Lord Anthony Draventon arrived at the Willow residence just as the sun was setting. Today, Paula Willow, Silver's Mama, invited the redhead for a wonderful family dinner. To make a good impression, he decided to wear this regular basic white t-shirt with short sleeves and pocket on his left chest, the bright red overshirt open jacket features a straight cut, classic 3 front pockets and rolled up sleeves. Pair of denim jeans which was held up by an black belt that wrap around his waist and a pair of red converse shoes. Rather than having his hair tied into a ponytail, he decided to let his hair down and loose.
Once climbing up the steps of their front porch, he tidying himself up to make sure his clothes are neat and smooth before ringing the doorbell and was greeted by Silver's mother, Mrs. Paula Willow.
"Anthony, it's so good to see you!" Paula exclaimed happily as she gave him a warm smile.
"It's great to see you too, Mrs. Willow," Anthony replied back with a smile. "Is Silver around?"
"He's in the backyard with his Papa and his sisters, why don't you go join them?" Mrs. Willow suggested before moving to the side to let Anthony inside their home. "They are setting up the tables right now, how about you lend them a hand?" She asked. "They could probably use some help.
"Of course! Thank you," Anthony replied as he made his way towards the backyard.
Once Anthony stepped into the backyard, he saw Silver and his family setting up the tables and chairs for dinner. Silver's dad, Roberto, was grilling some chicken while Amy and Valentina, were helping their brother with the table set up in the grassy area in the middle of their backyard.
A white tablecloth covers the surface of the table, with a few small, colorful placemats laid out in front of each six folding chairs. In the center of the table, there is an empty vase, a few bowls filled with different salsas and dips, ranging from mild to spicy. The plates, utensils, and glasses are all simple and classic, with no fancy or ornate designs. Each place setting has a napkin folded neatly on top of the plate. There's also a string bulb lights hanging above them that forms a square with reach tied to the trees to light up.
Roberto had set up a small grill nearby, where he was cooking carne asada, chicken, and peppers. The smell of the charred meat and spices wafted through the air, making Anthony's mouth water and there was a small speaker next to him playing some Latin music.
Silver had placed a vase of freshly-picked wildflowers in the center of the table, adding a pop of color to the scene. Amy had made sure the chair was neat and perfectly aligned while Valentina placed some two napkins holders filled with napkins right close to where the vases are. As for their dog, Buster is simply enjoying himself with some woven rope tug toy.
Anthony couldn't help but smile at the sight of Silver's family working together to prepare for the dinner. As he approached the table, he greeted everyone with a warm hello and offered to help with any last-minute preparations. He walked over to Silver, who was in the middle of setting up the plates, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Hey you," Anthony said.
"Hey," Silver replied, grinning from ear to ear. "You look great."
"Thanks, I wanted to make a good impression," Anthony said, "You look good to yourself."
Silver, sheeply smile, wore this soft baby blue sweatshirt with contrast white classic collar with three white button placket, dropped shoulders, banded hem, and long wide sleeves with the white banded. A pair of dapper brown pants feature a slim fit silhouette with sleek all-brown faux-leather belt, slip-on shoes that match the color of his sweatshirt and his black square glasses. His curls were styled into a ponytail with a long baby blue ribbon to tie it with a tail dangling behind his ears.
"Thanks, I wanted to look nice for today," Silver said, blushing slightly. "I'm glad you're here."
Anthony glanced around at the beautiful setup. "This all looks amazing."
"It's all my mom's doing," Silver said, looking over at his mother who was inside the house and getting the food ready. "She loves making the place look perfect today."
"Well, she's definitely succeeding," Anthony said, looking back at Silver with a smile. "I'm excited for dinner, everything smells amazing," he added.
"I know, I can't wait to dig in," Silver replied, his stomach growling in anticipation.
Roberto looked up from the grill and made his way over to the redhead young man before greeted Anthony with a pat on the back. "Welcome, Anthony! Glad you could make it."
"Thanks for inviting me," Anthony replied.
