Family hangout
Chapter 102 Family Hangout
DARBY’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.
Yawning loudly as she stepped out of her room, Darby scratched at her eyes when she saw Leo doing a pushup in the middle of the living room with Sinclair seated on his back and laughing heartily. Her heart melted at the sight, she was wondering why she got to sleep like a baby all through the night. It had almost skipped her mind that her man was around.
“I see you two are burning enough calories.” She said.
“Mummy!’ Sinclair called out getting off his father’s back to meet his mother. She lifted him off the ground and kissed his cheeks.
Leo stopped halfway to look at her. “Good morning, baby.”C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.
Darby walked closer to him, placing Sinclair on the floor and she caressed Leo’s hair. “How was your night?”
“Very fine, thank you.” He grinned resting his head on his hand as his eyes trailed her face. “You look so beautiful.”
She blushed shyly. “Stop trying to appease me. I know I look a mess.”
“You know one thing I don’t do is tell a lie. You are a soothing for sight.”
Leaning forward to kiss him, she giggled. “Well thank you. I am really sorry that I left you to handle Sinclair. I was too exhausted. Now I know just how much Isabella does for me.”
Leo out his hand to caress her hair. “I told you I would handle it. Sinclair already had breakfast, the dude woke up hungry.” Leo said, ruffling his son’s hair. “What would you like to eat? I was thinking we should eat out this morning and head to the park. That is if you aren’t too tired.”
“I would love that. I’m not too tired for a day out.” She replied. “Sinclair, darling. Would you like to go to the park with daddy and I?”
“Yayyy! I want to go to the park. I want to hold your hands.” Sinclair replied excitedly.
“See, it’s settled.” Darby laughed.
“You should go get ready then. I will handle Sinclair, you don’t need to worry.” Leo assured.
“Thanks, baby.” She cooed, kissing the two of them before returning to her room.
It didn’t take long for them to get dressed and leave the house. They decided to get extra food for the park because they didn’t get to eat much. Sinclair was too eager to head to the park. His parents had to oblige when he was about to throw tantrums when they were taking too much time. When they got to the park, Darby was practically forgotten by the duo. Sinclair seem to be having so much fun running around with his father playing catch.
Darby watched them with explosive joy in her heart. This was the family she had always dreamed of. It was hard for her when she realized that there is a possibility Sinclair might never get to enjoy the perks of having a complete family. Seeing her fears fade away makes her very happy.
“Hey baby, what’s on your mind?” Leo sat next to her panting heavily as he drank from the water bottle next to her. Sinclair was still holding onto the balloon in his hand and running with it. “Where does he get so much energy from?”
Darby laughed, “I wonder myself.”
“I am missing you though.” He mused in a seductive voice wrapping her neck with his palm to pull her closer to him.
Nuzzling her nose against his, Darby moaned when his lips touched hers. Her hormones stood on high alert at his soft touches. The moment was cut short when Sinclair ran towards them.
“Daddy, I want to drive the horse.” He announced pointing in the direction of the horse.
The adults laughed awkwardly. “I have to go.” Leo said, thinning his lips.
Placing a quick kiss on his lips, Darby grinned sheepishly. “Today isn’t the day.”
Standing up begrudgingly, Leo let himself get pulled by Sinclair away from her. She waved at them feeling her cheeks go red. Thankfully she had a wide hat on, no one would be able to see through her.
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CHLOE’S OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO.
Staring at herself in the restroom mirror, Chloe huffed loudly. She hated how much attention she was paying to her looks all because of Zac. The call came out of nowhere when she was least expecting it. Even though she tries to move on like nothing is wrong, since she got the constant support of her father and Desire. Her mother had chosen to keep away from her. It made Chloe crave from a different kind of support and affection. It bothered her that she would go through the pains of carrying a child all alone without it’s father.
Zac calling and asking for a chance to speak to her gave Chloe a bit of hope. She had tried to be unresponsive to him at first, just to show that his presence doesn’t mean anything but he seemed hellbent on talking to her. Giving in, Chloe had sent him her location. Clearing her throat she walked out of the restroom and settled into the couch. Her visit to the restroom had become quite frequent the bigger her belly got. Rubbing at it slowly, a small smile crept up her lips. She would no doubt love her child so much.
A light knock came from behind the door and she knew it was Zac. “Come in.” She called out.
Zac opened the door, walking stealthily towards her. “Hi.”
“Hey.” She responded coldly.
“Really? Are you going to act that way since I am here?” He inquired unable to hold himself back.
Chloe snickered, adjusting herself on the couch. “What is it you have to say, Zac? I am a very busy woman. Also how did you know I stay here in San Francisco?” She asked curiously.
“Darby told me and before you get pissed at her. I pleaded hard for her to tell me.” He lied, not wanting to breed an unsolicited anger.
“Okay. So?”
“I didn’t expect that you would still be this off with me.”
“How else do you expect me to react to you? It’s not like we are friends or something. And I clearly remember you questioning my dignity.” Chloe couldn’t resist guilt tripping him. His blunt refusal had plagued her mind for a long while.
