Chapter 66: Chapter Epilogue

It’s never the end. Things won’t stop turning until you take your last breath. There will always be problems and people who’d get in the way. But always remember that there will always be a silver lining. A rainbow after the storm.

“Ma…”

Facing away from the window where the wind was entering gently, I felt small hands attached to my leg and I bent down with a smile at my two year old son, Chase. His blue eyes shone as he held both of his hands up, wishing to be picked up.

“All right, Chase.” I hoisted him up and carried him. He was getting heavier but I didn’t want to tell him that, wanting him to enjoy every single thing. His father would usually carry him, playing pretend that he is one of those superheroes flying in the sky. “Where do you want to go?”

He pointed at the direction to our living room. “Ma…” I smiled and made whooshing sounds as he giggled with his fisted hands in front of him. Despite how heavy he was, I continued to carry him for a few minutes until a cry interrupted our play time. A pout on his lips, I set Chase down and patted his head.

“Wait for a second, okay? Your sister is crying.”

I rushed to the crib that sat in the middle of the hall, ready to take the fussing baby girl out of her space. “All right, Natalie. It’s okay, Mommy’s here…”

The baby continued to cry but it wasn’t as loud as a while ago. Rubbing her back to soothe her, I whispered sweet words into her ears telling her that everything was all right. “Don’t cry Nat, I’m here. Everything’s all right.”

Loud footsteps caught my attention to see it was only Chase running towards me. A curious expression on his face as he pointed at his younger sister. “Ma, Nat!”

“Yes, Chase. She’s crying, probably got spooked that she’s all alone.” I patted the infant’s back, hoping she would calm down soon. “What is it, Nat? Do you want to eat? How about milk?” Picking up her favorite stuffed toy of a pink octopus, I waved it to catch her attention.

However, she merely looked at it for a few seconds before crying again. I frowned at her strange behavior. She never rejected her stuffed toy before. “What’s wrong, Nat?”

Checking her diaper, it didn’t even have anything. Adjusting my hold on her, I sighed. “What is it? Do you want something? Do you want to sleep?” At my last suggestion, Natalie’s cries went louder and Chase couldn’t help but cover his ears in obvious irritation. Quickly looking around for something to appease the crying infant, I snatched my phone up and went straight to the videos I saved of her favorite cartoon show.

Her cries went softer and softer as the seconds passed by. Instantly hooked at the brown bear dancing on the screen with its other animal friends. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I watched Natalie start giggling at the bear’s funny antics. “So this was what you wanted, huh?” Pressing a kiss on her cheek, I rubbed her back soothingly.

“Ma…”

Looking down at the boy, I smiled. “What do you need, Chase? I’m sorry but Natalie needs me right now. Your dad’s coming home in a little bit, can you wait for him?”

At the mention of his father, Chase’s eyes lit up and started prancing around in glee. “Yay! Dad’s coming home! Dad’s coming home!” He cheered repeatedly as he hopped around in his tiny legs.

“Yes, he is—Chase watch out for that chair! You’ll hurt yourself.”

Natalie let out a loud screech as she continued to watch the video of the bear. Happy to see her favorite cartoon character that her legs were kicking the air as if she was bouncing. I grinned, chuckling a little as I wiped the tear stains off her cheeks. “He is a funny bear, right Nat?”

The kid laughed, as if agreeing with my words. Her brown eyes are clearly sparkling, her golden curly hair tied with a small pink bow to keep her hair from covering her face for she finds it irritating.

Just as I was about to settle her back in her crib, the front door clicked open and all eyes were on the person who just arrived. Seeing who it was, Chase gasped and quickly ran up to his father. “Dad, Dad! Play!”

I smiled at my husband and went up to him, giving him a chaste kiss. “You’re home early… everything finished at work?”

Chad chuckled and kissed our daughter in the cheek as well before picking up Chase. “Yeah. Your mother helped around. Still can’t believe your dad managed the company all on his own before.”

Once we were married on that September day—I could still remember it all—Chad took Dad’s place as the head of the company, giving Mom a hand. Of course people who knew about the accident with Chad’s mom were pretty surprised when he took over—that as if we didn’t learn our lesson. That Rebecca’s plan became a success when Chad became the CEO. However, Mom wanted it too despite me saying that Chad is busy with his own business.

