Chapter 287 - Two Hundred And Eighty-seven: Getting Married
The third point of view:
I was still giddy after meeting my kids. Truthfully, I had felt nervous to meet them at first but now, I couldn't let them go.
"Your mom told me you're Ailee," I said to the little girl who survived the bullet wound - my heart still aches for her. Her brother sat at her bedside, regarding me with his skeptical gaze. However, I now understood what Victor, my private investigator meant by "He was my replica". It was like staring at the younger version of myself. Even if I had reason to doubt Reina, there was no need to conduct a DNA test on this one.
My amber orbs, strong jawline, and brown hair, he had it all. I could almost say the same for my temperament except Allen was quiet and slightly cold - that trait must have been inherited from his grandfather Adam.
I am not quiet nor emotionally distant - maybe a little considering I never open up easily?- but if I was as cold as a popsicle, how could I have gotten all those women into my bed - I'm trying not to be boastful of my achievements here, fellows. If I had a bit of Allen's bone-chilling aura, all the ladies would have scampered for safety.
Adam should take the credit for Allen's personality. My father had more words in his head than he would release out; he was a man of little words. I'll just put more effort into the boy so he doesn't end up like his grandfather.
"Yes, I'm Ailee. I've read so much about you, father," the girl boomed a smile at me.
I was uneasy on my feet, I wondered what she read about me. This is why parents should set good examples for their kids - trust me, they're going to ask you about that later.
Turns out Ailee was the chatty one and had more of Reina's features and a little bit of Sakuzi in her - probably Isabella the second.?I just hope she's no worse than her sister, I'm too old to handle another of those infuriating pranks.
"Allen, aren't you excited to see your father? You were the one always bugging me to meet him, " Reina too sensed he wasn't that excited to see me.
"Yeah, because I wanted to confirm we weren't fatherless but now, I'm thinking if he's worth everything, " He said, apathetically
"Allen!" She called his name with a warning tone.
"It's okay," I raised my hand to stop Reina from scolding the boy, plus that angry vein on her head was beginning to pop out.
"The boy is right,"
"What?" Reina was dumbfounded.
"I've not been a part of his life for seven years - I'm not trying to blame you for that, Reina - but he's been fine all those years without me. He's smart to ask what I'd contribute to his life now,"
From the looks of things, Isabella has gotten herself a replacement if she's not interested in the company; her brother has the foresight and wiles.
"Look kiddo, I know you have no reason to trust me - you might even resent me for growing up without a father - but I'm your father and fathers love their children unconditionally," Speaking of which, I'm beginning to question Adam's fathership.
"As a human, I might bring you to anger sometimes - that's inevitable - yet I would shower you and your sister with all my love and my attention. That's a promise,"
There was a short silence, as they took in my words. Suddenly Allen asked, "What about mother? What's going on between the both of you. I don't do single parents,"?He demanded.
A smile tilted my lips, "Well, about your mother...." I drew her closer to me by the waist to her shock.
"Niklaus," She gasped, looking uneasily at the kids, "What are you doing?"
I ignored her, facing the kids,
"Well, with you kids permission, I wouldn't mind tying the knot with her,"
"What?!" Reina shrieked, staring at me like I've grown an extra eye.
Ailee whistled.
Allen smirked - guess his heart wasn't thoroughly frozen after all. He was a kid who needed love and attention and he would open up in no time.
"All in," Ailee answered for her brother too
"You're crazy, shouldn't you be asking for my permission too?"
"Honey, you gave up on your right to refuse after you ran from me for seven years," I told her exasperated self.
"You're shameless," she spat
"Yet you love me - shamelessness and all," I grinned at her, she lost the strength to quibble with me.
"I'm not marrying you without a ring on my finger - I heard Maya never received one," She insisted.
My smile deepened while her confusion grew as I got on one knee. I brought out a little box, opening it to reveal a ring with a bright white and sparkling marquise-cut diamond.
