tawan leaned down to kiss both of her cheeks, her chin, her forehead, and then her nose. They both laughed at how uncoordinated the waves crashing into them made them, but also how cheesy romantic it all was. Every moment together felt intimate and passionate, so it was no surprise that they would have a scene like this and especially while on a family vacation.
Both of their minds then went back to watching New Year’s fireworks from the rooftop in New York.
Tawan looked over her shoulder to their children and smiled at them playing in the sand before she looked back down to the woman of her dreams. Ira was looking up at her with a faint smile, a glint in her eyes like she was looking at something magical and ethereal.
“Kiss me,” Ira said, eyes falling to her lips. She tucked some hair behind her ear and rubbed her thumb near her mole.
“With pleasure,” Tawan smiled charmingly, dipping her head down.
They were both glad that they had some privacy from both their children and other vacationers. It seemed like it was too good to be true when they found this resort bungalow, and they determined when they arrived and explored the area that they would choose this spot every time they returned here for vacations. Ira was thinking about romantic picnics at night under the glowing moon whereas Tawan was thinking about kissing her all night long under the stars.
Tawan grabbed the spot between the back of Ira’s head and neck so she could guide her up to deepen their kiss and mold their bodies together. She was quickly forgetting that even though they had some privacy from strangers that their children were still not far away. Ira smiled against her mouth, grabbed her bottom lip between her teeth making her moan, then nipped at her lips to slow them down. She turned her head to break their kiss then nudged their noses together.
“We don’t want to scar our children like we almost did last time,” Ira reminded her by her mouth, thinking about when she snuck back home from Paris. She pulled her wife’s head down to her neck so she could look over her shoulder to them still playing in the sand.
“Dammit,” Tawan groaned into her skin then kissed it. They both laughed as she looked over her shoulder to them with her.
“Maybe I’ll make it up to you tonight,” Ira promised, turning her face back to her.
“Yeah, sure,” Tawan chuckled, rolling her eyes in disbelief.
“Aww, baby,” Ira called sweetly, trying to not laugh. “We have this whole area to ourselves. You never know what could happen.”
Tawan raised an eyebrow at her knowingly then shook her head with a chuckle as she stood, making her wife laugh. She bent over and scooped her arms around her waist to hoist her up with ease which made Ira flush in arousal. It still never ceased to amaze her how powerful Tawan was whether she scooped her up bridal style to be romantic or threw her over her shoulder to run them around playfully.
“Are you sure you want to wait?” Tawan whispered alluringly near her face with the faintest smirk.
Ira looked quickly between her eyes and lips. “Of course not,” she groaned frustratedly, circling her arms around her neck.
Tawan smiled as she looked at her lips then picked her up some so she could walk them out to the water. Ira did not even bother protesting, so she leaned forward to press their lips together softly before turning her head. The cold water hit her skin and she giggled into her mouth making Tawan laugh against her lips. She walked them out to chest deep water then grabbed Ira’s legs to wrap them around her waist so she could hold her close.
Ira watched her look back towards their children, who were not far away, to check on them before focusing back on her. She was sitting a little higher than her with her legs wrapped around her waist and her arms around her neck. Ira tucked her hair behind her ears then pushed some more away from her face before smiling down at her again.
Despite the beauty around them, Ira could only see her no matter where they were and especially when she was mothering their children. There was nothing more attractive to her than Tawan doting and loving on their children with such ease and so organically. It also reminded her of a funny conversation they had a few weeks ago where Ira asked her if she wanted more children, something that had been on her mind a lot lately and especially now that she had entered her thirties.
In classic Tawan fashion, she told her, very seriously, that she was lucky she could not get her pregnant because they would be on child number five or seven by now which made them bust out laughing. Expanding their family was something they may not have discussed much over the last few years because they were so busy, but it was still definitely on their radar. Ira enjoyed growing the twins and Tawan loved to wait on and serve her wife and unborn children, both of them also being absolutely feral for the other with the hormones swarming around them.
