Chapter 14 chapter 14
Chapter 14
Natalie was still sleeping when she heard the doorbell ring. She had barely slept at night as her mind kept recalling everything that happened that day, and when she finally fell asleep, it was almost dawn.
Jojo was already awake, and she was just playing on her iPad. When she heard the doorbell ring, she jumped out of bed, and she nagged her mother, “Mommy, wake up, I think daddy is here.”
“I don’t want to wake up,” Natalie mumbled with her eyes closed. She turned on the other side and continued to snore.
Jojo looked at her mother and shook her head, “Mommy, if I rely on you, then I will never have a daddy. I think that I will have to take matters into my own hands and accept Uncle Sean as your husband on your behalf.”
Jojo left the room and carefully closed the door behind her.
When she arrived in the sitting room, Sean had already used his spare key to enter the house, and he was looking around, probably trying to find someone.
Jojo ran to him with her short legs and pulled at his pants. Her hair was messy, and she seemed to have just woken up.
Sean picked her up and kissed her on the cheeks, “Hello, baby doll, did I wake you up?”
“No, daddy. I woke up a long time ago, but mommy is still sleeping like a pig. I tried waking her up, but she just turned on the other side and continued to snore.”
Sean lovingly pinched her chubby cheeks as he smiled, “Let her sleep. You know, it is very rare for your mommy to be on holiday.”
“Okay, daddy.” Jojo nodded in understanding.
Looking at the several shopping bags on the coffee table, Jojo’s eyes lit up, “Daddy, what goodies did you bring me? Quicky, show me.”
Sean smiled happily, enjoying the feeling of being called a father.
“You cheeky brat, these are just fresh ingredients. I brought them so that we could make a healthy and special breakfast for mommy, okay.”
“You want to cook breakfast for mommy?” Jojo asked as her face lit up in excitement.
“Yes, but of course, with your help. So, are you going to help Daddy make something nice for mommy?”
“Of course, daddy.”
“That’s my girl. Come, let us get to work before mommy wakes up and spanks us for letting her stay hungry.”
The daughter-father pair had great chemistry, and soon, mouth-watering dishes with an aroma that could even revive the dead filled the house.
The aroma traveled all the way to Natalie’s room, and before she knew it, she was already licking her lips and swallowing huge chunks of saliva.
She mumbled, her eyes still closed, “Wow, it smells like heaven. It must be very delicious. I wish I were not dreaming and I could actually get to taste such heavenly-smelling delicacy.”
The aroma kept coming, forcing Natalie to finally open her eyes.
Before her mind could clear from the fog of sleep, she heard noises coming from downstairs. Natalie thought that a burglar had broken into her house. She quickly got off the bed and ran towards the door.
Just as she was about to twist the doorknob and rush outside, she heard Jojo’s hearty laughter and Sean’s baritone voice.
Her heart skipped a beat, and the hand holding the door handle froze.
She returned to her bed as she combed through her black, raven hair with her fingers.
‘Why is Sean here so early? Isn’t he supposed to be at the hospital?’
‘Wait, what time is it?’
When Natalie had a look at the time, she almost screamed out loud.
“9 o’clock! And I am still sleeping?”
“Oh, no, Jojo hasn’t had breakfast yet.”
Natalie forgot about everything as she hurriedly changed into comfortable home clothes. She opened the door in a hurry, and she almost bumped her face.
But the moment she opened the door, the sweet aroma she had felt in her sleep hit her nostrils like early spring wind.
Her mind froze for a moment as she came to a realization.
‘So, it was not a dream, but a reality. Sean had come so early just to make them breakfast.’
She knew that Sean was a great cook, since he was the one who took care of her meals after she had given birth to Jojo.
But later on, Sean said that although he was really good at cooking, he did not like entering the kitchen because it reminded him so much of his mom.
It had been years since she last tasted Sean’s dishes, and today, the man decided to enter the kitchen again, burying the bitter memories he carried of his mother just so he could make her happy.
Natalie was still thinking, with her heart beating hard in her chest, when she heard Sean instruct Jojo, “Baby, go and wake up your mom. The food will run cold, and if we warm it up later, it will no longer taste as good.”
“Okay, daddy. I will be right back.”
Natalie did not wait for Jojo to call her as she opened the door and headed towards the stairs.
Jojo was about to climb the first stair when she saw her mom. She beamed at her and turned to Sean, “Daddy, look, Mommy is coming.”
Sean turned around, and his gaze clashed with Natalie’s. They shared eye contact for a few seconds before Natalie looked away. Her ears were almost burning, and she had no idea what was happening.
Sean looked at her, and his gaze turned gentle. Although her hair was messy and she was just putting on random home clothes, in his eyes, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he could not take his eyes off her.
…
“Wow, you guys really outdid yourselves. I am amazed.” Natalie said as she tasted several dishes beautifully placed on the dining table.
Sean passed her the nourishment soup that he had prepared, “Drink up. You have been so busy lately, and you need to replenish your energy.”
Natalie took a sip, and her eyes shone, “Wow, it is very delicious. Every spice blended really well.”
Sean smiled happily, “I am glad you like it.”
The family of three had a hearty breakfast together, and by the time they finished, every dish had been cleared.
Natalie touched her tummy that had turned round and mumbled, “How long have I not eaten? I feel like I have gained a few pounds already.”
Sean wanted to do the dishes, but Natalie stopped him, “I don’t want to be a freeloader. I will do the dishes.”
Sean did not object and went to pay with Jojo.