Word count: 3811

*

"Mommy?"

There was no response.

"Momma?" Stephanie called again, all traces of sleep no longer evident on her face. She rubbed her hands on her stomach, gathering foam and blowing it in the air absentmindedly.

"Yes baby?"

Monica slowly washed her daughter's face with her bare hand and rinsed the soap away before picking the loofah and resuming her work on Stephanie's back.

"Where's daddy? I miss him." Stephanie pouted.

Monica rolled her eyes at the girl's needy tone. She sounded so desperate to see her father.

"He is in his room."

"Can we go to see him?"

"Sure baby."

"When mommy? Oh. You called me baby." Stephanie giggled at something she was thinking about, catching Monica's attention.

"When you're done bathing, daddy will come to you. What is so funny about me calling you baby?"

"You called daddy too baby that day. You kissed daddy on his lips and called him baby." She pointed at her lips as if to signify where Monica had kissed her daddy and giggled again.

"Oh dear, you won't understand." Monica groaned.

Stephanie was back to pouting as if she'd just not been giggling. "I want to see daddy, let him towel me dry. Call daddy." She grumbled.

Monica sighed, upset that her daughter had grown so fond of Sucre but also glad Stephanie now had a father figure in her life. Monica just didn't know if she was ready to fully share Stephanie with someone else. They'd been together for years, and it had been...drama free. But with Sucre came drama, and love and good sex, with so many other factors she didn't want to consider at the moment.

She bathed Stephanie and cleaned the girl, before dressing her in yoga pants and a fluffy shirt that reached just below the girl's bum. On the pink shirt was written, 'I'm daddy's baby, so back off!' And Sucre was of course the person that had it specially bought for her on one of their shopping sprees.

After combing her hair and creaming whatever skin was left to be seen on Stephanie's arms, Monica ordered room service and went to turn on the TV for Stephanie.

"The room service will be up in about fifteen minutes like I told them to, so I'll just have a quick shower before then." Monica mumbled to herself, wanting to just bathe and get it over with. Lazily, she stalked to the bathroom and shut the door faintly so she'd hear if Stephanie called her for anything.

Scrubbing, Monica felt sadness and longing weigh her down. She was so sad that she had a fight with Sucre, she missed him greatly. The past few days had been very good and promising. Sucre had taken them to the cinemas, they'd both taken Stephanie to the park twice and also Sucre had made sweet love to her. They almost woke up all night to have rough sex or make love. Monica felt her mood further dampen.

Thinking about their lovemaking, Monica caressed her nipples and wished Sucre was with her while she was bathing so she could beg him to go faster and deeper in her. She wanted him to beg her, then go on his knees and pleasure her while she pulled at his soft hair.

Heaving a sigh, she washed up and got out of the bath with a thick robe around her. Just then, there was a knock on the door. The two rooms both her and Sucre had booked were attached to each other but a door was separating them and Monica had locked that door the previous night so she could only open her own main door to get the hotel attendant in.

This hotel was actually classy. Their carpeted floor, along with the thick long curtains, bedspread, couch and wall painting were all deep red colors with black beautiful strokes slanted over them in a unique style- red, the perfect theme for seduction and love making.

Monica shook her head at her pathetic thoughts and opened the door. As soon as the male attendant came in, someone slid in as well. Well, he didn't exactly slide in but be stormed in and went straight for Monica. It was none other than Sucre, with his hair scattered deliciously over his head as if he'd repeatedly pulled at it and dark circles were evident below his eyes. He was still in his bathrobe as well and was looking as handsome as sin.

Monica's eyes widened at the sight of him coming in that way to claim her, or beg. Her heart fluttered despite her strong resolve.

"Monica baby-"

"Daddy!" Stephanie cut him off from the sofa close to the window where she was sitting and ran into his arms.

Heaving a sigh, Sucre went on his knees and hugged his daughter, pecking her on the forehead and kissing her cheeks. She did the same and then frowned. Just then, Monica looked away from him with a raised brow and turned to face the man who was transferring the tray from the delivery stool to the table in their room.

"You didn't play with me when I woke up. I want to sleep with you today daddy." Stephanie pouted, a gesture that melted Sucre's heart. He quickly got to his feet and carried her in his arms.

"I'm sorry baby, I was doing some work but I'm here right now. And I won't go anywhere again, okay?"

Monica ignored the duo and lightly chatted with the hotel attendant that brought in their order, asking him some questions and failing horribly as she tried to speak Italian. Well, English with a mixture of Italian. Her husband was part Italian part Mexico and his Nana, whom she'd known for years, was also Italian so she'd learnt several words from them overtime.

