A/N: Mariana's smexy outfit 😌❤️✨^^^

2 weeks later...

Mariana wore a long red dress with a slit riding up her leg. Her hair was in a high ponytail and golden leaf hair pins pinned around her curls. Her gold eyeshadow skated over the glowing brown in her eyes with a thick glide of eyeliner.

She held her two gems who were safe in her arms. She wore a matching butterfly bracelet and earrings with Elisa who wore a red, fluffy dress. Her hair was in a braided bun with a small crown on top. Meanwhile, Axel had a red shirt and black trousers.

It was the day of Micah's grand opening of his restaurant and everyone was excited. Mariana was dressed the sexiest and the happiest that this day had finally come and they had their two children with them.

Everyone was ready but they were just waiting for Aidan to arrive. Micah fought the urge to look down at his watch. He looked longingly at the road while leaning against the wall.

Mariana looked over with him. Her teeth clattered as she was worried if Aidan was coming soon. She didn't want Micah coming home, disappointed that Aidan didn't come when this was the one chance to fix their relationship. They had come so far, it would be a shame to see it all go down the drain.

"Hey, did your dad say he was coming today?" Mariana went up to his sisters and asked them.

"Yeah, yesterday he said he was," Mylah replied.

"Maybe he's stuck in traffic," Makayla suggested. She was shrouded with a pink fluffy scarf, and her eyes cast down to her phone where she typed.

"Probably. He was going to come with us but had to look for something so he said he'll catch up," Mylah said.

"Well, I hope he comes because I can't bear to see Micah come home sad when he should be happy today." Mariana sighed. "Then he's going to start ranting about how much he hates his dad."

She then put Elisa on the ground and Axel in his stroller because her arms started aching. She leaned against the wall and rubbed her abdomen. She already felt exhausted and had mild cramps.

"Imagine he gets a whiskey bottle and then dad comes to your house and he throws it at him." Mylah smiled with amusement. "I remember when he did that to Mason and it smashed against the wall."

"Urgh don't remind me," Mariana said and hid her face, "I remember when that happened."

"When was this?" Makayla asked, glancing between them.

"The day before we went to Milan when Mom was doing my hair. Micah stormed in and Mason came a bit after and Micah started shouting at him."

"I felt so awkward when that happened," Mariana said and rubbed her neck. She then glanced at Micah who was coming toward them. He picked Elisa up in his arms and took her hand.

"Come on my princesa, let's go open it." He smiled weakly as he caressed Mariana's palm.

"What now?" Mariana said with surprise popping out of her mouth. "Are you sure you don't want to wait a bit longer?" She thought it was a bit too soon and they could spare a few minutes.

"No. There's no point since he's not coming."

"Oh okay then," Mariana said. She held onto the stroller with one hand, and let Micah lead her away with the other. She noticed how he kept rubbing his face against his shoulder while Elisa sucked her thumb.

"Are you sure your okay Micah?"

"Yeah." His head shot up toward her and he forced a big smile. "I mean I knew he wasn't going to show up anyway so I'm okay." He spoke but his voice was increasingly shaking. "I can't be disappointed if I wasn't expecting anything in the first place."

Mariana nodded slowly. Even though Micah didn't seem to care, he was visible very upset about it.

Micah sighed again and walked to the door. He put Elisa down and got out the keys, trying to find the right one. But he couldn't concentrate as his fingers kept slipping. He kept telling himself he didn't care, but he had a tiny bloom of hope that Aidan will just show up today. He didn't care for anything else except today. But even that wasn't worth his time.

He could never be worth Aidan's time and he had learned to accept that a long time ago. So he didn't know why Aidan would come back and reopen that wound.

Maybe he enjoyed seeing me upset, it's what he's best at, he thought and shook his head. He found the right key and was about to open the door when he heard someone calling his name.

He turned and saw Aidan running with a bag swaying in his hand. He froze as he struggled to hold his key which was shaking.

"Micah, I'm so sorry I'm late!" Aidan stopped in front of him, catching his breath. He looked like a panting, heaving marshmallow with his bald, shiny head.

"Y—You came..." Micah stuttered with his voice stuck in his throat. He was still frozen from the shock of seeing Aidan when he just accepted that he wasn't coming.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss your big day," Aidan said and pulled his body up. "I'm sorry I'm late. I almost forgot the thing I brought for you." He wiped the sweat off his temples and then pulled up the bag.

"Wow..." Micah was stunned that he actually got something, and slowly took it. He let the bag swing beside him while facing his dad. "Thanks. Honestly, I didn't think you would actually come."

"No Micah. I'm not going to disappoint you again," Aidan said. Micah still frowned but he slowly warmed up because he was glad he didn't have to face that reality.

