Extra Bonus
Warning: This is going to be a long chapter.
Sorry if this is nothing like you imagined.
----
FIVE YEARS LATER:
"I am leaving Mr. Wright" I called out, leaning by the door of his cabin.
"Already?" He said in surprise, checking his wristwatch "It's only four, Ms. Samuels"
I rolled my eyes. Sometimes, I think he forgets who's the boss "I have a date with my husband and I don't want to be late"
"See you on Monday then. Happy weekend" he wished, turning his attention back to the laptop.
"Thank you" I waved him bye though I knew he isn't looking.
Rushing into the empty elevator, I pressed the parking button and waited.
"Thank God it's Friday" I murmured to myself, sighing in relief.
The last two months had been hectic for me and Jason with our busy schedules that we rarely had time for each other.
Lucky for Jason, World Cup will end next week but my training in dad's company will continue few more months.
The elevator came to a stop and I hurried out quickly, searching for my car.
Twenty five minutes later, I parked at my garage and dashed into our home, hoping my kids are inside instead of being at my dad's.
I wanted to spend some time before getting ready as I didn't get to be with them the whole week.
Seeing them cuddled on the couches watching cartoon brought an instant smile on my face.
"Mommy" Dustin stood up on the couch, his eyes full of excitement and raised his arms to give me a hug.
I squeezed him in my arms, kissing his hair "How are my babies doing?"
Pulling back, he grinned "I was waiting for you"
I smiled. I knew he will be.
"How was your day?" I said, placing a kiss on Justin's forehead.
"The same. Can I get an ice cream today?" he asked, giving me a pleading look.
I sighed. He was denied of ice creams since two weeks because of cold and I hated saying 'No' every time he requested.
I hate saying 'No' to my kids, period.
"Please mom. I don't cough anymore"
"You did, just before mom came" Jean prompted.
"I didn't!"
"You so did"
"Justin, two more days and I will let you have, ok?" I said softly, pulling my fingers through his hair.
He gave a sad look but nodded before shifting his attention back to TV.
Leaving the boys, I sat beside Jean placing her on my lap "How was school today?"
She turned to face me with a pout "I got a B in Math"
"Oh my baby" I cooed, kissing her cheek "We shall sit on Math, tomorrow. Sorry mommy had been so busy and so was daddy"
"I know" she said bowing her head "I asked grandpa's help but I didn't understand a word"
Chuckling, I pulled a hair away from her face and placed it behind her ear "Daddy will be free from next week meaning mommy will be free. I can help you with your math. Also, let's go on a holiday"
"Next weekend?" she asked enthusiastically.
I laughed "No promises but we will go as soon as possible"
"Thank you" she replied brightly, kissing my cheek.
"Did you guys eat anything?" I asked all of them but only Dustin shook his head mouthing 'No'.
"Have you had your bath at least?"
"Dustin was waiting for you. We both had" Jean replied implying herself and Justin.
I smiled looking at my youngest kid who's staring back at me as if I'm his very own angel.
Everyone says he looks just like me. In addition to my chocolate brown eyes and exact nose which he also shares with his twin Justin, he's got my personality.
Jason's almost sure he's the male version of me. Very loving and immensely shy.
He may be a mama's boy now because he's just five but call it a mother's intuition, I am sure he will still be like this, ten or twenty years later.
Pulling myself from the couch, I gave my hand to him "Come on, I will bathe you"
His smile was instantaneous as he got up and wrapped his little hand in mine.
Together we walked towards stairs when we found Courtney leaving the kitchen.
"I am leaving Anna. Bathed both the kids except this little one" she said, throwing a knowing smile at Dustin "You haven't said anything about what to give them for snack, so I was waiting for you"
"I'm sorry, I was in a hurry in the morning. I will take care of that, you can go" I replied, dismissing her.
She left waving a bye to Dustin who didn't say a word but crept into my side and clutched my hand tightly.
He's more shy than I thought. Or is he?
Once we were in room, I took off his clothes and placed him in the bath tub.
He played in the water, splashing his arms and legs while I thought how to broach this subject with a five year old.
"Dustin?"
