MATCHMAKING BABY - CHAPTER 27&28
The kitchen looked a terrible mess. Water was spilled on the floor, eggs were broken on the countertop, flour was spread across the walls and the sink. The counter was littered with dirty bowls and empty packs of butter.
And right in front of the oven was a flour covered Vanessa. Her hair was white and so was her face. Even her shirt and jeans was not left out.
She closed the oven door and let out a tired sigh.
“I never knew baking was this tough” Seb mumbled as he pressed his neck.
“It’s only tough because you’re very lazy.” Vanessa stated and opened the fridge to get water to drink.
“But it would have gone a lot better if you didn’t have a nasty temper” Seb retorted and Vanessa shot him a deathly look.
“What? You threw two eggs at me!” he yelled and rubbed his forehead that had red marks. The place the eggs had broke.
“You should be grateful they were not boiled eggs” she sn_gg@ed and gulped down water.
“And I wouldn’t be looking this white if you could control your anger too” she said after she dropped the bottle.
“That bowl of flour was my only defense against you”
“I wish I had painted your face with some butter”
“Try it if you can”
Vanessa glared then hissed and looked away.
“Clarissa will be back in an hour. We’re picking her up so we better go clean up”
“Will the cake be ready before then?” asked Seb.
“Yeah” Vanessa answered and walked out of the kitchen. Seb stared after her and chuckled softly.
He couldn’t believe they made up. He never thought they will. He was too proud to admit that there was even a possibility.
And now he couldn’t wait to tell Clarissa that Mommy will never leave. She was going to stay with them forever.
He washed his hands and face. Took a soda can from the fridge and leaned over at the counter.
Two housekeepers walked in and he smiled at them as they began to clean up the mess he said Vanessa created while baking.
He drained the can and threw it into the trashcan. Taking slow strides out of the kitchen, he saw a big flower vase with chrysanthemums. He furrowed his brows and turned back to the kitchen.
“When did these chrysanthemums get here?” he asked the ladies cleaning.
“Oh. About a month ago. Nanny Ella ordered them” one of them replied.
“A month ago? And I never saw them” he said and went back to the flowers. He lowered his hand and gently pulled out a large frame. It’s branches were long and had beautiful petals of light brown and yellow. He smiled and went back upstairs to their room. He entered and was greeted by the sound of water from the bathroom. Vanessa was taking a shower.
He looked over at the vanity. A few hours ago it was almost empty with only his lotions. But now, it was back to normal. Make-up and different skin care products were arranged on it. Jewelry boxes were also on it.
Seb gently laid the flower on the face wipe pack and left the room. He went to the bathroom of the nearest room and took a shower because he was feeling too itchy and couldn’t wait for Vanessa to finish up first. He tied a towel around his waist and hung another around is neck, wiping his hair with it.
He opened the door to their room and entered. He saw her standing in front of the vanity and staring down at her hand.
“Vanessa?” he called. She didn’t answer so he walked to her. He stood right behind her as saw she was looking at the flower he dropped for her.
“Do you know why I got the tattoo?” she asked, looking at him through the mirror. He followed his instincts and placed his hands on her white, soft and wet shoulders.
“No. Tell me” he whispered and plac loled his chin on her left shoulder.
“Like I told you, my grandmother had a tattoo of the flower on her butt. I saw it when I met her undressing. I asked what that was and she told me it was a family tree. She said it was the only flower that resembled a family tree. And she had it on her butt because….” she sniffed then breathed out.
“They might not be the best and may be embarrassing. But you still can’t do without them. You should cover the shame but keep them close” she stated.
“That’s really meaningful” Seb muttered. Vanessa turned and faced him.
“That’s why I did the same thing. I didn’t have any hope of getting back together with you but I knew I couldn’t leave Clarissa, I couldn’t leave my family”
Seb held her face in his palm. She stared into his eyes and he, hers.
“I’m sorry I was a shame. But I promise to be better than I was. I want to make you proud again”
“I know. I can see it in your eyes. But just in case I’m wrong again, I have a plan B”
“Plan B?” he asked and dropped his hands.
“You know, ki|| you and pose as a heartbroken widow”
“Oh no!” Seb exclaimed and they began to laugh.
“Come on, we have to get Clarissa from school” Vanessa said and turned to her dressing table again.
“No…we still got about thirty minutes. Come here” he pulled her hand and she crashed into his arms.
“Hey!”
“Ssh” he whispered and made her face him. Then he pulled down her towel and kissed her. First kiss since they got back together eight hours ago. And first kiss since they separated eight months ago.
They found their way to the bed and made love. It was supposed to be short but ecstacy drowned them.
Forty minutes later and they were dressed and ready to pick Clarissa. They left the house and went to an ice cream shop first, to get a family sized bowl of vanilla ice cream. Then they picked up Clarissa. In the car they decided to announce their ‘comeback’.
“Clarissa, guess what? Your mom and I are back together. We’re getting married again” Seb stated. Clarissa squealed and jumped up and down her seat. She almost made Seb loose control of the wheel
“This is the best news ever!” she shouted and hugged her dad then her mom.
“I knew it. I knew my plans would work!” she said and beamed.
“Your plans?” Vanessa asked.
“Of course. My teacher said parents tend to get more attractive to each other if their child always wants them to be together. She said we should always have meals together with parents. It strengthens the bond”
“Ehhmm. Aren’t you a bit too young for all that stuff?” Seb asked.
“Are you daft, Dad? This is the computer age. Not the Stone age you grew up in”
“But I didn’t grow up in—”
“Seb, that’s enough. Let’s not change the mood” Vanessa cut in.
“I am so happy. Finally, we’re complete” Clarissa said again.
“We will also be going to Canada together for summet” Seb said and Clarissa screamed in excitement.
Her parents smiled at her and she sat back, still beaming.
“Why do I feel like we’re forgetting something?” Seb suddenly asked.
But before Vanessa could say something—
“Wait, Mom is that ice-cream there?” Clarissa asked as she pointed at the plastic bowl in front of Vanessa’s legs.
“Yes. It’s for celebration” Vanessa answered.
“Great! We can have it with the sponge cake you made for me” Clarissa stated.
Both Vanessa and Sebastian gasped and shouted “THE CAKE!”.
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The End