Unfortunately, the hardheaded husband of mine didn’t listen. Managing two businesses at once until he decided to merge his with ours. Saying that it was high time he became partners again. Since he started this, he’s been coming home late but there were times he’d arrive earlier than I expected. He doesn’t have a home based job like me, who writes in her room during her spare time.

I sighed. “I told you it won’t be an easy task to do. I did warn you that taking Dad’s place is the hardest thing to do. Didn’t you pay attention when I took over the family business?”

“Pretty horrendous.” He laughed until he looked at his son who was giving him puppy eyes. It used to work on Chad but he said it was all for show and that look his son makes doesn’t work on him.

“Dad, play!”

“All right, Chase. Yes, we’ll play.”

But I think otherwise.

“Chad, have you eaten dinner?” I asked him as I set Natalie down who was now busy watching. Sucking on her thumb as she giggled at the screen. “I made dinner you see…”

Chad laughed as he carried Chase up and made him feel like he was a real superhero after removing his tie and suit jacket. “Nope, I haven’t eaten my love. Shall we eat now? I’m starving.”

We didn’t have any second thoughts as we both let the kids sit in their seats and start eating dinner. As I was in the middle of cutting a part off, I stopped and glanced up at my small family eating peacefully. Well, not that peacefully for Natalie would start messing around with her spoon that has her food still intact. Wouldn’t be surprised if beans start flying everywhere but you’ll get used to it if your kid is like this—which is an everyday thing for a kid.

How I wish I was a kid again… but being an adult is fun too. Fun yet hard. What was it that Harvey said before he entered junior high?

“Life is like a game, Sis. The older you get, the harder it gets. It’s like leveling up after each stage.”

Ah… there it is. I wonder how he’s doing at home. Probably playing games or doing his homework. It’s crazy how he wants to run the business soon.

“Honey, you okay?”

Snapping out of my thoughts, I blinked and turned to Chad. “Huh? Did you say something, Chad?”

“Are you okay? You spaced out.” He said as he wiped Natalie’s cheeks that had a smudge of tomato soup. “Are you tired? I can tuck the kids in tonight and wash the dishes—”

“No, no it’s okay! I could do it, I mean you’re tired from work while I was just here at home the whole day.”

Chad sighed. “Didn’t I tell you not to send the hired help out early? I appreciate you cooking dinner today but I hired a chef for you to take it easy. You’re taking care of Natalie and Chase already.”

I smiled. “Thanks Hon, but I just want us to be alone tonight. You know?”

Getting the message, Chad laughed. “All right, if you say so.”

Time passed by quickly and once the dishes were washed, I quickly bathed Natalie and made her wear pajamas. Chase was in the middle of brushing his teeth when I gently rocked Natalie to sleep in her separate room. Once she fell asleep, I tucked her in and went straight to Chase’s room. There, Chad was already reading him a bedtime story.

“And they lived happily ever after… the end.”

Chad kissed the boy’s forehead before tucking in the boy whose eyes were about to shut. “Good night, Chase. Sleep tight.”

“Night, Dad.”

Chad slowly walked out and shut the door before letting out a soft breath. “Finally. They’re asleep.”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, we walked to our room. I chuckled, “Well, Natalie and Chase were good the entire day.”

“I hardly see them misbehave, Rach.” Chad mumbled. “But yes, our kids are not like those brats that would whine and cry all day. Or those types that are so evil within!”

I couldn’t help but frown at his words. “Chad, just how much time do you spend on the internet? You know kids have their needs and they could only express it by crying until they’re old enough to talk straight.”

Scratching his head, Chad nodded softly. “Yeah… right. Sorry about that.”

“But I’m glad that Natalie and Chase are good kids. They listen to everything I say.” I opened the door to our room and once it was shut, I wrapped my arms around him. “You’ve been busy for quite some time, Mr. Montgomery.”

Chad smirked. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Montgomery… Since Natalie and Chase have been good kids, I think it’s time for us to reward them with another sibling.”

All I could do was laugh as he carried me bridal style. Taking me to our bed like it was our honeymoon back in Maldives.

I wouldn’t trade anything now for any gold or some dream. I have it all right here, right now. And even if I sometimes desire for something, I have to remind myself that everything is temporary but love and the bond we both shared isn’t.

“Chad, love you…” I whispered into his ear as he kissed my neck, about to give me a hickey when his head rose to meet me eye to eye.

“Love you too, Rachel.”

The End