I Never Left You

33. Father daughter Moment

Ray had never woken up better than today. His Saturday  started better than he anticipated,Azra was curled up in his arms, dead to the world. He sighed with content and kissed her forehead. Last night hadn't been a dream. Today was going to be  historical, his daughter was going to start living with him. He had invited his family to come share his joy. Not sure how they would take  the news of his daughter, he invited his family through their whatsapp family group chat. Sadly or by good chance her mother was still in Paris promoting one of her cosmetic brands so it would only be Renny her sister and Henry Fisher that would be present. He wanted to keep it simple so only both families and close friends were to be present.
without waking her up, Ray woke up, rinsed his face and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for both of them. She loves sausages and eggs for breakfast so Ray settles for that. The coffee maker is whizzing next to the frying pan he's tossing. He's humming a beautiful slow song when soft hands hug him from behind, startling him from behind.
"Good morning"
"Good lovely morning you too Ra, how did you sleep?" he asks her.
"Like a baby " she shyly replies. "only worried about today"
"Don't cross bridges we haven't reached Ra, am sure everything will go well today, so why not go back to being a baby and wait I bring you breakfast" Ray soothes her worries. She leaves Ray in the kitchen and goes to play with her phone on the couch still in her bathrobe. She's glad Ray didn't didn't bring up the topic. She smiles to herself while reminiscing about the events that took place last night as she hits and matches the candy inside her phone. Careful this time the first thing she did when she woke up was to take the pill. A few minutes later, Ray walks in with a tray containing their breakfast.
"Mmmm, this looks yummy". She picks a sausage and immediately starts munching on it.
"Let's say it's a repay for last night " Azra almost chokes on the food on hearing his words. She didn't expect the subject so soon. "It was really fantastic" he continues exposing the smirk on his face. Azra's cheeks turn cherry as she remembers the moaning ,gasping and pleasure she went through last night. "Thanks, it was hot and sweet last night." she replies not daring to meet his eyes .
***
Azra's POV
" what a nice little paradise you have got for your selves here! " mum exclaims as she enters strolling Christa in her cart, Allan tugging behind them. "Nice to see you mum", I hug her tightly then scoop Christa out of the cart ."Long time no see princess, welcome home " I can't believe the day has finally come. "Nice to see you too big boss" I greet my brother.
"Mrs Falls, I mean Flora nice to see you" Ray says behind me. Since when is he well acquainted with my mum. It's funny how I haven't met Ray's mum ever since I gave birth yet he's so familiar with mine. His dad is coming over today with Renny.  Those two are bearable or chummy. I sighed a relief when I heard Mrs Fisher wasn't coming. Speaking of dads, I don't see mine around yet. "Mum! where's dad, I thought you guys came together? " I ask interrupting their greetings with Ray. "He will be up shortly, I left him parking "mum informs us. "Dadi" Christa releases herself from me running to his dad who embraces her as soon as she runs into his open arms. It is official, the bond between girls and their dads is stronger than the vander waals. As am about to ask mum on since when did  dad start driving,  the doors open revealing him. I equally run throwing myself at him.
Shortly Leah walks in, hangover from last night still evident on her face though it takes a best friend who knows her well to see it. Austin didn't come with her. She informs me that she had to fly out urgently in the morning so she couldn't come. Leah's arrival is escorted by Ray's father and sister. We humbly welcome them into our home. Renny has grown so much from the time I last say her. She's a reserved person but warm friendly. Ray told me she's studying business management so later she will be the heiress of her dad's business. We're in the same campus but our paths had never crossed. From the way she clings to her father it's crystal clear that she's his favorite and also a daddy's girl.
Ray rings his glass calling everyone to attention "Ladies and gentlemen, fathers and mothers, friends, business partners all gathered here,  I welcome you all. Today is a very special day to us all, we celebrate life, so cheers to living" he raises his wine glass in the air and so does everyone present. "When you look around you, we have beautiful women, some that brought us into the world others that we have grown to love and those we we're born with. We love them more than anything, even in my mum's absence, I still cherish her too. But today I want to recognize a different bond,  a father-daughter bond. Growing up, I was always jealous of the relationship my father had with Renny" he pauses to catch his breath, his eyes searching for me am carrying Christa on my lap. "But not anymore, for the Almighty has blessed me with my own daughter Christa." I release Christa and he goes to Ray who proudly lifts her up. Most of the people in the room are shocked. I can hear Oooohs and Awwws coming from his friends. I think it's only Kevin among his friends that knew about Christa. Even his dad looks shocked.
"My lovely girlfriend Azra has gifted me with this beautiful baby so I won't have to be jealous anymore". cheers come from the corner where his three friends Kevin, Brad and Grey are seated. "I officially respect you man" Grey says sending everyone into laughter. My parents look my way and smile. "So everyone please welcome Christa officially into the Fisher family" the poor girl looks shocked as everyone claps and smiles at her.  Ray walks to her father so Christa could greet his grandpa. Everyone eagerly wants to hold her.
