CHAPTER 48: Our Memories

CLAIRE’s P.O.V.

We are currently on a trip, waiting for our plane to land in order to see our home again. The country we’ve come from. How I miss the fresh air and the very accommodating people. Because of Darren, I finally got the chance to feel that again.

Speaking of him, he’s now sitting by my side while our daughter is in another seat next to him. She was looking out of the window, while Darren is staring intensely at me.

“What?” I asked, confused at his stares.

“Nothing. Just let me stare at you for a moment.”

I just chuckled before giving him a quick peck of a kiss on his cheeks. He instantly blushed, and that made me laughed.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“Uhm... Nothing? I just wanted to kiss my husband.”

Again, I saw a glint of red on his cheeks.

“Why Dada blushing?” We heard our daughter stated.

Darren just laughed before pinching her nose.

“Nothing, baby. Please don’t mind your Daddy. Just take a good sleep so you will have a lots of energy when you finally meet your grandpa.”

“Okay!” She rested her head on the seat before closing her eyes shut.

She’s a very smart kid. And she never failed to listen to whatever we said. As Darren realized that Cloey was not planning to open her eyes anymore, he faced me again to continue our conversation.

“Please don’t tease me in front of our daughter. You know that she’s very observing about things.”

“Alright, fine. Cloey’s a smart kid, Darren, but she wouldn’t mind us. Look, she’s now asleep,” I stated before reaching my hand to cup my daughter’s face.

Darren looked at her unbelievably. He is still amused by the fact that our daughter can fall asleep just like that in a short period of time.

“How does she do it? She’s just awake a moment ago and now she’s asleep...”

“Don’t be too fascinated, Darren. It’s just normal for kids in her age.”

“But...” He’s still confused right now.

“I remembered the day that you told me that you hated kids. Why is there a sudden change of decision?” I asked knowingly.

“Uhm... I’ve got your talent. Spending some time with them makes me feel really happy... Just like when I first met Alexa. She’s so adorable. And I realized that someday, maybe someday, I wanted a kid too. Before we fought and you leave, I’m already planning to have a child back then... And of course I wanted you to be the mother... And now, all of those dreams and wishes came true. I already have you too.”

“Well that’s sweet.”

I can’t help but to pinch his left cheek. I gave him a quick kiss before composing myself for hours of sitting in the plane. Darren smiled towards me before holding my hand.

“I love you, wife.”

“I love you too.”

“I’ll just take a nap now. See you in my dreams.”

“Sure.” I laughed.

He then rest his head on the comfy chair before closing his eyes. I couldn’t help but to drool over him, and to my daughter as well. These two are the most precious people for me at the moment. I couldn’t wish for more now that I finally have them. I feel complete, and happy.

As my husband and daughter slumber into a deep sleep, I also try to dream... While I’m still awake. I try to remember everything that Darren and I had gone through just to get at this peaceful yet very fulfilling moment. Our memories...

Looking back at the first time we met, it was a complete disaster. I was half soaking wet because of the rain while Darren and Elijah was currently driving towards their house. Thankfully, my co-teacher decided to help me and gave me a ride home.

I didn’t want to look at that arrogant face of Darren that time. Even though he looked so dominant, his face had brought an intense curiosity into my mind. I couldn’t forget how he tried to put on a facade of arrogance when our eyes met and I tried to smiled at him.

Fate forced me to deal with this man as Dad had to gone through a series of heart surgeries. I became his fake, rented wife. But that label didn’t stop us to know more about each other. To chase each other’s heart.

As we’ve gone through several difficulties in life and love, I finally got to know him better. His story, and the reason behind his arrogant mask. I learned not to judge someone by their actions because everything has a reason behind it. And Darren was one of those people. He loves his mother so much that it brought hatred to his Dad. Thankfully, things went fine as we got his approval.

Our first kiss. It was in front of his father, me trying to act unsurprised even though that kiss was my first one. Then he asked me for date... The date that I couldn’t forget. The first time I brought him not to a fancy place but to a peaceful one. Our first night together... My first night in their residence. Every first time that I cherish for I knew that those memories will forever remain crystal clear in my mind.

And also, the first night we did it. The night that we brought our beautiful and angelic daughter to the world. That night was definitely one of the memories I shared with him that I must remember for the rest of my life.

We made it through ups and downs. We fought. We surrender. We learned something. But it all ends up for us to find each other again. To reconcile and to mend our broken hearts.

“Momma?”

I came back to my senses as soon as I heard my daughter’s voice. She sounds so sleepy, and her eyes were both half open.

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Are we there?”

“Not yet, Cloey. Are you excited to meet your grandpa?”

“Yes!”

I chuckled at her obvious response before I heard Darren moved and looked at us.

“What’s the matter? Is everything alright?” he asked, worried.

“Yeah. Cloey is just asking if we are there yet. I think she’s too excited to meet her grandpa.”

Darren smiled before patting Cloey’s head.

“Don’t worry, my little princess. We are almost there. I’m sure that Dad will be delighted to see you too.”

“Grandpa?”

“Yes, baby. Just hang in there for a moment.”

She smiled at us before pointing her tumbler. I quickly gave it to her so that she can have a drink. Darren assisted her before looking at me.

“Looks like you haven’t got your nap yet,” he stated.

“Yeah. But I’m fine, so don’t worry.”

“You’ll be tired later, wife...”

“It’s okay. I don’t want to go to sleep.”

“Why?” he asked, his voice was full of curiosity.

“This reality is way better than any other dream.”

He chuckled before he planted a kiss on my forehead. After that, at the same exact moment, the pilot announced that our plane is now landing. A few moments later, we felt shaky for our plane had arrived at our destination. We are now at the Philippines. We are back, and we are finally home.

“Welcome home, wife,” Darren stated.