Paula emerged from the house carrying a large bowl of guacamole. "Dinner is almost ready, everyone! Why don't you all come and sit down?"
Silver and Anthony sat next to each other with the twin sitting across from them with the parents sitting at the end of the opposite table from each other. they all took their seats, The smell of the charred meat and spices filled the air, making Anthony's mouths water and hungry! The way it smells really makes him wanna dig in immediately and his stomach literally beg for it!
"So, Anthony, tell us about yourself," Paula said, passing him a bowl of beans. "Silver told us a lot about you but I like to hear it from you."
"Well, I come from a wonderful town that's located in the northwest of central London in England called Northford," Anthony replied. "It's a beautiful place with lots of history and charming people. I've lived there my whole life since I was a baby."
"That's great to hear," Roberto chimed in. "And how about your family, Anthony? How are they doing?"
"They're doing well, thank you for asking," Anthony replied. "My mother has been hosting some luncheon with the other ladies of her circle and my father is still busy with his duty as a Duke."
"Ah good," Paula said with a smile. "I'm glad that they're doing well."
"And your training as the Royal Guard?" Roberto asked him, "How was it? You are a Prince protege so I must assume the training can be tough."
Anthony chuckled. "It was definitely challenging, but it was also an honor to be chosen as a protege. I learned a lot from my mentor and made some great friends along the way."
"How wonderful," Paula said, pouring some rice out of the bowl onto her plate. "What made you want to become a Royal Guard?"
"I've always had a love for serving and protecting others," Anthony replied. "And when the opportunity presented itself, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue."
"Good, good," Roberto said, eating some carne asada before swallowing it down. "We need more people like you in the world."
As they all ate, Paula brought out some freshly made tortillas and a hot bowl of pozole, a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, meat, and spices. Silver's family had lived in Santa Barbara, California, before moving to Orlando, Florida when he was six.
"Wait, all of you used to live in California?" Anthony's eyes widen as he looks at the Willow family.
"Oh yes!" Silver said, "I was born in Santa Barbara in California. My grandparents immigrated to California back in the mid-late-60s," He explained, "Later on, my parents met in High School in the mid-80s where they were in their teenage years."
Anthony listened intently as Silver's recounted his family's history.
"I was born in 2004 so throughout my childhood, living in Santa Barbara is the best place growing up." Silver recalled living in Santa Barbara as a child and how much he loved it. He remembered spending endless days at the beach with his family, building sandcastles, and playing in the waves. He also remembered the numerous Mexican festivals and parades that his family would attend, with his community always leading the way with their colorful traditional attire.
One funny memory that always made Silver laugh was when his dad tried to teach him and Amy how to make tamales for Christmas. They spent hours in the kitchen, mixing the masa and filling the corn husks with meat and sauce. However, when they finally sat down to eat, they realized they had accidentally mixed up the sweet and savory tamales, resulting in some interesting flavor combinations.
Another memory when Silver's mom tried to teach him, when he was four, how to make homemade tortillas. She had always made them from scratch, and she wanted to pass on the tradition to her son. However, Silver ended up making a mess in the kitchen, and the tortillas turned out lumpy and misshapen. His mom laughed it off and helped him clean up the mess, but Silver never quite mastered the art of making tortillas.
But one of Silver's fondest memories was when their next door neighbor, Mr. Hernandez, created a piñata for his family party business. They owned a convenience store in Los Angeles where they sell party stuff like decorations, balloons, candies, and etc. Silver watched in awe as Mr. Hernandez crafted the piñata from scratch, using papier-mache and brightly colored tissue paper to create the intricate design. He was so fascinated by the process that he would watch his neighbor's back truck being filled up with so many colorful piñata to be ready to be sold.
"It was such a fun time," Silver said, nostalgia started to hit him. "I do miss it sometimes, but Orlando has its own charms too."
"I've never been to California, but I've heard it's a beautiful place," Anthony said. "I hope to visit someday."
"You definitely should," Paula said, looking over at him. "There's so much to see and do there."
"We can show you all the best spots." Roberto added.
