CHAPTER 29

Somewhere in the downside of LA, Logan and his team were running around trying to organize a surprise party. His office was bubbling with activity. The team, comprising three ladies and two men, went about moving tables and knocking out chairs. They rearranged everywhere in such a little time. Then they went on to decorate the room. The petal flower was arranged in a very big love shape. From the entrance, roses were sparsely sprinkled on the floor. They formed a unique welcome on the red carpet. At the center where the petals were arranged to form love was another inscription: Will you marry me?

The tables were arranged in a semi-circle of four. It was meant to be a private affair. So only a few chairs were brought in, cleaned and set alongside the table. He planned on having only important people attending the event. And, of course, Swiss. Her presence was crucial. She didn't approve of the surrogacy of her daughter. Like him, she found the idea 'unthinkable'. He couldn't even imagine Evan going for such. Somehow though, he feels he pushed her into this. If he hadn't been caught with naked pictures of himself and Mary online, he doubted Evangeline would have resulted in this.

Which was why he needed to do everything in his power to fix this mistake. Her mother would be thrilled to know he had something more, something better for her daughter. He instructed the team to place her chair right beside the seats decorated for himself and Evan. A bottle of champagne was set on each table. Glass cups, cutleries and snacks were placed on the table.

Logan looked around; satisfied with the arrangement, he proceeded to call the people to attend the small show. He called Zoe to help him get Evangeline to the location he had set up for the proposal. But Zoe apologized and bailed out. Her excuse wasn't even legit. Who picks up laundry at 5 pm and stay hours till it's done because she needed the clothes urgently? It was a lie. Zoe didn't want to be involved. But she had to be. He didn't let that stop him. He went on to invite Mrs. Swiss. "Oh, I'm sorry, Logan. I may not be able to get down to LA anytime soon. I have a couple of things going on here, and it calls for caution."

"Okay, ma'am. Another time then."

"Definitely." Mrs. Swiss said, "Again, I'm sorry to cancel. I know I promised to be there. Be sure to invite me another time."

"I will." He replied, his mind already thinking of what to do next. Frustrated, he ended the call and kicked the table. With his backed turned to the team, they looked at each other suspiciously. Logan took his car keys and stepped out. Did it mean he had wasted all these for nothing? He had been planning this occasion for a long while now. As he stepped out, he saw Jason dropping Zoe. He got angry. Zoe had just lied to him about her excuse for not coming. So she had been with Evan? And Jason too. Was she already switching sides? He thought she was one person she could count on to get his woman back to him. Evangeline stepped down to hug her friend briefly. From where he stood, he knew they both had something to whisper about. Both women said something in each other's ears, smiled, and Evan went back into the car. Zoe's car was parked somewhere there. She waved and went to get it. Curiosity made Logan follow the car. They were headed towards Evan's apartment.

******

"So, how did the meeting go?" Evangeline asked, stepping down from the car. Jason had come round to open the door and help her get down. When she got down, he brushed aside some hair that had escaped from the ponytail wrap she had her hair weaved into. Evan smiled her thanks, and they both went in.

Logan watched the two in fascination. They were so comfortable in each other's company. Something had changed between the two. They seemed friendlier. He brought out his phone and called his PI. "Did you say they visited the doctor?" He asked, shocked at what he was being told. "So she's pregnant?" wow! He didn't know she had gone ahead with the surrogacy. He sat down in the car before driving off. But even if Evan was pregnant, it didn't mean he couldn't have her. Could he? At least she wasn't going to be dating the man. It was simply going to be an arranged relationship. The surrogacy was intravenous, not sexually. He still had a chance.

Walking through the large corridor to the apartment, Jason replied. "The meeting went well. How's Zoe too?"

"She's okay. I should introduce you both." Evan said. "What are we having?" She asked, seeing opening a wrap he had with him. It was dinner packed in small plates: fried rice, roasted snail, salad, chicken wings, sauce and beef. He set the table and asked her to sit. "You're bent on fattening me upright."

"You finally got me." He smiled, "Plus, I've not eaten anything since breakfast. I'm famished." he admitted.

"Then let's dig in."

When they were done, he cleared the table and came round to sit with her, "I should head out now. It's getting late."

Evangeline lifted her head slightly to look at him, "You're not joking."

He started at her; a bit confused, "Joke about what exactly?"

Laying her head gently on the pillow he had helped adjusted, she nodded as if to bolster her words, "You are staying here tonight. I have more rooms than I can sleep in." She told him.

"Are you sure that's okay? I had James's book a hotel already."

"Cancel it. I want you to stay." She told him quite frankly. Then getting off the couch, she said, "I'll go check on the room. See if there's a need to change the sheets. I'll be right back."

