Chapter 19 - The Future isn't Promised
Kendall and Jordan came out of the living room after hearing Gabrielle, Estelle, and Bennett followed them. The four of them made their way up the stairs and met Gabrielle and Declan outside of Naomi's room.
The girls had reunited. Gabrielle and Estelle eyed each other warily before Gabrielle spoke. "Imma still beat you up later,"
Estelle stared at her for a while. It seemed like everyone held their breath in anticipation. She then broke out into a smile. "I look forward to that then," The two girls playfully shoved each other before they entered the room.
Jordan hung his arm around both their shoulders. "Well, I think it's safe to assume we all had a heartfelt conversation,"
The girls rolled their eyes. Gabrielle replied to him. "Yeah, I think we all learnt a little something ourselves.
Kendall perked up. "I learnt I need a little patience," she held out her hand for Jordan's, which he graciously took.
Estelle muttered. "Shocker," to which everyone agreed.
Gabrielle laughed before replying. "I guess I learnt to be bold, face a little conflict here and then," she looked to Declan as she said this, hugging his side.
They looked to Estelle. She looked at them with a blank expression. "I learnt not to take Kendall and Gabrielle anywhere. They never behave,"
As the two defended themselves, Estelle laughed before stating. "I learnt it's okay to be vulnerable and to want to be loved," she winked at Bennett, the both of them wearing secret smiles.
The 6 of them made it out the window onto the fire escape. The boys couldn't believe what they were seeing. A blinding white portal was situated in the middle of their roof—waiting for their daughters to walk through it. They were lucky nobody lived near to see it.
As they got closer, the boys felt a twang in their chests. Seeing the portal really meant it was time to say goodbye.
Bennett, Jordan and Declan knew, even if they only met their daughters a few hours ago, that they loved them. Completely, utterly, wholeheartedly loved them. Like any father would love their child. Of course, most fathers meet their children at birth, not at 18 years old.
Estelle began, "I'll give you guys this. You are kinda cool,"
"Aww, thanks, hun," Jordan cooed.
Bennett smiled. "You girls are the very best of us. We're so proud of you,"
The girls began tearing up.
"We only learnt from the best," Gabrielle said, fanning her eyes.
They all stood still for a moment, nobody wanting to say goodbye.
Kendall broke it off by jumping into Jordan's arms. He held her tight, spinning her, not wanting to let her go. The two laughed breathlessly before Jordan put her down.
"I love you, Dad," she choked again, the tears spilling out. She kissed his cheek.
"I love you too, Kendall," he kissed her back, his own tears running down his cheeks. The two smiled at each other, wider than the sky, promising each other the sun, the stars, the universe.
Both of them felt the unforgettable, endless, rushing joy.
Kendall then turned to her uncles, kissing them each on the cheeks and hugging them tightly. She then stepped back. "Just know, this isn't goodbye. We'll see each other very soon,"
Gabrielle was up next. She failed to keep the tears in, but then again, so did Declan. He pulled her safe into his arms.
The two were ever so still, wanting this moment to last forever. The gentle tripping peace they both found, nothing but calamity like skies clearing after a storm.
Eventually, they pulled back, Gabrielle holding his face as she told him she loved him.
"I love you, Dad,"
"I love you more," Declan replied before bringing both her knuckles to his lips and kissing them.
She hugged her uncles goodbye before stepping back next to Kendall. "We'll see you on the other side,"
Estelle looked up at Bennett and smiled. "You know you do have a heart inside that steel cage of yours," to which he smiled back in response.
Estelle turned to her friends before being engulfed in a hug by both Declan and Jordan. Laughing, she hugged them back. Bennett was too shy to hug her, hoping she would initiate it.
"There will be plenty of time for "I love yous" in the future," she promised, looking at each of them before her eyes landed on Bennett again. "I can assure you of that," her eyes sparkled.
With that, the girls walked through the portal, one by one. The boys said one last goodbye before turning around.
"Wait!"
Bennett turned only to have Estelle jump into his arms. He immediately wrapped his arms around her. "The future isn't promised, so I'm saying it now. I love you, Dad," she kissed his cheek.
Bennett closed his eyes and exhaled in relief. She really does love him, and he loves her. "I love you too, Estelle, more than you could ever know," he kissed her head again. Tears were pooling in both their eyes.
She let go, waving at the boys before she stepped into the portal. Then it disappeared. The boys still blinking at the spot it once was, at the spot their daughters just stood.
"C'mon boys, let's get some sleep," Bennett finally said, wiping the last of his tears away.
They began walking back down the stairs.
"This all seems like a weird dream," Declan said out loud.
"Man, we're gonna be some hot DILFs," Jordan exclaimed.
Both Declan and Bennett looked at him, unamused.
"Don't ever say that again, Jordan,"
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