Chapter 14: You Love Again

"Cara, you've been staring at that piece of tissue for forever." Lillian laughed.

Cara and Beau will be sleeping at her mother's house tonight. They went shopping for Christmas gifts and it was already 10 p.m. when they got home.

She remembered the note Dash left and was contemplating whether to message him or not.

Cara folded the tissue and placed it on the small table in front of her "It's nothing, mom." She said, laughing when she realized how silly she might’ve looked earlier.

"Why don't you text him?" Her mom asked as she took out the gifts from the shopping bag to put them under the Christmas tree.

Her daughter gaped in surprise "How did you know about the number?" She didn't tell Lillian about Dash yet so how did she know that?

"I’m sorry, I overheard your talk with the girls. Not that I was eavesdropping but I just couldn't help but hear it." She said, now fixing Beau's bed, keeping it warm right next to the fireplace. Lillian looked at Cara "So why don't you say yes? He seems like a nice guy and he is handsome" she said with a wink.

Her mother is right, Cara thought. Dash is kind and easy to be with. She felt safe when she was crying in his arms as he comforted her. Cara feels happy whenever she sees him but she can’t help but hesitate "But mom, I’m scared." She admitted, slightly pouting.

"What are you so scared of? It's not like he's gonna bite or something." Lillian meant it as a joke just to lighten up her mood.

"Mom, I'm serious. What if what the psychic said was not true? And if it is, what if he's not the one?" She slouched on the sofa and her mom sat next to her, sighing.

There was a crease on the girl’s forehead but Lillian just gave her a comforting smile. "Do you remember when you were little and your father and I taught you how to ride a bike?"

Cara smiled at the memory of her childhood. Since she was an only child, she was pampered by her parents. Despite that, she grew up strong and independent. She believes that her parents raised her well. "Yes mom, I remember when I was just getting the hang of it, I suddenly lost balance and fell hard." She chuckled at the embarrassing and unforgettable memory.

"You got big scratches on your legs because you fell exactly on the rocks. I'll never forget that because you cried so hard and it was your birthday party in a few days. You wore a dress with your legs scabbed on your birthday." Cara laughed with her mom, it was indeed a funny memory now for her. "But do you remember what you did after I treated your wounds?"

She nodded "I rode the bike right after you finished, I think it's because I was getting competitive and I want to prove to myself that I can ride it with no problems." Cara paused before continuing "also, it was fun."

"Yes. The time you finally learned how to ride a bike with ease was one of the times that I've seen you the happiest" Her mother now took her daughter's hand in hers.

"You see, ever since you were young, you never let anyone or anything hinder you from doing what you love. You are invincible."

Cara’s eyes trailed at Lillian’s with a soft expression "So don't be afraid anymore. Love is not always perfect and the timing might not always be right. You fall down and get back up. You got hurt but still, you try again. You love then you get your heart broken but most importantly," Lillian took the folded napkin on the table and put it in Cara's hand

"You love again."