They enjoyed pregnancy and everything they learned as soon-to-be mothers. Thus, they both committed to making time to sit down and discuss this very seriously soon. It would also help better inform them on how they would share this exciting news with the twins.
“See? It’s not so bad,” Tawan smiled, looking around them. It still made her awe struck staring out to the ocean and there being nothing in the distance but more of it as if it went on for an eternity.
“Nothing is ever bad with you,” Ira said quietly to herself. She was staring at her finger as she twisted some of Tawan’s hair around it, a faint smile like she was lost in a trance.
Tawan was watching her, grinning some. “I’m glad you picked this place for our family vacation,” she told her, scratching her fingers lazily at her lower back.
“I’m just glad the kids like it so far,” Ira sighed thankfully. Telling them made her more anxious than the stress of planning it.
“They love everything you do for them, babe,” she chuckled, pulling her closer.
“Well, you made it all happen,” Ira smiled then kissed her nose.
“Team effort,” Tawan winked and nodded. “What mountains should we go to? I’m thinking somewhere in America.”
Ira nodded in thought, lips pursed the same. “That would be nice, actually. They’ll be so excited going to the other side of the world,” she agreed.
“Yeah. They also keep bringing up Hong Kong, too,” Tawan added, looking back to them. “My brother is worse, though.”
“We should go there for a long weekend,” Ira suggested, following her stare.
“Mmhmm,” she hummed in agreement. “I miss it. Plus, we’ll get to see some extended family.”
Ira hugged her head then kissed her temple. “We’ll go back in October. We should make your parents go, too,” she added, looking at her again.
“That would be nice,” Tawan smiled in thought. She started thinking about a small family reunion to get the twins more acquainted with her side of the family.
Ira knew how important it was to Tawan to immerse their children with her Chinese side to get them familiar with her family, the culture, language, and history. Both women had agreed when Ira was pregnant that they would make sure their children would be just as in tune with their Chinese side as they were with their Thai side. It would take extra effort considering they lived full time in Thailand, but they would commit to this to keep them well rounded in their backgrounds.
It was why Tawan would get so thrilled when the twins would ask about her childhood or food from her mother or stories back home from her dad or visits with their Uncle Wei. They would even ask their Uncle Lee questions about his home near Shanghai and for pictures when he would return from visiting there. In fact, Tawan and Lee had talked about a friends' group trip back to China to show each other the things they used to do for fun and to expose her children to more things back there.
Tawan started talking to Ira about all of this like she always did when the subject came up. Ira just smiled as she watched her look between the water, their children, or some other random thing as she talked animatedly about some ideas and plans she had. She thought she could spend forever out there with her just listening to her talk passionately about her home and memories. Ira made a mental note to plan a short vacation back to Hong Kong to surprise her with.
Ira leaned over and pressed her lips to the side of Tawan’s head as she talked about ice skating with the twins again, really committed to this no matter what. As she put her nose into her hair to inhale her scent mixed with the salty ocean water, she smiled as she thought randomly about some things. In particular, Tawan and the twins surprising her at a show up north that she had to travel to and spend a few nights.
One of the country’s most revered and world renowned fashion designers had specifically chosen her to walk his new line. He was paying homage to their culture mixing ancient garbs with 20th and 21st century styles. The clothing line would also be featured in an exhibit at the contemporary art museum, so this was very important for exposure to their country and its history. So many important people from around the country holding various positions in government and society would also be in attendance.
To say she was nervous would be an understatement, and it was especially emotional for her because her birthday fell on the day after the show. It meant that Ira would be spending her birthday with strangers, except for Mali, of course, so she was a little sad about not being with her wife and children for her milestone 30th birthday. Tawan knew this, so she secretly planned with Mali to get her and the twins seats for the show so they could see their mother walk for the first time.
Tawan had originally planned on throwing Ira a surprise birthday party with all of their family and friends. She was going to rent out a venue, hire the best party planner, have a fancy cake, secure a DJ for music, and collect a lot of video messages for one grand video to honor her. When Ira told her that she booked the job a few months before she would begin party planning, she deflated internally and pouted.
