Chapter 145 Heart Warming

Chapter 145 Heart Warming
Mariko's POV

I had called Margaret earlier, she would be stopping by the office today. I had to call her for the sake of Amber. Margaret was on holiday and recently came back. So, it was a relief to know that my mother-in-law was fine and still healthy. The reason why I still call her my mother-in-law, is because she is like a mother to me. Just because Amber and I have divorced doesn't affect my relationship with Margaret. We will always be connected because of the kids.

As I sat behind my desk, in thought about the events of yesterday with Maddie and the bl^w job, I just can't believe she did that...she was actually willing to do that. I didn't even get to satisfy her in return last night, the kids have just drained me further last night. Maybe having another kid is a bad idea. We can just focus on what we have.

"I hope I'm not interrupting your thoughts," I snapped out of it and smiled as I saw Margaret for the first time in months.

"Of course not," I smiled as I stood up and rounded my desk as she approached me. I took her into my embrace. "You look good," I stated and pulled away.

"The vacation was good. You look exhausted. I thought after London, you would be looking much better," she smiled.

"Well, the kids are draining me," I replied as I turned around and pulled a chair out from the desk for her, and she took a seat.

I rounded the desk and sat down, "Kids can be a handful, how's my Bella doing?" she asked.

"She is growing slowly, she calls herself a threenager in terms of teenager, the version of a three-year-old. She heard me and a girl that we had adopted, speak about teenagers, and she was so attentive to the conversation without us knowing that she just created that word herself," I smiled. My heart just pulled thinking about my little princess.

"That sounds like her, always making up words and names as she goes along," she smiled, "I would like to see her soon, if you don't mind. I know that she doesn't go to Amber anymore since you all moved back. Amber is a problem. I'm sorry that you have to deal with her, which isn't your responsibility."

"My kids need their mother too, and it's affecting Bradley the most, which I really wished hadn't. You know what he has been through with her, but he still blames himself, and he also wants her to get help. Amber is drowning herself in alcohol and men and parties. I hate to see her spiral this way. All this happened after Bradley was born. It just became worse as time went on, and now it's more than worse," I sighed as I raked my fingers through my hair.

"I think she has depression, I mean...since Bradley was born, postpartum depression could've been the cause for her acting the way she was back then, and it just spiraled out of control. I don't think she addressed it, but I will see what I can do. I hate that the family and kids have to go through this. You know how ambitious she strived to be. When you both first started dating, she was over the moon. I accepted you as my son, but when Bradley came along, things started to change from her. Have you noticed the life was sucked out of those vibrant eyes of hers?" she asked.

"Yes," I replied. I remember that very well.

"She was very alive as a person and I miss her...that Amber, I miss." she said as her eyes glazed over. I couldn't help but feel bad about it.

"I'm sorry that I might be the cause of it all. If we had been safer, then maybe her life wouldn't have been ruined. But Bradley is a blessing and I don't regret having my kids. They mean the world to me, and I will do anything to make sure that they feel loved, no matter how old they get. I would still be there as a father for them and Maddie loves Bella as her own. I tried with Amber but she wouldn't listen. Maybe she will listen to you. I don't want something bad to happen to her. Remember the accident?"

"Yeah," she nodded.

"I'm glad that it wasn't her under the influence when that happened. She could've killed herself and Bella that way. I don't trust her to be on her own. I do care about her, but I can only do so much when my kids are also involved in this. They deserve so much better," I said.

"You're absolutely correct, Mariko. They both deserve everything that is positive. I will see what I can do. She won't like it when I have a word with her or get her help when paramedics will be tying her down on the gurney and taking her to rehab or something. But I need to do what I have to if I don't want to see her ruin herself anymore and also to prevent anything bad from happening." she sighed.

"Thank you," I smiled faintly at her.

"How are your twins?" she asked.

"They are getting strong, you should come over and see them. They are adorable. Their cheeks are always rosy, they mean the world to me too."

"I love the sound of that, and yes, I will pop in. I will even spend some time with Bella too," she smiled.

"That would be great, she would love it."

I was so happy to spend this time with Margaret and the love and care she still has for her grandkids, lets me know that she will always be there for them too. I hope that she will be able to help Amber too. That can be a stressful road, but will she manage to do that by herself at her age?



