DECEPTION AND DESIRE

Chapter 20: A Full House

RICHARD

"Wow, this place is amazing!" Vanessa’s younger sister exclaims, her eyes wide with wonder as she steps inside. She’s a quiet girl, reserved but observant. There’s a grace about her, just like Vanessa. I have a feeling Amber will like her.

Standing at the door, I punch in my security code, the soft beep signalling our entrance. Behind me, Henry helps Vanessa carry in their bags, while the twins bombard him with a million questions, their little voices bubbling with excitement.

Once we’re inside, the kids' rooms are waiting upstairs on the left wing. Vanessa and I help them unpack, arrange their clothes and make sure everything is in place. As I fold a tiny shirt, I take mental notes of their sizes—I’ll pick up some extra clothes for them tomorrow.

"I’ll have someone come decorate your room in the morning," I tell the twins.

Collins’ eyes light up. "Can I have a Spider-Man curtain?"

"Of course, buddy," I say with a grin.

"Yay!" He jumps up, his joy infectious.

The kids are easy to be around. Well, most of them. Harper, the quiet one, sticks to her sister like glue, sneaking cautious glances at me when she thinks I’m not looking. She’s not used to this place yet. She’ll warm up in time.

I want Vanessa to stay in my room, but the words catch in my throat. What if she doesn’t like the idea? What if she thinks it’s too soon? Instead, I offer her the room next to mine. It’s the least I can do. Taking care of three kids isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and she’s handling it all with so much grace.

Vanessa offers to make dinner, and Harper follows her into the kitchen. My once quiet, almost lonely house is now bursting with energy. The change is… nice. It feels right.

I stroll into the kitchen, rolling up my sleeves. Harper is at the counter, carefully dicing vegetables with a level of concentration that’s impressive for her age. I wave at her with a friendly smile. "Hey there."

For a second, she hesitates, then offers me a small smile. It’s a start.

"What’s on the menu?" I ask Vanessa, watching as she sets a pot of water on the stove.

"Chicken pasta," she says, her voice warm and familiar.

I step closer. "Need any help, darling?"

She swats at my hand playfully. "You don’t have to do anything."

"Are you sure?" I glance at the ingredients spread out on the counter. "You know, you’re my guest. I should be the one cooking for you."

She smiles—that soft, heart-stopping kind of smile that makes my chest do a full 360-degree spin.

"Don’t worry. I’ve got this."

"Alright, darling." I press a quick kiss to the back of her neck, breathing in the faint scent of vanilla and something uniquely her. "I’ll go check on the boys."

As I step out of the kitchen, Vanessa calls after me. "The twins can be a handful sometimes."

I chuckle. "Don’t worry. I think I can handle them."

I descend the stairs, a strange warmth settling in my chest. The smell of dinner cooking, the sound of laughter echoing from the living room—it makes the house feel different. Fuller. Like I’ve stumbled into something I didn’t even know I was missing.

I plop down cross-legged on the living room floor, facing the twins. Colby and Collins, Vanessa’s four-year-old brothers, sit perched on the couch, their tiny legs swinging as they study me like I’m a suspect in a crime investigation.

Vanessa had warned me. They’re little troublemakers.

I hadn’t been too worried. How much trouble could a couple of four-year-olds be?

Colby is the first to break the silence. He tilts his head. "Are you gonna marry Nessie?"

I nearly choke on my spit. From the kitchen, Vanessa is very clearly trying not to laugh.

"Uh, well…" I clear my throat. "We’re just spending time together right now."

Collins narrows his eyes. "Do you like her?"

I smile. "Of course, I do."

Colby turns to his brother, whispering, "Hmm. He didn’t say ‘love.’"

Collins nods sagely. "Suspicious."

I bite back a laugh. "You two have been watching too many detective shows."

Colby ignores me. "If you wanna be with Nessie, you have to pass the test."

I raise an eyebrow. "The test?"

Collins grabs a tiny red race car from the floor and grins. "You gotta play cars with us. And no letting us win."

I pick up the car, rolling it between my fingers. "Alright. But if I win, I get extra cookies after dinner."

Colby gasps. "No fair!"

Collins nudges him. "It’s okay. We’re the best at cars."

I smirk. "We’ll see about that."

A few minutes later, I’m lying on my stomach, elbows propped up, zooming tiny race cars across the floor in a full-blown battle with two very competitive four-year-olds.

Vanessa walks in and shakes her head with a smile. "Looks like you’re stuck with them now."

"Nessa, Sir said he's gonna marry you ", Collins said in a tiny high-spirited voice. "I like him".

Vanessa smiles then her face twists into something. Panic. I think she just realized the boys have been calling her true name. Hurriedly she walks to the dining and sets the table.

Colby beams. "Yeah! He’s kinda fun."

Collins nods in approval. "Maybe we can stay."

I laugh, holding up my race car in triumph. "Glad to have your approval, gentlemen."

As I look around the room—the kids giggling, Vanessa watching us with amusement, the scent of dinner filling the air—I realize something.

This isn’t just a house anymore.

It’s starting to feel like home.

Dinner is in full swing when the doorbell rings. The sound cuts through the chatter and laughter, making me pause with my fork halfway to my mouth.

I glance at Vanessa, who’s helping Collins with his pasta, then at the twins, who are enthusiastically slurping up noodles like it’s a competition. Harper sits quietly beside her sister, her plate mostly untouched but her eyes bright as she listens to the conversation.

I push back my chair and head to the door, wiping my hands on a napkin as I go. When I open it, I freeze.

Standing on my doorstep, dressed in their usual air of quiet elegance, are my parents.

Mum’s eyes widen as she takes in the scene behind me. Dad, ever the composed one, simply raises an eyebrow.

“Well, this is… unexpected,” Mum says, stepping inside before I can even process their arrival.

“Hello to you too,” I say dryly, closing the door behind them.

The moment they step into the dining area, Mum’s gaze sweeps over the table. The once quiet and pristine house is now filled with life—kids chatting, Vanessa smiling as she refills Collins’ glass, the warm aroma of pasta and garlic bread hanging in the air.

Dad clears his throat. “Richard… what’s all this?”

I rub the back of my neck. “Uh, dinner?”

Mum gives me a look. The kind that says, Don’t play dumb with me, young man.

Vanessa stands up, smoothing her hands on her jeans before offering a polite smile. “Good evening, Mr and Mrs McCarthy.”

Mum blinks at her, then at the kids. Her expression shifts from confusion to something I can’t quite place. “Jane, dear. And…?” Her gaze lands on the twins, who are staring at her with curious eyes and the ever-quiet Harper.

Colby, never one to be shy, leans forward. “Are you Richard’s mummy?”

Mum looks startled before she recovers. “Yes, I am.”

Collins grins. “You’re really pretty.”

Dad lets out a small chuckle, clearly amused. “Charming little fellow.”

Mum, however, is still looking between me, Vanessa, and the kids. Finally, she exhales. “Richard. Would you care to explain why your house is suddenly a… daycare?”