Chapter 60: Chapter Fifty-nine

The day had gone by slowly, with Mirabella doing what she did best — keeping herself busy so she wouldn’t have to think too much. She spent the morning cleaning the kitchen and toilets, scrubbing the counters, and sweeping the floors. Then she moved to the laundry, sorting out the dirty clothes that had been piling up for days. She poured detergent into the washing machine, stuffed the clothes in, and stood by as the machine rumbled to life. The smell of soap filled the air, mixing with the faint scent of lemon air freshener she’d sprayed earlier.

Hunter was literally everywhere.

He followed her around like a lost puppy — or more like a nosy shadow. When she went to clean the bathroom, he was there holding the mop, insisting he could do it better. When she tried to hang the clothes out on the balcony, he came right behind her, “helping” her peg them up, though he clearly had no idea what he was doing. Every time she reached for something, his hand brushed hers. Every time she turned around, he was just everywhere.

“Hunter, I can handle this,” she told him for the fifth time that morning.

“I know, so I will just watch you,” he said casually, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her every move. “I like watching you do your thing.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s not helping.”

“Maybe not. But at least it makes me feel useful.”

“Useful?” she scoffed. “You’ve been hovering all day. If you really want to help, go watch TV, roll on the floor or something.”

He grinned, that cocky smirk she had come to know too well. “Watching you is way better than any of those.”

Mirabella didn’t reply. She simply shook her head, trying to ignore the heat that crept up her neck whenever he gave her that cocky smile. She hated that her body always reacted to him — that her stomach would tighten and her heart would start racing every time he was close. It was annoying. Really annoying.

By evening, the house was spotless, the clothes were dry and folded, and Rena was playing with her plastic alphabet blocks on the floor, singing to herself softly. Mirabella finally allowed herself to collapse onto the couch. She picked up the TV remote and flipped through the channels until she found something to relax her mind — ‘The Good Doctor’, one of her favorite shows. There was something soothing about watching other people’s drama unfold instead of her own.

Rena climbed onto her lap, yawning. “Mama, hug.”

Mirabella smiled and held her. Whenever she is tired from playing and running about she looks for the closest person available for a hug; which means sleeping

“Sleep?” Rena nodded her small head. "Then sleep, baby,” Mirabella said softly, stroking her little curls. “You’ve played enough for today.”

Rena snuggled even closer, her tiny arms wrapping around Mirabella’s waist. Within minutes, her breathing slowed, and she was fast asleep. Mirabella smiled down at her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

It was quiet, peaceful — just the way she liked it.

About ten minutes ago, Hunter had gone out, saying he needed to get something for Rena and buy turkey wings. She didn’t ask what he meant by “something Rena requested,” but she had a feeling it was the Barbie doll. Rena must have told him about her fantasy to own a Barbie doll. That had been her request for like forever but the doll was too expensive and it would really shake her pockets if she decides to buy it. So instead, she had bought different teddies to make Rena forget about the Barbie doll. But of course, a girl's dreams can not be easily forgotten.

Mirabella sighed. She bet that was what he went to buy. The man was unpredictable, and he was taking the whole ‘dada role’ very well. She hadn't thought for once that Hunter would be good with kids. Hasn't even thought that he was going to be ok having kids.

He was surprisingly good with Rena. But like he had said earlier that morning, they have a lot to talk about and clear. Especially in regards to Rena.

Ten more minutes into the show, she heard the door creak open. The quiet was broken by the sound of plastic bags rustling. Hunter strode in, carrying several shopping bags in both hands. From the look of it, he had gone overboard. Definitely not just wings.

She only glanced at him briefly before she turned back to her show and he walked to the kitchen with the bags. “He sure is getting too comfortable,” she muttered under her breath.

A few minutes later, he returned, sliding into the spot next to her on the couch. He sat so close that their sides touched. His warmth seeped into her skin instantly, making her pulse jump. She shifted slightly to the side, hoping to put a little space between them.

But he only moved closer.

She tried to move again.

“Be still,” he said softly, his arm moving behind her to rest on the couch. His fingers grazed her shoulder, making her shiver.