"Mason's gift is also in there with a note. He said he's sorry he couldn't make it but still wanted to get you something.

Micah nodded while looking inside the bag. He was satisfied enough that his brother thought of getting him something.

Aidan turned to look at the building. His eyes climbed its interior and roamed around the reddish rue.

"So this is your new restaurant? It looks really nice." Aidan smiled as he felt a sense of pride and joy in his son.

"Thanks, I've worked hard to make this possible." Micah grinned. This day felt like it got brighter that he was able to share this moment with Aidan.

"I know and I'm really proud of all the hard work you have put into it." He patted Micah's shoulder as they gazed proudly at it. Micah smiled and looked between his new restaurant and Aidan. But then his words clicked inside his head, and his eyes suddenly sprouted.

"What did you say...?" Micah asked quietly. His gaze fell onto the wall, and his fingers played with each other as he begged his mind not to play tricks on him. That what he heard was definite as his body tensed in anticipation.

"I said I'm proud of you," Aidan repeated loud and clear. So Micah was sure of what he had heard.

I am proud of you...

Those words repeated over and over again. He shook as it felt like a hazy memory like he was dreaming. Only hearing something like that, would only happen in his dreams. A mere fantasy. But never in real life.

But it wasn't a dream. This was real life. And this was Aidan saying it in real life. Something he yearned for ever since he was little.

"Y—You're proud of me..." Micah muttered and looked down. He shifted his feet as he still couldn't believe what he heard.

"Yes, Micah I am." Aidan smiled reassuringly and put his hand across his shoulder. He squeezed it but Micah still bent down and sniffed. All the memories of being a young boy, wanting his father's approval came rushing back. All those frustrating times of being left in the dark made him clench his fists, but the words made his eyes water. A bittersweet moment.

"I've waited 23 years to hear you say that," Micah finally said. He slowly lifted his head to face Aidan. His hazel eyes glistened like a flooded forest. They resembled his feelings always getting flooded with rejection.

"I'm sorry I never said it before Micah," Aidan said earnestly while grabbing his son's attention. "But I am really proud of everything you have done." And with that, he pulled his son into a hug.

Micah was surprised and left his hands dangling out. But Aidan hugged him tighter which led to him wrapping his arms in. He couldn't remember the last time he had hugged his dad. It had been years because of their strained relationship. But it certainly felt good. For once, his dad showed he cared about him, and he was just as valuable as his brother.

"I love you, Micah, I love you, my son," Aidan said. This led Micah beaming on the other side as he squeezed back.

"I love you too Dad." He finally felt comfortable enough to say this. To know Aidan was going to go back on his word.

Aidan grinned and sighed with joy when he heard his son finally call him 'dad.'

Mariana beamed with happiness seeing his reconciliation. She quickly got out her phone and took some pictures so she could savor this moment forever.

When they pulled away, Micah unlocked the door and held onto Elisa's hand. They all walked inside and let the rays of light fill the inside. They walked in and explored every inch. Mariana grabbed onto Micah's hand as they walked through. She smiled at everything as the workers went into the kitchen.

"I gotta say, Micah, in here looks really good," Aidan said as his eyes roamed.

"I agree. I love it!" Mariana said.

"Thanks you guys," Micah said and kissed Mariana. He squeezed her tight as they continued walking. He couldn't wait until customers started coming in and this place would be filled with people. It would be a dream come true.

****

When Mariana got home with their kids, she rushed to the toilet as she had been holding in her pee for a long time.

When she was done, she changed her and her kids clothes made some snacks in the kitchen. They sat down at the table ,and ate while the TV played in the background. Mariana smiled as she watched her kids eat peacefully.

"Is it nice?" Mariana asked as she couldn't take her eyes off them. She was overjoyed to have them safe in their own home. She made sure they would never be taken from her again.

They bobbed their little heads and Mariana reached over and tickled their chins.

"Mommy," Axel said.

"Yes, my little darling?"

"Have pillow fit?" He asked hopefully.

"Pillow what?" Mariana said but she couldn't stop herself from chuckling. She missed hearing her babies talk.

"Pillow fit!" He said and pointed to the cushions on the couch.

"Oh, you want a pillow fight?"

Axel nodded and stuffed more of the cookie into his mouth.

"Alright, we can do that." Mariana chuckled. She hadn't had a pillow fight in years.

"I'm gon get you, Axel." Elisa smiled and slurped her water. She burped and started giggling. "Scuse me."

Mariana started laughing and drank a homemade iced latte. The whipped cream frothed around her lips. Elisa tried copying her but she didn't have any cream in her drink so she pouted when she didn't get a mustache.

