CHAPTER 39

The adoring parents stood over their little son watching as he slept peacefully in his cot. The little thing had been up all night, screaming incessantly, and they had both tried all they could to calm him down, to no avail. In frustration, Evangeline had called her mother to complain about their problem.

“Check his diapers.” said Mrs. Swiss sleepily. She checked her time and yawned, “You realize it’s past midnight and I need my beauty sleep right?”

“Mother, his diaper isn’t damp. I just changed him” complained Evan, ignoring her comment about being disturbed in the middle of the night. For some insane reason, she had discharged little Robert’s nanny for the day thinking she should handle him all night as the mother. That shouldn’t be hard. After all, he would be asleep most of the time right? Well, not Robert. He had been up all the time and crying. And this had been going on for almost a week now.

“Then check his stomach.” she said “What am I checking for exactly?” asked the young mother. Both parents were still bent over their son, refusing to pick him up. The baby cried louder.

“Is it hard?”

“It definitely looks that way.” said Jason before he touched little Robert’s stomach, “I think so”

“You fed him not long ago, right?”

“Yes” replied both parents “Did you burp him after feeding him?”

“I’m not sure.” turning to her husband, she asked, “Did we burp him?”

Jason Valdez looked at his wife confused, “I have no idea”

That could be the problem, “Okay, rock the baby against your chest, and pat down his back continuously until he belches”

“Okay mom.” Evan answered, taking the baby. While she rocked the child against herself as her mother had instructed, her husband patted down his back gently.

“Can an old woman get some sleep now?” Mrs. Swiss asked seeing the baby had stopped crying.

“Hold on, mother.” replied Evan just as the baby gave a loud burp. “Okay, that’s it”

“Let him burp after every feed all right?”

“Thanks, mom”

“Good night.” said Mrs. Swiss over the phone, “I won’t forget to turn off my phone.” she said before disconnecting the call.

After the burp, the little thing had slept soundly. Now, the couple stood over his cot, watching in wonder. Who had imagined such a minute thing could keep him up for close to an hour.

“You think we can have a quick nap too?” asked Jason. He looked like a mess.

Evangeline shook her head at her husband, feeling terrible. He was exhausted as his wife. But unlike her, he had to work. For some weeks now, little Robert had been keeping them awake all night. And Jason, ready to have the best father of the year award, had been there with them all through. And while she naps in the afternoon whenever Adriana and the twins are around to help, Jason had to work. She decided she could help him. “Come on.” she nodded, and he followed her meekly.

While heading for the bathroom, she grabbed some ointments along with their room. They were made to soothe the skin, and also aid in easy sleep. She ran him a bath and nodded that he gets in. Without any objection, he got in and sighed as the cool water tinged his skin. “Love it?” she asked seeing him close his eyes.

“Y…. yes” he stuttered as his body was enjoying the soothing feeling of the water, forcing him to relax.

She didn’t get in with him. Sitting by the edge, she scooped some water and helped him wash. He stayed with his eyes closed, enjoying the treatment. Then he went deeper in the water, soaking it all in. She waited for him to come back up, before resuming her duty.

“Come in” he urged “No, I have some things to do” she lied, knowing if she got in, she would be asleep right there in the bathtub. And who would take care of their son should he wake up again? He nodded, far too tired to complain. When he got out, she threw him the towel and walked with him to the bedroom as he dried himself.

He didn’t know when she left the room. All he knew was she came back and handed him a warm cup of milk which he drank easily. She retrieved the cup and took it to the kitchen to wash. There, the chef met her and quickly got it.

“I’ll take that, Mrs. Valdez.” she said “Thank you.” Evan said and went back to the room. Jason was asleep on the bed. She covered him up and sat watching him, a satisfactory smile on her face.

*****

It was late in the morning, yet she was sleeping so peacefully. He watched her, smiling as she moaned and turned. She was on the verge of waking up, and he sat watching her, waiting. Her eyes fluttered, and he bent over her, kissing her forehead.

