8 Years Later:
Isabella stared at the vegetable stand and carefully picked the needed ingredients for the meal they were going to have for tonight. Written in white flags in each aisle were the red-printed words '20% SALE'.
"Mommy, you said we're going to Grandma, what are we doing here in the grocery store?" Almost six-year-old Eunice almost wailed at her mother who was pulling the trolley and abruptly placing the veggies.
"Just a few more minutes, sweetheart," Isabella answered, now a bit making the shopping fast.
Eunice pouted. Her twin brother, Ethan, on the other hand was too busy looking at the names of the items in the aisle.
"Mommy, what is this for?" Ethan asked, pointing at a parsley.
"For good taste, baby," Isabella answered, not thinking clearly as she was in a rush of picking good fruits now.
The two children kept on wailing and asking their Mommy Isabella about so many things and Isabella only had the time to answer them unclearly since she was too busy in checking the quality of each item her hand would reach. Well, it wasn't really easy to buy things in a grocery store on its 2-day sale. The store was packed with lots of people doing the same as Isabella, and Isabella believes if her children weren't taught how to behave well, they'd easily get lost because of the crowd. This was where Isabella would feel thankful for her husband's strict rule of "always sticking together".
When Isabella was the frugal, a bit stingy and overprotective kind of parent, Chase on the other hand was the adventurer "you can do what you want as long as you listen to me" type of father. Isabella thought her husband's law was full of contradiction. He wanted them to explore yet he also wanted them to listen to him at all times. Despite being confusing though, their kids seemed to be just fine with everything their Daddy Chase says.
"Mommy~ I'm hungry!" Eunice wailed again to Isabella.
Isabella sighed, "In a minute, sweetie. Mommy will just have these all placed in bags and we're going to Little Owl's Burgers, okay?"
Eunice's eyes shone, "Little Owl's Burgers? They have them here too?"
"They have two branches here, Eunice. The one near our school is smaller compared to the ones in here," Ethan chimed in with his calm expression.
Isabella's eyebrow rose. How come Ethan knew about this? Then slowly, Isabella remembered how Ethan spent his time reading and surfing the internet most of the time, while Eunice played outside with their neighbors' kids, most of them were girls like her. There was also a time when their teacher talked to Isabella, praising Ethan for his excellent grades and Eunice for her admirable confidence. Even though they were twins, they were still different in some ways. Eunice was the impulsive talkative hyper child while Ethan was slowly becoming the silent, always calm and collected type.
After Isabella got the bags and they were on their way to the parking lot outside, her phone suddenly rang.
"Stick to me, okay," she ordered Ethan and Eunice as they headed to their car.
Isabella was holding the bags when she answered the call without looking at the caller, "Hello?"
"Honey, where are you now?" It was Chase, her husband.
"We're on our way. We'll be at your parents' house probably an hour before dinner," Isabella explained as they reached their car and opened it, quickly placing the bags in the compartment.
"Eunice, get inside now. Ethan, you too," Isabella ordered as she caught the sight of Eunice staring at somewhere and Ethan busy playing a game on his phone.
Chase, with the sound of a few shouts of some people, busily requesting for papers and names here and there, at the background, sighed. "You went to the grocery again? I told you it's fine even if—”
"Chase, it's the least I can do. You know well we can't go to your parents without bringing anything," Isabella hopped in and looked at the back seat. "Ethan, Eunice, buckle up your seatbelts."
"Isa, I told you it's fine," Chase sounded a bit tired. Just how many times had Isabella done this?
"For me it's not, okay? It's common courtesy to bring something when visiting a family," Isabella started to sound like she was scolding Chase.
Chase was about to argue back but bit back his words and took a good breath. "Okay." It wasn't the time to fight, and Chase decided he'd just talk about this with his wife face to face.
"Are we going to Little Owl's Burgers now, Mommy?" Little Eunice asked from the backseat.
"Yes, baby, just a minute okay I'm talking to Daddy," Isabella answered then went back to her phone. "The kids are hungry; we'll just buy food then we'll head to your parents'."
"Okay, I'll be there before dinner," Chase responded and promptly spoke to someone on his area before speaking back to Isabella, "They need me now, hon. Be careful and tell the kids to stick close to you when in public."
"Mommy, are we there yet?" Eunice asked again.
"We're going there now baby," Isabella started the engine.
"Be careful while driving. I'll go now. I love you," Chase said, a bit in a rush.
"Okay, call me when you're on your way later. I love you too." The call ended and Isabella placed her phone to the seat's phone holder.
"Is Daddy going to Grandma's too, Mommy?" Ethan asked, now placing back his phone on a bag between him and Eunice.