"You almost got it." The dark haired man chuckled and flashed a charming smile, which made Monica wave her right hand over her face. He had slight grey hairs at the sides of his ear but he didn't look a day older than thirty five.

"Damn it, I knew I almost had it. I'm Monica by the way, thanks for the service." Monica flashed him a beautiful, charming smile that had Sucre's heart turn into a stuttering mess. Sucre's left brow rose so high that it almost touched his hairline.

Was this woman serious right now? She had the nerves to flirt with an older man right in his presence?!

Sucre stormed towards them with Stephanie still in his arms and rattled some Italian words, facing the man. The man's eyes widened and he nodded, before smiling at Monica once more.

"Thank you for giving Blossoms hotel and suites the opportunity to serve you, and enjoy your stay." He gave a bow and scurried off immediately.

Startled, Monica's smile wavered and she called after him just before he shut the door. "You're welcome."

Then the room fell into an awkward silence.

"What was the meaning of that nonsense?" Monica hissed, conscious of the fact that Stephanie was rubbing her hands on her father's five o'clock shadow.m and she didn't want Stephanie to see her parents fighting.

"I just reminded him to do his duties and not flirt around with someone's wife." Sucre stated in a bland tone.

He went and placed Stephanie on the leather couch before gently moving the table closer to her. Since Monica's order was an Italian special, Sucre knew they were all in for a good treat.

Opening the tray, he kept the tray cover under the table so Stephanie wouldn' step on it and hurt herself, then he slowly split one of the Cumin Spiced Chicken Meatballs into two for her and opened the bowl of Pasta é Fagioli to pour a small portion into a smaller bowl, hoping she would like it as much as she liked her Canadian dishes. He poured her apple juice in a glass cup since Monica had trained her to use glass cups and be careful without breaking them.

"You know what Sucre? You're such an idiot and you only think about yourself. Everything's all about you and your stupid ego."

Sucre patted Stephanie's hair and couldn't help but peck her forehead as well. "Monica, let's have this discussion later. You didn't eat anything after the plane landed yesterday or when you settled in here. Come here babe."

Sucre smiled encouragingly as if they weren't fighting, which only further irritated her. Moreover, how did he know that she didn't order anything when he left her the previous night? The damn brute was keeping tabs on her!

"Just shut up." She grounded.

"Baby-"

"Daddy, mummy said to shut up. If mommy says so, then shut up." Stephanie smiled gently at her dad like she was correcting a kid, oblivious to the tension in the room while she twirled a fork of Pasta é Fagioli in her left hand.

Sucre got up and stalked towards the angry woman. "Monica, I know I did wrong and I can't even begin to express just how sorry I am. I just didn't want you to go on those dates, I couldn't bear to see the woman I love walk into the arms of another man."

"But that was low Sucre, you sent your men and do you even know what they said to me?" Her eyes flashed in anger as she remembered their derogatory words. Sean Owens had made her feel like she was so desperate to be in a relationship.

"What did they say? Fuck, I'll kill them if-"

"No. It's not their fault, they were following orders. You made me think horrible things when all those men I met were so weird and problematic."

Sucre gently pulled her into his arms and felt relief wash over him when she didn't pull away.

"I told them to...to say something weird. Anything that would make you run back into my arms. I'm so sorry." He whispered the last part. If he could turn back the hands of time, he would have gone on that first date she set up with agent Patrick, whom she knew to be Sean Owens. He would have made them talk somehow so he'd have eventually known why she left him and then he wouldn't be going through much pain because of how sad she was. Knowing she was sad made his heart ache terribly.

Monica pulled herself out of his hold and glanced at Stephanie who was having her breakfast and giggling at whatever she was watching on TV.

"You've explained yourself, now you can go."

Reluctantly, she took a step back so she'd not be easily dragged into his hold even though she so badly wanted him to pull her down on his thighs and just sink her down on his throbbing erection. Monica blushed as she saw him looking at her slightly exposed shoulder with a hungry look in his eyes.

"I can't leave you guys." Sucre grumbled like a spoilt kid who wasn't having things his way.

"You did before. Last night."

He nodded. "I knew I should have just broke in through that door and begged you till you accepted or maybe fucked your body into the bed till your limbs give out."

Monica blushed furiously even though she was used to his potty mouth. "I wouldn't have accepted. Now get out, I need to dress up."

"How nice. You'll have to do that in the other room. The case you carried was mine. I knew I should have carried both cases. You looked sexy as fuck when you were mad last night though." Sucre praised with pleading eyes, praying she would just forgive him and he could go back to his alpha male cocky ways.

