Page 17

I helped Rose bathe and clothed her in clean clothing.
Jona had already poured the Mac and cheese into a bowl before I arrived downstairs, and I assisted her in eating.
Rose was sitting on the couch after having a sleep, watching Frozen; it appears that we are both big lovers of the movie.
It was almost 7 p.m., and the day had been long.
The front door opened, and Jaxon entered; I had entirely forgotten about him.
He didn’t even notice Rose as he marched up to me and shouted, “You left early, and you didn’t…”
He came to a sudden halt when his gaze rested on her, and they both exchanged questioning glances.
“Who’s she?!” he yelled at me, dragging me into a corner.
“She got lost, and her leg is sprained, and the doctor said not to travel either, so I can’t send her back to her house, which happens to be in Alaska. Please let her stay for a day and two, and then I will send her back, plea–”
“Fine.”
He was staring at me intently, and I looked at him with wide eyes; had he really agreed to me that easily?
“What?”
“I said it’s fine, you can keep her.”
“I thought…you would not like the fact that I brought some girl here…”
“I have a heart, too, Vivian…I am not a monster,” he added quietly.
Kena’s words resonated in my ear: “He has a golden heart.”
“Well…um…thanks.”
I was going to walk, but he held me back and asked, “Why does she resemble your daughter?”
“What part of ‘I haven’t even kissed anyone,’ you don’t understand?!”
He rolled his eyes, “You both have exactly the same eyes.”
“It can be a coincidence.”
Well, that was not a coincidence.
“Whatever,” he said, and I saw him walk over to her.
Thankfully, he agreed.
“Whatever,” he said, and I saw him walk over to her.
Thank God he consented!
I left them alone and went to take a shower.
When I got down to the living room, I saw Jaxon and Rose sitting together on the couch, watching Frozen; their sight warmed my heart. They both looked adorable together, just like father and daughter…wait, what am I thinking?
“I don’t like this guy, Hans,” Rose said, making Jaxon grimace. “Why?”
“Because he is not a good guy…you will see.”
“But he looks good to me. See, he is helping everyone.”
“No. He is not good; he just wants to rule Arendelle.”
I cleared my throat and approached them, asking Jaxon, “Did you make something for dinner?”
“Dinner? Why should I make it?”
“You could have at least made something, Jaxon! I am so tired, and now I will have to make the dinner even!”
“I can’t make dinner unless you want me to burn down the whole kitchen.”
I folded my arms in surprise: “You don’t know how to cook?”
“There is nothing shocking in that.”
“Of course it is,” I said as I sat down on the couch with Rose in between us. “I wanted my husband to be able to cook.”
“Unfortunately, your husband doesn’t know how to cook; now shut up.”
“Are you both fighting?” Rose questioned quietly, glancing between us with curiosity.
I looked at her, then at Jaxon, and answered softly, “No, we are not fighting.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll order something,” Jaxon explained.
“I’ll eat pizza!” I said, suddenly feeling thrilled.
“Me too!” Rose chimed in, making us both laugh.
“All right,” he murmured, a little smile on his lips as he took out his phone.
“You will be sleeping with me,” I said to Rose as I entered my bedroom, holding her in my arms.
“OK.”
I positioned her on one side of the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
“Vivian?”
“Yes?” I said as I charged my phone.
“You and Jaxon are married, right?” she enquired as I climbed onto the bed and slept alongside her, facing her.
“Yes.”
“Then why are you both sleeping separately?” she enquired innocently, entirely oblivious to our circumstances.
I tried to think of a suitable response, but all I could say was, “I am actually angry with him; that’s why.”
“Oh.”
After some thought, I asked her, “Do you want to talk to your mother?”
“Yes!”
I smiled at her and walked over to my cabinet, pulling out a phone that I only use when I need to contact someone and don’t want that person to have my personal phone number.
It’s fine to chat with Lilia. I continued chanting in my head.
I decided to video contact her and dialed the number Jona had given me.
As soon as the phone began to ring, I handed it to Rose while sitting next to her and watching her to ensure I was not visible during the call.
Lilia answered the phone, her eyes widening with astonishment. “Emm?!”
“Mom!”
“Are you OK? Where are you right now? Did you eat anything?”
I mentally rolled my eyes as she asked questions. Of course, I fed her.
If they had been a bit more responsible, she would have joined them.
“Mom, my leg was sprained, but Vivian took me to the hospital and treated it, as you can see,” Rose remarked, exposing her legs.
“And she has such a big house; it even has a swimming pool, and everything here is so beautiful. And we ate pizza, and we all watched Frozen.”
Lilia smiled at her.
I carefully grabbed the phone from her hand and purchased it in front of Lilia, who was taken aback. Even I was surprised since I never expected to talk to her, but then I recalled that my problem was not with Lilia.
“Hello, Lili,” I murmured in a hushed voice.
“Umm…hi, L…I mean Vivian.”
“I just wanted to say that Rose is staying with me for now, and as soon as her leg heals a bit, I will send her back. And don’t tell anyone else that…I talked to you.”
She gave a nudge, “Thank you, Vivian, for keeping her, and if you say, I can come to fetch her myself.”
“No, it’s OK. I will send her along with Jona, my best friend, in my jet. You don’t need to come.”
“As you say. And you look more beautiful now, Vivian.” I smiled back at her and mumbled a quick thank you.
“Does Emm know that you…”
“No, she doesn’t, and I don’t want her to. Bye.” I cut her off and hung up.
I turned off the phone, put it back in the cabinet, and sighed deeply.
I told Rose, “You should sleep now,” and she nodded and lay down.
I slept next to her, turned out the light, and kissed her forehead lightly.
“Goodnight, Rose.”
She yawned, “Goodnight, Vivian.”
I spent most of my morning explaining Rose to Jenny, and it was the weekend, so I was free!
I am aware that I am quite juvenile.
“Can I go somewhere?” Rose said, sitting opposite me at the dining table while Jenny prepared our breakfast.
“No, you cannot go anywhere; you should rest,” she said regretfully.
“But I’ll get bored,” she said.
She is just like me.
“No, you won’t. I am here to entertain you, babe.”
Jenny discreetly served us cheese omelets. And I started eating it while Rose was still unhappy.
I adore children, but they can be quite demanding of your patience at times.
Jaxon strolled down just then, dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt. As he stepped into the kitchen, he looked between me, who was eating comfortably, and Rose, who was sitting with her arms folded.
He bent down and asked Rose, “What happened?”
“Vivian said I couldn’t go anywhere,” she said regretfully.
He took a minute to stare at me before returning his gaze to her. “Where do you want to go?”
My jaw fell.
“I am not stupid for not sending her back home because her leg is sprained! And here you are taking her out!”, I spat.
“It’s not like I am sending her to a race or something. We can go to a park, and you can carry her.”
“A park, yay!” she said.
I rolled my eyes and continued eating my meal while Jaxon joined us and talked to her throughout.
In such a case, we may send her back.
“Vivian hurry!” I heard Rose yell as I hurriedly changed into jeans and a crop top.