"Yes, he'll follow soon so you two should behave well, okay? It's your Daddy's birthday tomorrow," Isabella said with a smile. Soon, they were leaving the parking lot and taking the route to Little Owl's Burgers a few blocks from the grocery store.
It was half an hour later after taking out foods from Little Owl's Burgers, when Isabella heard her two children bickering yet again on the backseat.
"Mommy, Ethan's not handing me the phone I want to play too!" Eunice complained.
"I told you you're not good at this. I lost stars because of her, Mommy, look!" Ethan explained, showing the screen of a certain game.
"You two keep it low now," Isabella said as she continued to focus on driving, eyes on the road. It was, after all, a four-hour drive to the countryside where Chase's family now resided.
"But Ethan is being a greedy rabbit, Mommy!" Eunice said, referring to the story of the Greedy Rabbit her Mommy Isabella once read them before going to bed.
"You're not at good at this, piggy. So shut up, okay," Ethan argued back, slowly losing his usual "calm" demeanor.
Isabella frowned, "Ethan, that's not a good way to call your sister!" By this time, Eunice could already be heard crying.
"But she started it! She called me a rabbit! And I'm not a greedy rabbit, Mommy!" the usually quiet Ethan retorted back.
"Waa! Waa!" Eunice continued to cry.
"Even so, you shouldn't call her a pig. She's a girl, Ethan," Isabella warned.
"But—”
"Apologize to your sister." Isabella's tone was hard.
"But Mommy!"
"Now."
"But-," Ethan groaned, and helplessly faced his sister with a forced face, "Sorry."
Eunice sniffed back her tears as her reddened cheeks now became adorably puffy. Isabella sighed, "Wipe your cheeks, sweetheart. You're not a pig. You're a cute little girl. Okay? Ethan, help your sister clean herself."
Ethan glanced at his side and muttered to himself, "She's old enough to do that."
"Ethan!" Isabella warned.
In the end, Ethan couldn't do anything but help his twin sister clean her snotty face. All the while, Isabella had to sigh at the sight. She needed to talk to her husband about this.
After a long four-hour drive, they finally arrived at the Dalton Mansion. Isabella felt a quick nostalgia boomed inside her heart at the scenery before her. It was as if everything just happened yesterday.
Chase's mother was the first to welcome them. Even after so many years, Isabella would still feel both uncomfortable and comfortable in stepping inside this house. Though, it was already the past and there were some things better left unvisited. She was glad though, especially when she watched her twins being adored and loved by many people.
"Mommy, when is Daddy coming?" Eunice asked when they reached their room after having a good quick conversation with Chase's parents.
Isabella placed their stuffs on a corner and answered, "in an hour probably, baby. Why? Do you miss Daddy already?"
Eunice pouted and nodded as she sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her tiny legs.
Isabella smiled as she approached her daughter, crouching down so she could face her eye level. "Why don't you take a nap first? When you wake up, I'm sure Daddy will be here."
Eunice's face lit up in excitement, "Okay, Mommy!"
Isabella smiled, ruffling Eunice's hair affectionately.
After seeing Eunice had gone to sleep, Isabella went down to help in the kitchen.
"Madam Isabella you don't have to help us. We already got everything covered," one of the maids said.
"It's fine. I don't have anything to do anyway," Isabella insisted, a shy smile on her face as she familiarly moved around the kitchen.
"Mommy~ Mommy, can I play outside?" Ethan suddenly popped out of nowhere. Isabella had last seen him busily chatting with Chase's father in the living room.
"Sure, sweetheart, but go with Grandpa or Grandma. Okay?" Isabella was busily chopping at the moment.
"Okay, Mommy," Ethan replied but stopped. "Mommy…is that parsley?"
"Yes, it is," Isabella remembered Ethan asking about it while they were in the grocery, recalling she couldn't properly explain what the condiment was for because of the rush-hour sale. "This is used as a spice, to flavor up food dishes, Ethan-ah. But some people also use this for other purposes like for cracked or chapped lips, insect bites, and some use it to stimulate their hair growth."
Ethan was silent as he stared at the vegetable while listening carefully to his mother. "I want to help too, Mommy."
Isabella smiled at her adorable son, motioning him to help her prepare their dinner.
"I thought you want to go out and play?"
"This is more fun. Parsley is nice. Parsley smells good. And Mommy is here."
The maids who witnessed everything couldn't help but melt at the adorable and fuzzy parent-child interaction. It was a beautiful sight they weren't ready to let go of yet. Behind them was actually Chase's mother who was smiling from ear to ear. With her camera, she took a photo of the lovely moment.
