Katherine POV“Mommy, wake up!” Erin’s childish voice was the first thing I noticed when I gained consciousness. I did not know how long I was out, but it felt nice to hear my little girl’s voice, even if it was just in my dreams. Oh, how I wish to hug and cuddle with Erin. With my eyes closed, I lifted my arms, hoping to close it around her small body. “Ahhh!” Erin exclaimed in surprise. Shocked, I opened my eyes instantly to my daughter’s warm presence. Happiness filled me when I burrowed my face into her downy head to inhale her sweet baby scent. Instantly, I felt relieved. Whatever was bothering me these past few days seemed insignificant with Erin around.Erin pulled away. The tips of her fingers wandered around my face. I closed my eyes to savor the gentle touch.Erin thought I was falling asleep again, so she forced my eyes open. “Mommy! Wake up!” I indulged her. Nothing in this world can make me say no to my little girl. When she saw me open my eyes, Erin grinned
Lucas POVI saw her blush, but it made me want to lean in a little closer to do what I had wanted to do since day one. But I was deprived of fulfilling my secret wish when the door opened, and Oliver walked in. My mood soured, especially when my gaze met Oliver’s knowing grin. “Perfect timing, bro.” I greeted, pulling my face away from Katherine, who looked awkward at the interruption. Forcing a smile on my face, I went to meet my best friend halfway.“Uncle Olly!” Erin looked up from the dolls she was playing with.Oliver walked toward Erin and ruffled her hair. “Hello, Erin. How are you?” Erin beamed at him. “I am fine. Mommy’s not, though. Do you think Uncle Matt will make her stay here for a long time?” She asked innocently. Maybe she was thinking about her confinement, which lasted for months. “Of course not. Actually, I came here to tell you that your Mommy will be discharged now.” Then, he looked in my direction. “I already processed the bill per your instructions.
Lucas POV“Aren’t you going to leave?” I was startled when Katherine asked me that question. My eyes instantly riveted to her. I watched when she tried futilely to fight back a yawn and lost the battle when she ended up covering her mouth with her hand. I could tell how she was trying hard to keep her eyes open, but the urge to sleep was strong. The only thing that was preventing her from totally submitting to sweet oblivion was my presence in her home.“I will carry Erin to her bed.” She offered. She stood from the couch to take our daughter from me, but Erin’s hands tightened on my neck. She did not want to let go. Katherine sighed. “You can go to bed,” I told her. “I will take care of Erin.” Despite the assurance, she did not leave the sofa. I watched her valiantly fight sleep, and our talk back at the hospital came to my mind. I understand her misgivings. She lost her memory. She did not know me. But we have a daughter that I would fight tooth and nail to share custody
Katherine POVI woke up feeling refreshed. It was the first time I felt like this in years. I yawned and stretched my arms over my head. It was peaceful. I closed my eyes once more to savor the serenity of my surroundings. It dawned on me that it shouldn’t have been this peaceful with Erin around. I bolted from the bed, eyes scanning my room. The light from the sun passing through the glass window told me it was morning and it was late!“Erin! Sara!” I cried, hurriedly opening my door to go out. In the living room, my chest expanded when I took a whiff of something divine! Bacon. Eggs. Muffin.My mouth watered, and my stomach began to grumble.My feet carried me to the kitchen, where I found Lucas Sanders in front of my stove. It was where the rich, flavorful aroma was coming from. And he was naked from the waist up. The realization that he was in my kitchen, flexing his back muscles did something to me. Awareness spreads through every pore of my body, and with it comes shy
Katherine POVLucas Sanders’ face turned beet red. I saw Sara’s eyes widen, reflecting my own shock at this latest development in our lives. “Daddy?” I asked. Lucas grabbed my hand again to leave the apartment. He marched back to my apartment with me in tow. When we reached the living room, he dropped my hand, and I felt bereft of his presence. Then, he turned to me. “She knows you are her father.” I felt a little let-down. I thought I would be there when he told her. I wanted to see how my daughter would react. I was sure she would be delighted to know that the man she liked so much was her real father. But I was deprived of the opportunity to witness such a beautiful moment. I felt cheated. “She didn’t.” Now, that made everything murky. “She called you Daddy. You told her you are her father.” The proof was in the pudding. Was there any other way to explain it? Lucas tutted when he saw the doubt written all over my face. “You really painted an ugly picture of me in