"How do you feel?" Leah squeezes my hand on the lap. Only she can understand the trouble I went through to bring Christa into the world. "Proud" I manage to say fighting the river of tears trying to form in my eyes. My dad rises from his seat and the room goes quiet on seeing him get on his feet. "Greetings too everyone" he starts in his firm voice. "Since we're here to celebrate that faher-daughter bond, allow me to show off the love I have for mine too. Azra is a hardworking and strong willed girl, No matter what decision you make I will always support you for you will always know what's best". "Thanks dad," I say if he adds more words, I surely will start crying. It's not everyday that you get praises. "So please allow your old man to spoil you a little though I know Ray will soon out compete me." He digs in his front pockets of his shorts and hands me a key. My mind had not comprehended what the key was for when Leah screams with excitement saying "it's a car key ". I rise up and hug my dad with all the happiness, forgetting everyone els in our living room. Cheers I hear everyone say as they all continue to refill their glasses. "Thank you so much daddy" ,"now you have no excuse for coming to visit us as soon as you get the time. Me and your mum felt you deserved a ride". "Oooooh " is all I can say turning to look at my mum, who smiles giving me a double thumbs up. "Can we go see it now? " I eagerly ask. "Why not wait abit longer,you can't leave your guests all alone here,  don't worry the car is in the parking lot." Dad assures me so I bottle up my excitement.
We manage to go through the welcoming party for Christa with almost everyone bombarding me with questions. How old  Christa is. If the kid is really for Ray, how  and when did I get pregnant. Renny is excited to be Aunt so soon and promises to visit almost every weekend .Mr Fisher's face is calm and expressionless. I can't tell his feelings towards Christa. I have known him to be talkative and funny, but today he's about reserved. He thanked me for giving him a grand child and gave me a contented smile. And that was it.
Ray stays behind with Kevin to keep watch on Christa. Everyone has almost left, being a weekend, almost everyone has gone back to catch up with their programs. Leah and I went out to test my brand new ride. Dad was so thoughtful, I have always dreamed of driving a Rav4 . Lighting McQueen was my favorite race car growing up. One day when dad asked me which car I admired most, I told him a red Rav4 and that's exactly what he got me. I should get him something in return, at least now my car savings could go to something else. Ray was annoyed that dad beat him to gifting me a car, he wanted to give me one as a birthday gift next year.
"Am going to miss riding with you, young,  xu know" Leah pouts. We've been driving together ever since Leah got her learner's permit. "Don't mind, we can always take turns in driving our cars, you can always bypass our apartment then we go in one of the cars. Especially if we have morning lectures. That way we will still ride together, and save fuel at the same time" I assure her.
"Sounds like a working plan, but I don't want to be a third wheel when you guys are being love birds in the car with Ray" Leah states a fact. "That reminds me, last night I finally let go" I give her the headlines while keeping my eyes on the road. "No way!!!" Leah exclaims, "you know what, there's an a ice cream point in front there, you have to pull up and tell me everything without leaving out any details". As usual my perverted bestie is always ready to hear my love making stories so we eat ice cream as we gossip about our men's capabilities. Later I tell her about my encounter with Jenna. She promises to watch out for her and get as much details as she can about her. "Enough of me with my stories, how was last night and your whole life?" I ask my friend who worries so much about me and forgets about herself. "Technically speaking, it's a wavy pattern am trying to adjust to, me and Austin have different patterns. When I  get home, he's leaving. The only time were both free is mostly on some weekends."she pauses, then continues scooping her icecream. "poor you, is everything okay? " I ask not being the best at comforting. "I guess so" she sighs, "he's always in and out meeting clients here and there but I will adjust to his schedule soon.  On the bright side " she brightens up "am planning to open up a bakery next semester".
"That's an amazing idea,  your finally putting your free time to good use" I tease her but proud of the move he has taken. She's an amazing baker, she makes the best cinnamon rolls and ginger  cookies in the whole of my eating life. "You will be great at it." I assure her. I get a text from Ray but can't help laughing. I text him back and tell him I will be there in less than 10 minutes.
In the car Leah starts panicking asking what could be wrong but I only continue driving. When she can no longer hold being in suspense any longer she threatens to jump out of the car unless I tell her what caused the sudden rush. "Ray can't change a diaper" I finally tell her and it's her turn to laugh. "You should have told him to at least watch a YouTube video or baby tutorials." Leah says in between her giggles. "I think it's best if I showed him" I say as we pulled up into the parking lot.
"It's crystal clear that your missing him already, after your sinful acts last night am sure you can't wait to be alone with him again" she's says half the truth and lie. 
"Maybe, maybe not" I try to defend myself. "So this is what love can do to people" I inwardly ask myself.At one time I had never wanted to see his face, now I don't want to be out of his embrace. Leah refuses to go with me inside and bets that Kevin must be already gone by now. We hug each other soon and promise to spend the next Saturday with Christa at Leah's place.