Chapter 23

KYRIE carefully placed Kiel on his bed and wrapped him in a blanket. The child had fallen asleep on his shoulders as he carried him to his room. Chaya joined him. His family would be waiting for them on the balcony for coffee after dinner.

“Are you all right?” Kyrie asked her.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked in amusement.

She was sitting on the other side of the bed.

“I now have another responsibility.”

She gazed at Kiel. “I only see another reason for you to be the great person you already are,” she said. “Don’t worry about me. I’m good. The last thing I want you to do is to choose between being a good boyfriend and a good father. But if you happened to be married, too, we would definitely have a problem.”

Kyrie chuckled. He rolled to her side and pulled her up.

“You’re doing a great job, Mr. Page,” she said earnestly.

“Why do I feel like I have known you all my life?”

She could not help a giggle. “I’m glad you’re here with me tonight.”

Kyrie dipped his head and pressed his lips into hers.

His door suddenly opened.

“Drew? Is Kiel—”

Chaya pulled away at the sound of the woman’s voice. Her eyes reverted to the door and saw a woman with a shock on her pale face.

“Avery,” Kyrie said in a formal tone.

“I… I-I didn’t mean to…” Avery said apologetically.

Chaya thought she saw a hint of jealousy, too.

“Come in.” Kyrie pulled the door a little wider and let the reluctant Avery in. “It’s all right. Kiel is already asleep.”

Kyrie and Chaya exchanged glances.

“Chaya, this is Avery, Kiel’s mom. Avery, this is Chaya, my girlfriend.”

“Hi,” Chaya greeted. She felt a little tense, and she did not know why.

She walked toward Avery.

“H-hello,” Avery said in a small voice and forced a smile.

Chaya offered her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Avery.”

“S-same here.” Avery took her hand but let it go quickly.

Her hand felt fragile. She really must not be well.

“Did Kiel give you a hard time?”

“N-no. Kiel is a sweet kid.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you for dinner.”

“I perfectly understand. I hope you feel better now.”

Avery nodded and smiled. She had a pretty face, short hair, and a small frame.

Avery watched Kiel for a moment, and Chaya thought she saw her eyes moisten.

“Did you take your medicine already?” Kyrie asked.

Avery nodded. “Please take good care of Kiel, Drew.” She took a deep breath. “Good night.” She glanced at Chaya. “It was nice to meet you again.”

“Good night, too, Avery,” Chaya said.

“I’ll take you back to your room,” Kyrie said.

“No. I can manage. You’ve been doing a lot for me already.”

“Then, just let me see you to the door,” he insisted.

“Okay, if you insist.”

Avery turned her back, and Kyrie followed.

As Chaya watched them quietly, she could not help but think about what could have happened if she had never entered the picture. But Avery was a month late. She and Kyrie fell in love.

Kyrie watched by the door quietly. And after a moment, he walked toward her.

“I think we’re good,” he said. “I’ll just leave the door unlocked just in case Kiel wakes up.”

“Do you always do that?” Chaya asked as she linked her arm around his elbow.

“Yes. Kiel asks me to. He likes waking up early. When he sleeps here, he gets up in the morning and checks on his mom.”

Chaya glanced at Kiel.

“Avery did a great job.”

“I know,” he said with a sigh. “I just could not imagine how she did it all by herself.”

***

“You should visit again sooner, Chaya. We would love to have a longer chat with you,” Abby said after the coffee.

“Thank you, Mrs. Page. I’m already looking forward to that,” Chaya said gratefully.

The couple and Kelly walked with them to Kyrie’s car.

Chaya was still as overwhelmed as the moment she arrived a while ago. She was a little sad to part with them tonight, but she was happy that Kyrie’s family was all looking forward to seeing her again.

“You guys take care on the road, all right?” Kristoff said.

“Sure, Mr. Page.” She nudged Kyrie with her elbow. “I know I can trust him with my life.”

Kyrie cleared his throat cockily.

They all laughed.

“Chat you soon, Chaya,” Kelly said.

“Hit me up anytime.”

Kyrie opened the door of the passenger seat.

“See you later, guys.”

Chaya waved at them.

“You have an amazing family, you know that?” Chaya said the moment the car left the gates.

“I know,” he said matter-of-factly. “Mom is just the best. She makes everyone feel like family. Kiel is very fond of her. I could not ask for more.”

“And she’s a great cook.”

“And a great cook.” Kyrie chuckled. “So, what do you want to do tomorrow?”

“Hmm…” Chaya clacked her tongue. “Let’s just have dinner. I know you still have to work tomorrow.”

“All right, dinner. And then? Do you want to watch that movie you wrote where it starred your ex-boyfriend? Because I wanted to see that.”

“What?” Chaya laughed. “No.”

“Why not?” Kyrie teased.

“Any movie but that.”

“I’m your boyfriend, and I won’t be the last person to see that.”

Chaya crinkled her nose and shook her head.

Kyrie laughed heartily.

***

“Thanks for tonight,” Chaya said as Kyrie helped her get down from the car. “It was wonderful.”

“I should be the one to thank you, Chaya.” Kyrie stroked her hair. “You made my family happy.”

“I like seeing you happy.”

Chaya gazed at his beautiful face under the night sky. Then, she sighed.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“I’m looking at the face of the person I’m so scared to lose right now.”

A smile curved his lips. Then, he took her hand and put it on his chest. “And I’m looking at the person who makes me feel alive again,” he said.