Leap OF Fate novel Chapter 96

Serene and Justin were co-parenting for the past six months, and it had been a bliss so far. Every Friday night, he’d have dinner with Serene and the twins at her place. After dinner, he would take the children with him. They agreed weekends were his, but he preferred to spend Sundays as a family. They would go to parks, museums, or hang out either at his place or hers. He would then drive Serene and the children back to her place at Hyacinth Bay.

As for the two of them, they’re building trust at their own pace. Serene’s more open with him, although he wished she’d be more affectionate. He missed holding her and feeling her close to him.

It’s Friday night. Justin would come over for dinner before driving back to his place with the twins. Serene finished cooking, but Justin has not arrived yet.

Felicity and Pax sat in front of the television. She’s busy coloring her book while Pax is playing on a tablet. Looking outside the window, the rain has not stopped, it even got stronger. The trees outside swayed as the heavy winds blew on them. She heard the wind’s whistles and the anger pitter-patter of the rain against the glass window. Justin should have arrived 30 minutes ago. She called his number to check on him, but all she got was an automated voice prompt.

She sat on the couch to watch the news and divert her attention. All it showed were the flooding and some landslides in the outskirts of the city. Her heart thumped louder as time passed by.

The chime of the doorbell felt like music to her ears. She rushed towards the door to open it. Justin stood there drenched. His long hair clung to his neck and dripped water to his upper body.

“I’m sorry, I’m late. My tire busted, I had to change it on my way here,” Justin said, giving her an apologetic smile.

“Hurry, come in. You’re soaked. Come upstairs, I’ll prepare your bath, so you won’t get sick,” she said in a single breath. “Pax, give Dad a towel, will you, dear?” she ordered, which Pax obliged. She then hurried to the master’s bedroom and prepared the tub for a warm bath.

Justin stood at the bathroom door, still dripping with rainwater.

“What are you standing there for, go take a bath or you’ll get sick,” Serene said, looking worried.

“En.” He said and walked inside. Serene took it as her cue to get out and gave him privacy.

She’s no longer in the room when he finished bathing. Justin could not help but smile when he saw a change of clothes lined up on top of the bed. It was like when they were living together in Hyacinth Bay. Her small acts of love created ripples of warmth in him.

Mother and children already sat at the dining table when he arrived. He took the seat beside Felicity.

“Here, drink this tea first to warm you up,” Serene said, then put a cup of piping hot brewed tea in front of him. He blew on it and gave it a sip.

They ate in silence, in contrast to the howling of the winds outside. When they finished eating, he sat with the children in front of the tv while she cleaned up the kitchen. She joined them soon as she finished.

She and Felicity colored her activity book. While Justin and Pax watched financial news. Justin noticed Pax’s inclination towards markets and taught him how to trade in stocks, much to Serene’s chagrin.

“Justin,” she called him.

“Hmm?” He said and peeled his eyes off the program they’re watching.

“I don’t think it’s safe for you guys to be on the road in this weather. Stay the night, ok?”

“En.” He said looking outside the window, then focused on the financial news again.

After a while, she asked the children to get ready for bedtime. She helped them clean up and change into their pajamas. The co-parenting scheme helped her to wean Pax from breastfeeding and for the twins to sleep on their own.