"I'd love that," Anthony replied, smiling back at them.
"This pozole is amazing, Mrs. Willow," Anthony said, taking another spoonful.
"Thank you, Anthony. We make it every year for special occasions," Paula replied, beaming with pride. "And please! Call me Paul!"
"We make sure to keep our heritage alive," Roberto said. "It's important to us to teach our kids about their roots and where they come from through food, music, and love."
"I think that's wonderful," Anthony said, nodding in agreement.
Just then, the sound of a ring was heard from inside the house, interrupting their moment. Paula got up to answer it, and when she returned, she was carrying a tray of freshly made tamales.
"Who's ready for some food?" she exclaimed, setting the tray down on the table.
Once everyone finished their tamales, Paula got up again and passed some more around the table. Right when Paula was about to place tamales on Anthony's plate, he quickly turned it down.
"Oh no, I'm good, thank you," Anthony said, his hand waving in front of him.
Everyone at the table went silent, looking at Anthony with wide eye expressions. Paula looked at him with raised eyebrows.
Anthony's eyes widened as he realized his mistake. "I mean, yes! Sorry, sorry," he quickly corrected himself, his face turning red with embarrassment.
Everyone at the table burst out laughing at Anthony's mistake, and he couldn't help but join in.
"You had us worried there for a moment," Roberto said, chuckling.
"I'm sorry about that," Anthony said, still laughing.
"It's okay, we all make mistakes," Paula said, passing down not one, not two, but four tamales onto Anthony's plate. "Here, have some more."
"Thank… you," Anthony replied, seeing all these four tamales on a plate, he didn't think he would be able to finish all of them.
After every course of meals that have been served tonight, it was time for the rest of them to head inside the house as the air started to get a bit cold. Once all the plates have been cleaned and washed up, Anthony helps them wash the dishes despite Silver's parents telling him he doesn't have to but Anthony insists.
Everyone then went into the living room and settled in on the couch, Paula reached over to the bookshelf and pulled out a large photo album book. "Oh, I have to show you these!" she exclaimed, walking to the couch with Anthony beside her side before flipping through the pages. "This album holds all of Silver's baby photos."
Silver groaned and buried his face in his hands, knowing what was coming next. "Mom, please don't tell me what you are about to do," he whines.
Yes, she is what many mothers have done to show their kid's partner their embarrassing baby's photo. Paula was already flipping through the pages, showing Anthony one photo of Silver as a toddler dressed in a charro outfit, riding a wooden rocking horse with white backdrop. "We had a whole photoshoot that day," she reminisced. "He was so cute and adorable!"
Roberto chimed in, "Yeah, and we had to bribe him with candy to get him to sit still for more than two seconds."
"And it was worth it. Just look at him!" Paula exclaimed, pointing at the adorable photo of Silver.
Anthony couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "He's a natural model already!"
Silver groaned and buried his face in his hands, "Why are you embarrassing me like this, Mama?"
"As your mother, it's my job to embarrass you!" Paula just laughed and flipped to the next page, revealing another picture of a young Silver on his first day of school as a first-grader, looking nervous and excited all at once.
"And here he is on his first day of school," Paula said, pointing to the photo. "He refused to let go of my hand and cried when his Papa and I tried to leave."
"I was a shy kid Mama," Silver protested, still red-faced from embarrassment.
But Roberto just grinned, "Yeah, you were always hiding behind us whenever we went out in public."
Anthony couldn't help but laugh, "I can't imagine you being shy now, Silver."
Silver blushed, "Well, I've come a long way since then."
But the real kicker came when Paula turned to a page with a photo of a young Silver lying on his tummy, completely naked. "Oh my god!" Anthony exclaimed, covering his mouth to stifle his laughter.
Silver buried his face even deeper into his hands, wishing he could disappear. "Mom, why did you even take that photo!?" he shirek.
Paula just shrugged. "Well, you were being so cute and silly. We couldn't resist!"
Roberto chimed in, "Yeah, I was trying to change your diaper and you keep wiggling away from me."