"Yes mommy" his reply was instant making me smile.
"Is Courtney being good to you?" I asked slowly.
He frowned, probably wondering why I am asking such a stupid thing "Yes mommy"
"She is friendly with you, right?"
He nodded and I carried on "She doesn't lay a finger on you, does she?"
He shook his head making me add "If you ever have a problem with her or anyone, you will tell mommy right?"
He nodded again making me sigh in relief.
Guess I am being paranoid. Working too much makes me worry that I am not being a good mother.
I may be busy but I won't be too busy for my own kids. They have to come to me, if they have a problem in their lives; not worry on how I will react.
That's what Jason and I strongly believed we should do if we are to be good parents.
After soaping and cleaning him off, I got him into his clothes and he never once complained.
Dustin is too easy to handle. Sadly, only I can do that.
He listens to my parents and Jason as well but only I can make him do anything; even if he doesn't want to.
Justin on the other hand, can survive anywhere and be with anyone. Leave him with a stranger and he will be able to make him his friend. He's so trusting that it makes me worry sometimes.
My boys might look exactly alike but their personalities and attitudes are anything but.
As to Jean, somewhere between me being pregnant with the boys and delivering them, she turned from mama's girl to daddy's girl.
She can light up a room with her smile. Such is the effect, she has on people. Or may be I feel that way because she's my daughter.
Placing Dustin on a stool by the kitchen counter, I asked him "What do you want to have?"
"I will eat anything you give me, mommy" he said sweetly.
I couldn't help but grin at him.
My baby.
Checking the fridge, I realised there's nothing much that I can prepare quickly. I have to go groceries shopping tomorrow.
"I promise to make you Chicken sandwich tomorrow morning. Will Orange juice do for now?" I asked softly, knowing his answer.
Orange juice is his favorite and I always make sure there's plenty in Fridge in case I'm not home & he doesn't eat when others try to feed him.
Giving him a glass, I turned to make banana and chocolate milkshakes; favourites of Justin and Jean.
As much as I don't want to, I cannot disappoint Justin when his siblings can have their favorites.
"You will go out with daddy?" Dustin's voice brought me out of my thoughts.
"Yes" I replied, pouring the banana shake into a glass "Do you want some more?"
He shook his head, placing the empty glass on the counter "A date?"
I smiled wondering who told this to him "Yes"
"Grandpa said we have to stay at their house tonight" he mumbled, sounding uninterested at the idea.
And there was my answer.
I didn't want them to know until Jason comes home but my dear dad, had other plans.
"Can I take you out on a date too?" he asked innocently making me chuckle.
"Ask me in ten years again and I will go out with you"
"Why can't I take you now?"
"Because" I said, walking towards him and wiped his lips with a napkin "You are too young now. You will be a handsome & good man one day and no girl will be able to say no to you"
He furrowed his eyebrows together "But I don't want any other girl"
"Ok" I said slowly, not knowing how to answer this. When I turned back to look at him, he was staring at me, waiting for an answer "If you still want to take me out, ten years later, I will come with you. If you like other girls and want to impress them, then I will help you. How does that sound?"
He frowned again before saying "Okay"
Kissing his forehead, I lifted him off the stool and took both the glasses heading towards the living room.
Both of them are sprawled on the couch looking exactly like they had been when I left them half an hour ago.
"Who wants some milkshakes?" I yelled enthusiastically, trying to pry them off TV.
I knew it worked when both of them had the biggest grins on their faces as they ran to me taking the glasses from my hand.
"He can't have that" Jean complained when she saw me giving a glass to Justin.
"He will take medicine from Fergie mama without complaining, won't you Justin?" I asked and he nodded gulping his drink quickly as if someone would tug it back from him.
Few minutes after I gave birth to the twins, I realised our plan of giving one of them to my dad would never have worked.
It would have made us miserable.
Luckily, dad moved here and we got to keep both of them. However we made sure Justin addressed Fergie as mama as I wanted to fulfil a part of my promise, if not full.
I took a seat beside them and Dustin jumped onto my lap, placing his head across my chest.
