thehungrysimmer

[thehungrysimmer]

While Georgia’s promotion is cause for celebration, Moose aged up to an elder pup 🥺

[thehungrysimmer]

Georgia’s early mornings have paid off! Despite her late joining of the chess team, she’s been promoted. While there are only a few weeks in the school year, Georgia’s goal is to become team captain to lead her team to victory at Regionals!

[thehungrysimmer]

“We’re already struggling financially,” Tatum said softly, even though no kids were in earshot. She hated to shoot down his idea, but a business just didn’t seem like it was in the cards for them right now.

“I know, I know, but your yoga skill has been improving and —”

“Wait, you want me to teach yoga?” she asked incredulously. She’d been practicing for months, but she was nowhere near good enough to teach it.

“Why not?” Cam asked with a hopeful smile. “We already know you can teach, so why not teach something you’ve grown to be really passionate about? Plus, I thought I’d sell some of my treats at each class!”

Tatum looked at her husband, feeling a great deal of gratitude for him. It was a risk, but maybe that’s what they needed now. “I’ll think on it,” she said, taking his hand in hers.

[thehungrysimmer]

Saturday mornings are typically slow in the Kirby home. Georgia’s almost always out of the house by 10:00; Coral and Crew slip outside to play; and Poppy… well, Poppy sleeps in, leaving Cam and Tatum to have a relaxing start to their weekend.

“Morning, beautiful,” Cam said, handing his wife a fresh cup of coffee with a smile. He settled on the couch next to Tatum. “So, I’ve been thinking…”

“Uh-oh, that’s dangerous.” She smirked. “Let’s hear it.”

He laughed, but Cam was actually nervous to broach the subject. “I know you secured that full-time teaching position this year, but… what if we open our own business?”

[thehungrysimmer]

Fun fact: I took the left screenshots nearly three (yes, three) years ago. However, I decided to break them up, change Poppy’s hair, make Finn the villain, and then something wild happened —

I missed Finn 😂 So here we are three years later.

[thehungrysimmer]

Remember, I know your heart by heart.

[thehungrysimmer]

“I feel…” Poppy paused, searching Finn’s face for any sign of dishonesty, but this was Finn. Her Finn. She knew he was being sincere. “I feel like finding a prom dress this late is going to be near impossible, but I’m sure I can pull it off.”

Just as his words had softened her, hers had lit up his face. A wide smiles spread across his face. “If anyone could, it’s you.”

[thehungrysimmer]

“Your sister said you’d be here.” He paused, most likely expecting Poppy to comment, but she remained silent.

“I figured it was time I owned up to my mistakes and really apologize. It’s no excuse but I just didn’t feel like I was good enough for you after the whole Meghan thing. Even before that, I was having a hard time… So in my own twisted way, I thought sabotaging us was the right move. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’m sorry I blindsided you and completely cut you off. It was the dumbest thing I could’ve done.”

His words wormed their way right into her heart. She couldn’t let it be that easy. “So why apologize now?” she asked tersely.

“Because prom is nearly here, and we graduate in a few weeks, and I don’t want to miss out on the time we have together… Because you’re it for me, Pop. I just hope you feel the same way.”

[thehungrysimmer]

“I guess I deserve that,” Finn chuckled nervously. “How’d your competition go?”

“We placed second,” Poppy shrugged, trying to mask the slight tremble in her voice.

“Congratulations! You two make quite a pair.”

Poppy thought for a moment about playing along before repeating herself. “What are you doing here?” Sitting atop Luna made Poppy feel powerful. She watched Finn squirm as he tried to navigate this conversation.

[thehungrysimmer]

Swinging her leg over Luna’s saddle, Poppy directed her toward the gate. However, she was stunned to see Finn waiting for her there.

“Pop, hey.”

Her two worlds were colliding.

The words “What are you doing here?” slipped from her lips before she could stop them.

[thehungrysimmer]

Later that evening, Poppy was giving Luna a good brushing after the competition.

“You’ve been doing so well, Lu,” she said softly. “I know we’ve been grinding a lot lately, but it’ll all be worth it. A few more competitions and I’ll be able to find a place for myself!”

Luna let out a nicker as she swung her tail.

“One day, Lu. I have to start small, but then I’ll find us a ranch where you can run whenever you like and we won’t have to say goodbye every day.”

[thehungrysimmer]

After spending most of the day with her family, Poppy headed to Chestnut Ridge for yet another riding competition - this time for endurance racing!

She and Luna proudly earned a silver medal!

[thehungrysimmer]

As the day wore on, the Kirbys never grew bored. They enjoyed a picnic and Coral even learned to finally ride a bike, with the help of big sister Georgia’s advice! She even rode her bike down the big hill to her Scouts meeting!

[thehungrysimmer]

A beautiful Saturday means a day well spent with family! The Kirbys hiked out to a secluded spot near their home to enjoy the gorgeous weather!

While some were unintentionally grinding (I’m looking at you, Coral and Poppy), the others were taking it easy.

[thehungrysimmer]

“Hey,” he said curtly after answering his phone. “…I’ve been busy… No, it’s not about her, but it’s hard to put things in the past. I’m trying and I really want to make things between you and I work,” Finn continued, “but I need time.”

Poppy’s stomach sunk. Who could possibly be on the other end?

Finn stalked off, his voice fading with the distance, but his quiet words, “Yes, I know. I — I love you too,” rang in her ears.

Fighting the sickening urge to scream, cry, and throw up, Poppy looked down at the concrete. This is what she got for getting her hopes up.

[thehungrysimmer]

A week later, Poppy had finally worked up the courage to ask Finn to prom. She had her promposal sign ready as she spotted him sauntering in her direction. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t help smiling. This could finally be it - the chance to find their way back to each other.

As he moved closer, she could hear him talking to himself, completely unaware that she was waiting for him.

“Seriously? Now is not the time…” he muttered as he glared at his phone, pressing his thumb to the screen.

[thehungrysimmer]

Georgia stepped closer, taking Isabella’s hands in her own.

“I’ll be more than okay… if you go to prom with me?” she finally said. “I mean, if you don’t, that’s okay too. But I know I’d like to go — with you, of course.”

“Wait, really?” Isabella asked, smiling shyly. “I didn’t want to assume, but I sort of hoped we were going anyway. But being asked is way better!”

“So you’ll really go with me?”

“Of course!” Isabella grinned, pulling Georgia to her. “As if I’d want to go with anyone else.”