Secret Blessing

Chapter 11: Spark

Can you stop sulking?" Sarah asked. "You're ruining our movie night."

Cassandra sighed. "Sorry."

"She's not into you," Sarah said.

"Don't jinx it," Cassandra said as she pointed a finger at her.

"It's been a couple of weeks, no sign of her. She doesn't even call you," Sarah reminded her.

"We're still getting to know each other, that's why."

"In denial, are we?"

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "I'm not. Maybe it's too soon to like me."

"You are too soon to like her," Sarah said. "Maybe that's just infatuation."

"That's why I want to get to know her to see where this leads."

"Well, she's making it clear that she's not interested."

"I want to help her move on from her ex-wife," Cassandra said.

"You told me she said she's not giving up on her," Sarah reminded.

Cassandra went quiet as her friend's right. Winter's already made her decision even before she met her, but that's it. Now that she has met her, maybe things can change.

"Maybe I can change her mind," Cassandra said. "Or her feelings."

Sarah sighed. "Look, I always got your back but I'm just a concerned friend."

Cassandra listened.

"I don't want you to get hurt again. You know what a douche your ex-boyfriend was."

Cassandra smiled at her. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. You'll always have me."

*

Winter wore her cardigan over her white button-up which was untucked. She combed her short hair and looked at herself in the full-sized mirror to check if she was presentable enough.

Somebody knocked on the door and she let them in. "Win, we'll be ordering pizza for dinner—oh, looking handsome, are we?" Summer said.

Winter turned to her. "How do I look?"

"Dashing," Summer answered.

"Really?"

Summer nodded and went to help her fix her cardigan. "You're going somewhere?"

"I'll be having dinner with Tria and Eira at the Eiffel Tower," Winter replied. "Our daughter wanted to go."

"Our daughter?" Summer teased.

"Isn't she?" Winter playfully said.

Summer laughed. "Well, she is, but it just sounds like you and Demetria got back together even though you're not."

"But I would love for us to be together again," Winter said. "I can hope anyway."

Summer kissed her cheek. "Enjoy your dinner."

Winter smiled at her. "Thanks, Sum," she said. "Have a date with Vic also. There's a restaurant downstairs. I'm sure there's a waiter who can speak English for the tourists."

Summer nodded. "I can take that advice."

"I'm not the only one who's allowed to have fun," Winter said as she took her phone and wallet. "Thanks for sticking up with me," she said as she kissed her sister's cheek. "I gotta go."

She left the room acknowledging her best friend on her way out. She called a cab to take her to Demetria and Eira's house. She also texted that she was on her way.

"Dad texted me that she's on her way," Demetria told her daughter as she replied to Winter's text.

Eira hopped. "I'm excited."

Demetria smiled at her. "You'll like it there."

Eira grinned. "I want to see the stars!"

Demetria nodded. "We will."

A few minutes passed, and they heard the doorbell ring.

Demetria stood up. "That must be her. I'll get the door." She opened the door expecting to see Winter but saw a different person. "Andrew?"

Andrew smiled. "Hi. Can I come in?"

Demetria awkwardly smiled. "We have plans tonight."

"Oh. I was thinking of inviting the two of you to dinner," Andrew said.

Eira heard and walked beside Demetria. "Daddy will bring us to dinner!"

"Daddy?"

"Eira wanted to have dinner with her," Demetria clarified.

"You're coming with?" Andrew asked.

"Yeah," Demetria answered.

Andrew nodded. "Maybe some other time?"

Meanwhile, Winter arrived at the house and walked to the front door, seeing Demetria talking to a guy.

"Daddy!" Eira greeted her with a hug.

"Hi, baby," Winter greeted back as she looked at the guy and gave him a confused look. Who is he?

"Yeah, some other time," Demetria answered.

Andrew smiled at her before giving Winter a glance as he left.

Winter's eyes followed him until he was out of sight.

"Let's go?" Demetria asked.

Winter turned to her. "Yeah. Let's go," she said.

Demetria took her car keys and tossed them to Winter, who caught them. The latter held Eira's hand, making their way to the car.

Winter whispered into Eira's ear. "Who was that, honey?"

Eira immediately answered, "That was Mom's suitor, Uncle Andrew."

"Suitor?"

"Yeah, for a long time," Eira said.

Winter sighed. "That's a relief."

"Of course. Mom still has a crush on you," Eira said.

Winter opened the door for her. "Yeah?"

Eira nodded as she sat inside.

"Isn't that supposed to be a secret?"

Eira gave her a shocked expression. "Don't tell Mom," she pleaded.

Winter laughed. "I won't." She proceeded to open the passenger door for Demetria.

"What were you whispering about?" Demetria asked.

Winter grinned at her. "Nothing."

Demetria gave her a suspicious look before going inside.

Winter went to the driver's seat and started the engine.