I played with his hair, trying to watch TV like them but I am not 5 or 7 years old and that programme bored me to death.
"You do know that you have to stay at your grandparents' tonight right?" I said slowly, when ads started playing.
"Yes, mama said in the morning" Justin supplied, looking cool with the idea.
"You won't return from the date tonight mommy?" Dustin asked with a grimace.
I sighed heavily, wrapping an arm around him "We will, but it will be late"
"It's ok, I will wait for you"
"It's not ok" Jean began, looking at him sympathetically "They go out, have dinner outside, hold hands, kiss and come back home to----"
"Jean!" I yelled, shocked by how much she knew.
Is she going to say what I think she's going to say?
"It's alright mama, I know everything" she said sweetly "Grandpa told me"
I gasped. What exactly did my dad tell her?
When I recovered from the shock, I asked slowly "What did he tell you?"
"That you go out, have dinner, hold hands, kiss and come back" She repeated and this time I didn't interrupt her "home to play mommy-daddy game"
"What's mommy-daddy game?" Justin asked, looking at me in interest.
I flushed. How am I going to explain that?
"I asked grandpa the same question" Jean began proudly, happy to share her knowledge with her younger brothers "If mommy and daddy play that game, they have kids. That's how we were born"
I facepalmed.
Thanks daddy, I thought sarcastically.
"But why can't we be at home when they play?" Justin asked innocently making the blood rush back to my cheeks.
"Because they are grown ups and have stupid rules for everything" Jean contributed again, like Miss Know It All.
"Enough about that" I finally spoke when I found my voice "We will drop you next door before we leave but the three of you should promise me you will be on your best behaviour tonight"
"Will you take us out next weekend if we do as you say?" Jean asked cheerfully.
I closed my eyes, trying to find an answer without hurting them.
One of the things I learnt about kids having been a mother of three is that, you can either give them truth-to-God honest answer which can hurt them or spills the beans in a way that makes them understand things.
Most of the times, I try second option. But sometimes, you have no choice.
When I opened my eyes, I found three of them gazing at me, waiting for my answer "You guys do know how busy daddy is, right?"
They nodded and I carried on "He's coming home late and leaving as early as possible. His schedule is so tight that he barely has time to sleep"
Knowing where this is heading, Jean's face changed to that of disappointed and I quickly added "But, he will be free from next week. Let him breathe the next weekend, sleep for two days and he will take us all anywhere we want, the weekend after"
"Wherever we want?" she asked cheerfully.
"Yes, wherever we want. Just be good kids and don't trouble him, let him relax and we will go the weekend after. Deal?"
"Deal" The three of them shouted making me grin.
"I will get ready then. You three watch TV without fighting" I said, pulling Dustin off my lap and placed him on the couch beside Jean.
"Ok mommy" they replied, engrossed in TV again.
Smiling to myself, I headed upstairs to have a shower. The clocked showed 6 O'clock when I returned from bath, wrapped in a towel.
Opening my walk in closet, I ran through the heap of clothes, unable to decide what to wear.
I have no idea where he's taking me and I absolutely have no idea what I should wear.
Walking back to my room, I checked my mobile in case he sent any messages but my inbox is empty and I plopped down on the bed unable to decide.
I want to message him but I don't want him to check his mobile in case he's driving and he might already be in hurry.
Deciding against it, I returned to the bathroom to do my hair and makeup before he arrived.
Deciding to go with a nude look, I took out my makeup products from under the sink and began readying myself.
Once I'm done with my makeup, I began working on my hair.
Just as I was placing the items back in the cupboards, the door opened revealing Jason, handsome and perfect as usual except for the dark circles under his eyes and his hair, disheveled as if he kept running his fingers through it.
He met my eyes through the mirror and smiled "You are a sight for sore eyes. And I mean it, I literally have sore eyes"
I chuckled and he wrapped his arms from behind, placing his head on my shoulder "God, you smell amazing"
"I am waiting for you" I said slowly.
"Mmm-hmm"
"I checked if you messaged me but you didn't"
He pulled back, his arms still wrapped around me "Message about what?"
"Dinner plans, duh!"