She froze, trying not to react. After a few moments, she gave up and turned her attention back to the TV. Maybe if she ignored him, he would stop being weird.

But Hunter didn’t move away. He leaned back, relaxed, watching her from the corner of his eye.

It felt nice. With her sitting beside him, their daughter in her embrace, it felt like home. Nothing beats the feeling that they were part of his world. His family.

Family? He smiled faintly at the thought.

Well yea. He was not going to lie to himself anymore. He was going to embrace what he feels and what he wants. He wants them both. He was done making excuses or fighting why he was so possesive and obsessed with Mirabella. This was no longer about owning her only. He loves this woman with everything in him. No more lies.

Just then, his phone buzzed. He reached for it and answered without looking at the caller ID. “You got it?” he said, pausing. “Good. Bring it tomorrow.” Then he hung up.

Mirabella didn’t even look at him. Her eyes were still glued to the TV. Hunter leaned forward and gently lifted sleeping Rena out of her arms so that she could enjoy the show. She let him take the little girl without any resistance and he was thankful for that. He didn't want a situation where he fights her for every little thing. So, this was progress — small, but it meant everything to him.

The room grew quiet again. Only the faint voices from TV filled the space.

Hunter threw glances at her but she fix her eyes on the TV instead and when the door bell rang, she muttered “I will get the door," before stroding out.

He watched her go, a small smile tugging at his lips.

When she opened the door, a familiar voice greeted her. “I guess Aria isn’t here, given you’re the one opening the door, right?” Beverly asked with her usual dramatic flair, stepping inside before Mirabella could answer.

Mirabella smiled faintly. “Nope. She’s down with a cold. Won’t be coming this weekend.”

Beverly gasped lightly. “Ah, isn’t God good?”

Mirabella gave her a disbelieving look. “Seriously?”

“Not that I’m happy she’s sick!” Beverly lifted her hands defensively. “But at least this weekend will be… quiet, don’t you think?”

Mirabella shook her head, laughing softly. Those two were always at each other’s throats, always bickering at each other but deep down, they cared for one another. They just like to show it in weird and stupid ways.

“Where is my girl!" Beverly asked walking into the living room with Mirabella behind her. She came to an abrupt stop as her eyes landed on the figure sitting on the couch in the living room. Hunter took that time to stand with Rena in his arms.

Beverly’s mouth fell open and she drooled over the tall broad shouldered man standing in her friend's living room. He was all definition of sin, gorgeousness, perfect. He could easily pass for a model. But something else caught her attention. His eyes were familiar.

Oh yes. They were the same color as Rena's. Well she could just say that he and Rena looks perfectly alike. When realization hit her, she turned her head to Mirabella who stood beside her scratching her forehead

Mirabella noticing that both Hunter and Beverly's eyes were on her, so she decided to do the introduction. “Arrrmm… Hunter meet Beverly my friend. Beverly, this is Hunter…”

“Rena's father” Beverly completed for her.

‘Oh well, shit. It was really that obvious’ Mirabella thought.

“It's nice to meet you Beverly.” Hunter said with amusement in his voice stretching his hand and Beverly took it with a blush.

“Nice to meet you too" Beverly managed to choke out.

Hunter nodded. "I will let you girls talk while I go and tuck Rena in.” And with that, he was gone.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Beverly turned to Mirabella, eyes wide and sparkling. She slapped Mirabella lightly on the arm. “Girlll….,” she whispered sharply, “you haven't told me a lot of things!”

Mirabella rolled her eyes, sinking back onto the couch. “Don’t start.”

“Oh, I’ve already started,” Beverly said, grinning like a devil. “You haven't told me about him or about your life before. I didn’t push because I thought it was a past you don't want to talk about. But everything is now reappearing so you have to spill.”

Mirabella exhaled, rubbing her forehead. “Beverly…”

“Oh no,” Beverly said, cutting her off. “You’re going to tell me everything. Every single thing.”

Mirabella groaned, leaning her head back on the couch. “This is going to be a long evening.”

And Beverly’s grin only widened. “Good because I brought wine.”