*

Victoria and Summer were about to leave the hotel room for dinner downstairs when a mail came through the door. It indicated Victoria's name. She picked it up for her to open.

"What's that?" Summer asked.

Victoria pulled the flash drive out of the envelope. "This must be the information Winter needs," she answered.

"What for?"

"Somebody stole the first one given to her and I told Niall to give me his spare and I'll sneak it to Winter's things," Victoria said.

"Why would anybody steal it?"

Victoria turned to her. "What do you think, my love?"

Summer thought about it. "Things are getting curiouser," she said.

Victoria laughed. "That's not a word, right?"

Summer nodded. "But you know what I mean."

"Yep," Victoria said. "I'll be quick." She went to her best friend's room to drop the flash drive among her things. "Damn, dude, you gotta see this soon."

She went back to her wife as they left the room to have their dinner.

*

Winter stopped the car and turned off the engine. "We're gonna have to walk, honey," she said.

"We're here?!" she asked, excited.

"Yep," Winter went out and opened the door for Demetria and Eira.

Demetria looked at the tower. It brings back a lot of memories. She remembers everything. She was pulled out of her thoughts when Eira took her hand.

"Do you mind walking?" Winter asked their daughter. "I can carry you."

Demetria immediately turned to Winter and gave her a look. "She can walk."

Winter heard her intimidating voice. "Okay...? What if she gets tired?"

"Then, we'll take a break."

Winter nodded. "Your Mom's scary," she told Eira.

Eira laughed. "She can be scary."

"Yes, I can when I have to be," Demetria said, sternly.

"Yeah... Those are the times I can't really say no," Winter said, defeated.

Demetria rolled her eyes.

Winter noticed. "What? I get scared," she said.

They went to the elevator after confirming their reservation.

Eira was able to see the view as they ascended. "Wow..."

Winter smiled. "I know, right?"

Demetria remembered their memories again. She remembers stealing kisses from her ex-spouse when they ascended the tower. The operator was with them but his back was turned on them so she didn't hesitate. She couldn't help but glance at Winter and when the latter looked back, she turned her gaze away, blushing. She hopes that they won't notice.

Meanwhile, she doesn't know that Winter probably remembered, too. Winter can't help but smile at the memory. It was a lovely time being with a lovely woman who was her wife. Was. Her smile dropped. She's not her wife anymore. It didn't help that the woman has a suitor, which means she has a competition to her heart. What if she's already in love with him? Is it too late for them to be together again?

Winter sighed. "Bummer," she murmured.

It didn't take long for them to get to the top where the restaurant is. A waiter escorted them to their table. Winter pulled Demetria's chair for her and lifted Eira to her seat before taking her own. The waiter left to get the menu and three glasses of water.

"The view is nice, isn't it?" Winter asked Eira.

Eira nodded. "We'll be taking pictures, right?"

"Absolutely," Winter said.

The waiter came back with the menu and glasses of water.

"Baby, what do you want? Pasta?" Winter asked while scanning the menu.

Demetria watched the two of them interact and secretly took a photo before proceeding to choose her dinner.

"Can we have shrimps?" Eira asked.

"You're not allergic to seafood?"

"She's not," Demetria answered. "She got that from you," she said without looking up from the menu.

"Mom is," Eira said.

Winter smiled at her. "I know."

"I want pasta with meatballs and shrimp," Eira said.

"Good thing they have that," Winter said. "How about you?" She turned to Demetria, who didn't budge. "Tria?"

The said woman looked up. "Yes?"

"What do you want to eat?" Winter asked.

"I don't know... What are you having?" Demetria asked.

"Oh, me?"

Demetria nodded.

"Uhm, I'll be having buttermilk chicken," Winter answered.

"Sounds delicious," Eira said.

"I'll be having that," Demetria said, putting down the menu.

Winter nodded as she called the waiter and told him their orders.

As they waited, Winter gulped water.

"I want to take pictures!" Eira said.

Winter nodded. "Okay, let's do that."

Eira grinned.

*

Cassandra looked at her phone screen full of messages she sent to Winter. No reply.

She heard footsteps which were from her roommate, who took her phone out of her hands. "Why are you still up? It's late," Sarah said.

Cassandra tried to take her phone back but Sarah turned it away. "Can't sleep."

Sarah started reading her messages. "You don't think this will creep her out?"

"What?"

"This is a lot of messages for someone you barely knew," Sarah said.

Cassandra sighed. "I have a thing for her," she said.

"That fast?"

Cassandra stood up and took her phone back. "Leave me alone," she said as she went to her room.

"You'll get yourself hurt!" Sarah sighed when she heard the door slam shut. "Stubborn."

Meanwhile, Victoria and Summer are enjoying their dinner. Summer mostly did because she got extra hungry that she ordered another meal. Victoria just lovingly stared at her pregnant wife. They went to the doctor with Winter days ago and confirmed they're having a child.