“Wait, what?” Evangeline stuttered as her husband kissed her forehead, “Is the baby awake?”

He nodded with a broad grin. “Of course, he’s awake” when she jumped out of bed, he started laughing. “Relax babe.” he said, “The nanny is here. Let her take care of him for us. We need this”

Getting back in bed with him, she leaned into him, while he moves to make some space for her. “I didn’t realize motherhood could take a toll on us.” she said, staring at the time. She had slept into the late morning. Who knew she was that tired too. “I love how you make time out for us” she smiled at him when he grinned boyishly. “It’s fun doing this with you”

“Anything for you, babe” then he remembered something he had been meaning to bring up. “How about the wedding plans?” he asked, “Can we go ahead with it?”

She didn’t know if she was ready yet. They were married, and that was enough for her. But her parents and friends wanted the public one. Even the internet was abuzz, waiting for the beautiful couple to pick a date. Her therapist had her in the gym every day working on her body, and though Robert was barely a week old, she had her prim figure back. Of course, her boobs were still quite full, her stomach had reduced considerably. Jason had fallen in love with her figure all over again. “Should we?”

“Yes.” he replied quickly, “You have your body back” he smiled appreciatively as his hands ran down hers. “Why don’t we?”

“Well, I’m married to you. We both know that, and so does the family now. Can’t we just let it be that way?” she said unsure.

“And have your mother chew my head off.” he laughed, “I’ll bet she will start asking you to after seeing you this weekend”

“Then I suppose we can go ahead with it.” she turned, “Let’s give the world what they want”

He captured her hands, and kissed it, “As long as it’s what you want?” he quirked his brow questioningly “No, please don’t think about that” she felt exasperated. Was he taking her reluctance to have the public wedding a sigh of doubt on her part? “I love you, Jason Valdez. I can never stop loving you”

“And I love you too babe.” he kissed her full lips, his hands holding her to him. He pulled back, “Forever”

“I want to do this for us. Not them. This is about us”

“Then we can hold on till you’re ready”

That should be fine. But this better be done, and over with. “No, let’s just start now. The earlier, the better”

He was excited, “We have another wedding to plan”

Evangeline laughed at his wide grin, “So childish” she mused, “We better get a wedding planner”

“On it” she kissed her again, letting her know how much he loves her.

*****

“Was that Evan and Jason?” asked Robert sitting up from the bed. The instant the phone rang, he turned and listened as his wife gave the young couple some directives. He was amused as well as glad they had called. And despite his wife’s seemingly cold response, she was smiling. He watched as she gave possible suggestions that could be the reason for Robert junior’s cries. Finally, the call ended.

Mrs. Swiss turned to him, “Did I wake you? I’m sorry” she apologized “It’s fine.” he waved it off, “Are they all right?”

“Yes.” she said, “The baby needed a burp. But he’s okay now. Probably asleep”

“Okay.” he smiled. There was something he wanted to ask. This might as well be the perfect opportunity “Can I ask you something?”

“Can’t it wait Robert?” she yawned, “I want to sleep. Why doesn’t anyone listen that I need to”

Robert laughed at that. His wife was certainly the last person to complain about sleep. She was a light sleeper anyway. But whenever she needed to sleep, she knew how to get one. Most afternoons, she would lock herself up in the guest room, and have her sound sleep for whenever she was disturbed during the night. Ignoring her stifled yawn, he asked, “You told Evangeline that she reminded you of who you were had you chosen differently” he said. While at the hospital, he couldn’t help wonder what that meant since his wife had uttered that statement. Was she regretting her decision to marry him? Was that it or was this about something else?

“You were eavesdropping” she smiled “I wasn’t.” he denied, “Perhaps you wanted me to.” knowing she was trying to evade the question, he turned on her. “You were so loud” he accused as he reached for her.