"Then help me bring it." She commanded and ignored his latter comment.

"Nope. Go there and get it while I play with this cutie over there."

Monica rolled her eyes. She turned to face Stephanie who was now just finishing her pasta. "Stephanie dear, I need to get something in the other room, okay?"

She always did that so her daughter wouldn't freak out if she didn't see her mom.

Stephanie nodded. "Okay mommy."

"Don't worry babe, I'm more than capable of keeping her company." He headed to Stephanie while speaking and tickled her stomach, earning cute cackles from the girl.

Monica went into the other room with his key and got her bag. Sucre had followed her, so when he saw her carry her bag, he leisurely snuck an arm around her waist and carried her swiftly, ignoring her yelp of protests. He laid her on his bed and swallowed her shouts of protest with a hard, demanding kiss that made Monica melt.

"Stephanie is alone!" Monica almost smacked the side of his head to knock him back into his senses.

"Just a quickie, I promise baby. Just a little dip because I've missed you, and Rob is with Stephanie right now. You tortured me all through yesterday in that sexy dress. Don't ignore me that way again or I'll lose my mind." He groaned and caught her lips between his again, thrusting his tongue into her mouth while his hands undid her robe. He quickly reached a hand between her legs.

Monica released his lips to get some air, moaning at his ministrations. "Okay, apology accepted. Now, I'll just get dress-"

"Let me show you how sorry I am baby. I'm so sorry, I miss your taste on my tongue. I need you so badly that I'm straining down here." Sucre murmured in her ear while his hands were already playing with her breasts.

Monica's whole body shuddered and she knew she could no longer keep up being angry. He did say he was sorry.

She would just have to let him show her how sorry he was...

~

No sooner had they finished when Monica kissed Sucre's pouting lips and went back to her room.

Sucre was behind her with the suit case. She smiled when she saw Rob playing with Stephanie and went in to change with Sucre following behind her. Monica succeeded in changing despite Sucre's teasing and comments about what he wished to do to her body and they eventually came out to play with Stephanie and also have their own breakfast. Sucre took Monica and Stephanie out to get their hairs done and Monica did her nails too, coupled with her getting some clothes she liked for her husband and their daughter.

At seven pm, they were all set to leave for the event.

"You look lovely." Sucre eyed Monica with a smile and chuckled when he realized Stephanie was wearing something similar.

"Thank you." Monica blushed a little and funny enough, Stephanie blushed too, softly murmuring 'thank you daddy.' She wasn't used to getting complimented by her daddy yet.

Sucre was in his usual black suit and black pants which he had about a hundred of and a blue handkerchief was tucked into his breast pocket. His hair was nicely combed and he'd recently shaved and got a new haircut.

"Let's go."

He carried Stephanie and his left hand went around Monica, dangerously close to her backside to ward off any creep that didn't get the memo that Monica was his wife and decided to stare too long.

When they arrived at the venue, Monica was in awe. The event was held in a large hall situated in one of the biggest and most expensive hotels in Italy.

Sucre whispered something to the driver he'd hired for his few days holiday in Italy and went in with Monica, Stephanie and Rob. Rob was his assistant but he'd given Rob a few months break - to work remotely - when he had to go to Canada and reunite with Monica.

Sucre immediately left his wife and daughter to have a chat with some businessmen he was familiar with, telling her he'd be back soon.

Monica saw him walking towards Stephano Alfonsi, one of their classmates from business school and college and her eyes widened.

Did he find out that Stephano had helped her with the divorce proceedings? She ignored the thought and went to sit at a table that wasn't filled with giggling, plastic faced women and strong perfume smell.

"Daddy..." Stephanie actually started crying and Monica got upset. It wasn't even up to a minute that he left their side.

"Your daddy will be here soon, don't cry if not you won't get any dessert." Monica scolded.

"Okay mommy." Stephanie pouted.

"Hi. What's exactly are they doing at the moment?" Monica asked the lady sitting by the table alone. She was beautiful and looked like she was just a few years younger than Monica. She had a heart shaped face and button nose, with cute cat-like eyes.

Her raven black hair was combed to the side and glittery hairpins had been used to style it. She was wearing a red off shoulder knee length dress and her makeup made her look dashing.

"Huh?" The lady asked.

"Are you with the program?" Monica eyed the table but didn't see anything of such.

"What program?" The lady asked.

Monica looked slightly embarrassed. "Program of events. You were sitting with Stephano before he left just now so I thought you were part of the VVIP. They are usually given the program of the event. My husb- ex husband also has one."