"Have you thought of a name?" Victoria asked.

Summer shook her head. "I'll let you decide."

"Why?"

"Because I want to know what you come up with," Summer said.

Victoria nodded and smiled at her. "Okay. Can I have some?"

Summer took a spoonful and fed her wife.

Victoria hummed. "That is splendid."

Summer nodded. "I know. They make amazing food or is it just because I'm hungry?"

Victoria chuckled. "You're eating for two now."

Summer placed a hand over her tummy. "Yeah. I can't wait to meet him."

"Me, too."

*

Winter wiped Eira's lips where there was a residue of the sauce from the pasta she was eating. "I can see you're enjoying your food."

Eira nodded. "It's delicious. Can I have some of yours, Daddy?"

"Of course. Here."

Eira hummed as she continued to eat.

Winter saw Demetria's plate being almost empty. She liked it. That caused her to smile.

Demetria stood up. "I'll just go to the restroom," she said.

Winter nodded. "Okay."

As she watched her go, she peppered Eira with questions.

"Can you tell me about Andrew, honey?"

Eira hummed as she started to think. "He's sweet and cool."

"More than me?"

"You're a little sweeter 'cause you're my dad," Eira said.

Winter nodded. "What about your mom? Does she like him?"

Eira shrugged. "I don't know. She's nice to him."

"But that doesn't mean she likes him?"

Eira shrugged again. "Are you jealous, Daddy?" she asked, smirking.

"A little," Winter said.

"You still have a chance," Eira said.

"Because Mom still has a crush on me?"

Eira nodded. "Yeah!"

"I hope so," Winter said.

"What are you talking about?" Demetria asked as she took her seat.

"Nothing," Winter said.

Demetria turned to Eira, who shook her head. "You're not talking about me?"

"We're talking about your suitor," Winter plainly said.

Demetria nodded. "Ah. Why?"

Winter shook her head. "Just wondering," she said as she drank her glass of water.

Demetria turned away as she saw the wave in Winter's throat. She cleared her own. "Uhm, when are we leaving?"

Winter set down her glass. "Hmm?"

"When do you plan on getting home?"

"Ah," Winter understood. "Whenever you're ready to. I don't mind waiting."

"We already have our passports."

"Don't worry about the visa, I'll take care of it. So, you can stay as long as you like."

Eira's grinning. "Can we go tomorrow?" she asked.

Winter furrowed her eyebrows. "Don't you need to pack?"

"We kind of already did," Demetria said.

Winter nodded in understanding. "I still need to pack, baby. How about the day after tomorrow?"

Eira nodded. "Okay!" she agreed.

Winter smiled at her.

*

"Where were you?" Niall asked his brother, who had just gone back.

Andrew shook his head. "They're going home."

"And?"

"I already have a faint chance since the beginning and now that her ex is here, too, I don't have a chance anymore," Andrew said.

Niall scoffed. "Of course, you don't have a chance. You've been lying to her."

"Niall, don't make this more difficult than it already is."

"You've made this difficult!" Niall exclaimed. "Do you see this?" He pointed at his bruise. "You've hurt your family."

Andrew didn't say anything.

"I'm going home and I'm telling Mom you'll be staying for I don't know how long," Niall said. "If I were you, fix your mess before going home."

Niall went back to his room to pack his things. He can't stand to be in the same room as his brother. Then, he proceeded to call their mom to tell her that he was going home.

*

Winter, Demetria, and Eira went to go sightseeing at the Eiffel Tower after eating dinner. Eira asked Winter to carry her.

"Do you want to sit on my shoulders?" Winter asked.

Eira nodded. "Yes!"

Winter lifted her and placed her on her shoulders. "Like the view?" she asked.

Eira nodded as she grinned, looking at the city below.

Demetria just stared at them lovingly. As the two chatted, she couldn't help but hope for this not to end. This is what she wanted after all from the beginning. A complete family for Eira, for herself, but it's different now. They're divorced, not together. They can get married again, but that won't be an easy thing. The question is, does she want to?

"Dad," Eira called.

"Yes, honey?"

"Do you carry Mom, too?" she asked.

Winter chuckled as she remembered. "I did."

Demetria shook her head as she remembered, too.

"Love~ I'm tired~," Demetria whined.

Winter laughed.

"Don't laugh!"

"Don't be mad. I told you not to wear heels because we'll be doing a lot of walking," Winter said.

Demetria just stomped her feet. "My feet are killing me," she continued to whine.

Winter sighed and looked around. She saw a bench and led her wife to sit down. She kneeled and removed her heels, which were 3 inches high. She remembers hearing that it goes with her outfit of the day. She lightly massaged her feet as Demetria sighed in relief.

