Chapter 139 Home

Chapter 139 Home
Maddie's POV

After two months, we are finally back in Seattle and in our home that Mariko had purchased before we left for London. The kids loved their new home. Angel was happy where she was and Bella was running around, being carefree. We made sure that Rosie was well taken care of by asking her to move in permanently with us, since it is a huge house. The twins continue to grow and they are healthy. I manage with them and Mariko is a great support for me and our family.

Now, as I hold Marielle in my arms, soothing her from her cries. Mariko was changing Mikayla's diaper. We were ready to visit Sternpoint. It is the other place that we miss so dearly. My job. I haven't opened up my emails since we moved and with everything that has happened. Mariko’s nightmares became less the more we slept in the same bed and knowing that there is no more threats out there. But what still concerns me is the fact that he just stopped going to a therapist. I rather didn't bring that topic up, instead monitoring him.

Despite him being the one who had been attacked so traumatically, I never got to the point where I needed to see a therapist myself because of being kidnapped. I guess everyone deals with things in different ways. Right now, the kids have been keeping us busy.

"Maddie, are we going to make our dresses?" Bella ran into the nursery with excitement. Angel stood in the doorway. Bella reached out to touch Marielle's foot.

"I first need to get settled in at work, and then I will let you know when we can start."

"Okay," was all that she said as she turned and looked at what Mariko was doing. As he finished changing Mikayla's diaper, he picked her up and held her. "I want to hold them." Bella said, looking at each baby, not sure who to hold first.

"Marielle is a bit cranky today, so you get to hold Mikayla," Mariko told her. "Sit on the rocking chair," he instructed.

She ran over to the chair, climbed on it and sat comfortably. Mariko took a pillow and put it on the side of Bella, and then he gently lowered Mikayla into her lap. Bella held her with so much care, I couldn't help but smile. As I looked towards the door, Angel was no longer there.

"Are you okay?" he asked her as she stroked Mikayla's cheek. Mariko reached out as Mikayla grabbed at air. She held onto Mariko's index finger as he was crouched in front of them.

"Yes, Daddy." Bella said, and then she leaned over the baby and pressed a sweet kiss on her forehead. Mikayla made her baby sounds and was cooing.

I looked at Marielle in my arms, who was now fast asleep. She has been cranky since last night. I don't know how many times we had to get up during the night for her. I was tired, but I wanted to get to Sternpoint and, as the week goes on, to find my feet. Now, back to the email... I passed my exam. The part that I was so stressed out about, I made it.

"We should celebrate that pass tonight." I looked at Mariko as he already watched me with so much adoration in his eyes.

"How will we be celebrating?" I asked.

"I want to celebrate!" Bella exclaimed with excitement. Mariko turned his attention back to her.

"Please, be gentle. She wants to sleep." he said. He focused on me again. "I will tell you in the car," he smiled, and I knew what that could mean. Either something naughty or he will just be taking me somewhere away from the kids and just have some alone time. Since the kids were home with us, we hardly even had s^x, I was very exhausted, and he was understanding. Mariko is truly someone that I am blessed to have in my life.

I moved to the crib and placed Marielle gently down. She stirred, and I soothed her until she fell back asleep. Our kids were the cutest little beings and still my heart beat for them. They are my world, I would do anything for them. I don't plan to have any kids after this. I am happy with our little family. I want to tie my tubes, so that there are no more surprises. I just hope that Mariko will be happy with that.



Mariko's POV

Maddie and I drove to Sternpoint together. I'm proud of her for passing those exams. I knew that she would make it and she did. Sometimes we tend to doubt ourselves, and that is normal. I had to make sure that she didn't doubt herself too much. I want her to remain positive in life. But we are only human. I want to celebrate this achievement by taking her out to dinner and just having a lovely walk along the lake. I won't ask for anything more because she is also exhausted, and I do understand her.

We pulled into my reserved parking space at Sternpoint, and we got out of the car. As I rounded the back and walked towards Maddie, I slowed down as events from that evening of my attack played out in my mind. This is where it happened. My heart beat fast as those memories resurfaced. It felt like I was suffocating and I started loosening my tie.

"Mariko?" I snapped out of it as Maddie placed her hand on my arm. I looked at her, my breathing was rapid. Concern etched onto her face as I realized we had stopped walking, and we were standing exactly where it all happened. "Take a deep breath," she encouraged. I did as she instructed me to do. "We can go home if you want," she said.

I shook my head, "No, I need to overcome this. This is where it happened." I told her as I looked at the ground. "That might've been the last that I would've seen you if no one found me." my eyes welled up with tears. "I'm just happy to be alive, and I'm able to see my twins. I don't want my kids to be without a father and I have these things to work through, but I want to do it without a therapist. Can you respect that?" I asked her.

She nodded slowly, I could tell that she was not happy about that, "Yes, I can. But things will get better, and you will master this. You haven't been back here since that day, in this spot. You have to get used to this all over again and it's a start. They are no longer here, they are all behind bars and nothing will happen again. If you can tell yourself that more often, maybe you will believe it more. They are no longer here. I get that you were alone when that happened, but maybe I can accompany you to your car if you need to go somewhere, but you will overcome this fully." she said with so much sincerity in her voice.

"Thanks, but there is no need to accompany me to my car. I have to do this by myself, and it is the only way that I will get over it." I replied.

"Just know that I'm always here. I might have the car that you bought me parked in the garage at home. But I prefer to drive with you everyday. In fact, I'm afraid to drive," she smiled, making the situation lighter.

"I will teach you to drive. I want to see you behind the steering wheel," that caused me to smile. Forgetting that I was in the spot where my attack happened.

"I will accept only when you teach me." she teased with a seductive smile.

"That's a deal, now shall we go and surprise the rest of the crew?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure they will be over the moon to see us back here." she said as I held my hand out to her, and she placed hers in mine.

We walked in step towards the front entrance. It was good to be back except for that one spot that had me breathing for air. If it wasn't for Maddie to get me out of it. I would've had that panic attack and who knows what would've happened? I pushed it to the back of my mind as we entered Sternpoint, we were greeted with warm smiles and the employees were so happy to see us. This place is like home to us. I can't wait to get back working again in my own office. Having my friends and family close was even better. One person that I will always miss is Mark. There are times when I think about him, it's a death that I will not forget. So I strive to make him proud as his friend for the sake of Sternpoint.