One More Chance
Chapter 38: I want to be with my family

~~~They say when you love someone then set them free. If they come back again, then, in the end, it was meant to be. I thought we were lovers, I thought we were friends. I guess when reality steps in, the dreaming ends. No matter how hard we try, some good things never last. Why can't they last?~~~

-Barbra Streisand-

Samantha's POV:

"Be careful, Cali."

I got up to follow my daughter when she opened the door to my room and excitedly ran outside. She wanted to eat banana pancakes and when I said yes, her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Hey, good morning to our pretty Cali." Rory greeted her and Cali greeted her back.

I just couldn't help but smile as she continued her greetings into storytelling.

"Good morning, Rory. Guess what?"

"What? What is it?" Rory asked confused.

"Mommy will cook yummy banana pancakes for me."

"Wow!"

"Yeah, and I told her to put maple syrup to make it tastier... and... and... she will also make ahm... apple juice for me." "Ohh---"

"And of course, I also want scrambled eggs and a chicken sandwich."

"Whoa! You have a big appetite this morning, young lady." Rory and I chuckled when Cali nodded.

"Come on, let's go, mommy. I'll help you cook pancakes and eggs." She took my hand and pulled me towards the kitchen.

But I was stopped entering the kitchen when I saw Luke inside the counter. He's wearing an apron and cooking something while humming a song.

"Daddy?" Cali was the first to react and immediately ran to her father.

"Good morning, my ladies."

Did I hear it right? Did he just say 'my ladies'?

He welcomed his daughter with a tight hug and peppered her loud kisses all over her face, which made the little girl giggle while I just took a deep breath and walked in their direction.

"Good morning, my princess. How was your sleep?" Luke lifted her and made her seat on the counter.

"It was good, daddy. Hmm... but where were you yesterday? You promised me that you would come with me to our school event!"

"Ow! I'm sorry, baby if daddy didn't keep his promise. There's just something that came up in the office yesterday, so I didn't get to your school, I'm sorry."

"Is it true that you were in a meeting, so you weren't able to answer your phone, daddy?"

"Yes, I was in a very important meeting, so I couldn't answer your mommy's call. I'm sorry."

I decided to make an apple juice while waiting for him to finish explaining to his daughter. And as I opened the fridge, I glanced at the wall clock hanging right above me and got confused as he still here and not preparing to go to work. "Okay, I forgive you, daddy." and he kissed her forehead.

I mentally rolled my eyes.

"But I'll make it to you this time. I've cooked banana pancakes and scrambled eggs."

"Wow! I like them! That's what I told mommy to cook for me for breakfast. Yey!"

Yeah, she's right, but how did Luke know about it?

"Really?" He asked surprised.

"Yup, you can ask mommy about it."

I thought they were the only ones talking, so I suddenly held my breath when he caught me staring at him.

"Is that true, mommy?"

I had to force a smile and nodded at him as my daughter also waited for my answer, even though my heart was still pounding due to his intense stares.

"Yes, she told me that earlier."

"Hmm... it's alright, mommy can still help make coffee and juice for my little princess." He pinched her nose. "And after having breakfast you have to get ready because I have a surprise for you." "Really, daddy?"

"Yup!"

"Ahm... don't you have work today? It's already 8:00 in the morning." I asked him, placing the pitcher over the table.

He used to go to work before seven in the morning, so that means he's already late for work.

He put Cali down first before answering my question.

"I told my secretary to cancel all my meetings and appointments for today and for the next two days."

I was stopped from bringing the glass to my mouth when I heard what he said.

And maybe he heard the silent question in my head as he answered it already.

"I want to be with my family."

I gulped.

"I will also take two weeks of vacation leave."

This time I arched an eyebrow, looking at him in confusion. Why would he take a vacation leave? What is he planning to do? "Why? Are you thinking of going somewhere?"

"Yes, I'm thinking of going somewhere with you... (my mouth hung open) "... and Cali. This time I want to make it with you guys." "You don't have to do it---"

"No, I have to... for Cali."

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Disappointment filled me when he mentioned my daughter. Haist! Of course, it's for Cali. What do I expect?

"Oh! Y-Yeah... I agree! You really should do it. It will make a nice bonding between you and your daughter."

"Well, that's also what I have in mind."

I just nodded, still having the forced smile between my lips.

On that day, he kept his promise. At first, I was confused as to where he was planning to go. He told me to pack some clothes, including Cali's as he has an exciting surprise for us.

We kept asking him about his surprise, but he only answered us with a smile. Then it shocked me--- I mean it really surprised me when we get there. He bought a private resort and he named it after our daughter... 'Cassandra's Resort'.

Cali couldn't contain her excitement as she immediately ran to the beach while the two of us were left laughing and both called her name.

That day, my hopes and dreams from the day of our wedding started to build again as he showed me things he had never done before. He held my hand, interlaced our fingers, wrapped his arm around my shoulders, kissed me on the forehead... and all the things that a loving husband should have done to his wife... he did.

He showed me the care that he should have started doing before... we ate in some fancy restaurants as family, slept in one room and kissed our foreheads before saying good night.

Those days we spent in our private resort were the most memorable days I have with him. I seemed like a real queen in his arms, melted in his every touch and in his every kiss. We made love and for the first time I felt like it's real... the emotions he showed while he was taking me, while he was claiming me.

We started sleeping in one room, made love almost every night. I love him and I admit that the love I have for him has become deeper in every day that passes to the point that I got afraid... and I even wondered if it was really happening?

And every morning when I woke up, I couldn't help feeling terrified of the new situation that we have. What if it's all just a dream that with just a blink of an eye, everything will fade away... will vanish? Everything will turn back to reality... in which I know he will never learn to love me.

But those fears instantly vanishes every time I open my eyes and see him sleeping next to me... snoring lightly with his head nuzzling against my neck, his arm wrapped around my waist as I was received half the weight of his torso and his leg that wrapped around my thighs down to my legs.

From a simple surprise that he gave us that day, we became the family that I wished for and we became the couple--- the husband and wife that I dreamed of.

So in those moments of joy, love and seemed unending happiness, I couldn't help but expect. I couldn't help but hope and assume that he too felt the same for me... that he loved me even though I hadn't yet heard those words from him... that he had already realized my worth... that he's started forgetting the past... that we would be happy and what we have and what we build together would last.

Until...

One night when he came home drunk and bruised...