Back In Your Arms (GM Series #4)

25

Weekend came and just like how Jordyn and I planned, we set a potluck dinner to their house. Hindi naman iyon issue para sa lahat dahil palagi naman nilang ginagawa iyon simula pa dati. It was like a tradition now that we want to pass to our kids to continue when they grow up; if they like of course.

"What are we bringing?" Aydan asked, he stood behind me and snaked his arms around my waist, leaning on my shoulder and planting a kiss in there.

"Seafood Paella," I answered and I can't help but smile hearing him gasping after hearing that.

Aydan loves paella and making it seafood ends every argument of which dish is his favorite. And I know by now how much excitement he has to eat this.

"Really?" He asked, eyes twinkling.

I nodded. "Yep. It's almost done actually. Can you help me, please?"

"Of course, love. What should I do?"

"Just help me bring this to the counter. It's kind of heavy, I can't lift it," I told him, smiling.

He nodded like a kid. "What else?"

I shook my head. "That would be all," I answered, reaching for his cheek to give him a kiss.

"You sure?"

"Yep. Just check on Mari while I check on the rest, okay?"

Aydan smiled and kissed me back, on the forehead. "Just call me when you need help."

"I will," I answered. With that, he left to check out daughter. And just like what I said, I did check the rest of the things we will be bringing to Jordyn and Caius' house.

Aside from Seafood Paella, we will also bring Tiramisu for dessert. I heard this is Kairus's favorite from Mari.

"Are you ready?" I asked Mari. She's waiting patiently in our living room, swaying her feet as she seats on our couch. Aydan's already putting our things in his car. We will be staying there for the night.

Smiling, she nodded at me. "We're going to Kai's house?"

"Yep. Are you excited to see Kai?" I tacked some strands of her hair behind her ears. Her hair was fixed on a half ponytail. Aydan even put a bowtie on it. "You're so pretty, baby." I said, caressing her cheek.

My baby is looking happier than she ever was. Seeing her smiling this wide while her eyes twinkled, I already knew I made the right decision of accepting Aydan in our lives again.

"You are pretty too, mommy," Mari said.

I smiled hearing that.

"Daddy too. Pretty," she added, chuckling as she looked behind me. I knew Aydan was already there.

I turned to look at my husband, grinning. "Right. Daddy is pretty too."

Aydan arched his brow. "Daddy's pretty?"

"Yes, daddy. You're pretty," Mari answered, giggling.

Aydan walked to us, kneeling in front of us. "You are pretty," he said, reaching for Mari's hand and kissing the back of it. "Mari and Mommy are the prettiest in the whole world for daddy," he added.

And I can't help but feel the butterflies inside my stomach get wild.

"You are the prettiest for Mari, too!" My daughter said.

Aydan grinned. "Prettier than Kairus?"

Mari paused and pouted hearing her dad's trick. I shook my head and was about to stop them from teasing each other when Mari answered.

"You are the prettiest for Mari, daddy." Mari answered, smiling again.

She just repeated what she said but Aydan and I both knew what our daughter meant.

Aydan turned to me with moist eyes. I smiled and reached for his shoulder. I know this is overwhelming for him but I also know that this will help him to heal more from his traumas.

"You are doing great being a dad, love. See? Our daughter loves you the most," I told him when we're already outside his car. He just put Mari on her car seat.

"You think so?"

I shook my head. "It's the truth, love. You're a great dad."

"But our daughter is still young to know what I am doing," he doubted.

"Our daughter is still young but she already knows how great her daddy is. You're doing great," I told him, touching his cheek. Aydan leaned on it.

"Thank you," he breathed. "Thank you for fighting for our daughter. Thank you for letting me in again. Thank you for giving this family," he said.

I smiled and hugged him. "We made this family together, Aydan. And we will be building a happier family in the future," I said.

Aydan has been thanking me for giving him a chance, for our daughter, and for our family. And every time he does it, my heart can't help but feel warm.

This isn't a bad or a wrong decision. Aydan will always be the best decision I could make.

"We get going or else we'll get late," I told him.

"Right. My phone has been vibrating from Connor's texts and calls," he said, pulling his car door open for me. "They are more excited to see you and our daughter," added, rolling his eyes.

I chuckled and said, "He's probably excited to share his tea."

"Right. You girls..." He said, shaking his head before shutting the door. He jogged to the driver's set side and hopped in. "I will not wonder when the kids grow up like their aunties," he added and I laughed already.

"That's normal, love." I depended.

"Tss. It's not normal to talk about other people's lives," he said and started the car's engine.

I turned to Mari to check on her. She was on her iPad, watching Ms. Rachel. The car moved, making Mari's iPad fall. I took it and handed it to her. "Are you having fun there, baby?" I asked.

But my daughter is not with me, it didn't move to look at me. She was staring in front of us, out of our car. And then, she uttered, "Lolo." while pointing her finger in front.

My brows creased as I turned in front. And there was the stranger guy we met the other day.

"Ugh. That's the guy we met at the grocery store," I said, trying to explain why Mari called him Lolo.

But Aydan's attention is all in front, at that mam, while he's gripping on the steering wheel and his jaws are clenching so hard.

"Love, what's wrong?" I had to ask, seeing how his mood is changing.

He is getting mad.