"I can buy you some sneakers so you'll be comfortable," Winter suggested.

"You'll leave me here alone?" Demetria asked, scaring her hubby.

Winter hesitated. "Yeah...? So you can rest, my love."

Demetria shook her head and clung to her neck. "No, I'm coming with you."

"Your feet will be dirty if you walk without shoes on."

"Carry me, then," Demetria suggested.

"Love, it's only a few walks to the store. I'll be quick," Winter said.

"All the more reason to take me with you, it's near," Demetria said. "Why? You don't want me anymore?"

"What? Where is that coming from? I want you," Winter clarified.

"Then, take me with you, or else you'll be sleeping on the couch."

Winter immediately turned her back to her wife. "I definitely don't want to sleep on the couch," she murmured.

Demetria grinned and placed her arms around her neck as Winter took her heels and held her legs around her waist. The latter grinned as she felt her wife's lips on her cheek. She heard a "thank you" later on.

"Stop laughing," Demetria said to Winter, who continued to chuckle.

Winter shook her head. "I can't. You were whining back then."

Demetria rolled her eyes. "You were scared, anyway."

Winter nodded. "That's true," she agreed. "I always wanted to sleep next to you."

"You should sleep with us tonight, Dad," Eira said.

Winter and Demetria froze at the suggestion.

"Why? What's wrong with it?"

Demetria shook her head. "Nothing's wrong with it," she said.

Eira smiled. "So~?" She's waiting for Winter's answer.

Winter turned to the woman beside her. "Is it okay?"

Demetria looked at her and couldn't help but agree. She couldn't say no to those eyes. She mentally scolded herself knowing she couldn't take it back in front of their daughter, who was pleased by the idea. Who is she kidding, anyway? She felt the same way as Eira.

They took pictures before leaving the tower. The car ride was silent and Eira fell asleep in the backseat.

Winter pursed her lips. "Are you sure I can spend the night?"

Demetria turned to her and nodded. "We don't want to upset Eira, do we?"

"We don't," Winter answered.

Demetria yawned.

"You're sleepy, too."

"Kind of a long day, we had been packing in the morning. Eira's very excited to leave. She woke me up first thing."

"That's why," Winter acknowledged, chuckling. "Is she a heavy packer?"

Demetria winced.

Winter laughed. "That's a yes, then."

"You keep on making fun of me," Demetria pouted.

"You know why I'm laughing," Winter said.

"No, I don't."

"It's because you're cute."

Demetria turned her gaze to the window.

"Blushing?"

"Shut up."

Winter just chuckled at the response.

As they arrived at the house, Demetria carried Eira as Winter parked the car.

"Do you want to put her to bed?" Demetria whispered.

Winter waved her hand and shook her head. "She might wake up."

"You can just accompany me to the room," Demetria suggested.

"I'd love to."

Winter watched as Demetria put Eira to bed and helped her with the blanket. She leaned in to kiss her on the head but stopped abruptly. Demetria also wanted to kiss Eira good night so they almost bumped their heads. She motioned for her to go first and then went second. "Good night, my love."

Demetria turned off the lights and closed the door as they got out of the room. "Sorry, I haven't cleaned the guest room yet. If you don't mind waiting-"

"I'm fine on the couch, don't worry," Winter said. "I'd really like to watch some television show before I sleep if that's okay?"

Demetria nodded. "Are you sure? Your back might ache."

Winter went to the living area and inspected the couch. "It's soft and I'm not picky."

"Okay. I'll just get you some pillows and a blanket, then," Demetria said as she went to get some.

Winter smiled. "Thank you."

She took the remote control and opened the television as she sat on the couch. She put the TV in low volume not wanting to wake their daughter.

Demetria came back holding the pillows and a blanket. She put them in the couch and sat beside her.

"Good thing I speak French," Winter said as she watched some local drama show.

Demetria's amused. "You know we have Filipino channel," she said.

"Oh."

Demetria chuckled and took the remote control from her, changing the channel.

It was only a brush of their skin but it electricuted Winter and sent her over the top. She wondered if Demetria felt it, too.

Well, she did. Demetria tried to hide her blush as she fixated her attention to the TV screen. "There."

"Thank you," Winter said.

Demetria gave back the remote and noticed Winter's hand. "You're still wearing that?"

Winter turned to her and looked at her hand, which is currently wearing their wedding ring. "Oh, yeah. I didn't want to take it off," she said.

"Why?"

"So, people will know that someone's got my heart," Winter answered as she looked at Demetria, who stared back at her.

It got quiet and awkward so Demetria turned away and cleared her throat. "I'll be going to bed. Good night," she said as she stood up.

"Okay. Good night," Winter said, her line of sight following her until she disappeared behind the bedroom door.

Demetria went to her closet, rummaging through her things and there she was, staring at the other wedding ring she used to wear.