"Ah, your grandma is here," Isabella said to Ethan.
Ethan jumped off his seat, now a bit distracted as he started having silly adult-like conversations with his grandmother. Isabella chuckled at the sight. No matter how Ethan seemed to be growing faster than they had expected, of course deep inside he was still a kid. Both he and his sister, Eunice, were Isabella and Chase's kids. They will forever be kids in their parents' eyes.
Not an hour later after the dishes were completed, Chase arrived, carrying different things. There were his parents' requested medicines and favorite plants, flowers for Isabella, and little gifts for the kids, which of course Isabella gave him a "we need to talk about this" look again. For the past years, this woman really changed from being too sweet and soft to that of an overly protective and frugal life. Chase sometimes wondered how his wife changed from wanting sweets for herself to someone who wouldn't even eat sweets at all so the kids won't "follow" after her. It was weird. Chase had least cared about it though.
"Daddy!" Ethan was the first one to see his daddy on the doorframe.
"Ethan!" Chase was smiling widely as he took Ethan in his arms, about to carry him up but was stopped by Ethan's little hands.
"You can't carry me anymore, Dad. I'm heavier now," Ethan said, giving a serious look to his daddy.
Chase raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?" He gave a teasing look at his son. "Why don't we…check it out if it's the truth or a lie then?"
Soon, giggles erupted through the living room as Chase carried the trying-hard-to-be-adult Ethan while tickling him to death.
Isabella shook her head at the sight, smiling. Chase glanced at her, smiling sheepishly which made Isabella smile even more.
Ethan soon jumped down, checking his daddy's gifts for him. He made sure not to touch the gifts for Eunice, who would surely throw a fit if anyone touched her gifts.
"Come on, honey, they're not that expensive. I promise," Chase explained to his wife who was visibly unhappy about Chase buying things for Isabella and the kids every time he came home.
Isabella rolled her eyes then looked down the bouquet she had placed on a vase, the flowers prettily shining.
Chase grinned, catching the sight of a very natural and sweet smile on his wife's face. Promptly, Chase pulled his wife, capturing her in his arms. "I missed you." He whispered, nuzzling in Isabella's neck, inhaling his favorite scent.
Isabella sighed, hugging her husband back, feeling and loving the comfortable warmth from her body. She patted Chase's head then went down, fingers caressing Chase's nape, "Welcome home, honey."
Chase inhaled more of Isabella's scent, smiling as he felt the meaning of home all over again. "I'm home."
Both exchanged a quick warm peck on the lips, smiling as they pulled away only to lean on each other's heads before kissing again, this time deep and full.
Chase gave a few chaste kisses to his lovely wife before he pulled away, the smile never leaving his face. Isabella stared at Chase for a moment, adoring her husband's features while caressing his cheeks before she spoke. "Let's go upstairs. Eunice's been waiting for you all day she fell asleep."
Chase nodded at that as they both proceeded upstairs hand in hand.
Chase sat on the edge of the bed, softly brushed his little girl's hair who was still sleeping with her mouth slightly open. "Baby? Baby, wake up. Daddy is here."
Eunice's eyebrows pulled together, soft murmurs leaving her tiny mouth. Chase and Isabella couldn't help but chuckle at the adorable sight.
"Daddy is here now, sweetie," Chase whispered, placing a quick kiss on Eunice's forehead.
Luckily, it made Eunice slowly open her eyes. She blinked a few times, wrinkling her eyes open. "Daddy?"
Then she finally looked at Chase, her eyes twinkling in bliss.
"Daddy!" Eunice smiled widely as she threw her arms around her daddy Chase.
"Did my baby girl have fun today?" Chase asked as he carried her down the stairs after Isabella told them to follow to the dining area for dinner.
"Yes daddy! We went to Little Owl's Burgers this morning! I ate two! Little Owl burger is delicious!" Eunice grinned, excitedly recalling and telling her father everything that happened earlier.
Chase chuckled, ruffling his adorable pumpkin's hair while listening to her stories.
The night continued as the happy family ate together with smiles on their faces. Soon it was time to sleep, and the twins were knocked out after playing too much with the toys Chase had brought.
Ethan and Eunice were softly snoring on the bed, Isabella drying up her hair with a towel after showering when she felt familiar hands snaked around her hips and soon, a soft kiss was planted on her nape.
"You smell good," Chase whispered against Isabella's ear after placing another kiss on his wife's delicate skin. Apparently, Chase had the habit of inhaling his wife whenever possible.
Isabella felt her insides warming up, about to give in when Chase started nibbling to the side of her neck when she remembered they needed to talk about a few things first.