Silver's face turned bright red as he groaned, "Dad, please don't embarrass me more than Mom already has."
Anthony couldn't stop laughing, "Don't worry, Silver, we all have embarrassing childhood photos. I'm sure my family has a few gems as well."
But the laughter in the room was infectious, and soon everyone was in stitches. As Paula flipped through more photos, they all shared stories and memories of Silver's childhood, each one more hilarious than the last.
They continued perusing through the photo album, Anthony noticed one particular family photo that caught his attention. "Wait, hold on." Paula pauses to look at him. "Can… Can you go back to that one?" he asked Paula.
Paula obliged, flipping back a few pages until they landed on a photo of the Willow family standing in Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom in Florida in the daytime. Silver was just 7 years old at the time, grinning widely at the camera while his family posed around him.
"Oh that!" Paul smiled, "This is when we went to Disney World for some fun family time, just one year after we moved to Florida." She explained.
But what caught Anthony's attention was something in the background behind them. "Hold on, is that...?" he trailed off, squinting at the photo.
Paula and Roberto looked at each other in confusion before Paula asked, "Is what, Anthony?"
Anthony pointed at the background of the photo, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief. "That's… That's my family! That's me, my parents, and my sisters behind you guys!"
Sure enough, Anthony's heart began to race as he realized what he was seeing. In the background of the photo, walking just a few feet behind the Willows, was his own family - his parents, the Duke and Duchess, and his two sisters, one was 12 and the other was 2 at the time. But their heads weren't showing from the camera, so only Anthony's younger self, 8, was visible, looking directly at the Willows family with a curious expression.
Everyone gasped in surprise, unable to believe what they were seeing. "No way!" Silver exclaimed, leaning in closer to the photo.
Anthony shook his head. "I don't know. But I remember that day. My family took a trip to Disney World that year too for a family vacation." He explained. "I remember seeing the family, your family, taking a family picture together.
Silver's family looked at each other in shock and chill.
"What are the odds of us being in the same place at the same time?" Roberto spoke softly, shaking his head in disbelief.
Anthony and Silver slowly stared at each other, their eyes still widened, it was a serendipitous moment that brought their families together, even before they had met. The fact that they had unknowingly crossed paths all those years ago at Disney World without knowing that one day, these two will meet again in their early-twenties.
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone took in the coincidence. Then, Anthony spoke up, "It's crazy to think that we were so close to each other without even knowing it. It's like fate brought us together."
Silver nodded in agreement, "It really is. I can't even imagine what the odds are of something like this happening."
Paula smiled, "Well, I guess it's true what they say - the world is a small place."
More silence came, with no sound to be heard echo in the home. Paula breaks a cough before closing her son's baby album.
"We uh…. We should probably get to bed soon," Paula said, looking at the clock. "It's getting late."
"Already?" Anthony exclaimed, looking at his own watch. "Oh wow! Time really flies when you're having… fun."
Silver nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's been an amazing night. Thanks for coming, Anthony."
"Thanks for having me," Anthony replied, giving Silver a loving smile before the two led in with the kiss.
Anthony said goodbye to the Willow family while holding a plate with leftover tamale. He couldn't help but feel grateful for the wonderful dinner they had shared and was glad to be invited. He turned to Silver and gave him a warm hug before stepping back to address the family.
"Thank you so much for inviting me over for dinner. I had a wonderful time and it was great getting to know all of you," Anthony said, smiling.
"It was our pleasure, thank you for coming," Paula said, smiling.
"We should do this more often," Roberto said, looking around at his family. "It's so nice to have everyone together like this."
"Yes, of course," Paula said. "And Silver, you're always welcome to bring Anthony over for dinner."
Silver grinned at his parents. "Thanks, I definitely will."
Right before Anthony walked out the front door, he had a sudden idea. "Hey, why don't you guys come over to my family's estate in London for dinner? I am sure my family would love to meet you all," he suggested.
The Willow family looked at each other in surprise. "Are you sure? That would be quite an honor," Roberto said, a hint of awe in his voice.