“Don’t do that” she laughed as he tickled her. “Okay, I’ll tell you. Stop Robert”

“You better”

She sat straighter, propping up a pillow behind her, and leaned on it. “Before I married you, I was you know, energetic, brilliant, fierce and rebellious”

“Like our Evan?” he asked. He had never bothered to know just who his parents had forced on him. All he knew back then was both of them never wanted to be together. But their parents had wanted it, and they had given it a chance. Along the line, they had fallen in love. Her life before she married him was vague to him. He had no idea who she was, and if she had changed to fit into her role as expected of his wife. But if she was describing herself as Evan, then he really knew little about her. Why he could testify to the fact that she was brilliant and energetic, he couldn’t see as someone fierce. She had her ways, but fierce, rebellious? He doubted that. If she was rebellious, she would never have married him. She would have disobeyed her parents and ran off with another, or something. She was more of a diplomatic. A trait that made her one badass lawyer.

“Yes”

“I find that contrary to the ‘You’ I’ve known” he replied a little sad he never ones suspected this after all the years they’ve been together.

“No, it’s been me all along. For you, I became someone else.” she held on to him, “But I needed to. I was going down a catastrophic path. Had I married another, someone who demanded me to be that woman, I would have ruined us both”

“Wow.” he said both amused and thoughtful, “No regret then?”

“No” she replied vehemently with a shake of her head, “I have loved every second, every minute, every hour, every day spent with you. You bring out the best version of me. And I’m grateful for it.” she said the last part a little sadly, “Which was why when I saw those traits in our younger daughter, I panicked”

“You were worried she’d end up the way you feared you would have”

“Yes.” she smiled at him, “That’s pretty much it”

“I never understood why you kept at it.” he said, remembering those days when the kids were young, and his wife always had Adrianna’s back, but not Evan. She would always punish Evan more than her sister, and he found that repulsive and backward. Doesn’t the elder sibling get more punishment than the younger? Well, in his wife’s case it was the reverse. He recalled the incident where the two girls had somehow influenced their friend to fight back her abusive dad, and the case had gone out of hands with the father bleeding on the floor, his wife in tears and their little girl outside crying and confused. Adriana and Evan had walked into that scene and his wife had been furious. As punishment, Adriana got a rebuke and Evan was grounded for a month.

“You can’t possibly mean that” he had challenged his wife as soon as they were alone in their bedroom. He had just watched her give Adriana nothing but a rebuke and grounded the little girl for instigating the crime.

“I cannot mean what?” asked Mrs. Swiss angrily, “Please tell me you don’t think Adriana did this?”

“She didn’t?” he asked quite angrily too, “From what we heard from both kids, running a criminal class was all Adriana”

“Yes, but the punishments are all from her sister. Do you honestly not see through their charade? She wouldn’t say anything to land Evan in trouble.” she said, walking away from him, “Trust me, Evan did this”

“And even if she did, why not just punish both girls?” he asked quite aggravated with the situation. He was getting tired of his wife constantly making their little girl into something she wasn’t.

“They didn’t commit the same offence” was her simple reply. As a judge, he surely understood that. Even criminals who went out, committing the same crime didn’t get the same penance. “Tell me, judge.” she began, sitting on her bed, and removing her high heels. “Two men were caught stealing.” she nodded that he takes a seat. He took the seat reluctantly. “One was caught in the actual act. The other stood by, with the stolen goods. Do you think they’ll get the same slap on the wrist?”

He shook his head at her illustration, “This has no relevance to this situation” he said, standing, “I cannot stand by and watch you damage that child for whatever silly idea you have about her. Margret, she’s barely ten”

“The more reason to curb it now”

“Are you insane” he yelled at her. “She’s a child. What exactly are you curbing?”

“Her excesses, rebellions, scheming”

“What?” he ran his hand through his hair in frustration “You cannot see that now, because you like her so much”

“Probably because you don’t” he murmured, turning his back to her.

