Secret Blessing

Chapter 9: Family Date?

Hi, I’m your Aunt Summer and this is my wife, Aunt Victoria,” Summer introduced themselves to Eira.

“Can that be Uncle Victoria?” Victoria teased.

Eira nodded. “If that makes you comfortable,” she said.

Victoria grinned as Summer went for a hug, which Eira reciprocated. “You have another two aunts to meet,” Summer said. “Aunt Autumn and Aunt Spring.”

Eira hopped excitedly. “Do I get to meet them, too?”

“Of course!” Winter answered. “Soon. If that’s okay with Mom,” she said about Demetria.

Eira looked at her and smiled before turning to Demetria. “I can meet them, right?”

Demetria didn’t hesitate to nod and smiled. “Sure, honey. Whatever you want.”

Winter looked at Demetria who looked back but immediately turned away.

Victoria and Summer felt the tension between them. “Eira, do you want some ice cream?” Summer asked.

Eira looked at her mother again, silently asking if she could eat ice cream. Demetria nodded, giving her permission. She nodded at her aunts, “Yes!”

Summer took her hand and lightly pulled her along with Victoria to the nearest ice cream truck.

Winter went to sit on the bench again and patted the space beside her for Demetria, who obliged. She tried to break the silence. “How are you?” she asked.

Demetria looked at Winter, who was just staring at a distance, where Eira was. “I’m fine, I guess.”

Winter turned to her. “It must have been difficult for you. You only have your parents when you gave birth to her.”

Demetria shook her head. “Eira gave me strength even before she was born.”

Winter looked down. “I just wish I was there beside you,” she said.

Demetria tried to console her as she tapped Winter’s shoulder. “You’re here now.”

Winter nodded as she smiled at her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you,” Demetria apologized.

Winter shook her head. “I’m sure you had your reason and I won’t force you to tell me.”

“Why did you find us?” Demetria asked.

“Actually, it’s ‘Why did I find you?’” Winter corrected.

“Right,” Demetria said. “You didn’t know about Eira.”

Winter nodded. “Yep… Or maybe I should have known. I wasn’t able to open the flash drive my P.I. gave me,” she said. “I was excited to see you.”

Demetria looked away as she started to blush.

“I am happy to see you,” Winter said.

“Hmm…,” Demetria hummed, not knowing what to say.

“And Eira, of course,” Winter continued. “She’s a surprise. Maybe this is what it was supposed to feel like if I knew you were pregnant and we’re still together.”

Demetria didn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry,” Winter apologized as she realized what she said.

Demetria shook her head. “No, it’s okay. I would have imagined it, too.”

“I don’t want us to be awkward,” Winter said.

Demetria looked at her again. “Are we?”

Winter looked at her, too. I missed those lovely eyes. “I don’t think so.”

Demetria nodded and turned her eyes to a distance. “Aren’t you mad at me?”

She saw Winter shake her head from her peripheral vision. “Oh, I was.”

“What’s changed?”

“I became mad at myself when I let you go, when I didn’t stop you from going.”

Demetria nodded. “I wouldn’t let you stop me, anyway…”

“I was also mad when you told me about Eira. I thought you had remarried.”

Demetria rolled her eyes. “Tsk,” she clicked her tongue.

Winter pointed a finger at her. “I saw that!”

“You get mad easily.”

“But I still asked you,” Winter said.

“True,” Demetria agreed.

“Anyways, I want to ask…,” Winter started.

Demetria turned to her, waiting for her to continue.

“Will you spend the day with us?” Winter asked.

“With you and Eira?”

Winter nodded. “She might get uncomfortable without you around.”

Demetria raised an eyebrow. “No, she won’t. She’s excited to be with you.”

“So, my excuse didn’t work?”

“Nice try,” Demetria said, smirking.

“Well, I want you to come with us. Eira wouldn’t mind, right?”

Demetria thought about it. “A family date?” she asked.

Winter shrugged. “You can say that.”

Demetria nodded. “Anything for Eira,” she said.

Winter grinned. “Want some ice cream, too?” she asked.

“I can buy it myself,” Demetria said.

Winter stood up. “I insist. I used to buy it for you, anyway.” She went to the ice cream truck and bought two ice creams with cones.

Eira went to her. “Daddy,” she called and hugged her.