She wanted to go all out and give her wife a birthday party that she not only deserved, but would remember all her days. Tawan knew better than anyone how monumental turning 30 was, how it felt like so much clarity hit you at once and became a guide on the best decade of adulthood. It was why she became even more determined to give Ira the best birthday she could despite the challenge.
Mali told Tawan over the phone as she headed to her seat for the show with the twins that though Ira was putting on a happy demeanor, she had been sulking since they arrived. She missed her children and wanted to spend time with them for her birthday. Mali told her that she kept looking at her family photo album between breaks, mumbling about how she wanted to be on the couch with her and some wine.
Tawan chuckled then smiled down to their children who were looking around at everything in wonder. She knew she had made the right decision making this trip even if it did stress her some having to pack and travel with the twins by herself. Ira’s mother offered to come, but Tawan declined only because she needed her to finish the surprise party planning while she was away. She and her mother-in-law agreed that they would still have the party when they returned that weekend.
When the show started, Star and Sammy scooted to the edge of their seats enthusiastically as the rush of anticipation hit them hard. Star was so excited to see the thing that gave her mother her butterflies while Sammy’s face lit up at all the lights and loud music as he looked around himself. He leaned over to his Aunt Mali to ask her some questions and she happily obliged as she pointed to various things and explained them to him.
When Ira hit the runway, it was as if all of her sadness had disappeared and she locked in to give her best performance to date. She figured if she was going to make the sacrifice of being away from her family and loved ones for her birthday then she was going to walk a line of pure gold. Star and Sammy’s mouths dropped at how commanding her presence was, how serious her face was set, and they pointed as they bounced in their seats. Tawan and Mali had to cover their mouths when they started yelling and calling out for her attention lest they ruin the surprise.
Star was even more convinced that Ira was a princess with the way people cheered and called for her, the way the cameras flashed, and how she smiled straight ahead dazzlingly. Sammy was looking all around him at people randomly calling out his mother’s name and cheering for her, which made him smile. The twins were beyond happy to know that so many people thought so highly of their mother, thinking about when they would visit Tawan at work and she had so many people coming up to her to ask her questions or show her things.
Tawan smiled with nothing but the purest love a mother could produce for her children as she stared at them be awed by their mother. This boosted her dopamine in ways that stopped her in her tracks.
When the show ended, Mali went to go grab Ira before she headed to the back to change to bring her off to the side of the stage. Tawan smiled as she watched Mali lie to Ira that a brand representative wanted to speak to her quickly because he had to leave right after the show. Ira was a little annoyed and irritated because she wanted to change then FaceTime her wife and children, but pushed it down to do business.
Mali turned her around and stepped back to put her hands to her mouth to muffle her happiness at what she knew was about to happen. She still felt bad about informing Ira about the show because even though she was upset about it falling around her birthday, she knew she would not say no. Tawan had also shared with her months earlier about the surprise birthday party she wanted to throw for her, so even though she told her to go ahead and tell Ira about the show because this was a huge opportunity and she would think of something else, she still felt bad.
Ira squealed so loudly in surprise and shock at the sight of her family that Tawan and Mali were sure all heads turned to them. Even Han became alert before remembering the surprise that she was warned about should Ira's excitement get the best of her and be mistaken for danger. Ira did not care of even notice now that she was in her own world, wearing the widest grin that split her face, as she rushed to her children to kneel before them.
Star and Sammy giggled at her scooping them to her, peppering their faces with kisses then resting her nose in their hair as she hugged them close.
They started praising her and talking over each other about the show which made her giggle watery at them. She pulled back to watch them talk and nodded along, adding or answering things here or there. Her eyes started watering as she tried to not gush at how cute they looked dressed up just for her with Star in a black, ruffled dress and Sammy in a white button up with a black suit jacket and slacks.
