Marcus POVI saw the hesitation on Martina’s face, and I realized I mishandled things.“Goldstone, can you please give us a minute.”I did not wait for Anthony’s reply. I pulled Martina to her feet and brought her back to our room.I made a signal to Marie, and she understood. She will take care of the twins while we are gone.“I am sorry.”I told Martina when the door to our room closed.She bit her lip.
Marcus POVMy eyes widened in surprise. Martina pre-empted me. That should have been me kneeling on the floor, proposing marriage to her, not the other way around. But instead of pulling her up, I kneeled before her.If I can’t beat her, then I must join her.Martina’s eyes widened when I pulled a box out of my pants pocket. “Since I have the ring, let me do this properly, love.” I opened the box to take out the diamond solitaire ring.“I bought this in Europe two years ago.” Martina’s eyes flared in wonder while she lapped up my words. She opened her mouth to comment, but I put my index finger to shut her up. “Yeah, we were divorced by then. But when I saw this ring, I could not help thinking that this should belong to you. I bought it with you in mind.” Martina teared up at my confession.She bit her lip, trying to choke back a sob, but failed miserably. She was openly crying now. Her face contorted in regret. Despite that, she was still the most beautiful woman I had ev
Marcus POVMy brothers started to make a racket. They kept chanting, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”Briana’s twins kept crying, “Gross!”They would try to cover their eyes with their fingers, but you could see that they were peeping from the gaps between their fingers, waiting for me to kiss Martina before groaning.“Ewww!”“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” My brothers continued to chant.Their hecklings put a frown on my son and daughter’s face, but after a while, with a lot of prodding from their older cousins, joined in the merriment.They abandoned their toys and stood from their playpen, hands on its padded fence for balance.They were jumping, more like bouncing on their feet in time to the claps made by my notoriously troublesome brothers.Martina shyly covered her face with her palms.She was blushi
Martina POVAfter our impromptu wedding at the mansion Marcus purchased from Briana, and the breakfast we shared with his family in the garden area, the Ford siblings started to split, claiming they had appointments or plans for the day.Briana was the last to leave.“We’ll go ahead. The triplets have school, and Elijah is getting fussy.” Brina explained.She kissed Marcus on the cheeks, then the twins. When she neared me, Briana gave me a warm hug.“Welcome to the family, Martina. One day, let’s have coffee and chat.” She patted my back.
Martina POVMarcus’ one-month leave flew by swiftly. Today was his first day back at the office. After a heated lovemaking, I sighed and rolled out of his embrace.“Why the long sigh? Do you want me to file another leave of absence?” Marcus abandoned the comforter when he turned to his side to face me.The appalling suggestion made me turn around and go face-to-face with his naked chest. I gulped. “Rosewood Hotel will go bankrupt if you skip another day. Go to work, Marcus!” I pressed my palms to his chest to push him away when he inched closer, snaking his arms around me. The heat of his body sent tingles up my spine. “We are rich. We won’t go poor just because I don’t want to work.” Marcus groaned when I evaded his grasp and sat up on the bed. But that was a wrong move. Now, my naked body was fully exposed to his lustful eyes. Immediately, my hands gripped the ends of the comforter to wrap it around my body. “Why so shy? I’ve seen your body countless times, love.” His com
Martina POVMarcus’ face contorted when he saw Macy struggling in my arms, her little arms stretched toward him, wanting to be held.“Daddy’s leaving. Say bye-bye.” I urged her, but my little girl was adamant.She was reaching out to her father like he was her lifeline.“Macy, Daddy will be back. He’s just going to work.”“No. Daddy. Don’t leave.” She cried.I had not realized that she had become more attached to Marcus.Yesterday, she was not this cl
Martina POVMarcus could not wait to hold his children. After he changed out of his work clothes, he joined us on the bed.He was lying on his side, arms lightly wrapping the two children as they slept.Macy must have sensed his presence. She opened one eye, and when she realized her father was there, she sat up in bed and worked her way toward Marcus.She sniffed him before laying her head on his chest, secured in the arms of his love.“Daddy. Daddy.” She cried, patting Marcus’ face.Marcus picked up her hands to plant kisses on them.
