Chapter 8

Elisa's Point Of View

"What happened, Aubrey?" 

Aubrey looked at me with a confused look "What do you mean, what happened?" 

"We lost communication. We were okay then suddenly you never contacted me again."

"I lost my phone and never got the chance to recover your number. I'm sorry." 

"Mommyyyy!" Gab waved at them while she's riding a carousel 

"Smile, Gab!" Elisa took a picture of the little girl using her phone

"I thought you realised that you don't have anything to do with me." Elisa looked at Aubrey "Tell me I am wrong." 

"Completely wrong, Elisa." She said looking back at Elisa "I thought I would never see you again." 

"Well, I'm here now." Elisa gave her companion a sweet smile 

"For how long? You need to go back to Los Angeles." 

Elisa saw the worry in Aubrey's eyes "I'll stay here as long as you want me here." 

~~

Third Person's Pov

"Let's make a deal." Elisa announced 

"What deal, mommy?" Gab asked 

"If you and mommy Aubrey win, I'll buy you whatever toy you want but if I win.. I'll sleep in your house for tonight." 

Aubrey put her hands on her waist "Seriously, Elisa?" 

"It's a deal!" Gab squealed in excitement

Elisa and Gab shook hands. 

"Wait! How about I say to you?" Aubrey protested

"Don't worry, mommy." Gab tapped her mother's forearm "We'll win this one." 

Elisa and Aubrey shook their heads, can't believe that they are talking to a five year old girl.

Elisa and Aubrey looked at each other before she began to play basketball in the arcade. 

"Go, mommy Elisa!" Gab cheered that made Aubrey frown while playing

"Yah! Gab! You should cheer for me!" Aubrey complained 

"She wants me to sleep in your house, that is for sure." Elisa winked at Aubrey

Aubrey groaned not because of Elisa's antics but because Elisa is winning. 

~~

"You two cheated on me." Aubrey complained to her two companions "You planned this, yeah?" She asked Elisa

They are walking back to their car, Elisa carrying Gab while Aubrey is carrying the toys they bought for Gab and Emma’s son. 

"More on, Gab planned that deal." Elisa high fived Gab then they laughed

"I'm sorry, mommy." Gab said to Aubrey "I just want to spend more time with mommy Elisa." 

Aubrey sighed and patted her daughter's head "I understand, baby." 

They reached Elisa's car and they drove back to Jackson's house. 

"We're home!" Gab happily yelled

Rose and Emma, Noah and Mrs. Jackson welcomed them with a smile. 

They turned the tv off and went to the new family. 

"Did you have fun?" Noah crouched in front of Gab then tapped the kid's head 

"Yes, uncle! Mommy Elisa brought us to the arcade and she bought me and Nathan new clothes and toys!" She excitedly said 

Rose went to her cousin who is standing next to Aubrey "You already spoiled your daughter." 

Elisa smiled, hearing Gab as her daughter "Can't blame me." 

Aubrey faked a cough "Uh, Elisa will sleep here tonight." 

Emma smirked "That fast?" 

Aubrey glared at her sister "These two made a deal that I can't say no and I won't explain it to you guys." 

"I need to go now, I need to get some stuff." Elisa announced 

After she bid her goodbye to everyone, Aubrey accompanied Elisa to her car. 

"Thank you for making Gab happy." Aubrey genuinely smiled "Thank you for making me happy." 

"A hug will do." Elisa spread her arms

Aubrey scoffed before she hugged Elisa "Text me if you're on your way back here." 

"Give me your new number first." Elisa giggled, hugging the kitten tightly 

They stayed in that position for awhile. 

"I really need to go now, Bree." 

Aubrey pulled away from the hug "Give me your phone." 

Elisa handed her phone to Aubrey. 

"There!" Aubrey saved her number to Elisa's phone "Drive safe, Eli." 

"It really feels good hearing that from you." 

Aubrey laughed "Go now, Eli." 

Aubrey was caught off guard when Elisa stepped forward and kissed her forehead. 

~~

"What are you cooking, mom?" Gab asked 

"I'm cooking mommy Eli's favorite." Aubrey answered "Help auntie Rose to prepare the table, mommy Eli texted me that she's on her way here." 

"Really?" Gab jumped up and down "I'll help auntie now." She then went to the dining room 

Aubrey shook her head on how her daughter acted. 

"She really loves Elisa." 

"Hmm. I smell my favourite kimchi fried rice." Someone spoke and snaked her arms around Aubrey's waist from the back

"Eli! You startled me!" Aubrey slightly punched Elisa's arm

Elisa rested her head on Aubrey's shoulder "You cooked my favourite?" 

"Yes, I just thought to do you a favor." 

"You don't really have to but thank you, Bree." She kissed Aubrey's head "I'll court you, Bree." 

"Eli.." Aubrey's surprised to hear that from Elisa

"I'm not asking for your permission, Bree. I'll court you whether you like it or not." 

"We'll talk later, okay?" 

"Aww. How sweet." Emma cooed while taking a picture of the two "Look at your mommies, Gab." 

Elisa removed herself from Aubrey and smiled awkwardly at the whole Jackson family who were staring at them. 

"Elisa, can we talk?" Mrs. Jackson said

Elisa looked at Aubrey first before she followed Aubrey's mother. 

~~

"What are your intentions to my daughter, Elisa?" 

"Pure and sincere, Mrs. Jackson." Elisa politely answered "I like your daughter." 

"Even if she has a daughter?" 

They are in the garden, sitting on a bench.

"Yes, Mrs. Jackson. Gab is a lovely kid, she caught my heart with her charm. She reminds me of my daughter."

"We're not rich, Elisa. You see, Aubrey just came from an average family." 

"I don't really care about that, Mrs. Jackson. Just like Aubrey, I also worked hard before I got what I have now. After the accident happened in my life, I had a hard time recovering from it, I started from nothing, from zero." 

"Don't hurt my daughter, Elisa. Her ex-boyfriend Oliver cheated on her, their father left us for another woman and I don't want her to experience another heart break again." 

"Count on my words, Mrs. Jackson." She held the old woman's hand "I will take care and love Aubrey and Gab." 

~~

"Elisa, when will you officially take over the company? The board of members kept on asking me about it." Rose opened up a topic while they are having their dinner

"Maybe next week. I just need to fix some things before meeting them."

"Have you found a new secretary?" Rose asked again

"I have someone that I want to hire but I don't think she'll agree with it." She glanced at Aubrey "She's busy running her boutique and being a mommy to Gab." 

Aubrey almost choked the food she's eating "M-me? You want me to be your secretary?" 

"I'm hoping but I understand if you can't." She plastered an assuring smile

"I really want to but my little business needs me. I'll just help you to find a perfect secretary." 

Elisa shook her head in disapproval "No need, Bree." 

"It's Noah's summer vacation, why don't you hire him instead?" Emma suggested 

"I'm not fit for that job." Noah said 

"I'll guide you." Elisa said "I don't want to hire a stranger, it will be better if I'll get someone I know." 

"Elisa is right, besides you said that you want to buy a new camera, right? You can buy it with your own money." Emma said, convincing her youngest sibling

"Ow, I remembered when we were in Los Angeles, Aubrey said that you're also into photography?" 

"Yeah, I want to capture precious moments." Noah answered "Are you also into photography?" 

"She is." Aubrey answered on behalf of Elisa "You remember the photos of me that I showed to you last week? Elisa was the one who took those photos." 

"Your soon to be secretary slash brother-in-law and you will get along." Rose winked at Elisa

Their dinner was filled with laughter and joy. Something that Elisa missed so much.