“Hey, baby,” Winter greeted. “I’ll just give this to your mom,” she said about the ice cream. “Do you mind her coming with us?”

Eira raised an eyebrow and Winter knew she got that trait from her.

“Why?” Winter lovingly asked.

“I knew it!” Eira exclaimed.

Winter started to walk back to Demetria with her. “Knew what?”

“You still have a crush on Mom!”

Winter grinned. “Who said I stopped having a crush on her?”

Eira hopped excitedly. “No one!”

Winter chuckled.

Eira eyed the ice cream. “You still know her favorite flavor.”

Winter nodded. “Of course, I do.”

“And that she likes it in a cone.”

“Yep,” Winter agreed.

She sat on the bench as Eira sat between her parents. She gave Demetria her ice cream. Meanwhile, Eira’s eyeing the two of them.

“Thank you,” Demetria said.

“You’re always welcome,” Winter said as she ate her ice cream.

“You’re cute,” Eira teased them.

Demetria lightly choked. “What?” she clarified.

“You two are cute,” Eira repeated.

Winter grinned. She liked this but she didn’t want this date to be only about her and Demetria. “Well, you definitely got that cuteness from us,” she said as she lightly pinched her daughter’s cheek.

“But you mostly got that from your daddy,” Demetria said.

Winter looked at her.

Demetria looked back. “What? It’s true.”

“Yeah,” Winter agreed. “Because you got your beauty from your mommy,” she added.

“You think I’m pretty?” Eira asked.

“Of course!” Winter said. “You got that from the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Demetria rolled her eyes as she blushed.

“You think Mom is the most beautiful in the world?” Eira asked.

“Yeah, but now, it includes you,” Winter answered.

“Thank you, Daddy!” Eira hugged her.

Winter hugged back. “You’re welcome, honey.”

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She picked it up and read Victoria’s message saying that they didn’t want to disturb them, so they left them. They only wanted to see Eira. She sent a message saying that she'd see them later.

“Is there an amusement park here?” Winter asked Demetria.

Demetria nodded. “Eira’s favorite place.”

Eira sat up straight. "Are we going?" she asked.

"Do you want to?" Winter asked.

Eira immediately nodded. "Yes!"

Winter grinned. "Lead the way."

Eira stood up, took each of her parents' hands, and lightly pulled them up as they walked.

Winter finished her ice cream along with Demetria. "Is it nearby?"

"It's a 20-minute drive," Demetria said. "We can use my car."

"Does it have GPS?" Winter asked.

Demetria nodded. "Why?"

"I'll drive."

"You don't have to."

"But I want to," Winter insisted.

"Mom, let Dad drive!" Eira persuaded. "I want to see her drive."

Winter lends her hand to Demetria and smirks at her. “You’re outvoted,” she teased.

Demetria rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She gave her the keys.

Winter grinned. “Let’s go, honey,” she called Eira and opened the backseat of the car. “Get yourself situated.”

Eira complied as Winter tightened her seatbelt.

Winter closed the door. When Demetria’s about to open the passenger seat’s door, she beat her to it. “Let me.”

Demetria smiled at her as she went inside. “Thank you.”

Winter reciprocated her smile and closed the door. Then, she went to the driver’s seat, starting the engine.

*

Andrew sneaked into the hotel where Winter’s staying by the fire escape. He pulled his hood so the security cameras wouldn’t be able to record his face.

He also managed to sneak his way to the hotel room. Lucky for him, no one was home. He immediately went to look for Winter’s things. Starting from her bag, then luggage, drawers, and closet, but he didn’t find the flash drive.

“Where is it?” he murmured.

“Looking for this?” A voice startled him.

He turned around to see Niall holding the flash drive. He went to snatch it from his hand but his brother turned it away. “Give me that!” he said, frustrated.

“Why would I?” Niall smugly asked.

“Give me that or else…,” Andrew threatened.

“Or else what?”

Andrew didn’t hesitate to punch his face. Niall was dumbfounded that he had been stiff.

Andrew took the flash drive from his hand. “You should stay out of my way, brother.”

Niall heard the door opening and closing as his body felt numb and went on his knees. Did his brother just punch him?

He felt blood coming down his chin. He wiped it and looked at his fingers soaked. He can’t believe his brother caused this. He really did everything necessary for him just to get what he wanted, even hurting his brother, his family.