"Oh. I guess Stephano would have one." The lady chuckled.

"So, are you an investor? Sorry, I'm not trying to be nosy but I get bored with all these events sometimes." Monica tried to strike a conversation.

"No I'm not." the lady smiled. "I came with Stephano."

"Oh. I see. We went to the same University, along with my husb... Ex-husband."

"Do I know him?" The lady's face lit up again as she smiled, quickly looking around. Monica merely nudged her chin in Sucre's direction and allowed herself to think.

Why had she stuttered?

Sucre was her husband. Even though she'd been calling him ex-husband all this time.

She hadn't called him her husband in a very long time so she wasn't used to it but Monica was grateful that Sucre hadn't signed the divorce papers.

"Mr Sucre?"

"Yes." Monica nodded with a small smile as she saw the lady's eyes move down to a pouting Stephanie on the chair beside Monica.

"How old is she? She looks so cute!" The lady gushed.

Monica was grateful for the change of topic. "She's three. Will be four on the seventh of August."

The lady dug into her bag and fetched a wrap of snickers, pointing it at Stephanie who grabbed it, muttered a 'thank you' and tore at it after getting a confirmatory nod from her mother.

"Hello cutie. What's your name?" The lady gushed.

"Tephnie." Stephanie toothily replied while chewing a small portion of the chocolate.

Just then, Monica realized Stephano was approaching them. Her face easily stretched into a smile at the familiar sight.

"Monica, well well well. It's a pleasure to see you here. You disappeared all these years." Stephano said accusingly.

"Stephano!" She called happily and allowed Stephano to pull her into his arms, remembering the good old days. "You pretend real good there, buddy. How are you doing?" Monica murmured into Stephano's ear.

"Very well Monica, it's good to see you again."

"I'd be careful with those hands if I were you Alfonsi." Sucre threatened behind Stephano who pulled away from Monica. Stephano laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

"They're always like this." Monica quickly explained to the lady whom she still didn't know her name.

"It's good to see you again Kara. Baby, this is Kara, Stephano's girlfriend and soon to be wife." Sucre finally introduced the lady and reached for Monica's hand, slowly pecking the back of it. Monica smiled at his affectionate gesture. He was acting jealous and Monica found it cute.

And with the look of thing, so did Stephano because he merely chuckled and carried Stephanie, who easily wrapped her arms around the smiling man's neck.

Monica smiled at the cute sight. "Children suit you. She looks so cute in your arms." She noted. This made Kara choke on her drink and Sucre reached his hand to her back, tapping it gently.

"Get your hands off her." Stephano threatened with a glare in Sucre's direction then he faced Kara, "I want you to meet someone Kara."

"Okay. It was nice meeting you ma'am." Monica watched Stephano pull Kara away and hoped they would solve their issues because it was obvious Stephano and Kara were having a silent dispute.

Stephano had always been tagged gay when they were in school because he never showed affection to any lady, even his model girlfriend. But with the way Stephano was eyeing Kara, Monica could bet on it that he was definitely whipped.

Sucre lifted Stephanie and sat on the chair, placing Stephanie on his thighs. The little girl busied herself with the bar of chocolate and ignored her parents.

"So my dear Monica, you've been in contact with Stephano all these years and he was even the one that helped you 'contact a good lawyer' to process the divorce."

Monica opened her mouth to speak, only for him to shush her up.

"I'm no longer angry, I knew all along and I'm glad he doesn't like you in the way I was thinking because he's clearly in love with Kara."

Monica was stunned. Had he forgiven her so easily? "So...you're not mad at me?"

"No. When you love someone, you don't hold everything against them. Are you still in love with me, Monica?" Sucre searched her eyes.

Nodding, Monica smiled. "Yes, I gave you a hard time but...I only wanted to get assurance that you were doing them for the right reasons. I love you Sucre, only you."

"Oh baby," Sucre stole a quick kiss, unable to help himself. "I'm doing them for the right reasons because I am madly in love with you. Now when we get back to the hotel, I'll give you some good fu- spanking."

An oblivious Stephanie laughed as she saw her dad looking at her with a frown. Mommy spanked her one time on the butt with a finger and now daddy would spank mommy. Good for mommy. They were still talking when Kara ran out of the hall looking very upset and some reporters ran after her, clicking photos. Stephano also appeared from the top of the stairs and ran after them with a stoic expression.

"Will they be alright?" Monica asked with worry.

"Don't worry love, they'll be alright. Let's concentrate on us right now."

And he quickly kissed her sweet lips once again.

*

What do you think about this chapter?