Mrs. Swiss didn’t let his sour response bother her, she went on regardless, “But you’ll appreciate this later. I promise”

“She didn’t do anything mom; I did.” said Adriana from the door.

Both parents turned towards her, unsure how long their older daughter had been there and just what had she heard. They exchanged glances as their daughter walked into the room. “She didn’t do anything. I should be grounded too”

That had solved the case then. His wife had reluctantly grounded both girls, but that wasn’t the end of her resolve to always see through their younger child’s deeds. Several times, she would punish the poor girl for something entirely not her fault. And every time he tried to support her, she told him her love for their little girl would be his undoing. It was one thing that bothered him when he left his family the most. He often found himself wondering who would have his little daughter’s back. Ones, he had accused his wife of being too harsh. “If she wasn’t your child, I’d say you hate her so much”

“Thankfully, I’m her mother in so many ways than you could possibly imagine” had been her ominous response. He should have known there was more to it. “I should have asked, or paid more attention.” he said, holding his wife’s hands “I probably wouldn’t have given you the answer. Maybe I’m just realizing this?”

“Come here” he urged pulling her to himself. “I’m glad you guys are getting along fine now”

“Me too” she smiled, snuggling closer into his warm embrace.

*****

Audrey glared at her man, eyeing his coolness in all these. “I can’t believe you pulled a crap like this again.” she said, moving away from his arms as he reached for her. It was the same thing she had said a while ago, she smiled. Logan Thames had a knack for giving her the unexpected. They had been dating steadily now, and while he’s proved to be a sweet man through and through, she discovered he tends to go overboard with things. Last time, it was displaying their pictures online to wade off his ex, which had been effective by the way. Mary had left the country shortly after, and she could relax then, enjoying her man. This time though, he was insisting it had been a coincidence but considering all he had done lately, she didn’t trust him.

Mary had visited her in school afterwards claiming she had been at her she had been at the office the other day. “You were where?”

“Yes, and I saw how you were all over my man” she added Okay, that’s insane. She really was at the office. But when? How? “I don’t get it.” she said, “Why were you there?”

Mary leaned against the wall and looked at the lady from head to toe. She must admit, the secretary does look good. She seems to be glowing too. Was that the Logan’s effect? “Initially, I came to warn you to stay off him.” she shrugged “And?”

“I had a change of mind seeing how you and he were…”

It felt weird that the little sexual escapade with the Logan yesterday had been witnessed. And witnessed by the last person she’d want to see them. Stepping back, she listened to whatever Mary had to say. “Okay?”

“Be good to him” Mary said, not believing she was saying this. She had come to warn off the lady. But after seeing them yesterday, she was sure there was nothing left for her here. But somehow, after her escapade last night with Collins, she thought she could still maybe scare off the lady, and just maybe, she could have her man. But seeing Audrey now, she felt it was pointless. “Let him be happy”

“Okay?” Audrey didn’t know what to do with this, “All right”

“And try not to make him come back to me. Because trust me, he will”

That was it! She started walking away angrily. Behind her, Mary smirked and laughed, then got in her car and drove off. She had called Logan immediately Mary left to tell him what had just happened. He was at her place the next minute. “What did she mean you’ll come to her?” she yelled at him. It was annoying having all this drama over a relationship that was barely a month old.

“She’s trying to get into your head, Babe.” he said, trying to calm her down. Deep down, he cursed as he pulled Audrey to himself. He was going to wring out her little neck if he saw her anytime soon. He knew what she meant by that statement but just didn’t know what he should do. Tell Audrey, and have it out. Or keep it, risk Mary saying it, and lose Audrey. Because she definitely would take a walk if she knew all he’s done. But that’s all in the past, his mind reasoned. “There’s something about me and Mary that you need to know.” he said, hoping she would get it.

“Did you guys date?” She blurted out, worried about the look on his face.

“My God, no. I told you nothing happened between us” he said, moving back.

