They were all shocked as she called him Devon as she said to her, “Sweetheart," Clarisse said gently, "you can't just call people daddy. He's Hope's daddy, not yours."
"But Mommy, he's my best friend's daddy, so that makes him like my daddy too, right? Like how Hope can call you Mommy because you're my mommy?"
Hope's eyes lit up. "Oh! Can I call you and Daddy Ian and Mummy Clarisse too? Since Lucia is my best friend?"
Devon felt like the ground was shifting under his feet. The idea of Hope calling Ian "daddy" made something twist painfully in his chest. But at the same time, the thought of her calling Clarisse "mommy" felt... right. Natural. Like something that was meant to be.
Ian saw the conflict on Devon's face and stepped in carefully. "Well, girls, that's a great idea, I am sure your daddy” he said to Hope as he turned to her, “And you my angel” he said as he turned to Lucia, “We don’t mind. You both are best
Clarisse walked back into the playroom, the happy sound of the girls’ laughter filling the air. She sat down with them and they all ate lunch together, giggling and telling stories. After they were done, Clarisse had them sit down and get ready for a bath. She was still a mom, and she wanted to make sure they were clean before they went out. She helped them freshen up, washing their faces and hands, and changing their clothes. She even did their hair in cute braids, adding a little bow to each one.It was time for some shopping. Clarisse hadn’t been in Hope’s life for almost six years, and she wanted to spend as much time as she could with her. She wanted to do all the things she had missed, all the little things that moms do for their kids. The girls needed clothes, of course, but most importantly, Clarisse wanted to get them both the perfect birthday outfits. The party theme was "Mystic," and she had just the designer in mind to make their dream outfits a
The staff arrived at the playroom with lunch, and the girls’ eyes lit up. The staff spread a big, colorful cloth on the floor, giving the room a picnic theme. They set up a mini table and placed the food and sliced fruit on it. The smell of Clarisse’s special shrimp sauce filled the air, a scent that made Lucia’s mouth water. Hope, however, sat a little to the side, politely declining the shrimp. Like her mom Clara/Clarisse, she was allergic.Hope sat beside Clarisse, snuggling into her side, while Lucia took her spot next to Devon. Clarisse loved moments like these. Moments of pure happiness, of simple joy. She wanted to remember every second. She pulled out her phone and started taking videos and photos, a soft, happy smile on her face.As Clarisse served the food, Hope looked at her dad with a big smile. “Daddy, I can’t believe we forgot to invite Lucia to my birthday next week!” she said, her voice full of excitement.Luci
Devon’s car glided smoothly down the private road that led to the Thompson’s home. He had been to many mansions, many sprawling estates, but this one felt different from the very beginning. The drive to the main gate was peaceful, the trees tall and green, the air smelling of fresh earth and flowers. It was a world away from the busy city, from the concrete and steel of his own life.He got to the gate, and the security guard already knew who he was. Clarisse let him know with a photo of Devon. So once he saw him, he just knew he was the one. The guard smiled and waved him through. The drive from the gate to the main house was long, a slow journey through a beautifully kept landscape. It felt more like a park than a yard. Finally, the car stopped, and Devon’s eyes widened a little. It wasn’t a house. It was a palace. Just as big as his own mansion, maybe even bigger, but the whole feel of the place was different. It felt soft. It felt lived-in. It felt like a home.A member of the sta
The following morning, everyone was up a little earlier than usual. The sun was just starting to peek through the window, but the Thompson household was already filled with a gentle hum of activity. Clarisse was in the kitchen, the air filled with the smell of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee. She was making a special breakfast, a treat for her Sunshine Lucia and her hubby Ian before he left. The excitement was a real thing you could feel in the house, a happy energy that flowed from the two little girls in their homes. Hope at home was so happy about her sleep over, Devon couldn’t get enough of it. And Lucia, she got up early to help out with the preparations.Ian had a trip to Venice planned for a meeting with a potential partner in his new winery line. He was going to be gone for five days. He woke up that morning feeling a little sad about leaving, but he was also filled with a new kind of hope, a warmth that had been missing from his life for a very long time. It was the feeling C
Clarisse finally got to the ranch. The car drove down a winding path, and she looked out the window. She didn’t even recognize the place. The ranch, which was usually simple and had a sort of natural, rustic beauty, was now something else entirely. It was a wonderland. The trees were lit up with thousands of tiny, warm-colored lights that hung like fireflies. The path was lined with glowing lanterns. It was decorated so beautifully, so thoughtfully, that Clarisse just stared, a wide, genuine smile spreading across her face. Her eyes felt a little wet, and tears almost rolled down her cheek. No one had ever done anything like this for her. Not like this.Just then, the car stopped, and a soft, familiar tone filled the air. Clarisse’s heart skipped a beat. She knew that sound. It was the intro to “Crazy in Love.” She was about to ask Ian who was playing the music when she saw her. The one and only, the Grammy Award-winning artist, Beyoncé. She was standing there, under a single spotligh
The night was feeling longer than it was for Devon as dinner felt like he was on trial. He sighed again, a quiet, almost inaudible sound. He wasn’t interested in any of this. He was married to Yvonne, and they all knew why. So to think he would want to celebrate this union was absurd to him. He was about to refuse, to say no and shut down the entire conversation, but then he looked up and saw Hope sitting at the table, looking from him to Yvonne, her little eyes wide and confused by the tension. He didn’t want to be rude, not in front of her. He didn’t want to spoil her dinner.He pushed his plate away a little and looked at Nana. “You’re right, Nana.”Yvonne’s eyes went wide. She would have sworn, she would have bet everything she had, that he would refuse, no matter who was at the table. She watched him, her eyes glued to his face.“It’s been years since we got married, and we haven’t had a celebration,” he continued, his voice calm and even. “So now will be a good time to. But for