He looked at me in confusion before his eyes widened and he pulled back completely "Ohh, fuck!"
"Sshhh" Placing a finger on his lips, I whispered "No swearing at home"
He took hold of my hand and kissed it "I am so sorry"
"For swearing at home? Or for forgetting our dinner plans?" I asked sharply, wanting to be sure what he's sorry for.
I figured out the second part seeing his look.
"For both?" he replied, a guilty look on his face.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I sighed in disappointment. I got ready, for nothing!
"How can you forget this Jason?" he shouted at the mirror, making an accusing hand gesture at it; at himself.
I chuckled. I couldn't help it.
Closing the door, he continued "You are an ass. You have a beautiful, wonderful, successful----"
"Enough of fulls" I snickered.
As if he didn't hear me, he continued "wife at home who's everything any man could ever wish for and you forget the promise you made her"
"Jason--" I began with an amused smile "Flattery will get you nowhere"
"Oh trust me baby, I have my ways"
I smiled, leaning by the sink "How was your day?"
He pulled me into his arms and placed a long kiss on my lips "Blissful and complete, now"
I stared at him "I never heard you complain though you haven't slept properly, in weeks"
"Why should I? I love my job. I have a loving wife who understands what is expected of me and never complains when she had to take care of daddy duties"
I stayed silent, wrapping my arms around his waist and he murmured "My only complaint is that I don't get to spend time with you"
I looked up at him "One more week"
"One more week" he agreed.
"And no World Cup, until another five years"
He smiled sadly "Four. But it doesn't matter"
"If you don't want to leave your job, don't! No matter what you do Jace, I want you to be happy. That's what I'll ever want for you"
He kissed my forehead "I know baby. I know. But I promised your dad---"
"It's alright Jace. Sometimes, we can't keep our promises and it's alright"
"That's not even why I wanted to" he hesitated and I placed my fingers on his cheek making him gaze at him "I know you are going through this training because I am postponing my resignation"
I tried to speak but he put his finger on my lips "You wanted to be a vet and you left your ambition for me. You chose a different field and then you started enjoying teaching but---"
He pursed his lips for few seconds before speaking again "But you had to leave that too because I'm having trouble making the transition. Now, you are stuck with what's expected from you, as the only daughter of George Phillips"
I lowered my eyes wondering what I could say that would make him feel better. In the end, I decided to go with the truth.
"I agree with what you said" I began, staring up at him "But you are forgetting one thing. None of those decisions were yours. I chose to follow you to Chicago. You never asked me. I did it because I knew you would have done the same for me. It's not like I suffered through college. It may be different from what I wanted to be but I loved it nevertheless"
He gave a sad smile and I added "You didn't ask me to leave my job or to join my dad's company. I did it because I wanted to"
"I let you make all the sacrifices" he said sadly, pressing his forehead to mine.
"No relationship can be happy & blissful if one of them doesn't make a few adjustments, Jace. Both of us know this" I murmured "And they are not sacrifices if I enjoy them"
"It's not fair on you" he added.
I thought of my counter argument and smiled when I got one "I earn four times the money my husband does. It's not fair, but hey who's complaining!"
He finally laughed "Five times. And your husband is very proud of you"
I smiled and he kissed me again "You just know what to say to make me feel better"
"Now make me feel better and take me out" I ordered playfully.
He chuckled "Yes boss. Give me ten minutes"
I nodded, leaving the bathroom to give his privacy and walked back to the closet.
As he didn't make any dinner arrangements, I don't need to dress up in fancy clothes. I checked my clothes again and finally settled with a black jumpsuit.
Not too fancy. Not too simple.
Pairing the dress with black loafers, I walked out of my closet just as Jason walked out, having a shower.
He whistled making me blush.
Growing up, I wasn't the kind of girl who did make up or loved to dress up or made efforts to look beautiful.
I didn't find them interesting enough to worth trying; until Jason happened.
All he has to do is look at me this way, like I'm the most precious thing in the world and I'm done.
The efforts I make do not matter at all. I don't need to check myself in the mirror to know how I look.
One look at him and I feel beautiful.
