NINETY ONE

TEN YEARS LATER

KELLAN 

There was no tea in my teacup.

Still, I brought it to my lips and took a pretend sip, just to appease my youngest hostess.

“Have some bus-cots and stawbewwies, Daddy,” Violet said with that sweet smile that could get me to do anything for her. 

My heart melted when she dropped plastic biscuits and fruits on my tiny pink plate. It's the way it lit her face up, her dark chocolate eyes shining with happiness, it made her look like a younger version of Ashley.

Across from me, Ashley tried and failed to stifle her hearty laughter, pressing her slender hand over her mouth, the golden band of her wedding ring catching my eye

I gave her a look of helplessness when I brought the plastic fruit to my lips. 

To think that just a few hours ago, I was a the company, dishing out commands and orders, but here, at home with my family — the centre of my world— I was a different person.

I sat cross-legged on the pink rug of the girls' playroom, different colours bows pinned into my hair —courtesy of my daughter, and friendship bracelets that I hadn't taken off since Melody gifted them to me. I wore them to work too, let the whole world know Kellan Langston, CEO of Lockra International was a total girls dad.

“Mmm, delicious,” I said with a smile that made Violet giggle too. Her chubby cheeks pulled up in a beaming smile. 

I remember three years ago when Ashley and I found out we were going to have another baby. Honestly, I wasn't expecting that we'd have another child, after all the difficulties before we were blessed with Melody, so when she told me over a casual dinner, I was overfilled with so much happiness it nearly burst out of my chest.

I took paternity leave from the company for months to help Ashley prepare for the baby — Yes, paternity leave was a thing in Lockra.

“Have more tea, Daddy." Violet offered, pouring invisible tea from her small teapot into the cup that barely fit into my finger

“Thank you, sweetheart" 

Violet pouted her small lips. “Daddy, Mr Bunny poured his tea," she complained, pointing to her stuffed bunny.

I frowned at the lifeless toy. “Bad Mr Bunny. Mommy will put you on a time out"

I didn't look at Ashley, but I swear she was arching a brow at me

Violet nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah"

“Yeah," I joined in and heard a soft click from behind me. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. 

“Dee" I called without turning.

She answered with a mischievous giggle, “Yes, Daddy."

“Are you taking pictures of me again?"

It was Ashley who laughed this time, joining our eldest daughter. “No, daddy," she answered, followed by another soft click of her shutter camera.

“Say cheese, Vi!” Melody chirped

“Cheeeeeese!” Violet squealed, raising her cup high and spilling invisible tea all over herself.

I turned to Melody, and my heart ached just like every time I see how fast she was growing. It felt like just yesterday when I held her as a tiny baby in my arms.

Melody grinned at me, squinting her bright green eyes as she took another picture. “Smile daddy"

I did. A wobbly, aching smile. Ashley and I had gotten her that camera for her ninth birthday, she hadn't put it down since, often taking it to school and photographing her teachers and peers.

“Alright, girls, hate to be the party spoiler, but it's past bedtime," Ashley said as she pushed herself off the floor, handing out a hand to Melody.

It's been years, years since we've been together. I get to see her every day, wake up to her beautiful face every morning, hold her and kiss her every night, but somehow, Ashley never fails to take my breath away.

“Bedtime story, mommy." Violet rushed over to Ashley, hugging her legs. Ashley bent down and scooped our little angel in her arms

Another click came from Melody's camera shutter, I swear she was getting addicted to it.

“I'll take this for tonight," I said as I took the camera from Melody's hands. 

“Dad," she whined, pushing her lips in a pout. My chest ached again.

I wanted them to be Young forever, I wanted the happiness between us to last forever.

“It's bedtime, Dee." I softened my voice when she crossed her arms. If I didn't take this camera from her, I'd wake up in the middle of the night to find her taking pictures of the night sky through her window.

“Come on Dee. Let daddy put you both to bed," Ashley said, handing Violet into my arms. Our youngest was already falling asleep.

“Fine" Dee agreed, just as another mischievous smile played on her lips. “But when next we go to Dallas, I'm taking family photos of everyone."

Ashley and I shared a look, trying not to laugh as she rambled on

“Great Grandma Margery, Great Grandpa Bob, Grandpa Seb, and his sweet dogs and we'll all go fishing at the lake and I get the largest slice of Great-grandma's delicious apple pie and—"

Ashley kissed my cheeks when he reached the hallway, her heart-stopping eyes, her touch on my skin burning through me. No matter how many times we've been together, no matter how many times I've worshiped every inch of her body—it was never enough 

I couldn't help my spine from tightening at her scrotching touch, couldn't help to desire her over and over

Always.

“I'll go shower." She whispered into my ear, and I bit the side of my lips at the gleam in her eyes

Fuck. I was one lucky man

“Pleasseeee.” A small whine had me and Ashley turning to where Dee stood in front of us with her palms pressed into her eyes. “Don't start kissing now. It's sooo gross" she took her hands off her face.

My shoulders shook with a silent laugh. True, Ashley and I were fond of kissing everywhere. In the kitchen, while I helped with breakfast, in the hallway, just because we could, in the garage, in the pool behind the penthouse. Melody should be happy we weren't doing anything aside from kissing.

“How do you think you and your sister were born if Daddy and I weren't gross?” Ashley asked, knowing what Melody's reaction would be

Melody pretended to vomit and then marched off to her room.

Ashley's warm laughter faded as she went to the other side of the hallway.

I carried a sleepy Violet in my arms into my daughter's room, all full of glitter and toys. Melody and Violet shared a room, though they had different beds

I lay Violet on her side, she whispered something softly in her sleep, and I covered her with her comforter, kissing the side of her face. “Good night Vi"

It was Melody's turn to kiss her goodnight. She was already in bed, covering herself to her face with her comforter.

“Dee?" I called softly, pulling down her comforter to see her face.

Just like Ash.

“Hey, Dad?" She called curiously.

“Yeah” 

Her green eyes slid away from the ceiling to mine. “Do you believe in magic?"

I arched a brow at the question but gave her my true answer. “Yes"

Melody hummed. “But most people don't ”

“Most people," I began, “Miss the whole point of it. Magic isn't fairy dust. It's the love and kindness inside of us. That's magic”

Her eyes went round. “Wow." She hummed again. “Okay, goodnight. You can go now, I'll fall asleep"

I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Good night Melody. I love you"

“I love you too Daddy.”

~

I stayed till she fell asleep, then I went out to my bedroom where I met Ashley fresh out of the shower, her hair damp and curling at her back

She was wearing a bold red lacy lingerie that made me turn ten kinds of stupid. 

I like red on her. It was the colour she wore when we first met.

And I love Ashley. 

And red on Ashley was just....

“Are the kids asleep?” she asked softly, her words coming out deliciously seductive.

The door closed with a soft thud behind me. “Flat out cold”

Her lips pulled up “Good"

I swallowed “Good"

And then we were on each other, our lips syncing and moving together. My hands exploring

her gracious body

So yes, I believe in magic. Because Ashley and I were proof of the strongest kind of magic there is.

Love.... always and forever.