SWNOVELS Chapter 30: Daddy Loves Mommy?
"Daddy!" Called Kenzie at the sight of her father. "I miss you!"
Kyle rushed with his sister, immediately hugging Ethan by the waist. He looked up to Ethan and announced, "I'm glad you came, Daddy. Kenzie and I miss you." Ethan Wright walked in with his coat already off. He had the sleeves of his shirt folded up to his elbows and his hair was slightly disheveled.
However, while Ethan's hair was not in perfect shape, Samantha thought, 'How can this man still look so good?'
After opening the door at eleven in the evening, she could not help but stare at him. Without his coat, the shape of his well-molded torso became more evident.
It was clear to Samantha how lean Ethan was.
Hearing the children's care, Ethan leveled with Kyle, sitting on his leg. He brushed his fingers through the boy's hair and said, "Of course, I came. I promised, didn't I?"
He turned to Kenzie, who was ready to embrace him and carried her in his arms. "Ah, my little princess so so adorable."
"Just like Mommy?" Kenzie asked with her usual twinkling eyes.
"Yes, just like Mommy. You are... an exact copy of your Mommy," Ethan replied.
'I have got to get used to these compliments,' Samantha thought while observing the reunion.
Redirecting Ethan's gaze at Samantha, he suggested, "Sam, tomorrow, we can have lunch together in the cafe across the office. I will be busy the next few days and will be flying out to Asia on Friday afternoon."
"Oh, we don't have to. You must be busy," said Samantha.
"I promised Kyle," Ethan answered. "So I must insist. Of course, the kids can't go without their mother. So I expect to see you too."
"R-i-g-h-t," Samantha answered awkwardly.
Looking down at the little man, he said, "When I'm away on a business trip, we can always be in a video call, okay?"
"You are going away?" Kyle confirmed with his brows furrowed.
"Yes, Kyle. Just for a few days and I'll be back on Tuesday. I'll be sure to fetch you after school and we can have lunch together again," responded Ethan.
A sigh left Kyle's lips. He asked, "Are you going to sleep here tonight?"
"Ah, no. Sweetie, your Daddy needs to go to his." Samantha realized it was an odd answer.
"But when do we live together? Don't families live together?" Kyle probed further with a frown, shifting his gaze from his mother to his father.
Samantha wondered how to explain the situation between her and Ethan, but before she could answer, Ethan beat her to it.
"Kyle, I'll work on that," promised Ethan. "Just... give me time."
Clearly perplexed, Samantha's brows drew together. She wondered if it was Ethan's way of brushing off the kid's inquiry.
Standing a meter from the father and twins, Samantha saw how Ethan turned to her again and asked, "Can I have a moment with the kids?"
Samantha's eyes panned from left to right, confused as to what was the need for her to leave them alone. Still, she granted them the time and said, "Well, let me prepare their milk." From the condo unit, only a partial divider separated the view from the living room to the kitchen, but Samantha's distance was good enough for Ethan to talk to the kids. Settling them in the living room, Ethan let each of the children sit on his lap. He said to them, "Soon, we will live under one roof, but I need your help."
Ethan said it so softly that the kids seemed to have understood.
With her gentle voice, Kenzie inquired, "How can we help you, Daddy?"
"Anything, Daddy. We'll help," assured Kyle.
"Good. Now... this is my plan," said Ethan before further lowering his voice as he discussed with his kids.
From the kitchen, Samantha had poured milk on two glasses and she took out the expensive bottle of deep water from Kona that was included in the grocery delivery.
She shook her head, still in disbelief at how she was now able to drink the said four-hundred dollar bottle so casually.
Before walking out of the kitchen, Samantha took a peek at the gathering in the living room. Her forehead creased, seeing how all three were having a secret meeting. Barely a whisper, she raised to herself, "What in the world are those three talking about?"
Samantha practically saw how her kids were giggling and at the end of their discussion, they each gave their father a high-five.
Walking in on them, she cleared her throat and examined, "Well... What did you guys talk about?"