Later, they settled down to watch a movie before turning in for the night. As they watch the movie, she realized she was very restless. The love couch wasn't comfortable any longer. She wished she could find something to rest on. Jason noticing her discomfort, passed her a pillow. When she smiled appreciatively, he switched the pillow and asked her to lean closer. She did, and he placed the pillow on her laps and gently laid her head on it. No one said anything about their kiss the other night, and it hung like an unspoken phrase in the air. 'Maybe it didn't mean anything to him after all,' was Evan's last thought as she drifted off to sleep.

CHAPTER 30

Robert Swiss parked a safe distance from the house. He got out of the car and looked around the city. Breathing in the fresh air seemed like something Evangeline, his youngest daughter, would do. He inhaled and exhaled, eyes closed and just let the Miami air sink in again. It was refreshing to be back here. He had grown up in the suburbs. Miami always had and would always be home. As he made his way into his home, he prepared himself for what he would meet. His wife, he was sure, wouldn't welcome him with open arms. Though she had called and invited him down here, he knew she was only fulfilling the obligation. Their parting hadn't exactly gone right. She had made it clear their terms on parting. It wasn't legal yet, but it was a written agreement.

He walked briskly towards the compound. Everything was exactly as he had left it. Even the gate's passcode hadn't been changed. The walls looked shinier, though, an indication at some point after he left, it had been repainted. Breathing heavy, he stepped to the door and turned the knob. As he opened the door, a cold fruit salad was thrown in his face. Shocked, he stood staring at the mess. If he had expected a warm welcome, this was far from it. This was a very cold welcome splashed all over his face.

The objects of his plight were his two grandchildren, Ethan and Elizabeth. They were having a food battle as they kept throwing things. He stood watching the drama. The twins paused to see the intruder. He didn't look harmful. If he did, mother said to run from such people. He didn't look familiar either. Mother said not to hang around strangers. So, they ignored the older man and went about throwing their fruits. Every fruit each twin dodged landed on the man. "Sorry." they'd yell and continue their game. He stood rooted to the same spot, bags in hands, looking from one twin to the other as they ran around the living quarters.

The kids reminded him of his own. Evangeline was always one to throw a tantrum. Her fighting instinct being to throw things first. He remembered the day he had come home to a messy apartment. The kids had been throwing things at each other. He hated that! Being the first home, he had been so sick at the sight he came home to meet. He didn't step a foot inside. He just closed the door and went to sit it out in the car. His wife came in hours later to meet him asleep in the .early

"What are you doing in the car?" Mrs Swiss asked, tapping the car glasses to wake him up.

"You should go in first." He urged. Mrs. Swiss laughed as she opened the door. "Here we go again." She sighed and entered the house to clean up. It was after she was done that he went inside. The following day, he sat the kids down and warned them never to throw things and mess up the home like yesterday.

Finally, with the weight of the bag weighing heavily on his hand, Robert Swiss was brought back to the present. "So good to be home!" He groaned and dropped his bag. Recognition finally dawned! The twins ran towards the man screaming, "Grandpa." Though they've never met him before, they had seen his pictures. Even now, they both stared at the man then at a huge portrait of him on the wall.

"Yes, that's me." the man said, smiling even as his wife walked into the room.

"Hello, husband." Seeing the mess the kids had made of the living room, she taunted, "Want to sit this one out too?" His wife asked, clearly remembering the incidence too.

He shook his head, "They didn't listen to me then, did they?" He groaned, "If they had, these little minions wouldn't have picked up on it."

The twins grinned at their grandfather, and he forgot he had been a little put off by the welcome greeting he got. "Welcome home, grandpa." They both chorused. Well, it's been a long time here.

Though it was late hours of the morning, Evangeline was just waking up. She was surprised to see that Jason, too, was still around and sleeping too. They had both slept in the living room while watching the movies. As she stirred, he moved too. "Hey." She greeted.

"Good morning." He replied, helping her up. "Did you have a good night?"

"I did, which is very funny. I didn't even wake up in the night."

"We did sleep late." He told her. He was still holding her hand. Evangeline looked at the hand and then pulled away. "What's your day like today?"

"Got some couple things to do at the office. But that can wait. I can have it done on the laptop too if it becomes a matter of urgency" looking closely at her, he asked, "Why are you asking?"

"Just to know when to get the breakfast started." She looked at the time, "Maybe even brunch. What would you like to eat?"

"Not sure. What do you have?"

She went towards her refrigerator. "I've got enough to last us many weeks." She told him, "Considering they could spoil, we better make good use of them now." Withdrawing some items from the fridge, she went towards the kitchen.

"You can take some with you on the trip back."

"I always come here too. I'm sure it will be okay." She was already moving plates and getting ready to get the cooking started.