"The kids are growing up, aren't they," Isabella spoke before thinking.
Chase caressed Isabella's arms, rubbing them gently as he hugged his beautiful wife from behind. "Of course, they are. We can't let them be kids forever."
Isabella sighed, feeling a bit lonely upon hearing the words from her husband. "Ethan's getting better and better in school, even ahead of his other classmates. I…I think he's gifted. His teacher recommends getting him in an advanced school soon."
Chase placed another kiss on Isabella's neck, getting what Isabella had been feeling at the moment. He fully understood what those words meant. What truly troubled Isabella wasn't the fact that Ethan's growing up faster than anyone else, it was growing up faster than his twin sister and leaving her in the process. Chase could sense the fear from her.
Taking a deep breath, Chase sighed and spun Isabella around so he could see her face. Chase cupped Isabella's cheeks, caressing them gently. "Stop worrying too much. You do know we'll always stick together. That's our rule, right? They might be separated in schools and such, but they will still be returning in the same house, same home. That's what truly matters, honey."
Isabella pouted, almost not willing to be convinced but when Chase placed a soft kiss on her forehead, Isabella felt and began to understand her husband's message. Sighing, Isabella looked into Chase's eyes. "I think you're right. I should stop worrying about this…I'm…I'm just afraid they can't protect each other in times of need."
Chase rolled his eyes, smiling, "Oh if you only know how strong our kids are."
"I know they're strong but they're still kids!" Isabella countered, still denying the reality of their twins growing up fast.
Chase chuckled at his wife's unending worries about their children. "Let them experience everything in life, babe. You and I had it rough at first too, remember?"
Isabella stared right into Chase's eyes, flashbacks of their past slowly coming into her. A smile slowly formed to her face as she realized, sometimes, even pain can make someone stronger in life. Chase used to be lonely, too. They both used to. But now, just one glimpse at each other and they would understand how important things in life were.
Chase lovingly said, "That's how we grew, that's how I grew. You made me realize things I never knew were there. You made me open my eyes and see how beautiful the world could be. So, it won't hurt to be out there in the wild and experience pain and failures and more, Isabella. That's how we learn, grow, and find ourselves. That's what you have taught me."
Isabella was stunned at her husband's words. It was her first time to be hearing such heartfelt deep lines from her always joking and emotional husband. Chase was right of course, and Isabella couldn't deny it anymore.
Chase smiled, pulled her in his arms, rubbing Isabella's back in comfort. "It'll be alright, hon. When they need us, we'll be there. When they don't, we'll still be there. You know, our rule. Always stick together."
Isabella sighed, almost in relief as she finally let out a relieved smile. "Like rice cake?"
"Pftt," Chase controlled his laughter, grinning instead, "Yep, like rice cake."
Apparently, it was an inside joke to the family. It happened when they were with Reese, Tristan, and George, who once visited with rice cake. The twins, who were not responding to anything back then, finally asked to eat the said sticky rice cake. It just so happened that those three adult men needed to make silliest faces to make the twins do eat.
Chase and Isabella had silly wide grins on their faces as they went to the room next door, plopping on the bed. Chase was spooning Isabella as always when he remembered another thing.
"By the way, I told you many times you don't have to bring anything for mom and dad," Chase said.
Isabella shook her head, "And I told you it's common courtesy to bring something when visiting a family or a relative."
"Just you and the kids' presence are enough, you know that. They're already happy seeing you three," Chase said, kissing Isabella's nape.
Isabella rolled her eyes, "And that's what I also told you when you brought plenty of stuff for my friends from the island last time."
"Why not, they deserve it," Chase shrugged.
Isabella turned to face her husband, "Exactly my point."
"But—”
Isabella gave him a hard stare, asking what else Chase could possibly argue at that. Finally, Chase nodded, sighing in defeat.
"I can't really argue with you, can I," Chase mumbled, sighing though a smile was plastered on his face. No matter how many times they argue or fight over a certain matter, Chase just couldn't win.
Isabella chuckled at her adorable husband almost pouting while looking at her. Slowly, Isabella leaned in and captured Chase's soft lips. They kissed a few more times before Isabella felt Chase was starting to doze off.
"You look so tired. Are you sure you're eating properly at work?" Isabella asked after pulling away, her thumb caressing Chase's cheek.
Chase nodded slowly, his eyes fluttering inching to close. "Yeah…don't worry too much."
Isabella rubbed her thumb over Chase's jaw for a little longer, soothing the tired man before she moved up and placed a soft kiss on her husband's forehead.
She stared down at her husband, smiling as he knew full well the man deserved a good rest.
"Good night, hon."