"Will you continue staring at me or can I go wear something?" He asked, smirking at my reaction.
I flushed, turning away from him "I will wait for you in the living"
Hearing his chuckle, I groaned mentally and headed downstairs.
Five minutes later, we locked the door and began walking next door; where my dad lived.
Ushering the kids inside, I thanked my dad for letting them stay tonight.
"Mommy, when will you come back?" Dustin asked, standing behind my dad.
"I will come pick you up tomorrow morning" I said earnestly, bending to reach his level.
"Who will read me Harry Potter tonight?" he asked unhappily.
"I will" My dad replied before I could answer.
"But mommy is the best" he said, his eyes almost glassy.
It tore my heart seeing him like that "I promise I will make it up to you tomorrow. Two chapters, ok?"
He nodded like he didn't have a choice and ran inside.
"He will be alright. You guys need this" my dad pressed on, probably understanding the plan in my head to call off the date.
"He's right Anns. We can be--- we need to be husband - wife sometimes. Not just father - mother" Jason explained, giving his hand.
Taking it, I bid bye to my dad and walked along Jason, placing my other hand on his elbow "So, where are we going?"
"There's this place that makes incredible hot dogs few blocks away. It's the second best thing that makes my wife drool, in her dreams"
Slapping his shoulder, I said "Forever arrogant, Mr. Samuels. You still think I dream of you?"
"I don't think; I'm sure Mrs Samuels" he said smugly.
I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress my smile.
"So tell me what happened today" he asked eagerly and I didn't waste a second. From Dustin asking me out on a date, Justin's questions and to what I almost thought Jean said, I told him everything.
He laughed at the appropriate intervals and by the end, his smile faded slowly. I know what he's thinking.
When we both had tight schedules, we decided that if one of us is with the kids and the other is not, then we are going to share our moments with each other. We don't want to miss their childhood.
And lately, I'm the one doing all the sharing while he gets to listen.
"One more week" he mumbled to himself. Maybe it wasn't meant for me to hear it but I did.
"I promised I will make a chicken sandwich tomorrow morning and there's nothing at home" I reminded.
"I will run to the store early morning" he replied casually.
"A holiday is on the cards too. I hope you caught that" I mumbled wearily.
He bit his lip to stop himself from smiling "I did. I don't mind as long as it's not Disneyland again"
I snickered "You have to convince Jean if she wants to go back there"
"I will" he replied, stopping few feet away from the stall "The usual?"
"Yes" I replied and he walked away to order for both of us.
Remembering the last experience, I quickly yelled at him "No onions please"
He had a grin on his face when he turned back to me and shouted "Why? Planning to make out with me after this?"
I blushed seeing people notice us but managed to yell back "Oh, I am definitely planning more than that"
He laughed, turning to face the counter.
The best thing about living in New York, the roadside stalls are awesome; probably the best in the whole country.
Everyone has a favorite Sandwich spot, favorite pizza place, favorite hamburgers, favorite Chinese, favorite ice cream shop. There's nothing that you cannot find here.
The worst thing is the traffic. What they say is true. The city never sleeps.
Jason returned with two hot dogs and a smile "You amaze me, wife. Look at you, throwing comments back at me instead of glaring like a cute little kitten"
I gave an amusing smile taking one from his hand "Glad I can surprise you"
Thankfully, there were no onions.
The last time we were here, few months ago, the hot dogs had been great like the usual but we didn't know 'Great things come with a price' until we started making out.
Yeah, we had to brush before we could kiss each other again.
After our meal, we stopped by an ice cream place.
"The usual?" he repeated and I shook my head "I don't want anything"
He exhaled a weary sigh "Just because you are not letting Justin have one, doesn't mean you shouldn't too"
I gaped at him in surprise. That's exactly what I was thinking. He said it as easily as if it's written on my forehead.
He ordered for both of us.
Giving the butterscotch cone to me, he moved forward and I followed him "I know you feel miserable to say no but it's for his own good"
"I know" I said grumpily "But it doesn't feel right to eat when he can't have one"
"You can't keep saying yes to everything they ask for, Anns" he repeated. I must have heard this line a hundred times from him.
