Chapter 71: ELARA

“How much longer do we have to wait?”

“Xender, we have only been here for ten minutes, and besides, why are you in so much haste?”

“Because I can't wait to meet her,” he said.

“Just wait a little bit more." Just then, my phone started ringing—it was Maggie. 

"Hello, mama!” I heard Elara scream into the phone.

“Hi sweetie”

"Emily, where are you?” Maggie asked.

“We are waiting at the front door.”

“Did you say we? Are you with Elara’s father? Have you both settled your differences? Am I expecting a wedding sooner than I expected?”

“Too many questions, Maggie; just get here.”

“Can you wave?” I waved while looking around for them. I found them climbing downstairs. Elara was literally jumping with joy upon seeing me. Maggie set her down as she ran towards me. I spread my arms wide, waiting for her to run into them. And when she finally did, I hugged her tightly to myself.

“I missed you too, sunshine.” I whispered into her eyes. She rested her head on my chest and stared at Xender before giving him a smile.

“God, she looks so much like Charles. I have finally seen what Charles would look like if he were to be a girl.” I didn't know if I should take that as a compliment or not, so I laughed it off.

"Oh, Maggie, I can never thank you enough,” I said to Maggie, who was busy staring at Xender.

“Emily, don't you think it's time you introduced us?” Xender asked as he stared at Elara, who kept hiding her face on my chest.

“Elara, say hi to Uncle Xender.”

"Hi.” She waved at him with a beautiful smile on her face.

“I want to hold her.” I gave her to Xender, and she happily went into his arms. She gently placed her head on his chest and started playing with the chain around Xender's neck.

“She likes you. Normally, she doesn't let anyone carry her.”

"Well, I'm not anyone; I'm her uncle.” Xender said, excitement written all over his face as he started playing with Elara.

Maggie drew me away from them as she kept looking at me like I owed her an explanation.

“Start talking,” she demanded.

“Talk about what?”

“Like who that handsome guy is.”

"His, my brother; I'm sure you heard him call himself Elara’s uncle.” I said, turning to leave, but she dragged me back by the hand.

“What about Elara's father? Wait a minute, were you rejected?”

"No, I was not; I just didn't want him to meet her at the airport, so grab your bag and let's get going.”

“Wait!” Maggie said, stopping me from leaving again.

“What is it this time around, Maggie?”

“Is your brother single? You know, I recently ended things with Matthew, and I could need someone as hot as him to go with.” The expression on Maggie's face had me twisting my face in disgust. She bites her lower lips as she stares at Xender. I was so grateful for Elara, who kept her uncle busy and distracted; otherwise, he would have seen a hungry lion staring at him.

"Maggie, he is engaged, and my parents are already planning his wedding.”

“What! Just when I finally find the right one for me. Can he not call the wedding off and marry me instead?” I rolled my eyes at her before dragging her with me, walking towards Xender.

“It's not possible, Maggie, but I will introduce you to him. Please don't be your crazy self around him; like I said, he is taken.

Xender, meet my best friend, Maggie. Maggie, meet my brother, Xender.” I had to drag her in front of me since she kept standing behind me like she was hiding.

“Ha ha ha, it's nice to meet you. I don't even know why I'm laughing,” Maggie said, leaving me amused. I have known Maggie for four years, and I have never seen a situation whereby she doesn't know what to say in front of a guy, but today was an exception.

“It's nice to meet you too. Thank you for taking care of my little niece. How about we all go out and get some ice cream?” Xender said to her with a smile, but instead of answering him, Maggie just stood there, staring at him. I couldn't hold the laughter anymore, so I let it out.

“Ice-cream!!!” Elara screamed, bringing Maggie back to reality.

“Yes, ice cream sounds good.”

“Okay, Emily, you're driving,” Xender said. He headed out with Elara jumping up and down in his arms.

“I can't believe he just did that, ditching driving to me so he can spend more time with Elara. Why do I have this feeling that she is going to steal everyone’s attention?”

“Are you really sure your brother is not single? This time around, I'm sure that the universe has finally sent me the right man for me.”

