It'll Come Naturally

Leena's next question was a surprise. "Mom, can I ask you something? How do you like foreigners?" Claire would be marrying a foreigner, so Leena wanted to find out her mom's attitude about the matter. "Oh? And why the sudden interest in foreigners?" Shannon retorted. She was puzzled by the question.

"Oh, nothing. I was just curious," Leena quickly replied. However, she refused to say why she asked the question.

"Well, I do have my thoughts about them. In my opinion, they have their advantages. Foreigners are independent, but they also have weaknesses. Sometimes, I feel that they are not very serious when it comes to relationships. If I were dating a foreigner, I don't think I'd feel safe. Of course, that's just my personal view. Maybe, I've based my opinions on those television dramas. But, I'm not quite sure as to how genuine they are in reality." She didn't know many foreigners, so Shannon's views about them were also limited. Slightly disappointed by the response, Leena said, "I understand." But Shannon's words did little to comfort her. All she could think about was Claire. 'Poor Claire. She doesn't know that she'll be facing a big problem. It seems that Mom doesn't like foreigners that much,' Leena thought.

"Is there something you're not telling me? Why ask such a weird question?" Shannon probed. Pondering over the strange question, Shannon didn't believe Leena asked her for no reason. Her instinct told her Leena was hiding something from her.

"Honestly, Mom, it's just chitchat. There's nothing to tell," the new mother replied. She knew it was a weak excuse and that her reply was insincere. But Leena felt she needed to speak to Claire soon to warn her about this possible obstacle. Stormy weather worsened conditions in the remote place where Kevin and his team were assigned. That was why communication signals were weak. Aside from this, he and his men had little access to clean water and adequate food rations.

He had been asked to join an international assignment to hunt and arrest a criminal group. The mission was dangerous because they were up against elite fighters, who were well-trained in detection and anti-detection operations. It was not an easy task to take all of them down at one time.

Kevin and his team were able to trace the gang. But they wasted a lot of time doing so because they were unfamiliar with the area. Unfortunately, they missed the best opportunity to arrest them, and they ended up being lured to a thinly populated area.

It was a week of lying in wait for the gang that they traced to a rain forest. Kevin's team easily had the advantage when they started. But things changed, and the tables had turned. It was too late when they realized their enemies were not a small-scale criminal gang, but highly-trained men with rich combat experience. The members used a brilliant strategy to set a trap for Kevin and his men, luring them to the horrible place where they were stuck now. There was nothing Kevin's team could do now but wait. And it annoyed them that their efforts were all in vain.

Throughout the operation, Kevin thought about Leena. He mentally shook himself to set aside thoughts about his wife in the meantime. Only with a clear mind could he complete their task successfully. Kevin knew he was risking his life fighting against desperados. He could end up dead from the enemy's bullets if he became distracted.

He knew it was nearly time for Leena to give birth. And Kevin's being away for the childbirth must make Leena very sad. Did she miss him as much as he missed her? Or was the baby taking up all her time and energy that she no longer had time to remember her husband?

The real world was very harsh. Kevin and his men had to endure endless mosquito bites in the rainforest. Other than insects, they had to be aware of venomous creatures like serpents that lurked there. Even though they were all well-armed, some of the men still got hurt and left the team. In order not to be kicked out, Kevin forced himself to stay focused all the time.

Kevin's team and their enemies were locked in a face-off. On Day Ten, the thugs finally gave up, unable to endure the harsh conditions. They began to move, giving Kevin and his men the chance to strike back. It had been a very long wait, but patience worked to their advantage.

The fighting was fierce. Many from the gang were ex-servicemen. They had combat skill and tactics. And more importantly, they knew how to hide.

In a crackdown campaign, there would be injuries and casualties from both sides. Kevin was among those that were hurt. A bullet grazed his shoulder, but fortunately, he was quick to react and avoided being directly shot. Otherwise, he would be lying in a gurney, waiting for surgery.

The mission took two weeks to complete. Almost every member of the army was hurt in varying degrees. They were all a mess. But what was important was they carried out their task successfully. They neutralized the criminal group and arrested their boss at the same time.

When Kevin finally returned to S City, it was past midnight. The familiar scene that greeted him was that of street lights casting shadows on surrounding buildings. It made him extremely excited to be home where he would see his beloved family.

Carefully, he opened the door. Everything was quiet inside. Everyone was tucked in bed and enveloped by sweet dreams.

Slowly, he walked up the stairs guided by a dim light. To his surprise, the lights were still on in his bedroom. Was his wife waiting for him?

Pushing the door open carefully to avoid making any sound, the smell of breast milk welcomed him. The one he expected to be waiting for him was in deep slumber, and Kevin was slightly disappointed.

But his attention was quickly drawn to the baby playing by himself. He found a little baby boy in the crib, waving its arms and legs. The little human being was enjoying himself quietly. When he felt Kevin's presence, the infant had no reaction. Kevin might be his father, but he was a stranger. Baby Richard started to giggle, and Kevin was so touched seeing this little man.

Was this baby his son? Everything felt surreal for Kevin. He bent down and reached out to touch his round pink cheeks. It all became real for him when he felt the baby's warm breath brush his hand. It was not a dream. This was reality.

Richard seemed to appreciate his father's touch. He became more excited and pedaled in the air with pudgy legs to welcome Kevin. The baby, already two weeks old, didn't understand what was happening but felt a connection.

"Hey there! Daddy's here. Come here, boy," Kevin crooned softly. Carefully, he reached out, trying to hold the baby in his arms clumsily. It frightened, yet at the same time, excited him. The baby was so small and delicate. Kevin was afraid he might hurt him.

Suddenly, he heard Leena. "Kevin? Is that you?" She had been roused by the baby's giggling. Leena, still groggy from sleep, saw a man standing beside the crib and called out to confirm it was Kevin.

He turned around and looked straight into her eyes. He walked toward her, closing the gap between them. Leena rushed into his tight embrace. Silence and human contact spoke volumes more than words could.

"I'm sorry, darling, for making you suffer so much," Kevin whispered. "Thank you so much," he said, while raining kisses on Leena's face and neck. He couldn't believe he was finally home and his wife was in his arms.

"Hey, stop that! You're tickling me," she said breathlessly. "The beard," Leena said, while pushing at his face slightly. She shrank back because she found his beard too itchy.

"Is it now?" Kevin teased her. "How about this?" he murmured as he continued to kiss her neck. Leena struggled. "No, Kevin. Stop it. Richard is staring at us."