Knight

Chapter 5 Conflicted

For as long as she could remember, Callista always thought that her mother passed away at the sea shortly after she was born, and her passing had broke her father into that cold workaholic man. So it threw her out of the blue when Darrell told her that someone who claimed to be her mother wanted to see her and was willing to do a DNA test. 

"But… Darrell, my mom died. She drowned after falling down a ship. My dad told me so. Besides, her name wasn't Helena. Her name was Rosa " She insisted when Darrell told her. "She could have changed her name, or may be it was her Christian name. " He shrugged, then straightened and assured her. "Hey, I'm not asking you to see her or do the test. That is your decisions. " Darrell could see her shaking from where he stood. They were arranging their kitchen, or rather, Callista was arranging while he was leaning on the door jamb after breaking the news. 

Callista wrapped her arms around her torso. "What… what does it meant if it was really her? Did she… did she left me behind?" Darrell approached his wife and pulled her to his arms. "Look, you know that I'm 100% behind you right? Whether she's really your mother or not doesn't matter to me. I don't know why she wanted to see you, but if you're uncomfortable with that, I can order that she be kept away from you and the kids. But think about it for a moment. If it was really her, don't you have questions you wanted to be answered? "

"But what if it was really her, and she didn't want me? " Callista asked weakly. Darrell kissed her lightly. "Then she didn't deserve you. But Callie, whether she wanted you or not doesn't change the fact that you're my wife and I want you. Don't let that cut on your confidence. You have me. " He smiled at her, stroking the top of her head. "Though, I sincerely doubted that she didn't want you. She won't recognise you if she did. Yesterday was the first time she saw you since you were a newborn, and your first outing as my wife. Our wedding is a private affair, so news would not get out, especially due to our problem. For all she knew, you're my wife and that's it."

Callista snuggled back to Darrell's chest. It was the safest place she knew. "You really think so? " Darrell nodded "sleep on it, don't stress yourself out of it. " She nodded and Darrell sighed. "I didn't mean right now, though" He shook his head in exasperation as he felt her breath evened out. She must be really tired after their day trip and the emotional upheaval. With a soft smile, he lifted her and carried her to their room. Theirs. How strange it is that he went from a consummate bachelor to a husband and father in a day. 

After tucking his wife in, he went back to the kitchen and finished putting their groceries and made a hot tea for himself, taking a look around and smiled at the changes. His apartment no longer looked clinical like a hotel room. There was now a huge playhouse in the corner of the living room, opposite of his desk, and he chuckled imagining the two children played there while he was working. Sierra and Felix were spending the night with Isla, giving time for the newlyweds to have a quality time. 

His gaze flew to one of the corridors. Each of the penthouse apartments have 5 bedrooms and three bathrooms. He wondered if he should hire a babysitter for the children and maybe convert one of the rooms into a game room? He pulled a paper pad and started writing. The living room, dining room and kitchen was in one spacious open space, considering that the penthouse was only divided into four apartments. The living room also functioned as his study, because he lived there alone before his marriage, and felt a bit too pretentious and stuffed if he had to enter another room to work in his apartment. Now that he is married, he wondered if he should move the study to another room, then shook his head. He planned to put another desk for Callie near his. He spent most of the time away anyways. Callie will be more comfortable if she can watch the children while doing anything. 

He spent sometimes drawing rough sketches and didn't realize the time until his tearful wife came looking for him. "Darrell? " She sobbed and run to his arms when he raised his head and blinked in confusion. "What's wrong, hon? Why are you crying? " Callista buried her face on his chest and took a deep breath, calming her erratic heart beats. "I… I had a nightmare… you're not there… And for a moment I thought that everything was a dream… that I was now a w***e and… and… " "Hey, now. It was just a dream. I'm so sorry I forgot the time" He felt her nod to his chest and tightened his arms around her. "You're safe here. You know that, right? " She nodded again. Darrell wiped her tears and showed her what he was working on. 

"What do you think? " He asked after he explained everything. "I like the living room plan, and the game room one, but the babysitter? What if we got more children? There'll be no room for them here. " Darrell smirked "more children, huh? And are they coming soon? " Callista blushed. "I don't know, but it's always a possibility, right? " He laughed and kissed her forehead. " You know that I've got a house, right? When more children" He stressed on the more children part, making Callista turn redder. "came, we can move to the house. Now" He stood up and carried Callista with him. "Let's make sure that they come soon"