Martina POVWhat Marcus said was an eye-opener. In my desire to stifle my feelings for him, fearing about my family, I inadvertently showed him I did not care. I shut him out.“I love you,” I told him, trying to wipe with that declaration the pain I might have caused him before.Marcus nodded his head. Maybe in his heart, he understood why I was like this. “I know. I am just happy that you are now ready to say the words you hid in your heart.” Even when Marcus left, my chest threatened to burst with so much emotion. I realized how I had been unfair to him before. Love unexpressed is love denied. How often have I denied Marcus my love because I never said them? Or showed him what I felt?Now, I feel so ashamed. Before lunch, I readied the children. Macy was still gloomy because she wanted to see her father, but since I was busy, I didn't have enough time to call Marcus so he could at least chat with his twins.When I finished dressing them, I prepared myself. I only donned
Jenna POVI looked at the time and groaned. "Briana must be at the office by now. We are so late." I complained. Charles rose naked from the bed, giving me a full view of his sinewy back and taut b*tt.He looked sinful -like a god who had descended from Mt. Olympus. Truly drool-worthy!He pulled his sweatpants over his legs.He turned around, caught me staring, and winked at me. I giggled and lifted the comforter off my body before swinging my legs off the bed.The skirt of my nightgown fell around my thighs, and I padded barefoot toward the door. "I will be in the kitchen," I informed Charles. Just as I was about to descend the stairs, I heard Charles's footsteps behind me. I felt his arm gently snaking around me as we walked down the stairs side-by-side. When we reached the kitchen, we worked separately but seamlessly. We had practice over the years, that was why.Charles made coffee while I checked the fridge for stocks."You want sausage and egg?" I asked. "Sure." Charl
Jenna POVThe next morning, I woke up in Charles's arms.At first, I was disoriented because the place looked strange. Then, my eyes started roaming around the room we were in, and then I realized we were in our new house.Immediately, I was galvanized into action.I wanted to check on Briana.But before I could get off the bed, Charles’ arms tightened around me.“Where do you think you are going?” He asked, pulling me closer and nuzzling my neck.I shrieked at the unexpected move.
Jenna POVBecause pregnant women - I was referring to Beth and Briana, and our three other surrogates - shouldn’t stay late, and Flint’s family has jet lag, the party broke up early. Riley kissed my cheeks, surprising me with its spontaneity and sincerity. His two brothers followed suit.“Bye Bye Mama Jenna.” The name they called me stuck, and the little ones mimicked the older ones, calling me with that name. I was in euphoria the whole time.I can’t explain it, but my happiness redoubled that very moment. I kissed each of them on the top of their heads, even the little girls and Mia. Krizzie, who felt left out, also called me Mama Jenna instead of the customary Aunt Jenna, surprising Beth and me.We looked at each other and smiled warmly. “Are you happy?” Charles asked when I was already strapped to the front passenger of his car. I sighed and leaned my head on the backrest. “I am more than happy. I am ecstatic. It’s greedy to want more, Charles.” I told him honestly.Charl
Jenna POVThe hall became noisy after that. Everyone cheered for us. Even the children joined in the fun even when they did not know what was happening except, of course, the older ones. Riley, Mason, and Brixx clapped their hands and kept chanting my name. Mama Jenna. Mama Jenna. Their acceptance and unbridled love got me on high. Shyness had overtaken me. I don’t know. We were surrounded by family. I was used to their teasing, but this hits differently. I burrowed my face on Charles’ massive chest, making me acutely aware of his familiar scent and feel. “I missed you,” I told him, my heart in my eyes. Charles' eyes darkened. “As I, you.” He responded.And amidst the claps, the hoots, and the shouts that greeted Charle’s proposal and my reply, Charles tipped my head by hooking his index finger on the tip of my chin.He lifted my face while he descended, and he sealed our promise with a hot kiss. Charles gave and took equally in that kiss, pulling me in and scorching m