Lucas POV“Greg married me because he felt guilty. He was Noreen’s passenger when their car collided with my family’s car. My parents were dead on the spot. I was lucky to be alive, but I stayed in a coma for two months.”“I did not run away with Greg.”I clenched my fists as remorse filled me.I closed my eyes because the pain in Katherine’s eyes was overwhelming. It told me how I had ruined our lives.The glaring fact remains the same. I did not trust her enough.When I woke up this morning, I was pumped up about courting Katherine and showing her that it was worth investing in me.But our conversation turned out to be a failure.“You could have done something to find us, but you didn’t. If only you had more faith in me, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess. Maybe Erin wouldn’t have to endure growing up in a broken home. “
Katherine POVI love the hope that I gleaned from his words, but the part of me who was reeling from the changes that had happened in my life since I knew him had so many misgivings. I don’t know what or who to trust anymore. All I know is that I have to be wary because this can all disappear in the blink of an eye. “B-but…” My voice trailed off when he took my hand.I felt tingles when he kissed the knuckles, all the way to my heart. “Think about Erin. Don’t you want to give her the family she deserves? Our daughter needs a family. She needs us.” He was winning the argument there. Of course, I wanted to give Erin a family. That is why I stayed with Greg even though I felt Erin and I were becoming more of an encumbrance to him, especially when Erin got sick. I shut my eyes, thinking deeply. This is not just about me. This is about my daughter. “W-what if we fail? What if love didn’t happen in the end? I don’t want Erin to suffer. She already bore the trauma from my failed marr
Katherine POVFor the first time since the accident, I felt like I was coming home. It had been so long since I had felt this way, and I meant to savor every moment. I hugged him and Erin, ensuring I did it right and tight. It was like the three of us belonged together. Erin squirmed in our arms and slid down from Lucas’ arms, allowing him to wrap his free arm around me. Now, we are hugging each other on that corridor without thought of the past or the future; only the now. Then, someone cleared his throat, breaking the cocoon of warmth we surrounded ourselves in. I self-consciously pulled away from Lucas to shoot Sara and Dan Burns an apologetic smile.It turned into a gasp when I saw Lucas’ friends watching us.A feeling of embarrassment washed over me. How long have they been watching us?I awkwardly stepped away from Lucas, but he wouldn’t let me.He wound his arm around my waist to keep me to my side. I couldn’t meet his friend’s gaze, so I kept my head down, nibbling my l
Oliver POVI followed Veronica toward the makeshift altar. We did not talk, and it worked just fine for me. Pachelbel’s Canon in D wafted in the air, and the processional began. After Lucas walked the beige-colored carpet, the coordinator nodded in my direction to indicate my turn. I squared my shoulders and began walking until I reached Lucas, and I stood beside him. We both face the end of the aisle to watch the rest of the entourage walk toward their seats. Then, it was Erin’s turn. Lucas smiled, watching Erin walk the aisle holding a cute flower basket made from dried rattan. From time to time, she stops to toss flower petals in the air before resuming her walk. When she reached Lucas, she smiled and made an okay sign. Lucas responded by giving her two thumbs up. Then, she lifted her arms to Lucas, wanting to be carried. Lucas indulged her. He grunted when he bent to pick her up, amusing the guests. Erin's arms surrounded Lucas's neck. Now, it was Veronica’s turn.
Veronica POVI watched my friend meet our boss on her bridal walk at that spectacular spread by the beach. The white decorations embellished generously with varied shades of lavender were most appealing to the eyes.With the backdrop of seawater, the color seemed to translate into tranquility - a soothing balm for my soul.“You look maudlin. Aren’t you happy for your friend? Or maybe you are expecting her to suffer until now.” A man asked from the side.The accusation stung.The mocking tone in his voice left a bad taste in my mouth.Why was it
Katherine POVFor a moment, I thought he changed his mind, allowing doubt to creep in. But living in fear for too long makes one realize that there was a moment when she had to seize the moment and take a risk. Right now, I took a risk when I affirmed his question because he had become hesitant after asking the question. The glassy look on his face made me doubt if he was indeed serious with the proposal. But of course, raising your guard for a long time comes with a price -vulnerability. I tried to mask that weakness by pretending to be impatient, but inside, I was freaking out. What if he recalls the proposal?I grabbed his hand - the one with the engagement ring - to prove that the whole thing was not just a figment of my imagination. It was real. Lucas Sanders proposed to me. He had mentioned it previously but always tailed it with words that he would wait for my readiness. I realized no one was ready for anything. You take and accept things because they feel right. When L
