Chapter 22. Back home

After 3 months of not seeing her child, now Rose hugs Leo tightly. She missed Leo. It was inconceivable if they were cooped up in that palace forever. She would never see Leo again.


Leo fell asleep after playing with Rose. Rose put Leo on the bed and kissed Leo's forehead. Then she looked at Tom as if coded to tell him everything that happened.


Tom, who understood, told the truth, without anything else to cover up.


"Rose, I'll explain. From the start, I was a werewolf, sorry I lied to you. But believe me, I don't want you to leave when you find out I'm not human," explained Tom long. Tom was afraid that after telling him everything Rose would leave him and Leo.


When Rose saw the look on Tom's face, he explained that he was sorry, because he had lied to her.


Rose wasn't angry, she was just disappointed that Tom had lied to her. Even if Tom told the truth it would be better. But she understood, if Tom said it from the start, she would be afraid and then stay away from Tom.


"And, this is my mother," continued Tom introducing Regina.


Rose was shocked because when she got married Tom said his mother was gone. And now, Tom introduces a woman as his mother. Which means, Tom has lied to her again.


"So, you lied to me again? You said that your mother is gone," said Rose angrily.


Will Tom ever lie to her again?


Rose is afraid that later she will continue to be lied to.


Tom lowered his head. "Sorry," said Tom quietly. Guilt enveloped him.


Tom didn't mean to lie to his wife. But, at that time he was forced to lie so they were together. And Tom can have Rose completely. If not, then Rose would not belong to him as he is now.


"Are there still lies that you are hiding from me? If so, say so. I don't want to live with lies," Rose said with great pressure.


Tom took Rose's hand to hold, Rose didn't reject it, she let Tom hold her hand.


"Rose, I don't intend to lie to you. I'm just afraid you'll leave me after knowing all this," regretted Tom.


Rose turned her gaze the other way. She didn't want to look at her husband's face.


"Rose, please forgive me. I have nothing to hide from you anymore," continued Tom hopefully. He hoped Rose would forgive him.


Tom wants to live in peace with his little family, as well as his mother. Now his happiness is complete, but Rose is angry with him for making that happiness incomplete.


Seeing Rose who turned her gaze in another direction, as if she was reluctant to look at herself, Tom had tears in his eyes.


Tom is sorry he lied to Rose.


Tom loves Rose.


Rose should know that!


Seeing Tom crying, Rose immediately wiped Tom's tears away. After all, Tom is her husband, who is forced to lie to cover up the situation.


"Now, don't cry," said Rose quietly. Rose didn't want Tom to feel like he was condescending in front of his mother.


Rose will try to accept everything, except now that she has become part of their nation.


"If you're still crying, I'll be mad at you again." Rose threatened to see Tom not stop crying.


Tom shook his head. "Don't be mad at me anymore, I'll stop crying," answered Tom quickly. He didn't want Rose to be angry again, he just lived in peace with them.

"I have forgiven you, as long as you don't ever lie to me again. Besides, now I'm also like you,"


Rose looked at Regina's face with a smile. "Mom, I'm sorry I got angry and ignored you," she said. Rose felt that her behavior was impolite towards Regina.


Regina returned Rose's smile. "It's okay my daughter-in-law, it's also Tom's fault. It's normal if you're angry," she replied gently.


Even if Rose is angry, Regina understands. Naturally, Rose felt lied to by her son. The important thing is that now Rose has accepted herself, and that alone makes Regina happy.


Regina held Rose's hand. "And thank you too, for accepting me and Tom so well. I know this is not easy for you," he said.


"Yes, ma'am. But that's okay, the important thing is that Tom and I can still live together. Coupled with your presence, we will be happy together," said Rose with a small laugh.


"I'll introduce you to my mother later, okay?"


"Yes, Rose."


Tom spread his smile seeing the closeness of Rose and Regina. What he had been waiting for for so long, had finally come true. Live quietly with the people he loves.


Regina stared at little Leo's sleeping face. "Can you hold Leo?" Regina asked carefully.


"Of course, you can," said Rose.


Hearing Rose's answer, Regina took Leo in her arms. Kissed his cheek repeatedly, until Leo was distracted and woke up.


"Grandmother's grandson is awake, huh?"


Leo looked at the woman holding him, then he cried.


"Hey now don't cry, I'm not a bad person. I'm your grandma Leo." Regina tried to rock Leo to stop crying.


But, still. Leo just kept crying. Rose drew closer to Leo.


