SWNOVELS Chapter 39: Ethan's Promise
"You told her about the kiss limit," reminded Ethan.
"I know. I hate it when they remember these things... my kids are just too sharp," Samantha responded before forcing Ethan's hands off her waist. She smiled and pecked on his lips again. "Let me get the kids."
"Hmmmm," Ethan's typical response.
Before letting Samantha go, however, he put a hand behind her neck and savored for one last kiss.
His actions made Samantha chuckle as she forced herself free from Ethan's hold. She whispered, breathing against his lips, "I'll be back."
While Ethan turned on the lights to the living room, Samantha walked in the direction of their bedroom.
It did not take long for Kenzie and Kyle to walk back out with Samantha, both puzzled for the late evening wake-up call. Kyle was especially still sluggish.
"Hi guys," greeted Ethan while remaining to sit on the sofa.
Kenzie went straight into Ethan's lap and said, "Hi Daddy, are you done kissing?"
While Samantha's face burned, Ethan acknowledged, "Hmmm. Yes, Kenzie... We are done... for now."
"Come here, Kyle," Ethan called for his son, seeing him take his time.
When both the children were in Ethan's lap, Samantha took the seat in front of them and reported awkwardly, "Kids, I have an announcement to make." "What is it, Mommy?" Kyle asked.
Samantha's eyes widened, first eyeing Ethan's reaction, but seeing how he was calm as usual, she cleared her throat and resumed her thoughts, "Daddy and I have agreed... to be together officially so... that means we will all live together soon!"
"Really, Mommy?" Kenzie asked, now fully awake. She turned to her Daddy and probed, "Is it true, Daddy?"
"Yes, it's true!" Answered Ethan before pecking on Kenzie's cute face.
Kyle on the other hand sighed. He declared, "Well, it's about time!"
Samantha wound up laughing at the reaction of Kyle while Ethan smirked.
"You are going to live with us here, Daddy?" Kyle inquired, looking up to Ethan.
"No, Kyle. We are going to live together in a new home." Ethan glanced at Samantha before he resumed his thoughts, "We are just going to do some paperwork and complete the needs of our new home and we should be ready to move in by Sunday."
Kyle wound up counting the days with his fingers. He exhaled and said, "Five days."
"Yes, only five days," Ethan acknowledged. "It won't be long, Kyle."
"A new home?" Kenzie eagerly asked. "Is it better than this house?"
"Oh, it's way better, sweetie!" Announced Samantha with gleaming eyes. "It has a pool!"
"Woah!" Both Kenzie and Kyle exclaimed happily.
"You'll have your own room and your own beds," told Ethan.
"Wow!" Kyle was amazed, raising his hands while he was telling.
"You are sharing with your sister," Samantha revealed.
"But I like sleeping with Mommy, Daddy," said Kenzie before pouting her lips.
"That's fine," responded Ethan. "I don't mind sleeping next to both you and Kyle, but there should be days when you let Mommy and Daddy sleep alone... Otherwise, you won't have another sister or brother." Samantha's eyes widened. She leaned back in her chair, utterly shocked. She failed to think about this part of the arrangement.
Naturally, since they would get married, they would eventually.... do the deed, but what surprised her the most was how Ethan was expecting to have another child!
She coughed and cleared her throat before clarifying, "You want.... another child?"
"I want a baby girl!" Announced Kenzie.
"I want a boy!" Kyle declared, producing a fist and raising it mid-air.
"No! I want a baby sister!" Kenzie struck back.
"A boy!" Kyle countered, wrinkling his nose as he leaned over to Kenzie.
"Don't worry, Mommy and I will work on having both," It was Ethan's way of easing the two's competitiveness.
While it amused Ethan, Samantha was utterly taken aback! It would seem to her that Ethan wanted two more kids!
She scolded herself in silence, 'Of course! He would want another child! He missed five years with Kyle and Kenzie!'
Samantha was already forming frowns on her face, but before she could react, they all heard someone clearing her throat. They all turned to find Diana, smiling from ear to ear about the news.
