fun with them...

Hailey and Chris getting pets...

Hailey

Evening sky was looming over our heads. Jeremy turned 16 this year but for this day it was Julianna's bday. We were having a beach day, well technically the whole day went here.
Chris and Jeremy were playing catch in the shallows of the water while Julie in the need of break came back to sit beside me.

If I were to look back to my life it feels like a blessing from heaven. Never in my life I had thought that an arranged marriage which I so politely rejected turned out to be the best up-turn of my life.

Chris has been nothing but a wonderful husband and more than a wonderful father. Sometimes I think he purposely taunts Jeremy but I always catch a hint of small smile after the stupid snarks he throws at him.

My kids are just as wonderful as their father. Jeremy looks like a software copied and pasted Chris and as an additional features added dimples. Me and Chris both were equally jealous of his dimpled smiles though my boy being just as handsome as his father was it was a little over-whelming when he gets all the stares of the room.

Julianna may have a little part of me when it came to her facial features but she had the prettiest eyes among all of us. And no shit she was too clingy on Chris and Jeremy. The 2 would be on their heels for her anytime she wanted them to.

Like the time where little Julie wanted castle in home so Jeremy went into action mode and made her a castle from cardboard, curtains and pillows. The time where she wanted ice cream in the middle of the night so Chris had made a run in heavy rain.

My dad always points out how Julie reminds him of my mother- the energy, the voice and even the impulsive behaviour. To him Julie is the favourite grand kid and its vice versa for Julie as well. Anyone looking at them while they are playing some board game or chatting can tell.

All that time I thought I'd mess up the role of being a good mother to my kids Chris says, "just look at our kids. Do they look like they are disappointed on their parents?" and somehow something happens that either of them are asking for comfort or looking for me.

Boys making their way towards us snaps me out of my thoughts. Chris sits beside me and Jeremy beside Julie. "Mom, why aren't these 2 wearing any clothes?" Julie asks making Jeremy cough out the water he was drinking.

"Julie" -Chris says- "You'll find out when you grow up."

Julie huffs and goes back to munching on her nachos. A small smile plays on my lips. Chris glues his eyes on me, leans his head on my shoulder and whispers, "What are you thinking, ma cherié?"

I lean my head on his, "Us. You me and our kids. We have came so far. It still feels surreal to think there was a time we agreed on finding a way out of this arranged marriage and here we are."

He hums, "You know how I feel yet let me tell you. I love you and my kids with my heart, my life and my soul. I didn't see myself here but now that I am here, living this moment I feel so happy."

I look at my kids to find Julie playing catch with Jeremy. Probably Jeremy pissed Julie off because she had an angry pout on her face while he was grining.

"You know" -Chris says snapping me out of my trance. "I have another suprise for all of you." "me as well?" I raise my eyebrows to which he nods.

I smile, wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him on the corner of his lips, "I love you, Mr Langford." He gives a smile, the brightest one, "I love you too, mon amouŕ." 

An hour later we were back home, Chris picks up a sleepy Juile while Jeremy helps me with bags and things. Inside Chris lays Julie on the couch while my boy helps me clear up bags and set up laundry.

While we were at it, a few minutes later a loud squeal is heard. Scared I drop the plate I had been setting and run outside the kitchen as fast as I can. My feet pause at the living room.

Julie was wide awake and was playing with a puppy? I walk ahead and stop near them. Jeremy had a golden retriever while a Siberian husky puppy was in Julie's hands.

Chris walks beside me, puts an arm across my shoulders pulling me to his side. "Meet our new family members, Benny the Golden and Jax the Siberian."

"Thank You, husband" I say and hug Chris' side. "Mom" -Julie sings- "Jax is so cute." "Benny is best" -Jeremy declares- "at least he is not howling like a rookie."

"Jokes on you, Jar Jar" Julie pokes her tongue out to Jeremy who just sighs. My kids, I sigh. True to Jeremy's words Jax howls. For a puppy he was more energetic. I join my kids who were sitting on the floor to play with puppies.

No shit it was a surprise because Chris reveals all the arrangement he'd make to adjust Benny and Jax in the house.