Love Over Everything — Chapter 37

Christopher spent his Monday and Tuesday attending one meeting to another with his sister, Susan since she would be taking over the head office once he goes to California to oversee the new branch.

Chris taught Susan all she needed to know, they reviewed contacts together and during his break hours, he called Naomi but mostly spoke to Tyler. Whenever Tyler knew his Daddy was on the phone, he would insist Naomi give him the phone and his talk with Chris will end up taking his break time.

He only had time to freely talk to Naomi at night when Tyler was asleep.

On Wednesday, Christopher spent half a day at work. By 1 pm, he started gathering his things, getting ready to leave and at the same time preparing his desk for his sister to take over.

Chris said his temporary goodbye to the Staff, they wished him luck on the new branch and he made his way to the car after the good wishes.

He had to pick up Zoe for their superhero shopping and also buy some presents for Tyler. He wasn’t sure what he was going to buy but he wanted to buy something special for him since it would be his first gift to him. Chris also had to make a stop at Ruben’s place and his parents’ mansion. They all had gifts for Tyler which he had to take along with him.

Soon enough, he pulled into Vivian’s driveway and got down from his car. He made his way to the entrance and pressed the doorbell.

After a while, Vivian opened up with Zoe behind her. She made her way towards Chris and hugged his legs tightly.

Chris chuckled and picked her up, then he showered her face with kisses which made her giggle. He could tell she was ready because she was all dressed up.

“Hi.” He greeted Vivian.

She smiled at him and opened the door wider for him to come in.

“Zoe, can you please go get your backpack from your room?” Vivian said to Zoe

“Okay, mommy.” She gestured for Chris to put her down which he did and she went to fetch her backpack.

Vivian had mixed feelings about the whole situation. Christopher gave her a call on Monday and told her Zoe would be going with him to California. He made her understand he was getting back with Naomi and Zoe would be coming with him.

Initially, Christopher planned to make Zoe spend a week with him, Naomi and Tyler and after a week he will pose a question to her if she wanted to be with him, Naomi and Tyler in California or with her mom in Miami.

Vivian knew Zoe would choose Chris, Tyler, and Naomi over staying with her and she had no doubt they would take very good care of her. She loved Zoe and was a good mother to her daughter. She knew Zowi loved her too but the little girl had always preferred Christopher to her.

“No matter what you will still be Zoe’s mom. You’re free to come to check on her or call to speak to her anytime you want. Besides, I think your new deal favours the whole situation.” He said and she nodded.

Vivian just secured a modelling deal with a company in California so for the next few years, she will have to share her time between being in California and Miami. So while she’s in California, she will get to see Zoe and probably spend some time with her.

“Sure, I will call from time to time to talk to her and whenever I’m in California, I will stop by to see her and spend some time with her. You guys should have fun, I will be okay.” She replied Chris.

Suddenly Zoe appeared with her backpack on and at the same time struggling to push her suitcase.

Vivian chuckled and went to help her. “Zoe baby, You should have taken just your backpack. I was coming to help with your suitcase.”

She squatted towards Zoe and looked into her eyes. “Make sure you be a good girl, be kind and have fun, okay?” She said and Zoe nodded.

“I will call your Dad from time to time to talk to you and I’ll see you soon sweetheart. I love you.” She hugged Zoe, keeping her tears at bay.

“I love you too, mama.” She returned Vivian’s hug and kissed her cheek.

Christopher collected Zoe’s suitcase from Vivian and placed it in the trunk while Vivian buckled Zoe up and showered her face with kisses.

•••••••••••

Christopher decided he and Zoe should go to the mall first, to get her superhero outfit and gifts for Tyler.

“I love this one Daddy.” Zoe pointed to a supergirl costume.

“You do?” He asked surprised. Tyler’s chose to be superman for his birthday, it would be cool to see the two of them in matching costumes on that day.

“Do you perhaps have her size?” Chris asked the sales attendant. The costume on the mannequin would be big for Zowi.

“Yes, we do Sir.” The blondie replied and led them to where they could find Zoe’s size of that same costume and She was allowed to test the costume.

Christopher could tell his daughter loved the costume with the way she was smiling and admiring herself in the mirror.