Anthony nodded. "Absolutely. It would be a great opportunity for our families to get to know each other better," he said.
Silver's face lit up with excitement. "That sounds like a fantastic idea, Anthony. We would be honored to come to your estate," he said.
Paula and Roberto looked at each other, nodding in agreement. "We would love to come, Anthony. Thank you so much for the invitation," Paula said.
Anthony smiled. "Great! I'll have my family's staff make all the arrangements. I'll send you the details and let you know when we can set a date," he said.
And with that, they said their final goodbyes, promising to keep in touch and make arrangements for the dinner at the Draventon Estate. Anthony felt a sense of excitement and anticipation at the thought of his family and the Willow family coming together for a meal. It was a chance for their families to bridge the gap and come together in a way that would strengthen their bond and create lasting memories.
As he walked down the steps of Willow's front porch, Anthony couldn't help but feel like there was something special about the Willows and he knew that his family would feel the same way. It wasn't just their warm hospitality, but the fact that they had unknowingly crossed paths all those years ago at Disney World. It was a small reminder that sometimes, the universe has a way of bringing people together in unexpected ways, and that fate has a funny way of working out.
Silver sat in his vanity in his room while brushing his hair, he couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement and nervousness. This was a huge opportunity to get to know Anthony's family properly, especially since he crashed their 270th Anniversary Ball and he didn't want to mess it up. He sat down on his bed after finishing his hair with his dog laying down next to him, his mind racing with thoughts.
"What if I say something stupid? What if they don't like me?" he muttered to himself.
His mom knocked on the door before entering, interrupting his thoughts. "Hey, Silver. Are you okay?" she asked, noticing the apprehension on his face.
Silver forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous about the dinner at the Draventon Estate," he admitted.
Paula sat down next to him on the bed. "It's understandable to be nervous, but remember, your boyfriend invited us over. They want to get to know us just as much as we want to get to know them," she reassured him.
Roberto poked his head in the door. "Hey, you two ready for bed?" he asked, yawning at the last bit.
Paula stood up. "Yeah, we should probably get some rest." She said, giving Silver a reassuring kiss on the forehead before leaving his room.
Silver lay down on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He couldn't shake off the feeling of nervousness, despite his mom's reassurance. He took a deep breath and decided to call Anthony.
Anthony picked up on the first ring. "Hey, Silver, what's up?" he asked, sounding cheerful.
Silver took a deep breath before speaking. "I just wanted to say thank you again for inviting us over for dinner. I'm really excited to meet your family, but I'm also really nervous," he admitted.
Anthony's voice softened. "Hey, don't worry about it. I called my family and they are really excited to meet you and your family. And besides, we already know each other, right?" he said, trying to lighten the mood.
Silver let out a small laugh. "Yeah, that's true. But I still can't believe that we unknowingly crossed paths all those years ago at Disney World," he said, marveling at the coincidence.
Anthony chuckled. "Yeah, it's crazy, isn't it? But I like to think it was fate that brought us together," he said.
Silver smiled. "Me too. So, what should we expect?" he asked, trying to shift the conversation back to the dinner part. "Any dress code on what we should or shouldn't wear specifically?"
Anthony paused for a moment before responding. "Well, my family likes to do things in a very formal way, but my father believes that we should all dress simple so we could feel comfortable without making us feel like we are better than them. And my mother is a big fan of fine dining, so expect a lot of courses and fancy dishes," he said.
Silver's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, I'll make sure to tell my family to dress appropriately and try our best to enjoy the food," he replied, feeling both intimidated and excited.
Anthony chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll guide you through it all. And my family is really friendly, so I'm sure you'll feel comfortable in no time," he reassured.
Silver let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Anthony. I really appreciate it," he said gratefully.
They chatted a little while longer before saying their goodnights. As Silver lay back down on his bed, he couldn't help but feel grateful for Anthony's understanding and support. He knew that he was lucky to have him in his life.