Jason got off the couch and started to arrange the living room. Done with the chore, he went to join her in the kitchen. She was reaching for some container in the upper cabinet. Since he was very much taller than her, he helped her to retrieve it and set it down on the table.

"You're making ..." He was saying before he notices her swooning. He quickly held her. Holding her in place, they stayed that way for a while.

Evangeline had been about turning to thank him when she misplaced her foot and started to fall. The shock of almost tripping made her still, so still Jason asked what was wrong. She nodded stiffly. He lifted her and carried her back to the living room. Then he went to get a cup of water. She drank gratefully, passed him the empty cup and laid down on the love couch.

"Are you okay?" He asked again, sitting beside her.

A tear dropped down her face. She was still in shock, and though she didn't understand the tears, she was only too relieved he had been there to prevent the fall. What could have happened to the baby? She shivered. He gently brushed off the tear and pulled her closer. As he did, his hands encircled her in a hug. It suddenly becomes hot in the room. Evan shifted uncomfortably under his hug. He pulled her back and looked at her. Evan noticed his eyes had gone dark. The look in his dark blue eyes drew her in. She reached for his face, tracing the taut line of his jaw. He captured the hand, turned the palm to his mouth and kissed it. She felt her stomach fluttered. It was just a kiss to the hands, yet he made her feel so alive.

He lifted her face to his. Their unspoken kiss hung in the air again. They both remembered, and both wanted it. Yet, he did nothing but look into her face. It appears like he was seeking her consent before kissing her, or was that him giving himself a million and one reasons why he shouldn't. She pulled away, not sure she could give him the go-ahead he desperately needed from her. He had to figure it out himself. But he didn't let her stand. He reached for her hand and pulled her back to him. When his head came down to hers, and his mouth parted hers, she opened up to him without any resistance. That was as far an answer she was ever going to give him.

The kiss was light at first. Like he had been testing out a theory, trying to know what was it about their kids that made him so excited. She was as curious as he was, wanting to know if he felt this current between them. The kiss was a gentle one, with both savoring the other. He lightly held her in place while his tongue invaded her crevices. She drank him in, pulling him in, demanding more.

Jason was all too happy to oblige her. There was no thought. No way to think about what he was doing or what she was making him do to her. All that matters were the way he felt this very minute. The kiss changed from a mere sampling to something more. Evan was demanding more, and he wanted more too. His hands drew her closer, pressing her to him. Then her hands unbuttoned his shirt, and she was in his naked skin. He sucked in a breath when she lightly brushed his nipple. He was so hard it hurt. He returned the favor by releasing her mouth and kissing her neck. Her moan was all the invite he needed to pull her clothing down. He started to kiss her again then bent to kiss her nape. She gasped, throwing caution to the air. She opened his shirt.

He reached for her too. Her boldness turned him on. He liked a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to demand it. He let his hands slide down her boobs. She wasn't wearing any bra underneath her nightwear, so it was easy to get her breast out. He looked at her in pure lust before letting his hand cup each breast. As he let their heavy weight get used to his palm, he returned to kissing her. Evangeline moaned when he kneaded both breasts. And just as they were in deep throes of passion, her phone began to ring. The ringing phone made them pull apart. Evangeline's breath was uneven, and so was his. She was happy she had that effect on him as he did hers.

"I'm sorry." He said

He looked almost sorry. Her mood plummeted, just like that. She checked her phone to see that her caller was her sister, "Not a good time." She whispered, gritted teeth and all. Then sitting up straighter, she asked, "Dad is where?" She said, staring into Jason's. "He's back in Miami. Wow"

CHAPTER 31

Adriana finished clearing the living room and the dishes and went to the kids' room. Noah had come home exhausted after his two-week travel and was up with them. She was exhausted herself, too, from the office stress and the workload at home. Guilt didn't make her put Noah up for it. She would have dodged the chores.

But he did look exhausted, so she had asked that he put them to bed while she cleared the place. But that was half an hour ago. He wasn't back. She had tried to be casual around him despite the doubts she had. Mother's discovery had been weighing her down lately. Since he got back, she had been putting a few distances between them. Sure, she kissed him when he came in. But it wasn't easy kissing Noah, not getting swooned by his exotic kisses. Still, she had been able to pull back.

"I need to turn off the gas." She lied and bolted. The twins kept him distracted after that. Dinner had been loud and noisy as usual. The kids bombarded him with questions. An occasional 'table manner' from the parents, only keeping them quiet for few minutes before someone would remember something he or she had to say. Which meant the parents barely had any chance of speaking to each other. 'It was good in maintaining the status quo', Adriana thought gloomily. Better to keep him at bay for a while. So, when she suggested he put them to bed, it was so she could put a distance between them.