Lucas POVMy chest pounded as I waited for Katherine’s reply to my proposal. Still, as the seconds stretched into a minute, I felt a wave of desolation washed over me. Disappointment was all over her features. My fingers closed on the diamond ring I bought with her in mind. "I know I did not prepare a grand proposal. I didn't even think of a good speech. I am also sorry for rushing you." I began to explain. It was different from pitching project proposals for my business because this would change my whole life. It sounded like I was babbling. The truth is, this is my first marriage proposal. I never proposed to anyone because no one came to measure up to this gorgeous woman in front of me. No one came close to how she has affected me that even after five years, she was still the only one I wanted. As I waited for Katherine’s reply, I remembered what Duke told me. “We can’t touch Agatha because JQ Entertainment is protecting her.”Now, the faceless man who dared to antagonize
Katherine POVI woke up alone in bed and felt slightly disappointed when I realized Lucas was gone. I turned to the side to hug the pillow he used on my chest, wishing it was him. It would have been nice to wake up and see him first thing in the morning. I was jolted from my daydreaming when the door to my room opened. Lucas entered the room with Erin in his arms. “Mommy!” Erin called out in a singsong voice. I watched her wiggle from Lucas’s arms. When her feet reached the floor, she began to run toward me. She climbed the bed and sat next to me. “You and Daddy sleep without me.” She complained.My eyes met Lucas above Erin’s head. Then, I turned to my daughter to mumble an apology. Erin shrugged. “It’s okay. Daddy promised we would sleep together tonight. You, me and Daddy.” Erin reported.The idea excited me. I began to caress Erin’s head to hide the pleasure the news brought. “Have you eaten?” I asked She bobbed her head. “Me and Daddy.” Then, she stood on the bed to tu
Katherine POV“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have stooped down to her level,” I told Lucas stiffly as we walked back to the bus.Until now, I could still hear Agatha’s rants and the expected whispers from our onlookers.If truth be known, hitting her and putting her in her place gave me immense satisfaction. Agatha shouldn't have insulted my daughter because that is where I draw the line.I felt a tug on my hand, prompting me to stop.“Agatha had it coming. You shouldn’t feel any regret.” Lucas told me.He held my chin and stared deep into
Katherine POV“Well. Well. Well. The sarcasm in Agatha Richards' tone was keenly comprehensible, especially if one cared enough to listen. Agatha was walking out of the function room at the same time we did. And because all doors lead to the lobby, we sort of ended up meeting in the middle. There is no way I could have avoided her, even if I wanted to. Then, she dropped the bomb that put me in the spotlight. “If it isn’t the fiance stealer.” She looked at me up and down, and her nose wrinkled in distaste as if she did not like what she saw. I know I am not as sophisticated or glamorous as her. I looked down the denim overalls I wore at the tree planting project and knew that compared to Agatha, I looked very ordinary. But Lucas’s hand, when it searched for mine, felt very comforting. I knew Agathaa saw how he held my hand and squeezed it. The action sent a signal that he was trying to silently assure me. This seemed to ignite Agatha’s anger. “How does it feel to be taking my
Katherine POV“Put me down, Daddy!” Erin said, and Lucas swung her in his arms before he placed her feet firmly on the ground. “Thank you, Daddy.” She said sweetly before latching onto his hand. She gripped his thumb before she turned around to search the crowd. When she spotted me, she beckoned to me and said, “Come on, Mommy. Let’s go.” There were still some employees in the area, and as much as I would like to clamp a hand on Erin’s mouth, I couldn’t. I have to take everything in stride, just as Lucas had. No flaunting, and certainly no keeping secrets. I was just making things as natural as is. We can not hide forever. And from the looks of it, Lucas had no intention of hiding us either, especially Erin’s existence. I walked up to them. My breath hitched when Lucas snaked his arm around my waist and started gearing me toward the bus. At some point, Erin dropped his hand and ran toward Oliver. “Uncle Ollie. Wait up!” Oliver, who was walking with Veronica, stopped t
Katherine POVI turned around to face Veronica, but she was already walking away. Then, my eyes squinted when Oliver blocked her path. I saw the tension in her body and thought I was not the only one who needed some explanation. Veronica also has to explain the tension with Oliver. From the looks of it, something is brewing between them. “Stare at him longer, and I was an inch from getting jealous, sweetheart.” Lucas' breath fanned my cheeks when he leaned close to murmur in my ears. I stepped to the side to allow distance between us, consciously aware of the people around us. I don’t want to add fuel to our grand entrance. Lucas’ employees already had something to talk about.But my action sent the wrong signal to Lucas. “Why are you avoiding me?” His eyes squinted in suspicion. I rolled my eyes. Here he goes again. “Shh,” I said, trying to hold him back from further incriminating the two of us.“What?” Lucas demanded when he saw me looking from left to right. Then, he sh