"Nothing, Mommy," answered Kyle. "Just when Daddy would take us out."
"Oh," said Samantha with doubtful eyes. She wound up staring at Ethan's athletic face and for a second, their eyes locked, creating a burning sensation on her ears and cheeks. She immediately averted her gaze, realizing how he was intensely looking back without apprehensions.
"Here's your milk guys and water for your Daddy," She managed to say.
"Thank you, Sam." Ethan gulped down half of the bottle before he told, "I better get home. It's getting late. They still have school tomorrow."
"Of course," said Samantha. "They waited for you. That's why they are still up."
The children first drank their milk before they walk Ethan out the door with their mother. While there, Kenzie asked to be carried one last time.
The little girl kissed Ethan's cheek, and it made him flaunt his attractive smile.
'Gosh,' Samantha thought while looking away to hide the blush on her face. 'This can't be happening.'
She wasn't even sure why she was affected by this man, but really, the affection he shared with her kids added to his charm. She could not deny that part, for sure.
Just as she was looking elsewhere, she heard Kenzie say, "Mommy, can you and Daddy kiss me at the same time." Pointing to both her cheeks, she directed, "Here and here."
"Um... Kenzie, your Daddy needs to go," Samantha tried to avoid her little girl's suggestion.
"Yeah, and me too!" Kyle pleaded. "Please."
"Yes, please, Mommy and Daddy!" Kenzie asked the same.
Kyle raised his hands, asking Samantha to carry him.
With a sneer, Samantha said, "You know you are getting heavy, right?"
"Mommy, please. Just like other kids at school get a kiss from their parents," Kyle requested.
It was because of the repeated seeking of her kids that Samantha agreed. She carried Kyle in her arms and said, "Fine... Fine... If it is okay with your Daddy."
"It's fine," Ethan casually said.
"O-k-a-y. Here we go," Samantha warned.
"One, two, three!" Kyle did the counting for both of them, and Ethan and Samantha both kissed on each of Kyle's cheek.
Kyle smiled heartily after that and kissed back his parents on their cheeks.
"My turn! My turn!" Kenzie excitedly announced while bouncing on Ethan's arms. She, too, started counting, "One, two, three!"
Ethan and Samantha closed in, hoping to kiss Kenzie, but the little girl leaned back, resulting in the two, pecking on each other's lips instead.
Samantha's eyes widened, and she hastily pulled back while covering her mouth in shock. Ethan, on the other hand, just simply pulled back and immediately pecked on Kenzie's cheek. "There you go, sweetie. You have your kiss," Ethan said to Kenzie.
Kenzie and Kyle were giggling at the sudden kiss of their parents. Kenzie then encouraged, "Mommy and Daddy should kiss again!"
"No. No, Kenzie. We can't do that," Samantha revealed.
With a frown, Kenzie probed, "Why Mommy? Can't Mommy and Daddy kiss? You kissed." She put a hand on her finger, figuring out when. "The two nights ago?"
"That - that was different, Kenzie," said Samantha while struggling to find the words to say.
Having a lightbulb moment, she said, "You see, there is a limit to when parents kiss. Yes! That's it."
She turned to see the grimace on Ethan's face and immediately looked down.
"Is that true, Daddy?" Kenzie asked her father.
Ethan just glanced at Kenzie, forcing a smile. He said, "Listen to your Mommy, Kenzie."
After bidding goodbye, Samantha tucked her kids to bed. Even as they rested, she saw through the delight in their faces and heard them talk before closing their eyes.
"I just love, Daddy," said Kenzie.
"Yes, he is the best Daddy," added Kyle.
"Daddy is handsome and perfect for Mommy!" Exclaimed Kenzie.
"Daddy loves us too, and I'm sure he loves Mommy," suggested Kyle.
Samantha was already moving to sleep when she heard her son say this. Suddenly, her eyes were wide open again.
Turning to Kyle, she curiously asked, "Do you think... Daddy loves Mommy too?"