She had a quick shower and then went to the kids' room to kiss them goodnight. As she turned the doorknob, she heard Elizabeth giggling and stayed hidden behind the door. Their dad was telling them a bedtime story. "Bedtime stories don't make you giggle." Elizabeth said, then laughed at her father. Noah patted her hair and kissed her forehead. Adriana watched as he pulled Ethan closer too. For a seven-year-old, Elizabeth acted more mature and too smart for her age. "Bedtime stories are lullabies. Tell us something to make us fall asleep." She insisted.

"But I just did. You chose not to fall asleep." Noah feigned ignorance.

"Dad, you told us about a giant rat nibbling a boy's shoe and mistakenly swallowed the rattle. When the boy came, he couldn't run fast enough." Ethan chuckled, lifting himself off the bed.

"Nice recap there, Champ." Noah ruffled the little boy's hair while he, in turn, hopped into his dad's laps. He intentionally pushed his sister aside, looking for her trouble.

"Hey." Elizabeth yelled, her hands instantly on her brother's hair. Noah pulled the two apart and placed himself between them. The two glared at each other.

'Behave or no story." He threatened. The twins smiled at each other in mocking sweetness and turned to their dad with innocent eyes.

Adriana chuckled, "who taught them that?" She whispered and quickly covered her mouth. Thankfully, the three occupants of the room did catch that.

"Another story, please." The twins pleaded with their dad

Noah stretched, before saying "Promise you'd sleep after this story."

"If you sing as mom does, we will." Elizabeth replied smartly.

"I won't sing. But I can call your mom to come over so she could sing?"

"No. Mom's been stressed all day. You tell us." Ethan replied.

Adriana pressed her two hands towards her chest, so happy her kids are so understanding. It always amazes her how they can be so smart for their age even though they can be naughty. She waited a while, interested in the story their dad would tell them.

"Well, move closer." He said. They moved closer, and he pulled the duvet higher, then moved down himself. This way, all three were tucked in bed and covered to the neck. "Did I tell you the story of the Owl that sleeps at night?"

"No." Ethan said, shaking his head vigorously. "I don't think so." Said Elizabeth, too.

"Then, I'll tell you that one." He gently eased into the bedtime story by changing his voice tone, "A long time ago." He began. The kids chuckled but still, he went on with the story. "An owl...."

"Wait a minute, dad. Do owls sleep at night?" Ethan asked curiously. "I was wondering too. Mom once told us a story about Owls and Bunny. The owl slept during the day leaving his friend, Bunny sad and bored." Elizabeth added.

Expecting that already, their dad smiled at them and replied, "Yes. Owls are strange creatures. They sleep all day and wake up in the night when the world is just about going for its nap."

"So did this one...?" Elizabeth asked, and Ethan quickly butts in. "Let's listen to the story, Liz." he scolded his twin and inched closer to his dad.

"Okay, so no more interruption, kids." And he continued the story. "Owls always sleep all day only to wake up in the night. They saw nothing strange in this. After all, everywhere would be silent and every other creature asleep. The world, as it were, big and beautiful, was all theirs to play with. It was fun that way until one particular owl became too curious."

"Oooh." The twins chorused.

Their dad smiled and continued the story. From behind the door, Adriana stooped down to listen to the story too. "This owl was sick and couldn't sleep all day while his family slept. He was given every available drug.

Eventually, when night came, he slept." Noah adjusted himself in the bed. Ethan was almost sleeping now. He tickled the little boy, "So when he slept, he was awake the following day and a little better. His family went to bed, as usual, leaving him. The poor owl was bored. He had nothing to do. So, he stepped out to play, thinking he wouldn't have anything to do. To his surprise, he was greeted by a beautiful world that was bright and beautiful. The world shines brighter. The moon was hidden behind a bigger, brighter light, the sun. The water seemed to have changed in intensity. It wasn't a deeper shade of blue anymore. It was a lighter shade. For the first time, he could tell the color of the tree. They were green with freshness..."

A gentle snore beside him made Noah stop the story. He had been stalling intentionally, hoping the kids would be bored and doze off. He looked at the kids. They were both sound asleep. Stretching quietly, he got down from the bed and lifted Elizabeth off the bed. He moved her to her bed.

Adriana seeing that he was almost done and would be headed to the room tiptoed back to their room. She got into bed and pretended to be asleep. A few minutes later, Noah came in, saw his sleeping wife and went for a shower. When he came back, he slides into bed tiredly. He was already snoring by the time Adriana finished counting to fifty. Then she turned slightly and wondered as she drifted off to sleep what had brought their father back after many years of silence.

She had intentionally kept that little bit of information from her husband too. It would appear there's a lot of that between them now. She hated going through this to him. But she was torn between finding the truth and the shreds of evidence staring at her. The PI whose contact Evan had shared was yet to get back. She desperately hopes her mother was wrong about it.