Chapter 24

"Sofia..." Zeus called to me while we were both in the kitchen. Earlier I ignored him. Even if I am called with an attitude, I do not care.

I am annoyed at him. I was annoyed because I thought he was the only one who didn't cheat on me now. But he also cheated on me.

I glanced at him while mixing the chicken with the sauteed garlic and onion I had earlier. I am cooking today for our dinner. The children were taken care of by Mother Belen earlier.

"Please talk to me. Notice me. What should I do? Tell me," he said while still holding my arm.

I turned off the burner first before turning to him. I raised an eyebrow at him. He looks like a gentle sheep. The thought is very humble and seems deep. His eyes spoke as I turned.

I gasped.

"Why'd you do that, Zeus? You hurt the woman. Didn't you just think about how Aria feels for you?" I asked him. That is true. Why is Zeus so insensitive at times? He hurt Aria. He used her. "Why do you still have to use her to hurt me? Your mere presence hurts Zeus," I told him.

I didn't blink nor think twice. I stared into his eyes. Then I stroked his cheek.

"You know what hurts me more? It's when, I know in myself I don't fit in with you. She's right, Zeus. I don't deserve you. I'm tainted. I'm dirty. I'm..."

I stopped talking when he licked my lips. Zeus is kissing me. His kisses were slow and tender. It caressed me carefully as if it was removing all the doubt in my heart. And it's sweet. It's still the same kiss that I'm addicted to. The warmth of his lips is still the same warmth that made my heart flutter.

When the kiss was over, we chased our breath. When I look at him, I know he's just suppressing his smile.

"I hate you!" I just said it to hide the embarrassment. I slapped him on the arm because of that. He laughed as he avoided my blows.

"Hey! Easy. Ouch!" He grabbed my hand and held it. "I really like it when you blush like that," he said once lifting my face with his one hand. He stared at my whole face again, before slowly bringing his face closer to mine. I know he's going to kiss me. So, I close my eyes.

I waited for his lips to touch me again for a few moments before he spoke. I was shocked because of that. We're so close to each other that our noses are almost touching.

"I don't care about what they say. I don't care about what they think. Just, fuck them all. Because all I care about is you. I love you, Sofia, from then and now. Do you love me? Because I love you so much."

I can't utter a word. The feeling is just too much. Then he just did. He kissed me again. This time, it was rough and hungry. And I give in. I kiss him too with the same intensity and passion.

"Icarus, daddy is eating mommy's lips."

It was as if cold water poured over me when I heard that word. I quickly pushed Zeus and adjusted myself. I was still shivering with embarrassment. Even though they are young, it is not appropriate to let them see that.

"Hey! Are you hungry?" I asked them before I approached and kissed them one by one. When I suddenly remembered something, I suddenly lost my mind. I haven't even been able to cook yet.

I turned my gaze to Zeus and saw that he was busy working on my cooking. I breathed a sigh of relief because of that.

"Daddy, why are you eating mommy? Are you hungry too?"

I winced at that question of my son. I made them both sit at the table while watching their father have something to mix with what he was cooking.

They looked at Zeus with so much adoration. To this day they are still amazed at anything they see their father doing.

"No, baby. I'm not hungry. But I'm sick. And mommy is my medicine. Right mommy?" He said while winking at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. He approached me and hugged and kissed the top of my head.

He also went to the twins and kissed them. My children just laugh.

"Love me…" I said. I stop myself from smiling. It looks like I was in my teenage days.

Zeus looked at me and smiled. "I will court you every day, Sofia. Until you answer me, I will still court you. Not because I need to, but because I want to, baby," he said while staring into my eyes.

I smiled at what was happening to us today. I can't help but wonder when I started going back to where I used to be. But even then, the important thing is I'm back.

Although we did not have a clear conversation with Zeus but seeing him and our kids, I am happy. They were my home.

I am finally home.

***

The water in this stream is really delicious. I still close my eyes to the silence it brings to my mind.

"A penny of your thought?" Zeus asked me as he hugged me from behind.

I really like the feeling when he hugs me. It was as if all my doubts about everything were disappearing. I still can't fully imagine that despite everything that happened to me, he still accepted me. Despite everything, we are still together. He even hit me. Even though we are hurting, it is important that we do not lose our love for each other.

Because we belong to each other.

"Nothing. I was just wondering if you allowed me to leave. Are you going to look for me, Zeus?"

He kissed my head before he answered. I closed my eyes because even though the water in the stream was cold, Zeus ' embrace was like a fire burning. It warms my body enough to wake up all my senses.

"You can't hide from me, baby. So, leaving me isn't the best option. Because, whether you like it or not. I'm gonna find you. My heart will find you. Because you belong to me," he told me emphatically. He even hugged me tightly.

"Why do you love me?" I asked him. He was obviously annoyed with me, but he still answered my question.

"I love you because I love you, Sofia. That's the reason why I love you. Because I love you."

I was slowly taken to the shore to get up.

I smiled. He's right all along. Wherever I go, we will come back, and we will always come back to each other.

***

"Why are there even blindfolds?"

"It's a surprise baby, so just stay still," he whispered in my ear.

"Am I really surprised by that?" I asked him.

I smiled. Ever since all of us got along we have always been like this. We surprise each other every day. He also always tells me how much he loves me. Indeed, he keeps his heart beating faster with so much happiness every time, but at the same time, it also hurts. That is possible.

"Tomorrow is the twins' birthday. Their big day. But tonight, is your big day, baby," he whispered to me as he guided me somewhere.

I nodded in agreement. Time flies so fast. My babies were going to be six soon. I regretted the years I was not with them, but I will make sure I will be a part of them forever. I can't turn back time. But I can change the future. With Zeus and my children.

"Stop right here," he whispered to me again. He even kissed the side of my head before releasing me.

I just stand there. My eyes are still on blind fold. I was nervous for a while, and I felt like I was alone in that place.

"Zeus..." I called him but I got no answer, so I decided to remove my blindfold.

I blinked for a moment before my vision returned to clarity. As I looked at the place it was our garden. Our gardens pavilion to be exact. White tiny lights decorate the area. While there are some other confetti placed everywhere.

And I cried. I cried because of too much happiness.

Right in front of me are bold words Will you marry me? The housemates were holding it and smiling at the same time.

I did not speak immediately. My heart is overwhelmed with so many emotions. My heart throbbed with pure bliss.

"Mommy, yes say!" my children shout. I did not realize that they were approaching the housemates. They also hold the sign with Say Yes Mommy. They were with Mother Belen who was also in tears as she looked at me.

She was happy for me, I know. And I am happy for myself too. Because finally, after years of sorrow and pain; here comes my happiness.

I turned around to look for Zeus, but I could not find him. My eyes are still full of tears. When I returned to my former position, I could not help but sob.

Zeus is kneeling in front of me. He is holding a small box and when he opened it a yellow gold solitaire ring was inside it.

"Marry me or marry me, Sofia. I don't want to give you a choice. Now marry me," he said as he took the ring inside the box. I nodded as he slowly put it on my finger. When he put it on, he kissed it softly.

He stood up and hugged me. While no words still made me laugh. Everyone present applauded. Even our children are excited.

"I love you, Sofia. You are the only woman I will love. From then until tomorrow," he whispered and then hugged me tight.

"I love you too, Zeus. I love you so much."

That night we made love. I surrender myself to him many times without restraint. He was pleasuring me in any way possible and I was to him too. We made sure that what matters is the love we have for each other.

This. It has been long overdue. We had waited for this, a long time ago. But I know things happen at the right time. And for Zeus and me…this was our right time.

I smiled. I am happy.

I am very happy.