A gasp was torn from her lips as I took her right hand and said, "Would you, Reina Maya Armani Sakuzi make a man out of this hopeless fellow, Niklaus Spencer?"
"Why did you have a ring with you all this time?"
She purposely didn't add " while being tortured by my father?"
"I was looking for the best opening, Reina. So please respond to my proposal," I was almost pleading. The Maya I knew wasn't fickle but anything could happen, hence I needed an answer.
"But then, what if the ring had mistakenly fallen off?!" Reina sure had a Ph.D. in demoralizing my determination.
"Mom, just answer the damn proposal!" the twins spoke out in unison, unable to handle her hesitation anymore.
"Jesus! Fine! Yes, I would marry you," she agreed.
What a great relief! My heart finally resumed its normal rhythm. I gently slid the ring into the appropriate finger and Ailee released a triumphant shout.
"Wait a minute," Reina pulled back questioningly as soon as I leaned closer, "Were you just about to kiss me?"
"Yes? Any problem?" My brow arched.
"In front of the kids?"
She gestured to our children watching us intensely as if waiting for the very moment our lips connected.
"I'm sure they have no problem with their parent's showing a slight display of affection to each other,"
As if to confirm my words, the kids pursed their lips and shrugged nonchalantly.
"But still -"
I took that opportunity to kiss her, silencing her excuses.
I heard "Ohh's"?from the kids and the sound of a camera shutter but I didn't care, focusing all my attention on this woman in my arm. I couldn't believe it took a whole seven years to finally marry Maya Octavia.
So excited was I that immediately we pulled away from the kiss, I swept her off the ground. Reina screamed, grabbing onto my neck for support; I was just so happy.
We spent more time with the twins before Reina and I decided to go visit Isabella and as well, announce the good news to her.
We knocked on the door twice but when we got no response, I decided to go in; my hand intertwined with Reina's when we got the shock of our lives.
Pedro and Isabella were making out - fiercely - like he was on top of her and my dear daughter didn't seem to be complaining.
I didn't even understand why I was angry but I cleared my throat so loud the boy fell from the bed.
"Dad?!" Isabella readjusted her cloth with an embarrassed look.
"Isabella," My voice seemed fine but she clearly understood it wasn't as it appeared; a storm was brewing underneath.
"I didn't hear you come in,"
Isabella was low-key telling me that I should have knocked.
"I knocked but it seems you were busy - I understand why now," my murderous glare trained on Pedro who had now risen to his feet.
"Hi sir Niklaus," He breathed, accidentally meeting my dark gaze, "I think it's high time I left already,"
"Yes, it's time" I concurred.
"See you later, Isabella," He waved and almost passed us by when I placed my hand on his shoulder, Pedro stiffened.
I squeezed his shoulder, he has grown fine, "We'll talk about boundaries later, young man,"
"Of course," Pedro gave me a forced smile.
"Now go,"
He fled.
Isabella rolled her eyes, "That was not cool, old man,"
"I'm your father and would supervise-"
"I don't want to hear that," she interrupted me, "Please,"
"We would have a long talk about your manners and sex life as soon as you're okay," I told her nonetheless her unwillingness to listen, "Now, how are you doing?"
"Fine, and please tell me you have good news for me," She gestured at our intertwined hands with her eyes.
"Well, if you're that interested, then you should know that Reina and I are getting married,"
"Figures," said Isabella, not even half as excited as I expected. She added,
"No wonder, you're grinning like a monkey,"
" I'll take that as a compliment," I was too happy to get angry.
"So finally Maya, you finally get to be my mother, huh?"
"I don't remember much of my life as Maya," She notified her.
"Works fine then, some things are not worth remembering. We'd just make new ones then," Isabella for once behaved like a good kid.
Suddenly, a text came into my phone and I read it with a complicated expression.
"Reina," I nudged her with my shoulder, making sure Isabella could not hear our conversation, "It's Eden, he's here at the hospital and he wants us to meet, says he has something we might need it,"
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