Leap OF Fate

Serene and Justin were co-parenting for the past six months, and it had been a bliss so far. Every Friday night, he'd have dinner with Serene and the twins at her place. After dinner, he would take the children with him. They agreed weekends were his, but he preferred to spend Sundays as a family. They would go to parks, museums, or hang out either at his place or hers. He would then drive Serene and the children back to her place at Hyacinth Bay. As for the two of them, they're building trust at their own pace. Serene's more open with him, although he wished she'd be more affectionate. He missed holding her and feeling her close to him.

It's Friday night. Justin would come over for dinner before driving back to his place with the twins. Serene finished cooking, but Justin has not arrived yet.

Felicity and Pax sat in front of the television. She's busy coloring her book while Pax is playing on a tablet. Looking outside the window, the rain has not stopped, it even got stronger. The trees outside swayed as the heavy winds blew on them. She heard the wind's whistles and the anger pitter-patter of the rain against the glass window. Justin should have arrived 30 minutes ago. She called his number to check on him, but all she got was an automated voice prompt.

She sat on the couch to watch the news and divert her attention. All it showed were the flooding and some landslides in the outskirts of the city. Her heart thumped louder as time passed by.

The chime of the doorbell felt like music to her ears. She rushed towards the door to open it. Justin stood there drenched. His long hair clung to his neck and dripped water to his upper body.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. My tire busted, I had to change it on my way here," Justin said, giving her an apologetic smile.

"Hurry, come in. You're soaked. Come upstairs, I'll prepare your bath, so you won't get sick," she said in a single breath. "Pax, give Dad a towel, will you, dear?" she ordered, which Pax obliged. She then hurried to the master's bedroom and prepared the tub for a warm bath.

Justin stood at the bathroom door, still dripping with rainwater.

"What are you standing there for, go take a bath or you'll get sick," Serene said, looking worried.

"En." He said and walked inside. Serene took it as her cue to get out and gave him privacy.

She's no longer in the room when he finished bathing. Justin could not help but smile when he saw a change of clothes lined up on top of the bed. It was like when they were living together in Hyacinth Bay. Her small acts of love created ripples of warmth in him. Mother and children already sat at the dining table when he arrived. He took the seat beside Felicity.

"Here, drink this tea first to warm you up," Serene said, then put a cup of piping hot brewed tea in front of him. He blew on it and gave it a sip.

They ate in silence, in contrast to the howling of the winds outside. When they finished eating, he sat with the children in front of the tv while she cleaned up the kitchen. She joined them soon as she finished.

She and Felicity colored her activity book. While Justin and Pax watched financial news. Justin noticed Pax's inclination towards markets and taught him how to trade in stocks, much to Serene's chagrin. "Justin," she called him.

"Hmm?" He said and peeled his eyes off the program they're watching.

"I don't think it's safe for you guys to be on the road in this weather. Stay the night, ok?"

"En." He said looking outside the window, then focused on the financial news again.

After a while, she asked the children to get ready for bedtime. She helped them clean up and change into their pajamas. The co-parenting scheme helped her to wean Pax from breastfeeding and for the twins to sleep on their own. After they tucked each one of them to sleep, Serene had a quick conference call. She left Justin watching the news.

When she came out of her study, Justin stood in front of the window watching the strong winds outside. She walked towards him and stood quietly beside him. They both watched the strong winds pluck the leaves from the branches and blow them away. Serene still recalled how worried she was while she waited for him to arrive. Various images came to mind, all involved Justin getting hurt. She felt scared and worried something bad might happen to him. She heaved a sigh of relief, knowing he's safe. Drenched in the rain, but safe.

She gazed at him in silence. She felt her heart throb in her chest as she looked at him. On impulse, she tugged on his arm, making him shift his body in her direction.

Justin looked at Serene with slight confusion. She looked at him with her wide and bright eyes. Her cheeks flushed, her lips parted. She's beautiful.

To his surprise, he felt Serene's lips against his. He did not know how to react at first. It had been a long time since she last kissed him, he's not sure if he's imagining things or if they're real. Oh, I hope they're real.

She pried his mouth open with her tongue. When their tongues met, Justin recovered from his shock and met her tongue with his. His hands wrapped around her waist to pull her closer. He waited five years for this moment.

Serene felt Justin's response, and for the first time in a long time, she felt alive. She worried about his safety and she jumped on the impulse to kiss him. All she wanted was to feel that he's safe and sound.

They're two hungry souls drinking from each other's spring. Both were breathless when they separated. Justin held her closer to him, kissing her hair and forehead. He breathed in her familiar scent. "I miss you, Kitty," he said, as he planted a kiss on her forehead.

Serene hugged his waist, taking in

his scent. He smelled like her shower gel, but different. Holding him gave her a sense of security. "You scared me today," she

murmured. "I was worried aboux net

you. The typhoon was so strong, it isn't safe outside and I cannot contact you." She sounded naggy, but Justin did not mind. In fact, he felt a surge of warmth spread through him. She cared about him.

"I'm sorry. I did not realize that my phone died. Sorry for making you worry." He lifted her chin with his hand and pecked on her lips. To his surprise Serene leaned into him and deepened the kiss. Her tongue once again teased him. She tasted, nibbled and sucked on his mouth.

Justin lost it when a soft moan

escaped her lips.

He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to her room. As soon as her back touched the mattress, Serene wrapped her hands around Justin's neck and pulled him closer to her. She claimed the mouth she missed once again. Her fingers laced in his hair, tugging and running her fingers through them.

After a while, the hands that played with his hair slithered down. He felt soft hands caressing his hard and tight abdomen, then up to his chest. He nibbled on her neck when she gave one of his nipples a gentle pinch.

In a few seconds, both fumbled over their clothes. Him freeing her from hers and her freeing him from his. Their eyes drank each other's nakedness, scanning each other's body unabashed. Justin reached for her. He felt every inch of her first with his hands then with his mouth.

"Justin..." Serene called his name in pleasure. She writhed and arched her back underneath him. She's as sensitive as before, as sweet as before. He moved up to claim her mouth again. A surprised gasp escaped his mouth when Serene pushed him down to the bed and straddled him.

Her passion drunk eyes locked into

his as she took his length in. She bit her lower lip and closed his eyes as she felt him fill her in. He missed feeling her around him. Serene

started moving. She threw her ne

back when a surge of pleasure enveloped her. He let her dominate him and enjoyed the pleasure of being one with her again.

For the first time in a long time, they held each other and breathed the same passion-filled air. They clung to each other like life savers, afraid to let go. Their hearts beat in sync. For the first time in a long time, they once again felt secured knowing they got each other. "Serene..." Justin called her while his fingers traced her back.

"Hmm"

"Tell me this is real." He's afraid that all these are his illusion, and he'd wake up somewhere alone once again.

"It's real," she said, and looked up at him. "It's real, baby."