Ira’s tears started to fall at how special they had suddenly made this night, and she quickly hid them so they did not worry by mistaking it for anything but happiness and joy. She reached a hand under their jaws to shake then pulled them close to kiss their foreheads. There would never be a more special early birthday surprise for her than this moment.
Often, she thought about what show would be the one to have them attend for the first time, and of course her wife would know the answer for her. Tawan was so perfect in that way, how she always was so in tune with her and her desires. At the thought of her, she looked up to see her softly smiling through her like she sometimes would when she looked at her with their children.
Tawan was thinking about how she always wanted to replicate this moment over and over again.
Ira hugged the twins to her again, squeezing them tight, then pressed a long kiss to their heads. She stood and stepped between them to walk over and grab Tawan’s face to press their always longing lips together softly. Tawan stepped fully to her and pressed her flush against her at her lower back to turn her head to deepen it. Their children and Mali started giggling behind their hands shyly at them which made them break their kiss with a laugh and turn their heads to them.
This was the best surprise her wife had ever given her, and what she did not know was that it was just beginning as it would end on an even higher note when they returned home.
“Darling? Did you hear what I said?” Tawan laughed, trying to catch her eye.
Ira’s eyes focused and she shook her head some. “I’m sorry, my love. What did you say?” She asked, smiling sheepishly.
Tawan chuckled and kissed her chin. “What's on your mind, darling? I said are you ready for lunch?” She repeated, amused as she looked between her eyes and lips.
Ira smiled softly into the windows of her soul. "Nothing. Loving you is all that's on my mind," she told her then leaned over slowly to kiss her.
She pulled back then looked back to their children as Tawan stared at her like she lit up her world. Ira then turned back to her and nodded in answer before pecking her lips a few times to quickly pull her out of her trance, knowing that they were overdue for some food. She knew how cranky her family could get when they did not eat, especially her wife and daughter who seemed to share the same stomach.
It was why she was glad she had made and packed so many sandwiches along with some ice cream as a sweet treat at the end.
Tawan reached up to kiss her slowly then dragged her lips across hers, turning her head to deepen it. She wanted to get her moment in before they headed back to their responsibilities, so much so that her hands teasingly played with the ends of Ira's bikini top before she slid them down to squeeze her hips so that their fronts touched. Ira moaned into her mouth and she smiled as she slowed them down, committing to herself to finish this later.
She slowly pecked her lips as she walked them back up to the shore then set Ira down once they were at knee deep water. Ira bit down on her bottom lip, telling her that they were not finished, then grabbed her hand to thread their fingers together to lead them back to their spot. She was glad that Tawan made her get in the water for some alone time for them but to also cool her skin off some more.
Both women were glad that their children were well disciplined and could be left half unattended as they approached them having a great time playing in the sand. Star immediately looked to them and asked about food while Sammy continued digging around in the sand looking for shells and anything that moved. Tawan grabbed their cooler then kneeled down next to it to pull things out and hand to them.
Ira grabbed her camera and sneakily took a few pictures of them, capturing her favorite shots of them lost in their tasks. She pulled the camera down to smile at them, Tawan telling Star what was inside the sandwich while she handed Sammy a juice. Nothing would ever compare to these moments for her, so she used her mental camera to capture it just the same. Tawan looked up to her and smiled as she asked her what sandwich she wanted.
She answered her then knelt down beside them to help set out their lunch, smiling to herself and thanking whoever or whatever was listening for blessing her with her purpose.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“I still can’t believe it looks like that,” Ira whispered in awe.
Tawan was holding her from behind as they stood by the railing of their back patio staring up at the Moon. She started humming as she drifted off in her mind to herself standing on the Moon with Ira, smiling at the thought. Her mind was so far off elsewhere that she did not even notice she was singing a tune in her head. It was a song that she grew up listening to when her mother would play her oldies on her vinyl record player.
Ira smiled as she turned her head to put her nose in the spot between the back of her jaw and her neck to inhale her. She closed her eyes and listened to her humming a song she could not pinpoint exactly. The cool breeze from the ocean and the smell that punched her nose made her sigh in content. Everything about this moment was so very intimate and peaceful like she had never experienced before.