"In no time they will grow up. Learn to say no and learn to live with it"
"I am able to say no, so that's progress"
He smiled at me knowingly "You are a goner. You aren't capable of saying no when you are pleaded the right way"
"Don't say that, I am trying"
He chuckled, taking my hand into his "You know what baby? I love you more for that reason"
Pulling me into his arms, he rubbed my cheeks with his thumb and kissed me slowly.
It didn't matter we were on the road, didn't matter if our neighbours might find us making out like some horny teenagers.
Right now, I only want to think about him. The way his lips moved against mine, the way one of his hands travelled down to my waist, holding me in place when the other locked around my neck letting our mouths duel.
I clutched onto him like always, letting him guide me and his hand travelled all over my body, trying to find bare skin but I was covered, neck to toe and he pulled back with a chuckle "Right now, I hate you're wearing this. I always have trouble getting you out of these suits. You have to do all the work tonight, baby"
I laughed, connecting our foreheads "I missed this"
"Kissing me?"
I don't need to look at him to know that he's smirking but I did it anyway "No. This. Your sweet talks. Your arrogance. Your smile"
"One more week" he promised and I smiled.
"Shall we take this show into our room?"
I knew I lost my smile seeing his expression "You want to see the kids"
I nodded "Am I being an obsessive parent?"
He shook my head, smiling at me "I want to check on them too"
Together, we headed to dad's house and rang the bell, hoping they haven't slept yet.
"I knew you'd come" Words flew out of dad's mouth the instant he opened the door.
"I'm sorry. We have to check up on them before we can sleep peacefully" Jason answered from behind me.
"Come on in" he replied, opening the door widely "Justin and Jean are asleep. As to Dustin, well, you know him"
I gave a sad smile heading to the rooms I knew they will be.
"Mommy" Dustin mumbled when he found me walking to his bed.
"Can't sleep baby?" I asked and he nodded.
I took the book from beside him and continued reading from where I stopped yesterday.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noted Jason kissing Justin and Jean while I continued narrating the story. His eyes were droopy as he asked "Mommy, do you think Harry will be safe?"
"Yes. He's a good boy and good things will happen to good people"
He smiled, finally closing his eyes.
I ran my fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead. When I got up, Jason standing behind me, walked to his son, kissing the same spot I did and switched off the bed light.
"He's asleep?" Fergie asked, trying to stifle a yawn.
I nodded "Thank you for watching them"
"We don't mind at all"
Taking Jason's hand, we headed out and I finally spoke "Do you ever think Dustin is too shy?"
"He's a kid. There's nothing wrong about being shy. Like I always said, he's taken after you"
"I don't ever remember being that shy. He's doesn't talk to anyone except family. And he---" I smiled fondly remembering the way he looks up to me "he looks like his world revolves around me"
"Ok, so there's one thing he's taken after me"
I chuckled, stopping by our door "God, I love you Jace. You just know how to change my mood"
"One of the many things I'm capable of" he said, pressing his lips to my forehead "Don't fret Mrs. Samuels. We can figure out a way. We always do"
I sighed placing my head on his chest when he spoke "Now, what were we talking about? The things I'm capable of"
I laughed "Oh, I'm aware of your talents Mr. Samuels"
He opened the door, pulling me alongside him "Game on, baby"
---
Yesterday, I opened this story to read coz I was in a bad mood & I wanted to read something that has a happy ending & I was surprised seeing the comments & DMs asking for an extra chap. Thank you, reading those messages sparked my interest and I wrote a whole chap in a single day.
Needless to say, I haven't opened Wattpad in months. I began this chap today morning & I'm done just now. Posting it coz I'm too lazy to edit or scared that the wheels in my mind will start running once again.
I know I have been a disappointment to lots of people. Trust me, I feel the same way about me every single day. I try to write, I try, I do write few lines before something happens. I lose interest, feel sad again & quit writing for months. That's what's happening since my break.
I can't promise I will update next stories. They don't leave my head. But I am not sure I can write them.
I am so sorry for everything. Hope one day I will be strong enough to be active here again.
- JANAKI
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