Victoria and Summer went back to their hotel after a few strolls in the city. Summer felt tired and told her wife she wanted to rest. As they went inside, Victoria let Summer go to their bedroom.

As she went to the fridge to get some water, she heard a soft thud in Winter’s bedroom. Her eyebrows furrowed knowing no one was in there. She finished drinking her glass of water before going to inspect the room. She opened the door and saw a guy on his knees, his back facing her.

“Who the hell are you?!” she exclaimed.

The guy flinched and stood up, facing her. “Ms. Victoria,” he acknowledged.

“Niall?” Victoria clarified. “What are you doing here?”

“I apologize. I just discovered that there is a person interested in the investigation.”

Victoria closed the door behind her. “And?”

“He wanted to steal the flash drive that had all the information that I gave to Ms. Winter.”

“Did he?” Victoria asked.

Niall nodded. “He has it, but don’t worry, I have a copy and I’ll give it to you soon. I tried to stop him and he punched me in the face.”

Victoria became confused. “I thought you learned Martial Arts?” she asked.

Niall sighed. “Yes, but he is close to my heart. I never imagined he would do this to me.”

Victoria nodded in understanding. “I guess that’s why you’re here, too.”

Niall nodded. “He’s here,” he said. “Has Ms. Winter seen the files?”

Victoria shrugged. “I don’t know but I think she hasn’t. I mean, whatever’s in there won’t make her happy, right?” she asked.

Niall pursed his lips.

Victoria waved her hand. “I know. She’s happy right now, so just give me the flash drive when you can. I’ll just sneak it into her things.”

Niall nodded. “I’ll take my leave.” He headed to the door.

“Wait,” Victoria stopped him.

Niall froze.

Victoria turned to him. “Why does this person doesn’t want Winter to know what’s in the flash drive?”

Niall sighed and faced her. “He’s involved. You’ll know why and how soon enough,” he said. “I’ll be leaving.” He left and saw Summer outside the room and gave her a nod.

Summer acknowledged him and watched him go to the door. As the door closed, he went to Winter’s room and saw her wife in deep thought.

“Babe? What’s going on?” she asked her wife.

Victoria sighed as walked closer to her and held her by the waist. She shrugged. “I think there’s more to Winter and Demetria’s divorce.”

*

Winter carried Eira and settled her by her hips. “What do you want to do, honey?”

Eira tapped her chin with her finger as she thought about it. “Hmm…,” she hummed.

Winter looked around and spotted the carousel. “Do you want to ride that?” she asked her and pointed.

Eira lit up. “With you?”

Winter nodded.

“Okay!” Eira eagerly agreed.

Winter turned to Demetria to tell her but she caught her taking pictures of them.

Demetria saw her look so she looked up. “Go ahead.”

“What about you?” Winter asked.

“I’ll be fine here. I’ll buy you snacks,” Demetria replied.

Eira pouted. “You don’t want to come with us?”

Demetria moved closer to her. “I would love to but you should spend time with your dad.”

Eira continued to pout. She wants her parents together. She liked Uncle Andrew but of course, she wants her dad for her mom, always.

Winter chuckled as her daughter’s expression reminded her of Demetria when she doesn’t get what she wants.

Demetria sighed. “Okay, how about this? I’ll join you when you ride the Ferris wheel.”

Eira beamed. “Really?”

Demetria nodded. “Really.”

Eira raised her arms in excitement. “Yey!” She kissed her mother’s cheek. “Let’s go, daddy!”

“Okay~,” Winter said as she smiled at Demetria who smiled back before going in the direction of the carousel.

Demetria’s eyes followed them as they aboard the ride. She looked at the photos she took a while ago on her phone. She smiled. Precious.

Meanwhile, Winter settled Eira on one of the horses. “I suppose this isn’t your first time riding,” she concluded.

Eira nodded. “But it’s my first time with you.”

Winter smiled. “That’s thoughtful.”

“Mom said, the place doesn’t matter, what matters is the person you’re with. I didn’t understand it at first but she explained it. She asked if would I be happy if she doesn’t go with me here. I answered, no,” Eira told her. “Like ice cream, it tastes better when you have someone to share it with. I always share my ice cream with mom and it makes me happy.”