Rose kissed Leo's chubby cheek. "Don't be afraid, Leo. The one holding you is your grandmother," whispered Rose while stroking Leo's chubby cheeks.


As if understanding Rose's whisper, Leo who had been crying became silent. Even Leo looked at Regina's face with a smile.


"Why? Have you realized that I am your grandmother?"


Leo answered with incoherent babbling. Regina chuckled, she kissed Leo's cheeks repeatedly until his cheeks turned red.


"Look at Rose, Leo immediately smiled with mom," Tom shouted at Rose as he saw the scene in front of him.


Rose nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're right. It seems Leo is very happy," said Rose, she watched Leo's face who was laughing happily with Regina.


"Hey, I forgot to ask you. Why are things missing in our house? Are there any thieves?" Tom asked Rose, maybe Rose knew.


Because when Tom entered the house, there were things that were not in their place. He was afraid that Leo would get hurt.


"Sorry, Tom. I sold your stuff to buy Leo's milk when you guys weren't here," Millie interrupted quickly when she saw Rose wanted to answer.


Millie feels guilty for selling things in Tom's house. However, he had no other choice.


"It's okay, I think there are thieves or Arcyl's men coming here again. I'm afraid Leo will get hurt," Tom answered with relief.


"Nathaniel, Millie, you guys just rest, you must be tired," said Tom.


They must be tired, Millie who looked after Leo for several months without stopping, and Nathaniel who made a plan with him to get free from Arcyl's palace.

Nathaniel and Millie followed Tom's words. They immediately went to rest.


"Mom, you must be hungry, right? What if we cook? But we have to buy the ingredients first because the food ingredients are running out in this house." Rose was not in the mood.


"Yes Rose, no problem. Mom will go with you to buy vegetables later," replied Regina who was still playing with Leo.


"Then can I leave Leo with mother for a moment?" Rose asked Regina.


Regina stared at Rose. "What are you talking about? Why should I ask? Of course, you can, I have to play with Leo to my heart's content," Regina replied, Rose, smiled happily.


"Thank you, ma'am. We won't be long, really." by Rose.


"It doesn't matter how long it takes. I love playing with Leo," she said.


Tom pulled Rose's hand into their room. They sat on the edge of the bed.


"Rose, have you forgiven me?" Tom asked, his hand still not letting go of Rose's wrist.


Rose looked at Tom probingly. "Don't you want me to forgive? Then that's fine, I don't care." Rose asked, pulling her hand from Tom's grip.


Rose walked and sat on the edge of the bed far from Tom.


Hearing Rose's words, Tom immediately sat beside Rose again. "No. That's not what I meant," said Tom frantically.


Tom just meant to ask to be sure. But Rose was even offended and angry again.


He couldn't if Rose was always angry.


Rose had to forgive him.


Rose must know that Tom loves her very much. I love him very very much.


"I just made sure earlier, I can't stand it if you keep getting mad at me," said Tom seriously.


Rose remained silent, she turned her gaze in another direction so as not to look at Tom's face that could melt her heart.


Tom cupped Rose's cheek to make her look at him. "Rose, you should know that I love you very much. I don't want you to get angry and walk away or even leave me and Leo," said Tom, worrying in his eyes that Rose would not forgive him.


Rose stared at her husband's face, her ears receptive to Tom's voice. No, this can't be. Instantly Rose melted upon hearing Tom's way and speech.


"Yes, I know that," she replied.


"I have forgiven you and accepted you, but you keep asking about it. It will only give me a headache," she continued.


Tom took Rose's hand to hold it. "I promise I won't ask that again. The important thing is that you have forgiven me," said Tom.


Rose only responded with a sweet smile.


"Never mind, let's go back. Mom and Leo must be waiting," said Rose standing up, walking out of the room followed by Tom.


"Even though it's okay if we take a long time, mom will understand. Besides, Leo doesn't cry either," said Tom on the sidelines of their journey.


"Ahhh!" groaned Tom, feeling pain from Rose's little pinch.


"Why are you so happy to pinch me? Even though I'm just telling you the truth." Tom sneered stroking his arm which got a few pinches from Rose.


"I'm sorry, but somehow pinching you like that. I'm addicted," said Rose jokingly.


"If I did, my hand would be bruised every day," answered Tom. Rose laughed at Tom's answer which she thought was funny.


Meanwhile, Tom smiled quietly. He was happy to be with Rose again. Now there is nothing she is afraid of, Rose even accepts herself and her mother well. Tom completely fell for Rose's charms.


Tom promised he would take care of Rose, Leo, and his mother. He wouldn't let them get hurt.