But the look stayed. If they didn’t date, why did he look so scared then? Was that fear? She couldn’t place the expression. Dear Lord, did they have some friendship sex?

“No, we never dated” he repeated. And he dived into his past with his childhood friend. He told her the many sick times they had gotten rid of their exes, and how far they had gone. Audrey listened wide eyes as he told the tales. But he kept going, baring her soul to her. Unable to stop himself, “Once, we had a double date. And she... She kissed me to get rid of her proud boyfriend who was going to propose” he stopped talking, watching her reaction. “It was the only time we ever kissed. And it meant nothing”

“You sure about that?” She asked, waiting for his reply, her eyes fixed intently on him.

“It meant nothing”.

“To both of you?” she said with an implying tone.

“What? No, we both knew it was a game” he started to say and stopped short. Oh!

“Yeah”

Well, he might as well say this now. Thankfully, he had told her he had once been in love with Mary or had thought he was. Now, he had doubts he ever loved her. That was infatuation, nothing more. And when she had vehemently refused him, he had found his bearing and especially settled down with Evan. But he never once thought she might have developed feelings too. Had she? When? Come on, he cautioned himself. Surely, you knew. Why has she been all over you then if she wasn’t?

Audrey watched him as he thought about it, nodding her head meaningfully when he realized that somewhere Mary may have started having feelings for him.

“I guess feelings could develop. But she didn’t want me then.” But when? After introducing her best friend to him? That was the final straw that made him move on. “But she introduced me to Evan. I assumed she’s doing all these out of spite, or jealousy maybe”

“No. I think somewhere along the line; she fell for you”

“She never said anything. Why now?”

“Because you kiss so well” she eyed him seductively.

“I do?” he moved towards her again. She nodded and they locked eyes, passionately as he leaned over her, kissing her sumptuous lips. She put her hand around his neck, and pulled him closer, sighing as he deepened the kiss.

That had been some couple of days ago. And after that episode, she had insisted they keep things quiet for a while, though the internet and social media didn’t let them have a minute break. Their pictures and histories were being dugout. A quiet life offline was the least he could give her since he had started this in the first place. He had been sweet and had agreed to the decision. Now, she found herself shying away from millions of cameras as they tried to escape. He had made a reservation at a restaurant and made the manager promise to keep a low profile. But they were here now, and there were cameras, and the crowd waiting for them “You have to believe me, I didn’t do this.” he said as they dodged yet another flash of light from a camera and finally stepped into the alley. He had no idea where they were and where this led to. Bringing out his phone, he called his orderly. “I need to get out of here ASAP.” he said into the phone as soon as the man picked. “Yes, I’ll forward our location to you now. Please get here fast”

Eyeing him suspiciously, she asked, “Where are we?” they had been walking haphazardly and turning corners that she had lost her bearing.

“Honestly, I have no idea” he sent the Google map location to the man, he left his location on, and slide his phone into his pocket. He turned around then to look at their vicinity. The place looked strangely familiar but deserted. Holding her hand, he started to walk through the dark passage to some open space. There were some buildings, and they approached those, hoping to find someone who could at least tell them where they had landed. The first house was padlocked, so they kept on walking. The closest house was farther away. “Tired?” he asked his lady before scooping her up. she squealed excitedly.

“Put me down.” she said, trying to wriggle out from his hold. She pointed at a seat beside the roadside. “Let’s sit here”

“All right.” he said, putting her down. She sat down beside him. “You still don’t believe me?”

“I don’t know what to believe.” she stopped talking to ponder over it. “You couldn’t possibly want to go through all this stress for a date”

“Viola, she got it.” he laughed, “What if I want to?”

“Nah, that’s so childish and I don’t think you are that”

“I didn’t do this.” he told her frankly, “I’m going to sue that manager. I’m sure he did it”

“Why would he do that?”

“To get some popularity and more clients at his restaurant. Why else?”