Maddie's POV

After our day at work, Mariko and I drove to Bradley and Sophia's house to finally see the little girl. Mariko was excited, and I was happy to get away from home without the kids for a change. Mariko and I walked up the few steps, and he knocked on the door. On our way here, we caught up with how our day had been at work, and the conversation he had with Margaret. The evening was chilly but not too cold.

The door swung open, "Hey," Bradley smiled as he stepped out of the way and we entered.

"How have you been?" Mariko asked as Bradley closed the door behind us.

"Things are going well," he said nervously. "You can have a seat, Sophia will be right back with the baby."

We entered the lounge and took a seat next to each other on the sofa. Bradley sat on the recliner. "How are the sleepless nights?" Mariko asked.

"Don't remind me about that, Dad." he said, "It's been almost the entire evening, but we try to take turns."

Sophia finally entered with the baby in her arms, wrapped up in a pink blanket. Both Mariko and I stood up, and we hugged Sophia briefly before looking down at the little bundle of joy who was asleep.

"She is adorable," Mariko smiled down at the baby. I can't help but admire him when he is around the kids. "Isn't she adorable?" he looked at me with pure love in his eyes.

I nodded, smiling, "Yes, she is," and then my eyes fell back on the baby.

"You can hold her if you want to," Sophia said.

"I will," Mariko held his hands out and then Sophia gently handed the baby over to him.

We sat down again, and I just watched the baby in Mariko's arms. "She was just fussy last night and we were doing our best. We are exhausted," Sophia said as she sat on the other recliner.

"I know how you feel about it. The twins have been fussy too, and I feel exhausted, but we have great help during the day for them. I just think that twins are the final call for me to have any more kids. I'm done. I just don't think I can do it again," I said. Exhaustion took over me just speaking about the twins and what awaits us when we get home.

"One baby is enough for us. I cannot imagine what two babies are like."

"Make that four," Mariko said.

"Oh Angel," Bradley remembered. "How is she adapting here?" he asked.

"She is doing great. She is smart, and I believe that she will make us proud with whatever she does. I make sure to spend time with her after school. On my lunch breaks, I pick her up at school, take her for lunch or ice cream, whatever she prefers, and then we catch up on her day. That is when she gets my full attention. I just don't want anyone to feel left out," he said.

"I know you don't want to make the same mistake, Dad. Thank you for everything that you have done for me and Bella. I haven't told you that in years and I always blamed you for being away, but the older I get, the more I understand, especially when having a kid of my own," Bradley looked at his daughter in Mariko's arms.

"I hope that I'm a good role model for you now," Mariko smiled.

"Yes, you are."

"So, what contraception are you on?" Sophia asked me.

"Uh...the shot. I plan to have my tubes tied," I replied and, both her and Bradley looked at Mariko. I swallowed. Perhaps I have revealed a bit too much. "It's just what I'm planning. Like I said, I cannot have any more kids. I'm happy with what we have now," I smiled awkwardly.

"I'm also on the shot, but I'm gaining weight," Sophia said.

"I will still love you the same no matter how thin or big you are," Bradley looked at her with a huge smile.

"I love you for that," she returned his smile. "You have taught Bradley well," she looked at Mariko.

"I tried my best," he smiled.

"You didn't try, you did it. No matter how many times you might've been away for work, you still teach your kids well. They are great, and it's all because of you. Bradley is learning things from you too, without you even knowing it. I'm so happy that you got to be his father and, in that way, my life is full of happiness because of the way he has been loved," she smiled.

"Those words mean a lot. Now I have twins to teach the same thing."

"They will be great," I said to Mariko.

"We will teach them together," he took my hand in his.

The baby stirred in his arms for a moment, and he made sure she was comfortable as she went right back to sleep.

"You are so good with kids," Sophia said with adoration.

"He definitely is," I replied.

"What is her name?" Mariko asked.

"Allegra."

"Such an uncommon name, I guess," he smiled.

"Well, we loved the name and thought it fit her completely," Bradley said.

"She is unique. I will have a talk with her when she is older. No one should tell her what she can't achieve one day. She is set out for amazing things and I will also be there for her when she needs me," Mariko stated. That just warmed my heart further.

My mother still has to pay us a visit, and she is coming to our house this weekend with my father. Apparently, there is some drama between Arden and him. I hope they sort out the differences that they have. I want them to get along and hope that they will eventually give my father a chance, but it cannot be forced either. So when the time is right, it might happen.

Right now, I get to enjoy seeing Mariko with his granddaughter,