"Do you think... Daddy loves Mommy too?" Samantha did not like using her kids for information, but her poor heart could not help it.
Somehow, something inside of her wanted to know what Ethan thought about her.
"Yes, Mommy! He says you are pretty all the time!" Announced Kenzie.
"All - the - time?" Samantha asked with a frown, trying to recall whenever Ethan was around the kids.
"Yes, Mommy." Kenzie sat up and demonstrated with her hands, resting them on her face. "When Kenzie says I'm pretty like Mommy, Daddy says you are pretty."
Kenzie's answer made Samantha throw her head back on the pillow. She thought, 'He was just acknowledging his own child was pretty. It was not really a comment towards me.'
"And Daddy always asks how you are, Mommy. We always talk about you," suggested Kyle.
Getting up to look at her son again, she asked, "In WhatsApp?"
"Yes, Mommy," said Kyle before yawning. "I'll sleep now, M
"Daddy, Mommy looks so pretty today," told Kenzie with dreamy eyes and a smile not to be ignored.She looked at her mother, and back to her father, waiting for an answer.Ethan was dividing the chicken pops between the two kids when Kenzie remarked. It made him smile and look up to Samantha. He agreed, "Your Mommy is... always pretty."It had only been recently that Ethan had been willingly and clearly expressing appreciation, and that was towards Samantha. No one else."Of course, they will always think that their Mommy is pretty," Samantha countered, trying to hide the blush on her face, but the truth was, she prepared for that special lunch.She wore a dress she had not worn in years. It was one of her mother's dresses; a plain navy blue, ruffled sleeve dress with semi-plunging neckline.Her wavy hair was down to her shoulders as usual, but that day, Samantha put on a little makeup over her face and wore her mother's pendant.
It was because Ethan was leaving for a business trip on Friday, that he dropped by the condominium on a Thursday night. He only had a few minutes to spare, but he wanted to see the kids.He realized how the video conference calls did not satisfy his yearning.Ethan came in with treats for the children and a bouquet for Samantha.When Samantha opened the door for him, he handed her the flowers and said, "Good evening, Sam. They are for you."With a flushed face, Samantha pursed her lips and accepted the flowers. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Ethan. They are beautiful.""Daddy!" Kenzie was the first to run to him, this time jumping at him. She easily became secured in his father's strong arms."Kenzie! What if your Dad did not catch you? Don't do that again." Samantha scolded, nearly raising her voice."It's okay. I'll catch my little girl always," assured Ethan. "I got her, Sam.""Wow! Daddy, Mommy has flowe
Saturday 5:00 AM."Good Morning, Sam," Samantha heard Ethan's husky voice on the other line.She bit her lip, feeling a little excited at getting a call from him so early."Good Morning," she responded before clearing her throat."Did I wake you?" Ethan asked."Yes, but, it's fine. I have to prepare breakfast, anyway," Samantha answered. "How was your flight?"Last night, Ethan only sent her a message, saying that he arrived rather late due to a delayed stop in the Middle East while refueling.Ethan took a private jet, flying across the Pacific. He did not like sharing a space with other people, other than John and his executives."It was okay. It was boring as usual," declared Ethan. "I never liked long flights. On my next business trip, I'll take you and the kids with me."It was a cold morning, and the sun has not shone yet, following Ethan's words, Samantha felt her cheeks turning warm.Hearing
The time came and went.It was Tuesday, lunchtime, the day of Ethan's return to Braeton City.From school, Kenzie, and Kyle, together with Samantha, were on their way to the airport to meet Ethan.Ethan wanted to have lunch together, right after landing.Parking by the side of the runway, the children waited while seeing several airport officers go up and down the private jet.It did not take long for the children to see John Garcia stepping down, and they immediately knew their father would be the next.From inside the luxury car, Kenzie said, "Let's go out to meet Daddy!""Yeah, I want to meet Daddy as well," announced Kyle. "I want to see his plane!""Mommy!" Both of them pleaded."It's okay, Miss Davis, they can go off to meet Mr. Wright and they can see the plane if they wish to," said Edgar.Only after Edgar's suggestion did Samantha and the twins got off the car.&nb
"You know... you are like Mary Poppins' bag." Samantha pursed her lips, turning to Ethan before announcing, "You come in a bag, full of surprises."That made Ethan give out a genuine smile. He leaned over to Samantha and declared, "Speaking of surprises, you sure gave me the biggest... surprise in my life."Samantha chuckled and suggested, "Showing up, having two kids?""I suppose," with his business-like expression, he said while leaning sideways, maintaining the stare at Samantha.While munching on her popcorn, Samantha realized how rarely Ethan looked at the screen. She whispered, "You are barely watching.""I'm listening," Ethan answered.She glanced at him for a second and said, "You did not eat any of the popcorn.""I'm feeling all tired from the trip. I can't move my hands. Do you mind... feeding me?" Ethan said it so casually, it did not seem like he was making a move.It utterly made Samantha giggle while s
"Are we going home after this?" Samantha asked, realizing it was still nearly six in the evening."No, Sam... The night is still, young," Ethan responded. He then moved closer and whispered to her ear, "I have another surprise for you.""What is it?" She asked, turning to his athletic face.She nearly fainted, seeing Ethan's well-defined jaw-lines, and while she had seen this before, she could not help but appreciate it once more.Samantha found herself lost in Ethan's intense brown eyes as he glanced at her for a second. She heard him say, "It's a secret. We still have two itineraries for today."Ethan did not miss pinching lightly on Samantha's cheek before reaching for her hand.They wound up walking hand in hand, out of the cinema and to the lift. Still, the mall attendant was with them all the way.After the mall, Edgar drove them to the Wright Diamond Hotel where a few of the company's employees saw
Samantha wasn't sure why, but she was starting to feel nervous. She kept asking herself, 'Why are we going around this house?'She already had an inkling, especially after seeing the kitchen. Besides, what was the use of showing her such a beautiful kitchen if it was not for her? Moreover, the butler and the maids addressed them like they were a married couple.'Stop it, Sam! You are making assumptions!' She scolded herself right before Ethan showed her the master bedroom.When Ethan presented her with the biggest room in the mansion, she flushed outright. While she adored looking at the sizable bed, her mind was thinking of something else. She brushed away her thoughts and remarked, "Wow! I really am jealous of the bed."Sitting on the mattress, she remarked, "It must be... really comfortable to sleep on this bed."She immediately eyed Ethan's reaction and heard him chuckle for the first time that night. She thought, 'This man is hidin
"You told her about the kiss limit," reminded Ethan."I know. I hate it when they remember these things... my kids are just too sharp," Samantha responded before forcing Ethan's hands off her waist. She smiled and pecked on his lips again. "Let me get the kids.""Hmmmm," Ethan's typical response.Before letting Samantha go, however, he put a hand behind her neck and savored for one last kiss.His actions made Samantha chuckle as she forced herself free from Ethan's hold. She whispered, breathing against his lips, "I'll be back."While Ethan turned on the lights to the living room, Samantha walked in the direction of their bedroom.It did not take long for Kenzie and Kyle to walk back out with Samantha, both puzzled for the late evening wake-up call. Kyle was especially still sluggish."Hi guys," greeted Ethan while remaining to sit on the sofa.Kenzie went straight into Ethan's lap and said, "Hi Da