Winter nodded. “That’s deep for a person your age.”

“Mom also said, you’re never too young to learn things. I just always ask her when I’m curious,” Eira said.

“Are you happy with me?” Winter asked.

Eira beamed. “Yes!”

Winter grinned. “Good to know.”

After riding the carousel, they easily saw Demetria holding three corndogs. She smiled at them. “Hungry?”

Eira smiled widely as she took a corndog from her mother and started to eat.

Demetria lends one to Winter who took it.

The latter smiled. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Demetria said, reciprocating her smile.

When they’re finished eating, Winter volunteered to buy some water.

Eira poked her mother.

Demetria looked down at her. “Why?”

Eira shook her head while having a teasing smile.

“What?” Demetria pushed.

Eira shook her head again. “Nothing!”

Demetria gave her a suspicious look. “What are you up to?”

Eira shrugged.

Demetria just shook her head at her daughter’s antics.

Winter went back to them with three bottles of water and a bouquet of yellow roses. She gave them each of the bottles and she gave the roses to Demetria.

The latter looked at her as she stopped herself from smiling. “What are these for?”

“A thank you,” Winter answered.

“For what?”

“If it weren’t for you, there wouldn’t be Eira in our lives.”

Demetria nodded in understanding. “That’s funny. If it weren’t for you, too, there wouldn’t be her.”

Winter awkwardly smiled. “Right…”

“So, thank you, too,” Demetria said. “And for the roses.”

Winter beamed. “You’re always welcome.”

Demetria pretended to smell the roses as she started to blush. These were the same flowers Winter used to give her when they were still together and married. They’re her favorite. Andrew gives her red roses and she’s grateful for it but she missed these.

Meanwhile, Eira was staring at them as they interacted with each other. She and Winter talked about her mother while they were on the carousel and Eira convinced her dad to buy her mom some flowers.

With a smile on her face, she said, “I’m still here.”

Winter and Demetria looked down at her and chuckled.

Winter went to carry her again as they played some games around the amusement park with a few of them winning some plush toys which are a delight to their bundle of joy. Then, they went aboard other rides with Demetria trying to take decent pictures. It puts a smile on her face whenever she sees them laughing together. This was her dream. Winter and their child having fun with each other. It came true. Now, she wonders what would it be for the three of them if they get back together. Does Winter still want her? I guess, she does… knowing she spent years finding me, but do I still want her? If I do, is it right to be with her?

She saw Eira waving at her, she waved back and caught Winter’s gaze. The latter smiled at her.

Up to now, those stares and smiles never failed to melt me.

Suddenly, Andrew came into her mind. He’s a good person but what do I feel about him?

Winter and Eira went back to her, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“That was fun, mommy!” Eira said.

Demetria beamed. “Really?”

Eira nodded.

“What do you want to ride now?”

“Ferris wheel!”

“Let’s go, then,” Winter said, pulling her daughter’s hand.

Demetria trailed up behind them but Eira took her hand so she can walk beside her.

“Can we take pictures up there?” Eira requested.

Winter nodded. “Sure, honey.”

“The three of us?”

“Of course, sweetheart. Anything for you,” Demetria answered.

Eira grinned.

They waited in line until they got to aboard one. As it slowly went up, Eira stood up from her seat to look at the amazing view that she never gets tired of looking.

Winter placed a hand on her back so she wouldn’t stumble. “Careful, baby.”

Demetria casually watches them. Winter didn’t change, still a caring and loving person. She begins to wonder how she was for the past five years.

Eira turned to Winter. “Daddy.”

“Yes, baby?”

“Mom told me you went to see the Eiffel Tower when you two were here.”

Winter smiled. “Yeah. We had dinner at the top,” she said.

“I want to go there, too!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!”

“Don’t you have fear of heights?” Winter asked.

Eira shook her head. “Mom has.”

Winter nodded. “I know,” she replied and turned to look at Demetria who she discovered was watching them. “Hey, Tria,” she called.

Demetria raised her eyebrows. “Hmm?”

Tria? She didn’t realize that it’s been a long time since she called her that.

Winter’s hands fidgeted as she spoke. “Look, ever since I finally found you with Eira, all I wanted was to take you home,” she started.

Eira looked at her dad, listening.

“I want to ask; will you go back to the Philippines with me?”