SWNOVELS Chapter 36: The Right Name
"You know... you are like Mary Poppins' bag." Samantha pursed her lips, turning to Ethan before announcing, "You come in a bag, full of surprises."
That made Ethan give out a genuine smile. He leaned over to Samantha and declared, "Speaking of surprises, you sure gave me the biggest... surprise in my life." Samantha chuckled and suggested, "Showing up, having two kids?"
"I suppose," with his business-like expression, he said while leaning sideways, maintaining the stare at Samantha.
While munching on her popcorn, Samantha realized how rarely Ethan looked at the screen. She whispered, "You are barely watching."
"I'm listening," Ethan answered.
She glanced at him for a second and said, "You did not eat any of the popcorn."
"I'm feeling all tired from the trip. I can't move my hands. Do you mind... feeding me?" Ethan said it so casually, it did not seem like he was making a move.
It utterly made Samantha giggle while shaking her head.
"It's fine if you don't - "
"Here," Samantha offered a popcorn, going into his mouth.
"Thank you, Sam. You are very kind," Ethan while chewing down the popcorn.
Up until the end of the Marry Poppins movie, Samantha wound up feeding Ethan a piece of popcorn each time.
As the film progressed, Ethan would ask a question, now and then.
"Ah, so this is where supercalifragilisticexpialidocious came from," remarked Ethan, seeing the part where Marry Poppins introduced a new word. With a smirk on his face, he asked, "How does Kyle like watching this?"
"He doesn't really love it, but just watches it for my sake and Kenzie's," responded Samantha. Shifting her eyes back on Ethan, she added, "I'm surprised you are still awake, though."
Ethan cleared his throat and fixed his coat before answering, "It's a... new learning. I'm always awake when something new enters my brain."
When they reached the part of the movie where Marry Poppins sang "Stay Awake" to the children, he suggested, "I bet... you sang this to them in order to sleep."
Samantha chuckled and admitted, "Yeah, when they were three years old. It's not working now though."
"Tell me, Sam... How did you raise the children on your own? What was it like?" Ethan inquired while adjusting his torso, perfectly turning to Samantha.
The probing made Samantha sigh and put the popcorn on the other seat. After wiping her fingers with a tissue, she said, "It was hard, Ethan... It was so hard."
Taking another deep breath, she told, "When they were born, I had maybe just two to four hours of sleep every day, even with aunt's help."
"They were feeding every two hours and cry out of nowhere. I just could not understand it. Back then, my aunt was still working and during the day, I was alone to take care of them." Samantha looked down and admitted, "Sometimes, I felt lost and angry at myself."
Halting her words, she gradually turned to Ethan and told, "I think... the worst part was when I could not produce all the milk they needed. At eight months, my breast milk depleted, and that was when." Samantha became nostalgic before she revealed, "That was when I started struggling to provide for them. Two cans of milk every week, plus their diapers, vaccines. Grandma Matilda and aunt Diana aided in providing for me, but it was just not enough. Especially since grandma's funds were controlled by my father as well... Sometimes, my grandma would send money on time, but sometimes, she could not. Especially when she was unable to get out of the military camp."
She was feeling very emotional, recalling those trying times that Ethan had to comfort her, caressing on her back and reaching for her hand. He stated, "I'm sorry, Sam. I really am."
"It was not your fault at all," said Samantha. She forced a smile before resuming her thoughts, "Anyway, I had to earn as well. I just can't rely on my aunt and grandma."
"Every time, I bring the kids for a check-up with the doctor, I prepare small snacks and sell them to the mothers who were waiting for their turn. I also - I also made snacks and sell them at the apartment building while sometimes bringing them along."
She bit her lip before shamefully telling, "Kyle on the stroller while I carry Kenzie in one arm. The snacks that I sell goes to the spaces below the stroller."
Samantha saw the clear grimace on Ethan's face that she explained, "Don't worry, it was a safe apartment building... and I really had to."
"Eventually, my aunt took an early retirement so she could get money in bulk and help provide for me and the kids. At the same time, she could help me look after Kenzie and Kyle," Samantha continued. "Aunt Diana realized that I could earn good money, selling pack lunches and snacks." She shrugged before adding, "What can I say... food is really my passion."
Her words made Ethan nod in agreement. He acknowledged, "It is your gift, Sam."
"So basically, that was how we lived by. Me selling food on the side while taking care of the kids. Shortly then after, I took culinary school when the kids were easier to manage and be left with aunt Diana during the day."
"As the kids became more aware of their surroundings, I taught them to be good and kind always, just like my grandma and how I was raised. I taught them humility and to be independent, especially since I did not have all the time in the world," Samantha proudly said.
She smiled at Ethan and announced, "Despite the difficulties, I went through, I bore two adorable, kind, and smart children." She found herself teary-eyed when she added, "I could never be more proud." "Thank you, Sam. Thank you for raising our kids well," said Ethan while his hand slowly made its way to her face. "You did very well without me."
"But now that I am here, please let me... Let me take care of you and the twins now. More than just an obligation, let me... share your burden," he said.
As Ethan spoke, Samantha was looking straight into Ethan's intense eyes. She had utterly forgotten about the movie, absolutely in a daze in the presence of this man.
She unknowingly touched his hand and gripped on his wrist before admitting, "Ethan, what if you'll regret - "
"What regret? I am not a fickle-minded man, Sam. When I want something, I take it and keep it forever... This is why I was never in a hurry to find someone," Ethan told.
Ethan leaned his forehead to Samantha's and closed his eyes. He promised, "I swear... You, Kyle, and Kenzie... will have all of me."
The next thing Samantha felt was her heart racing, and the fact that Ethan was slowly closing the gap on their faces, fully made her knees weak.
Ethan wound up pecking on her lips and she accepted it.
In a matter of seconds, they gently nibbled on each other's lips.
The feeling of finally kissing Ethan was so thrilling that Samantha felt goosebumps all over her body.
She had to admit; she had dreamed about it since Ethan left. Now, it was all so real!
Closing her eyes, she was about to let go, only to be interrupted by the lights turning on.
Both she and Ethan took heavy breaths as they let go of each other, turning to face the wide screen.
They did not realize how the movie had already ended, and the next that appeared on the screen was a 'thank you' message for the both of them. It read, "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Wright." Offering his hand to Samantha, Ethan said, "Mrs. Wright, it's the only name that suits you well, Sam."
Turning tomato red, Samantha took his hand and answered, "It sounds... right indeed."