Chapter 147 Unknown Number
Kenneth and Miranda helped the couple settle in irrelevant of the fact that the visitation had been impromptu.
Miranda was ever so excited knowing that Cara was with a baby and she would soon settle in her husband's house. She found the news surreal and still asked Cara again just to be sure.
They all settled together for lunch, Joshua and his wife at the table as well.
"Wow, somebody pinch me," Joshua said, "when has Cara ever wanted to spend a night here but now she is staying for days? I can't believe it."
She punched her brother playfully, a smile splitting her face. "It's not like that, I actually miss home sometimes but i can't visit because i am always so busy. I couldn't take the hustle and bustle of the city anymore, I just needed a break."
Miranda rubbed her back comfortingly, "well I'm glad you think of our home as a place to relax. I promise you, you will get to relax as much as you want to here."
Cara nodded her head, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Anyway," Joshua continued. "It has been a very long time since we all get to gather at this table to eat together. Also, it has never happened before to sit here and eat with your son-in-law and daughter-in-law, am I right?"
His question received a nod of heads from Kenneth and Miranda. He picked up his glass and raised it, "a toast to a brighter future, a bigger family, and a better life."
"Cheers!" They all clanked their glasses together.
After taking a sip from his glass, Joshua placed it on the table, "it must be such a shame that you can't drink alcohol for the next few months, my wife feels the same. I hope you two give birth on the same day."
Harmonious chuckles filled the air. The mood had never been brighter.
Joshua's wife, a beautiful soul with beautiful eyes and glowing skin, Aria, spoke up. "I actually will not mind such good luck, but if it can't be that way, then I hope you deliver before me. I am happy for you."
Cara smiled softly. "Thank you, you too. I'm happy for you too." She did not know Aria at all, she knew nothing about her neither did she even clearly remember what she looked like.
She realized that she had been so busy with her own life in the city that she forgot her family entirely. How could she not even know her own sister-in-law? They were supposed to be best of friends!
A soft sigh left her mouth. "I know I am more like a stranger to you, you barely even got to see me on your wedding because I had to excuse myself for work related matters. Honestly, you feel like a stranger to me too and it shouldn't be like that.
"I would like to get to know you within the few days I will be here. I don't know, what do you think about that?"
Aria smiled softly. "Of course! Actually I was about to say the same thing. We are totally in sync which is a good thing! When should we start hanging out? Should we meet up at our place later for dinner?"
"Cool the excitement honey," Joshua touched his wife's shoulder, "remember she didn't come alone," he nudged his head towards Romeo. "She will need some time with her man as well."
Romeo waved his hands in the air. "Oh no! Please I wouldn't dare to be an hindrance to your together time."
"Well if you can't dare to an hindrance, I will." Joshua said. Putting a hand over his wife's shoulder, he pulled her closer to himself. "I need my wife too you know."
They all shared another harmonious laughter, Miranda even tapped Joshua on his shoulder playfully.
Cara's phone suddenly lit up as it began to ring. "Oh i forgot to turn off my phone, I won't answer it, I promise."
"No no, honey," Kenneth ran his hands down his daughter's face and cupped her cheek softly. "Just because you are here does not mean you should turn your back on your life in the city, you just have to learn how to balance it, don't leave one in the shadow."
She smiled, he was right. That was what she always did. Maybe it was high time for a change after all. With a nod, she picked up the phone, her eyes lingered on the unknown number before locking with Romeo's emerald gems.
Romeo understood without her saying a word and smiled, "please excuse us while we take the call outside."
They both rose from their seats and left the dining table. Cara shook her head with a soft smile when she heard her brother say; "so they answer calls together too? How romantic."
Arriving outside, it was just them and the cool breeze. The phone stopped ringing, only to start again.
With a soft breath, she answered the call and placed it on speaker. Waiting, she stared in silence at the screen, praying and hoping that it is wasn't who she suspected it to be.
"You're getting married... And you didn't find the need to tell me?" Chris' voice, lifeless and empty, echoed through the phone.
She shuddered, chills running down her spine. Her ex really was psychotic. "Chris?"
"Cara, why are you doing this to me? You know that I love you so much and I just want things to go back to the way it was. I will divorce Jessica and take the child! The three of us will be a happy family.
"You know this is a good offer, you can never have children but I will keep this one for you! Don't you ever want to hear someone call you mother?"
Her fist clenched in anger. How dare he try to blackmail her into a marriage with him when he was the one who could not have kids?!
It was always the woman's fault even when the man was impotent. How disgusting.