“What are you singing?” Ira asked, kissing her jaw.
Tawan just smiled then looked down to her, kissing her head before moving to hold her hand to step back and turn her around. She twirled her around and laughed at her giggling before pulling her back to her to hold and slow dance. Ira smiled and rested her head on her chest near her heart, facing her neck as Tawan grabbed her hand and held her around her waist to sway them.
Ira loved when she would hear Tawan singing in the shower or while rocking their children to sleep with a lullaby or while she did things around the house or especially when she was cheerily lost in her own mind. Her favorite, of course, was when she would softly sing or hum while holding her when they were relaxing or if they were listening to music together. She had the most beautiful, unassuming voice that she really only shared with her and their children.
It was why she got excited at her singing to her as they swayed under the glow of the Moon, especially hearing the vibrations of her voice through her body as she rested her head near her heart.
I'll be seeing you,
In all the old familiar places,
That this heart of mine embraces,
All day through.
Ira smiled in her embrace, closing her eyes and snuggling closer to her chest to focus on her voice, her right hand lightly fisting her shirt at the middle of her back. Tawan smiled as she rested the side of her head against her temple and slowly swayed them under the stars. She cradled their joined hands to her collarbone and pulled her as close as she could to her at her lower back.
In that small cafe,
The park across the way,
The children's carousel,
The chestnut trees,
The wishing well.
Tawan kissed the spot behind her ear then wrapped her arms around her waist to rest her nose there as she rocked them to the beat in her head. So many thoughts consumed her, but the one that stood out the most was that she could stay this way forever. Ira squeezed her arms around her neck and felt like they were in their own world with nothing but their children a few steps away and the Moon hanging right above them like mistletoe.
I'll be seeing you,
In every lovely summer's day,
In everything that's light and gay,
I'll always think of you that way.
It was perfect, like a dream Ira never wanted to wake up from as she closed her eyes again and listened to her wife continue singing to her near her ear. Tawan was at such peace holding her world and singing her love to it. Like the bright moon that hung above them and lit the darkness around them, their love illuminated them like the lone, visible lightning bug in the vast field as they danced together.
I'll find you in the morning sun,
And when the night is new,
I'll be looking at the moon,
But I'll be seeing you.
Tawan twirled Ira slowly out then back to her to stare into her eyes, smiling her whiskers and arches at her. Ira reached up and cupped her cheek, looking at her lips that always were so inviting, beckoning as if asking her to come home. Her wife noticed, so she slowly dipped her down then leaned down to join their lips together with every ounce of love and passion she possessed.
They slowly pulled apart and rested their eyes on each other.
“I love you. So, so much,” Ira whispered, her thumb gently caressing her bottom lip.
“I love you more,” Tawan smiled softly.
Tawan both leaned down to her and pulled her up to her so she could tangle her hand in her hair to kiss her like she would never see her again.
She never wanted her wife to not know how deep her love ran for her, how it pumped blood through her veins directly into her heart. Ira smiled against her lips and turned her head as she wrapped her arms around her neck. She conveyed how much she yearned for her wife though every act of intimacy she enacted or reacted to.
They both thought about the journey to get here, how it started all the way back ten years ago at a chance late night dinner on the sidewalk of a cafe. From unexpected friends to soulmate lovers to young parents to two people who mastered each of those titles as one. Life threw so much at them, sometimes never giving them a second to breathe, but they always held each other’s hand and ran towards it fearlessly together.
There was nothing that would be too challenging for them, no mountain insurmountable or obstacle too difficult. They had created this life from scratch, from the bottom up, each of them visible amongst the pieces that created their puzzle. Their children were their greatest legacy and example of their boundless love, never faltering and always unwavering. Tawan and Ira were so excited about the future and what it had in store for them and their family, thinking the same thing, always on the same lines.
This little life of theirs was still finding ways to get started, so full of beauty and magic that it did not seem real until they touched hands.