As he drifted off to sleep, his thoughts turned to the upcoming dinner. He couldn't wait to meet Anthony's family and get to know them better. He just hoped that he wouldn't embarrass himself in front of them. But he knew one thing for sure - this was going to be a night to remember.
As the song from the It's a Small World goes:
"It's a small small world after all."
Wednesday of June 29, 2011
It was a sunny day at Disney World, and the Duke and Duchess traveled to Florida from the United Kingdom and had brought their family for a fun-filled vacation. Their 8 year old son named Anthony was walking with his family down Main Street USA, taking in all the sights and sounds of the Magic Kingdom. He was fascinated by everything he saw, from the colorful balloons to the street performers entertaining the crowds.
"Look at the castle! It's so huge!" Anthony's 12 years old older sister, Dennise, exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the iconic landmark.
Anthony looked up at the castle, marveling at its size and grandeur. "Wow!" he gasps in amazement.
Their two years old youngest sister inside of the stroller, Beatrice, giggled and clapped her hands, enjoying the magical atmosphere around her, especially seeing the castle in the distance.
As the family continued their walk on the sidewalk of Main Street, Anthony's attention was drawn to another family up ahead. They were in the midst of getting ready to take a family photo, and he couldn't help but be captivated by the concept of capturing a moment forever. As they approached closer, Anthony noticed that the family consisted of a mother, a father, and a young boy who appeared to be around his own age.
The young boy had a head of curly hair and sported a pair of Mickey Mouse ears. He wore a plain black t-shirt, red shorts held up by a brown belt, and a pair of yellow Converse shoes.
"Smile!" a cast member said, holding up a camera to capture the moment.
The young boy obliged, offering a gentle smile and his hands clapped together in front of him as he looked directly at the camera. His parents stood proudly behind him, their expressions filled with joy. Just as the button was about to be pressed, Anthony's curiosity got the better of him, and he turned his head towards the family. In that instant, the camera snapped, immortalizing the unexpected connection.
Once the cast member handed back their camera, the parents immediately looked at the photo, their eyes lighting up with delight. Meanwhile, the young boy turned around and locked eyes with Anthony as their paths crossed. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, the bustling world around them fading away. It was as if an unspoken bond formed, bridging the gap between two strangers who had never met.
Anthony slowly raised his hand and offered a friendly wave, accompanied by a warm smile. The curly-haired boy, taken aback by the unexpected encounter, chuckled sheepishly and waved back. There was a sense of connection, an inexplicable understanding that passed between them. However, their brief interaction was short-lived, as their respective families ushered them away, continuing their day of adventure in the park.
Reluctantly, Anthony tore his gaze away from the other family and hurried to catch up with his own. But as he walked, he couldn't resist stealing one last glance at the family that had stirred something within him. He watched as they gradually disappeared into the sea of park guests, the curly-haired boy fading from view. In that moment, he wondered if their paths would ever cross again.
"Come on Anthony, let's go!" The Duchess called from up ahead, interrupting his thoughts.
Anthony tore his gaze away from the other family and hurried to catch up with his own.
"Coming mother!" He called out.
Little did they know that fate had a unique plan in store for them. Years later, as young adults, they would reunite and discover true love, their hearts will drawn together by the same sense of wonder and magic that had brought them together at Disney World all those years ago.
It seems that fate has a funny way of working, as two families, who were once strangers, have been brought together in the most unexpected way. Who wouldn't have guessed that Silver and Anthony had met when they were not as a young adult hit rather as children from fourteen years ago. Little did they know that this chance encounter would be the start of an incredible journey that would shape their lives for years to come.
This chance encounter has brought their families together, even before they had met. It's a small reminder that sometimes, the universe has a way of bringing people together in unexpected ways, and that fate has a funny way of working out. Plans are being made for the families to come together once again, this time at the Draventon Estate in London. It will be a wonderful opportunity for their families to get to know each other better and create lasting memories.
Next Chapter: The Willow Family spend a lovely evening dinner at the Draventon Family estate. Silver is very anxious as he wanted to impress Anthony's family, he prays this dinner won't be a disaster.