Jenna POVI could not believe it when Riley called me Mama Jenna. It was unexpected, but I relished the sound of that. It was a mixed feeling. Mama. In a few month's time, I was going to be someone else’s mama, and the giddy feeling it evoked in me stayed with me throughout our ride to the Hunter Hotel. At the hospital’s parking area, I was surprised when Riley chose to ride with us instead of his parent’s car.He insisted that he had to accompany us. I saw Charles smiling throughout the ride. His chest puffed up, proud of his nephew’s thoughtfulness. When we reached the hotel, Riley took my hand to help me out of the car. He assisted me while he walked. Charles walked behind us.When we reached the hotel’s lobby, the receptionist and other employees stopped to greet Riley and us. “We are having dinner with my family,” Charles explained, and the receptionist instructed an usher to guide us to our venue. We walked the well-lit corridor. This time, the usher and Charles were
Charles POVThe admitting doctor announced that Briana was okay for discharge, and her boys started to jump around. “Can we go to the hotel tonight, please?” Brixx made the request. Noah nodded. “Of course. We will stay at the penthouse.” He promised his children. He also invited us for dinner to celebrate.I nodded. There is so much to celebrate tonight. “We do not want to miss it for the world.” My other two brothers and their wives agreed. Jenna, on the other hand, talked to Briana’s doctor to update herself on Briana’s pregnancy journey. As early as now, I could see how excited and involved she wanted to be with this pregnancy, and Briana was very understanding. My sister asked Jenna to sit beside her on the bed while they talked about how she was feeling. I loved how Briana included Jenna in all aspects of her pregnancy and even invited Jenna to her next doctor’s appointment, which Jenna gladly accepted.When Noah stepped out of the room to settle Briana’s bill so she cou
Charles POVMy head started to shake, but the expression on Jenna’s face halted my movements. “You do not have to talk to her to know why she did it. She wanted revenge.” I admitted, feeling a little lost, myself. I cannot fathom the fact that Jenna wanted to meet with someone who had hurt her deeply and sabotaged any chance she would ever have of experiencing the joys and hardships of nurturing a child in her womb.“Rowan already told me."She must have sensed my confusion because then, she explained. "Before he forced me to listen to your conversation, Rowan told me everything he knew. He even mentioned that Gwen had been arrested and awaiting trial behind bars." Jenna said in a shaky breath. From her reaction, I can glean that the idea is taking its toll on her. It was an effort. Yet, I admire the bravery of this woman I married. "But still, I wanted to talk to her.” Jenna’s quiet resolve was hard to shake. I stared at her long and hard as if trying to delve deep into the
Jenna POVWhile we were all laughing at the children’s antics and Noah’s long-suffering look, there were tentative knocks on the door that stopped us. Rowan strode to open it as if he was expecting someone.“Hello, everyone,” Hanna said, her face appearing in the gap between the door and its frame. Rohan Joy had already spotted her older cousins and ran to them. Her chubby little legs carried her toward the triplets and Elijah, who cried when they saw her. All talks about the bet had been shelved as they became attentive to the toddler. With his arm placed securely around Hanna’s shoulder, Rowan and Hanna walked toward us. Hanna broke from his embrace to hug me.She said nothing, but the smile lacing her mouth told its own tale. I knew she already knew what Briana did, and was happy for us. “Are we late for the party?” Martina called out from the door, and we all shifted our gazes toward her and her children. Marcus walked briskly to assist her in carrying Mia. The twins, Ma
Jenna POVMarcus spread his arms wide, and I ran to him. He caught me by the waist, and twirled me around, laughing and giggling like children.Rowan took me from Marcus to squeeze me into a tight hug. “Thank you for coming back!” Rowan said when he put me down. I shook my head, leaning on Charles's massive chest, feeling completely safe, back in his arms. “I should be thanking you. If you did not call me and forced me to listen to your conversation with Charles, I would remain hurting in cluelessness. I wouldn’t realize how foolish I had been for throwing my marriage away, but also for losing my faith in the family.” Again, a sob broke from me after I said the last word. Family. Yes, I have a family, and a big one at that. How did I ever feel I was lacking when Charles made sure I had everything?Not material wealth, though I admit it had its perks. But something intangible like love and the feeling of belongingness. The Fords accepted me for me. Not because I can give them