Chapter 32: Chapter 32
Reconciliation
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NARRATORS POV
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Selena thought deeply about what her father said, she knew he was right, but she had doubts. Anthony was taking her on a date tonight and would be expecting an answer from her . she still had not made up her mind even as she dressed for the date, her children ran into the room to inform her that daddy was waiting for her.
“You look good, mum,” Ava said
“Thank you darling”
“Yes mum , you look beautiful." Echoed Emma, she believed her mum was the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world.
They ran downstairs to their father “Dad, mum looks so beautiful, she will be here soon.”
“You haven't told me how i look.” their father said, smiling.
“Dashing” Emma replied
“You look handsome, dad.” Ava hugged her dad.
Just then Elena appeared, she was wearing a green coloured velvet gown that accentuated her curves. The only jewelry on her was a diamond piece of earrings she had worn at her wedding.
‘Mum is here” the twins ran up the stairs and brought her down to her father.
“You look beautiful,” Anthony said
“Thank you.
“Kiss her dad.” Ava pleaded
Emma joined her and they both bullied their dad till he kissed Elena who had been blushing all through the gang up by their girls
“When are we going to start living together dad,'' Emma asked, looking from her dad to mum.
“Yes, when. We are all supposed to stay together as other families do. Dad, when are you going to start living here with us.” Ava added
“We are all supposed to go live with dad, this is grandpa and grandma's house.” Emma corrected
“Does it matter in whose house we live, my mum and I had lived here for so long so since you and dad just came back to Nigeria, you are supposed to come to stay with us. Am right mum, aint i.” Ava implored her mum
Elena looked at her daughters sad that their family was divided, it was not supposed to be an argument on where they were to live. Squatting down to be on the same eye level with her daughters she spoke “we are all supposed to stay together, me, your dad with the two of you.”
“What about grandpa and grandma.” Ava wanted to know
“This is their home, we can come anytime we like," Elena replied
“Does this mean we are going to start living together,” Emma asked, her eyes beaming with hope.
“Yes honey, we are all going to live with your daddy from now on.”
“I'm so happy mum, thank you.” Emma hugged her mum
Elena's parents walked into them and Ava ran to them
“We are going to start living with dad now, do you want to come with us,” she asked, cuddling her doll.
"No, honey. We have our own home, here."
"But you will be lonely." Ava insisted.
“It's okay dear you can always come and visit us anytime you want, also I and your grandma would visit you all anytime we want to,” Elena's father explained, happy that her daughter made the right decision for herself and her family.
“Now you will have two homes, your mummy and daddy's home, and your grandparent's home.’’ Mrs. Badmus added, surprising everyone.
Glancing at his wristwatch, “we are late Elena, it's time to go.” The whole dialogue going on made him emotional.
“Bye dad, bye mum.” the twins chorused waving at their parents
“I'm happy you are finally letting go of your daughter.” Mr. Badmus said to his wife as soon as Elena and Anthony left and the twins were taken up to their rooms by their nanny.
“She is my daughter and I want the best for her.”
“Yes she is and no matter where she stays, that would never change.’
“But the house would be so lonely once they leave.”
“Am here am I not.” he feigned to be annoyed.
“You know what I mean Desmond." she looked sad suddenly
“Once they leave we will begin the tour around the world that I promised you.”
“Are you retiring?”
“Probably, now let's go check on those granddaughters of ours.’
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“I would be having Salad, baked potatoes, and steaks. The steaks should be well cooked.” Elena said to the waiter who jotted down her order
“And you sir, what would you be having.”
“Fried rice with oven-roasted chicken, make it spicy. With vegetable salad.”
“Anything else sir.”
“Wine, your best wine. We are celebrating.”
“Okay sir.” the waiter hurried away
“What are we celebrating”
“Us.”
“Oh!”
‘Thank you Elena for giving our marriage a second chance.’
“It's mostly about the kids, they deserve a normal home.”
“What about us Elena, don't we deserve some happiness.” his intense look bore into her soul.
“I don't know Anthony.” she looked so unsure. ‘It has been ten years. A lot happened I don't know if..” she couldn't say what her heart felt.
“What Elena.”
He knew something was bothering her, she had always been a shy person.
“Are you wondering if I still love you?”
They stopped talking when the waiter came with their meals. When he left, Anthony took Elena's hand from the table. “Do you doubt my love for you?”
When she didn't answer he understood why she hesitated
“I love you, Elena, I've always loved you. Even though I was angry with you I never stopped loving you. Those years apart had been torture for me, I don't want to spend another moment apart from you. Never again.
“I thought, you wanted us back just because of the girls.” her eyes clouded
“I want to build our home with you by my side. I love the girls Elena, but you will always come first.”
“I love you too Anthony.”
Bringing her hands to his lips, he kissed them lightly. “I love you more than you'll ever know.”
The spell seemed to have broken, all Elena's doubt disappeared, they ate and talked at the same time, they had so much to say suddenly.