"I'm very happy for the kids and for my niece," said Diana with a smile.
"Does grandma D have her own room too?" Kenzie asked, turning to Ethan.
"Yes! Your grandma D will have her own room," told Ethan. Turning to Diana, he added, "Of course, I took into considering how this family should be complete and I know... that my kids turn to you so much for their needs."
"I hope you don't mind, Miss Turner, that I already included you in my plans," Ethan added.
Diana laughed at being addressed as a 'Miss.' She walked towards Sam and sat next to her. She said, "I'd really hate interfering with your lives - "
"Aunt, actually." Samantha turned to her aunt and placed her hand on Diana's. She said, "Actually, it was my idea and Ethan was fine with it."
Placing a hand on her chest, Samantha admitted while turning emotional, "Aunt, I don't know how to... live without you. You have always been there for me and the kids."
Samantha shrugged before telling, "Of course, you are free to do whatever you want, but I would be happy if you stay with us."
"Why would grandma D leave?" Kyle asked with a frown.
"Yeah, Grandma D," Kenzie echoed. "Why would you?"
"Is it really, okay?" Diana asked, shifting her gaze to both Ethan and Samantha. "I'd hate to impose. Although the truth is, I don't know what to do now that I am retired. I will miss Kyle and Kenzie, should I live on my own."
"Of course, it's okay. Sure, we can always hire a maid or a nanny for both of them, but your guidance is really something I look forward to. Considering that Sam and I will be busy working, your presence at home will absolutely be helpful," Ethan explained.
"Aunt, what on earth are you talking about? Do you remember the days back then? I would not have made it through without you." Samantha embraced Diana's arm and said, "Aunt, whether you like it or not, I'm keeping you with me."
"It's settled then, Miss Turner - "
"Oh, please... call me aunt, Ethan. And I'll call you Ethan as well," Diana interrupted.
"Ethan it is," he answered.
"It feels so strange to be called a miss, given my age," explained Diana. "Thank you, very much Sam, Ethan. Thank you for considering me as part of your family."
"No, aunt," responded Ethan. "Thank you for looking after Sam and the kids without me."
Even if Ethan did not show any emotions as he said those words, Diana felt it. She felt the sincerity in Ethan's ways.
It was when Samantha tucked the kids back to sleep when Diana had her alone time with Ethan.
From the living room, Diana smiled at him and said, "Ethan, I have seen my niece go through so much, so she could keep her babies... You may not know this, but her father wanted Sam to have an abortion back then."
"She chose to keep her babies," Diana added.
The tale of Diana utterly made Ethan grit his teeth. His eyes narrowed and his brows drew together. He inwardly thought of what kind of father was the great general to think that of his own grandchildren? He did not know how long he was clenching his hand into a fist, but he only realized it when Diana reached for his hand. He heard her say, "That might anger you, but just so you know... deep inside Samantha loves her father... He is her father after all."
"So despite the ugly past she has with Winfield Davis, consider mending their relationship," suggested Diana.
"To be honest with you, Winfield changed thoroughly after he remarried. While I am aware, he should be responsible for his own actions. What really ignited his decisions was the influence of his new wife." Diana looked back at Samantha's room before leaning forward to Ethan. She said, "I never liked Samantha's stepmother. Right from the very start!"
"Samantha, you see, she was just too kind not to see through her stepmother and her stepsister, but I always felt that they were jealous of my niece. After all, she got my sister's beauty and the attention of all the Davises," included Diana.
Diana suddenly turned sinister! Her eyes tightened as she told, "I can just imagine the envy of their eyes when they will find out my dear Samantha is your wife!"
With conviction, she raised, "When you reveal yourselves to the General and his new family, we need to take videos of their dropping jaws, their popping eyes, and their drooling mouths!"
Adding anger to her tone, Diana closed the conversation with this statement, "They have to drool! They just have to drool of envy as much as they made Sam cry!"
"That will be entertaining," Ethan said while caressing his chin. "Don't worry, aunt. I will definitely make them... drool. That's a promise."