Chapter 115 115. Daddy's Home

Chapter 115 115. Daddy's Home
The Richardson mansion buzzed with an electric energy that morning.

Hazel stood at the window in the living room, her fingers pressed against the cool glass, her eyes fixed on the winding driveway that led to the main gate. Her hair was freshly brushed, cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. She'd changed her outfit three times, finally settling on a flowing dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

George was practically vibrating beside her, his small body bouncing with barely contained excitement. He'd been asking every five minutes since he'd woken up, his voice a constant refrain of "Daddy coming home?" and "When Daddy get here?"

Nathan was in her arms, his tiny face peaceful in sleep. He'd been fussy all morning, as if he too sensed the anticipation in the air.

"Mommy, Daddy coming?" George asked again, his small hand tugging at her dress.

"Yes, baby, Daddy's coming. Any minute now," Hazel said, her voice warm with patience. 

George's face scrunched. His lower lip jutted out in a pout. "George no like waiting."

Hazel laughed. "I know, sweetheart. Neither do I."

The sound of tires crunching on gravel made both of them freeze.

George's eyes went wide, his mouth dropping open. "Daddy?"

Hazel's heart leaped into her throat. She turned toward the window, her eyes scanning the driveway. A sleek black car was pulling up to the entrance, its windows tinted, its engine purring.

"Daddy!" George shrieked, his voice climbing to a pitch that made Hazel wince. "Daddy here! Daddy here!"

He launched himself toward the front door, his chubby legs pumping furiously. Hazel followed, Nathan still in her arms, her heart pounding with anticipation.

The front doors swung open and Michele Richardson stepped through. The moment he saw George barreling toward him, his expression softened, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Daddy! Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" George screamed, launching himself at Michele's legs. 

Michele bent down, scooping George into his arms with practiced ease. He lifted the boy high, spinning him around and George's giggles filled the entrance hall like music.

"My little warrior, I missed you so much," Michele said, his voice thick with emotion. 

George's small hands patted Michele's face, his eyes shining. "George missed Daddy too! George missed Daddy so, so much!"

"I know, buddy," Michele murmured, pressing kisses to George's cheeks, his forehead, the tip of his nose. "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."

George's arms wrapped around Michele's neck, his small body clinging like a koala. "Daddy stay? No go away again?"

Michele's heart clenched. He held George tighter, his voice rough. "I have to go away sometimes, little warrior. But I'll always come back. Always."

George's face brightened, his grin wide. "Promise?"

"I promise," Michele said.

He looked up and his eyes found Hazel. She stood in the doorway, Nathan cradled in her arms.

"Hi, baby," he said.

Hazel's lips trembled. "Hi."

He crossed to her, George still in his arms and his free hand found her waist. He pulled her close, his lips pressing to hers in a kiss that was tender and fierce and full of everything they couldn't put into words.

"God! I missed you," he murmured against her mouth.

"I missed you too," she breathed. 

His lips found her forehead, her cheek, the tip of her nose. "You're so beautiful. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Hazel laughed. "You're just saying that because you've been gone for a week."

"I'm saying it because it's true and I'm never leaving you again," he corrected, his thumb stroking her cheek.

"You'd better not. Because if you do, I'll come after you and I'll bring the kids," she said, her voice teasing.

Michele laughed. "I don't doubt it for a second."

They moved to the living room, the family settling onto the plush couches. George was still in Michele's arms, his small hands clutching his father's shirt as if afraid he might disappear. Nathan stirred in Hazel's arms, his tiny eyes fluttering open. Michele reached out, his large hand cupping the back of his son's head.

"Hey, little love, I missed you too," he cooed, his voice soft.

Nathan's eyes focused on his father's face and for a moment, he seemed to recognize the voice. A tiny coo escaped his lips and Michele's grin was almost blinding.

"He knows me," he said, his voice thick with wonder.

"Of course he does. He's been listening to your voice on the phone every night," Hazel said, her voice warm. 

Michele looked at her, his eyes soft. "You were incredible, bunny. I knew you could handle it. But I didn't know you'd handle it so perfectly."

"I had help. Maya came over. The nanny was a lifesaver and George was the best big brother anyone could ask for," Hazel admitted. 

George puffed out his chest, his small shoulders squaring with pride. "George pwotect Mommy. George pwotect Natan."

"I know you did, little warrior, I'm so proud of you," Michele said, pressing a kiss to George's forehead. 

George's eyes lit up. "Daddy, George got a pwesent? Daddy said pwesent!"

Michele laughed. "I did say that, didn't I? Okay, close your eyes."

George squeezed his eyes shut, his small body trembling with excitement. Michele reached into his briefcase, pulling out a small box wrapped in bright paper.

"Okay, open your eyes."

George's eyes flew open and he gasped at the sight of the box. "For George? All for George?"

"All for you," Michele confirmed, his grin wide.

George tore into the paper with the enthusiasm of a toddler, his small hands ripping the wrapping to shreds. Inside was a toy car, a sleek, shiny red race car with real working wheels.

George's eyes went wide. "Car! George love car!" He clutched it to his chest, his face split in a grin that showed all his baby teeth. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Michele laughed, pressing a kiss to George's hair. "You're welcome, little warrior."

The afternoon unfolded in a blur of laughter and love. Michele played with George on the living room floor, building towers with blocks and racing cars across the carpet. Nathan napped in his bassinet, his tiny face peaceful in sleep. Hazel watched them, her heart full to bursting.

"I missed you. I missed George. I missed Nathan. I missed being home," Michele said, his voice soft as he looked up at her. 

Hazel crossed to him, settling onto the floor beside him. Her hand found his, their fingers interlacing. "We missed you too. The house felt so empty without you."

"I'm not leaving again, not for a long time. I'm going to make sure of it," he said, his voice fierce.

Hazel's lips curved into a smile. "I'm going to hold you to that."

George, oblivious to the romantic tension, had crawled onto Michele's lap, his small body squishing between his parents. Michele's arms wrapped around him, pulling him close. Hazel leaned in, her head resting on Michele's shoulder. 

"This is all I've ever wanted," Hazel whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Michele pressed a kiss to her hair. "Me too, baby. Me too."

The evening was a symphony of joy. They dined together at the large kitchen table, George's chatter filling the room as he recounted every detail of the week like the towers he'd built, the cookies he'd baked, the games he'd played with Maya. Nathan sat in Michele's lap.

"You've been busy," Michele observed, his eyes warm with pride.

"We had to keep ourselves occupied. It was the only way to survive the week without you," Hazel said, her smile soft. 

Michele reached across the table, his hand covering hers. "You didn't just survive. You thrived and I'm so proud of you."

He scooped George into his arms, carrying him toward the stairs. Hazel followed, Nathan in her arms, her heart full to bursting. The night stretched on, the mansion warm with love and laughter and as Hazel watched her husband tuck their son into bed, she knew that this beautiful, chaotic, wonderful life, was everything she'd ever wanted.