“Interesting”

He looked past her to the distance, thinking of how to make this up. “I have to make this into a memorable day for both of us.” he said mysteriously, as he pulled out his phone. “Hey man.” he said to the man who picked, “I’d like to collect on that promise” he laughed and listened to whatever was being said to him while Audrey waited, wondering what he was doing. “Cool, thanks, man. We’re even now” he laughed again, “Anytime. I’m here for you”

“What was that about? Who was that?” asked Audrey “I can tell you who, but then what, you’ll have to see for yourself.” he said simply, “I just called Jason Valdez on a promise he owed” while on that, he quickly tested his orderly to wait for further instruction.

“Why? He’s a father. You shouldn’t disturb him” she said, though wondering how the two seem to be getting along finally. “How are you both friends anyway?” she asked, unsure why two men who had a deal gone sour in the past and had a woman in between would want to be friends.

“The deal’s been resolved and thanks to that I have a couple of millions sitting in my account.” he told her, watching her intently.

“And Evan?”

“She’s a mother now” he shrugged, “And I have you now”

“You’re over her?” she dared ask “Of course, I am.” he laughed, “If I wasn’t, you’d know since we started dating”

She didn’t understand what he meant by that, just as she didn’t get why he should be friends with his ex’s significant other. “Would I?”

“Are you jealous?” he asked, chuckling at her pout “Please.” she waved, trying to cover up her irritation at him for finding this funny. “What was it he owed you anyway”

“Well, it was his idea that he gives me some luxurious ride as an extension of friendship”

“Which is?” A loud sound interrupted them, and Audrey looked up to see the huge jet hovering above them “Well, that would be it.” he told her, watching as the pilot searched for a safe landing spot, “He’s helping me get my jet. But for today, we ride his.” he said, standing up. They both approached the jet which had landed some distance away. “What do you say to a getaway?” he asked excitedly Her laugh was deep and sweet. “We still have to get that dinner.” she told him, “I’m famished” she took his hand, and they walked into the plane.

“Which country would you like, my lady.” he asked as the pilot welcomed them in, and started to move again.

*****

“Wow.” Audrey laughed as they got down from the jet. He had wanted them to go Texas, but she had insisted they visit her boss, so she could see the little Jason Valdez. But he had insisted they go for some sightseeing before the visit. They were on the Haulover beach now, and the site was spectacular. She had always visited Miami with her boss and had spent a Christmas with the family here, but she had never been to their beach.

“You like?” he asked, watching as she sighed and moaned excitedly.

“I love, love this.” she said, jumping into his open arms.

“I take this that you’ve forgiven?”

Laughing, she kissed him, “You didn’t do it” she shrugged, standing. “We have time for a quick dip right?” as he nodded, she ran into the bluish, romantic water with him behind her. They both squealed excitedly as the cold water hit their skin. They had stayed enjoying the sunny beach awhile. Afterwards, they had a picnic with some other couples, and Logan had run off with some dude to play golf. Tired, he came back to get her.

“Shall we go now?”

She linked her arms with his, “Yes, please. I’m ready to see my boss’ son”

‘Then, let’s go have some fun time with the family” she smiled, “I trust we will see my little boyfriend too”

“Your little who?”

“Ethan, the twins?”

“Oh.” Logan smiled. He had met the little minions at the engagement party for the Valdez. They were quite interesting kids, “So, he has a crush on my girl”

“Yes”

“Why are you just saying this”

“Jealous?’ she teased as they entered the cab and gave the cabman the address.

“Of the little…”

Her laughter made him stop talking. “Please, he’s just a little boy.” All through the drive there, she teased him relentlessly. “So, here we are.” she said, getting down with him. They walked through the big manor. “Hey, you.” she said as Ethan ran up to her, hugging her.

Logan looked at the little rival, “Hey” he cautioned, getting him off his lady. He carried the boy through the living room with Audrey laughing at him for being so childish. She wondered what he’d do if he meets her ex if he was like this over some baby’s crush for her.