“Maggie, you said exactly the same with Samuel, Mark, Edward, Steven, and then Matthew.”

“I know, I'm a sucker for hot men; I mean, I just can't help it. The broad shoulders, muscles, abs, and don't forget the kissable lips.”

“You need to wake up, Maggie, or you will get lost in that pretty brain of yours. Now let's go.”

We left the airport and found an ice cream parlour not too far from the airport. We stopped and got some ice cream before we headed to the restaurant where Charles was waiting for us.

I just hope Elara accepts him, just like she did with Xender. I just couldn't help loving how gentle Xender was with her. He is going to make a wonderful father.

Charles’s POV

I paced around, waiting for them to arrive. Since last night, I have been restless. I felt sorry for everything I said to Emily. I was angry, not because I thought she aborted the baby, but because I still love her.

I thought when she came back to Yew Nork that all my feelings would have died, but every time I saw her, my heart always skipped a beat. I hated that feeling because I wanted to hate her, but my heart wouldn't.

So I thought building a wall around me would help me get rid of those feelings. I got tired of waiting at our reserved table and decided to go outside and wait for them, but I met them at the front door.

Xender was holding a little girl, whom I assumed to be Elara. I couldn't see her face since she rested her head on Xender's chest.

“Hi Charles,” Emily said.

"Hey.” I couldn't look her in the eyes, so I averted her glance.

“Hey man, are you okay?” Xender asked. I nodded at him; my only interest at that moment was to meet my daughter.

On hearing noise around her, she lifted her head, looking for the source. She was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. I can't believe I'm a father.

“Dada, mama Dada,” she said in excitement, leaving me shocked. I turned towards Emily with questioning eyes, but Elara spread her little hands widely, asking me to hold her. Xender gave her to me; she wrapped her little arms around my neck.

I felt tears running down my face as I hugged her tightly. 

Emily’s POV 

I can't believe she recognised him. I have only shown her Charles’s pictures on my phone; I never knew she would really recognise him.

I watched as she reached out her little hand and wiped his tears away.

“Awww, this is so sweet; I feel like crying,” Maggie said.

“Shut up, Maggie; you are spoiling the mood.”

“Fine, can I at least order food?”

“Yes, do whatever you want.” Maggie smiled devilishly at me.

“Remember not to go back on your words,” she said and left.

“So, Elara knows who her father is,” Xender said, seizing Maggie's absence as an opportunity to question me.

“It was just a little practice we did at home; I never thought she would recognise him.”

“I'm already seeing them creating a great relationship.”

“I think they need more time to get to know each other.”

“Yeah, let’s just go grab something and eat; I'm starving." Xender and I joined Maggie at the table as we ordered our lunch.

When Charles joined us at the table, Elara had already slept off his arms. I tried taking her from him just so he could eat, but he went against it.

"Don't, Emily; I'm not hungry; I don't need to eat.”

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes, but can I talk to you outside for a bit?” I couldn't wrap my head around what he wanted to talk about. The only thought on my mind was my dad; maybe my dad said something to him. He turned and headed outside. 

I hesitated at first, but Xender encouraged me to go. I followed him outside the restaurant as we both stood close to the fountain. After a while, we didn't say a word to each other. I'm guessing we both have a lot of thoughts running through our minds.

“Did my dad say something to you?”

“Not really, but he was quite angry at me. He wanted us to settle our differences.”

“Are you sure he didn't say anything funny to you?” I asked, trying to clear things up with him. I just wanted to know if my dad mentioned something like marriage to him.

“He didn't; I called you out because I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for keeping Elara and for raising her. I just want to be part of her life from now on.”

“You don't have to worry. I'm not planning on taking her back to England; everything she ever needs is already here.”

“Thank you, Emily, and I'm also sorry about last night.” I looked up at him and figured out that he was avoiding looking at me.

“I should be the one apologising for keeping Elara away from you and for lying to you. I only did that because I thought it was the right thing to do. I never knew it was going to cost me a lot.

I'm glad you have finally decided to give me a listening ear.”

“Let's just put the past behind us and take care of Elara together.”