"Mommy, I—I don have a moustache..." Elisa said and started sulking.

"Aw. Are you sad you don't have a milky one like mama?" Mariana asked although she was trying not to laugh. Elisa nodded and sank into her seat.

"Do you want some of this?" Mariana held the spray can of the whipped cream they used earlier. Elisa nodded eagerly so Mariana squirted some in her mouth. She squealed and ran around while holding her cheeks.

"Do you want some Axel?"

He nodded so Mariana did the same but accidentally squirted too much. So Axel's mouth dripped with cream.

"Oh dear," Mariana giggled while Axel tried filling it down. He smeared it while trying to wipe it away. Suddenly, Elisa came and whacked him with a pillow.

"Pillow fight!" She exclaimed and dashed. Axel hopped off and chased her with his mouth running. He grabbed a pillow and started hitting her.

Mariana got up and joined in. She whacked their heads. Elisa charged with the pillow in front and hit her while laughing. Axel hit his sister and Mariana's legs, making her tumble onto the couch.

"We almost got her!" The kiddies said and hit her together until Mariana got up and hit them back. Axel screamed and ran after her with the pillow.

"Missed me!" Mariana said and dodged him. Elisa tried attacking but tripped on her legs. Axel quickly smacked her head and ran away.

Mariana hit both but Elisa ran so she managed to trap Axel in her arms. "Gotcha!" She rolled him around and laughed.

"No!" Axel exclaimed and tried wiggling out. She laughed and kissed him. Elisa quickly came and whacked their heads. She giggled and tried running like a cheeky mouse but Mariana grabbed her and pulled her in.

"No! Lemme go!" Elisa said while laughing, but Mariana kept cuddling her and whacked her head.

She rolled around the floor with her kids, still laughing. This little fight was one of the things she missed having her kids. Just playing and having fun with them.

They soon calmed down, and she nestled her little marshmallows under her arms and closed her eyes. She felt relaxed knowing that they were safe with her and Micah. She hoped she would never have to experience those dreadful months of having missing children ever again.

She was about to fall asleep when she suddenly felt her bladder constrict. She jumped and rushed to the bathroom to pee again. When she went back down, she heard knocking on the door and went to open it with Elisa and Axel clung to her legs.

Surprisingly, it was the mailman who delivered a huge parcel addressed to her. She thanked him and brought it inside.

"What's that mommy?" Elisa asked.

"I don't know my little blossom," Mariana said as she put it into the living room.

"Let open!" Axel exclaimed and tugged at the corners. Elisa joined him as Mariana got scissors. She cut it open and pulled out a huge canvas. When she flipped it around, she gasped and was almost torn to tears.

It was a painting of her beloved parents seated with her kids in the clouds. Small bubbles of colorful light floated over their faces. Her mother had her arm wrapped around Elisa, looking down with a smile. Her short, blond curls cascaded down with the tinted red tip barely touching Elisa's brightly lit face. Her black hair bounced with a pink headband pushing it back.

Meanwhile, her dad had his hairy arm around Axel. His brown hair was slicked back as he wore a suit and ruffled through Axel's brown hair, holding him close as he grinned next to his sister.

"Ohh what a beautiful picture..." Mariana said as tears culminated in her eyes. She never thought she would have something like this, but it was something remarkable.

She noticed a note tagged in the corner. She pulled it out and it had a little message.

Hi Mariana, here's a little gift. I know how much you miss your parents and that your children couldn't meet them. So I got this painted for you. I hope you like it.

- Love Crystal x

"Oh, I love this so much." Mariana cried and cradled the note in her hands. Now she understood the reason Crystal asked for a picture of her parents and the kids last week. Later, she will send her a thank you message but right now, she wanted to treasure the sweet moment with her kids.

"Look my little munchkins, it's your grandma and grandpa from my side," Mariana said. "The ones you never got to meet but I wish you could've." She plopped Axel down on her lap, and Elisa pressed into her leg to look more into the picture. Axel sat up so Mariana had her kids' hair puffing in her face. Her pelvis also pulsated with light cramps, making her uncomfortable.

"It's very pretty," Elisa said.

"Aw, I'm glad you like it." Mariana smiled warmly. She was glad her kids at least had this painting. Even though they couldn't meet her parents physically, this was enough to bridge her worlds together.

She hugged the painting, squeezing it close to her heart as her kids moved around her. She was glad that everything had returned back to normal and that she and Micah could live as a normal family again, with something to remember her parents by.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I can't believe I'm almost done with this book now that everyone is happy 😭😭so all that there is to do is the be the epilogue🥲🥲❤️