Chapter 11

BRIANNA

Naomi who happens to be Brandon's and Natasha's nanny was our neighbour back in our parents' house. She didn't live in the neighbourhood but she owned the estate shop. She was a friendly woman though she was a gossip and nothing passed her eyes or ears. She's in her mid forties.

She knew about all my escapades with boys back in highschool and she used to gossip about it to everyone. Her children were still young but now I guess they're in college or highschool.

When Brenda and I joined college, Naomi left the shop to her husband and I heard she secured another job that's why by the time our uncle threw us out, she wasn't within to gossip about it. Now that I've met her again, I hope I'm not in trouble!

After lunch, Naomi excuses herself and informs us that she's heading back to her house since her shift is over. Now this means that I'm the one in charge...wow! We bid her goodbye with the children clinging on her, begging her not to leave but they finally let her go when she insists on leaving, promising to see them on Monday.

I heave a heavy sigh of relief when she leaves and since Steve and I were busy watching a movie, we go back to it as the kids play their video games from their tablets.

As we watch the movie, we chat a lot and that makes me to start warming up and feeling at home. Stephen is a great guy, caring and fun to be with. I already hate myself knowing that I'll break his heart badly!

****

It's already five in the evening and I'm supposed to start dinner preparations. Steve leads me to the kitchen and I'm glad when he assures me that he'll help me with the food preparation.

We settle for spicy chicken and fried rice, which happens to be the kids and Steve's favourite. Coincidentally, it's also happens to be my favourite! Luckily, I know how to cook therefore I won't embarrass myself in front of my boyfriend!

The dinner preparations go on smoothly and by 6:30 we're done. I take the food to the dinning table and as we eat, I can't help but admire how the kids munch at the food, a confirmation that it's delicious. Steve won't stop praising my cooking skills since I did almost all the cooking while he cleaned the dishes I used in the preparations.

I can't stop blushing whenever he cuts a piece of chicken and feeds me direct from his fork. He's such a loving gentleman and I'm sure I'll have a whole lot of problems trying to keep myself from falling for him!

After dinner, Steve and I clean the table and we take the dishes to the kitchen. I insist that I'll do the cleaning but the stubborn guy can't hear any of that. He insists on helping me and when I finally give in, he washes the dishes as I dry them with a clean towel and place them on the dish rack. I think the death of his wife made him to look at life at a different perspective. He had to learn to do a lot of things for the sake of his babies!

After doing the cleaning, we head back to the living room where we find the little ones sound asleep on the couch. I carry the little girl Natasha as Steve carries Brandon and we head to their bedroom. After ensuring that they're comfortable and well covered, we kiss them goodnight and head back to the living room.

“Do they usually sleep all alone?” I ask Steve immediately we settle back on the couch. I mean, they're too young to be sleeping all alone!

“Yes honey,” he replies as he takes my hand and caresses my palm affectionately. “They had to learn to sleep alone since Naomi doesn't spend her night here, though I used to spend the night with Natasha till she hit one year. I'm just glad that my bosses are understanding and they don't send me to business trips far from home, therefore I'm always available for the kids.” he explains.

Wow! He's such a caring father!

“That's too kind of you. You must be a great dad to the kids.” I say, for lack of anything else to say.

He smiles as he helps me lie on his laps. Smoothing my hair, he plants a kiss on my forehead and sighs. “How I wish you can accept to move in with us so as to get acquainted to the kids.” It's kind of a plea and that makes my heart to leap in joy. Wow! So he wants me this much?

“Don't worry honey, I'll think about it and decide as soon as possible.” I assure him and he plants a mother kiss on my cheek. I would have agreed to move in immediately but I don't want him to think I'm desperate. I want to take things slow since I'm convinced that he's completely smitten. Very soon, he'll be feeding from my fingers and dancing to my tune!

We chat and chat till late in the night when we decide to retire to bed. We pass by the kids bedroom and after ensuring that they're sound asleep and safe, we head to Steve's bedroom. Once in the bedroom, Steve hands me a towel and shows me to the bathroom. He will be responding to a few mails before he takes his shower therefore he picks his laptop and sits on the bed and he switches it on. After showering, I dry myself and slip into my nightdress and then head climb onto the bed. I get under the quilt and pull it over since I'm already sleepy and I don't want to disturb Steve who's busy working on his laptop.

As I drift to sleep, I can't help but fantasise about our life together, trying to fake everything while he puts all his energy into loving me genuinely! Oh my! How I pray this ends well!

****

It's already morning and I've just woken up. Steve is not in bed and since I can hear the water running in the bathroom, I assume he's taking a shower.

Why should he shower this early and we don't have any plans of going out? I just shrug as I sit up on bed. I just want him to come back and tell me about the day's plans. I pick my phone and check the time and I'm surprised to find out that it's only eight in the morning. Steve must be an early riser!

I remember that we just hurdled together and cuddled through out last night since we didn't have any discussion about intimacy. I think Steve is trying to take things slowly as we let to know each other better.

“Good morning darling?” Steve greets as he comes out of the bathroom, wiping his face with a towel. Oh! So he was just washing his face? He's wearing a vest and a short and he's looking as fresh as always.

“Good morning dear,” I reply amid yawns, “You woke up so early!” I add. “What plans do you have for today?”

“I had to finish up some pending work on my laptop and since the kids are already up, I had to fix them some milk before the main breakfast.”

“Wow! You've already done all that? I'm sorry I couldn't help you out!” I apologise but instead of showing any anger, he keeps the towel aside and sits on the bed then draws closer to me. He cups my face with his palms and plants a kiss on my lips, not minding the morning breathe.

“You don't have to worry about all that honey. I'm already used to such duties. Even when we get married, nothing will change.”

Married? Oh my! He has raised his hopes so much and I suddenly wonder how he'll take it when I finally betray his trust!

I just nod and he urges me to freshen up so that we can head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and then plan the rest of the day.