Zac rubbed at the back of his neck, “I’m sorry for everything that I did. I am not going to try and justify my actions then. But I really want to make things right, now that you live next to me. I am guessing this is another chance the universe is giving unto me to do the right thing. Please, Chloe.”
Sighing, she glanced down at her nails. “I’m sorry, Zac. Probably I was too harsh on you. I just didn’t want to feel left behind or unwanted. My mother already sees me as a disappointment. She doesn’t want anything to do with me. And there is you who is the father of my child. I have had to force myself on people for a long time. I didn’t want that to be the case with my child too. I had to be courageous for the both of us, when you refused to accept it. I have no intention of trapping you, I only want you to be involved with the child. Despite the fact that my parents were together, I never got to feel the joy of having both parents. They were always too busy to spend time with me. In essence, I don’t want history to repeat itself.” She breathed out heavily after saying those words without missing a bit.
“I guess we both have parents issues, just different angles.” Zac chuckled. “My father isn’t exactly a good one. I became scared as I grew older that I might act exactly like him, since my mom says I am an exact replica of him. It bothered me that I was about to become a father when I wasn’t ready mentally.”
“But you love Darby’s son.”
“Probably because he isn’t mine. It’s easy to show love to him, knowing there is a little kind of emotional attachment. Also the boy is so dear that a cold heart would melt at the sight of him. I didn’t plan on becoming a biological father just yet, I was okay with just being a father to Sinclair.”
Chloe observed him closely, all of the emotions that weighed him down was on his face. She could understand where he was coming from. Reaching for his hand, Chloe patted his gently.
“I know this journey is new and unexpected. But I want you to know that we can get through this together. All that matters is opening our hearts and letting fate take it’s course.”
Zac smiled, covering her hand with his. “It’s why I am here. I am fully ready to take up this responsibility without fail. I want to help massage your feet when they feel heavy and get you all of your cravings without complain. Whatever you need me to be, I will readily give myself up for it.”
She laughed lightly, “I see Darby has been giving you some tutorials on how you can come in handy.”
He grinned, “I should be awarded for being a good student then. So, let’s start with this, what are you craving at the moment?”
“I actually need to supervise two houses decoration in the next one hour.” She replied.
“Hmmm, I am off work today and I would love to be at your service. I will get you whatever you need and drive down to where you would be. We can take it off from there.”
“Okay, I want some ice cream, apple pie, drumsticks-”
“Wow, wow! Are you going to eat all of that?”
Making a cute face, she blinked rapidly. “Trust me, they are going to fit right in this belly.”
“I thought the doctor said not to indulge in much fat.”
Chloe pouted. “It’s too early for you to police me. You just said it yourself that you are willing to be of service.”
“Okay. I will get them, but I get to supervise the amount you consume. I don’t want you falling sick.” He said with concern on his face.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, Chloe bit on her lower lip shyly. It felt good having someone entirely different from her dad and godmother fuss over her. “Alright.”
“I would go now, share me your location so I can drive back easily.”
Picking up her phone, she tapped on it. “I have shared you the location.”
Standing up, Zac held up a thin smile. “Alright, see you soon.”
Her eyes lingered on the door even when it shut close. Chloe couldn’t keep the blush away from her face. It won’t be so bad after all. Now that Zac has chosen to take charge of his responsibility. All she needs to do is sit back and relax. Scrolling through her phone she dialed Desire.
‘Godmother!’ Chloe screeched into the receiver .
Desire’s soft laugh sifted into the receiver. ‘My darling. What has gotten you so excited?’
‘Now, don’t sound pessimistic. I know you hate his guts at the moment. But I just need to tell it to you. Zac was here few minutes ago and we kicked off on the right foot.’ She squealed.
There was a brief silence on the other end and a light noise on the background. Desire cleared her throat. ‘I know how hard this is for you right now, darling. I just need you to not rely too much on him to avoid getting hurt, please. It’s his duty to be next to you, the child is his but it will s necessary that you don’t become heartbroken at the end of it all.”
Chloe’s eyes laced with tears, she sniffed. ‘I know you think I am stupid. But I am not excited because I think he is interested in me.’
‘That’s not what I am talking about, baby.’
‘It definitely is. You don’t need to tell it to me directly. I just need you to know that Zac is here to do what is right and I am definitely going to indulge him for my child’s sake. You don’t have to worry about me. Thanks. Have a good day.’ She said ending the call.
Exhaling loudly, Chloe tried to calm herself. She shouldn’t have called with so much excitement evident in her voice. But then she has learnt overtime that being the softhearted person won’t keep you from getting hurt. As long as one keeps striving to be better, the hurts will fade off. What matters the most is to live. Which is exactly what she plans on doing.
To be a role model to her kid, she has to be ready to face every challenges that comes. Cowering away will only make her a replica of her mother. No matter what anyone says, Chloe has decided to put her trust in Zac. Fate will decide the rest.