“You like it, Princess?” He asked.

“Yes Daddy, I can’t wait to wear it on the party day.′ She grinned.

While the sales attendant was helping Zoe change into her clothes, something caught Christopher’s attention. It was a superman suit sets sweatshirts. Two adults and two children set, without thinking twice, he called the attention of another sales rep, they discussed the sizes he wanted and he bought a family set(Four pairs) for himself, Naomi, Tyler, and Zowi. He also picked up two plain shirts with superman designs for himself and Naomi.

When they were done at the costume shop, they went to the gift shop and that was when the confusion came. Christopher didn’t know what to buy.

“No Zoe, I don’t think the celebrant would like that Doll.”

Zoe looked at the doll in her hands and frowned. “But girls love Dolls and this Doll is pretty.”

“The celebrant is a boy, ” he said.

“Oh!” Zoe exclaimed as she placed the doll back in the stall. “I don’t know what boys like.” She shrugged.

Chris let out a sigh and gave Zoe his hand, she connected her tiny hands in his and they continued to walk around the gift shop.

After twenty minutes of walking from one section to another, Zoe and Chris finally picked out what they thought Tyler would like, Chris paid for the items and they left the mall.

Their next stop was at Ruben’s place. Chris and Zoe stayed there for a while, Debbie made them dinner and they made conversations after dinner. The conversation was mostly Chris telling Debbie, Ruben, and Andre about Naomi and Tyler while Zoe played with Sophie in her room. Besides they wanted to spend more time with Chris since they had no idea when next they were going to see him.

•••••••••••

Christopher and Zoe just finished wrapping the gifts so he thought it was time for him to tell her about Naomi.

“Zoe, Daddy has to discuss something with you.”

“Okay, Daddy.” She turned her attention to him, they were both seated on the carpet.

He playfully scratched the back of his head, thinking of how to start the conversation with Zoe, He had no doubt Zoe would bond with Tyler and he wanted the same thing to happen between her and Naomi.

“You know Mommy and Daddy are friends, right?” He asked and she nodded.

“Tomorrow you are going to meet someone special to me; her name is Naomi, She's beautiful, nice and caring and I love her.”

“She’s your girlfriend?” Zoe asked.

Christopher frowned but nodded, wondering how his daughter knew the meaning of “girlfriend.”

“Will she be nice to me? Will she play with me?” Zowi asked hopefully.

“Yes, she will.” Christopher smiled.

“Okay, I think I like her already. She has a pretty name too.”

He was about to ask her how she knew the ‘girlfriend’ word when the doorbell rang.

“That must be Susan.” He said and then went to answer the door.

“Aunt Suzzy.” Susan handed the gift bags she was holding to Chris then squatted towards Zoe and pulled her into a hug.

“How’s my baby girl?”

“I’m fine Aunt Suzzy. Daddy said you’re coming with us to Camfonia.”

“California.” Chris corrected.

“Yes, my love. But I’ll only be staying for a few days. I got something for you.” Susan searched her purse and brought out a chocolate bar and handed it to Zoe.

“Thank you.” Zoe smiled.

Susan kissed her cheek before she ran off and settled down on the carpet to devour her chocolate.

“Where’s your suitcase?” Chris asked, handing her a bottle of water.

“It’s in my car. I didn’t have the energy to bring it u.....” She was saying but stopped.

“Are all of these for him?” She asked, pointing to the couch that was full of gifts.

“Yes, from me, Zoe, Debbie, Ruben, Andre, Sophie, mom, Dad and now yours” he added the gift she brought to the already wrapped gifts on the couch.

“That’s a lot” Susan whispered before she gulped down her bottled water.

She took a seat beside her brother. "So are you excited to see her tomorrow?" He didn’t need to ask because he knows who she was referring to.

He blushed, “Of course I’m excited.”

“You know, I’m happy to see you this way. To see you whipped by her; It’s so good to see you in love. I can’t wait to meet her too.”

“I feel happier than I have ever been. It seems everything is coming together and I would not have it any other way. I promise to be vigilant this time so on one will come between us.”

“So when will you ask her to marry you?” Susan winked.

Christopher smiled, “If it was possible to ask her today, I would. I will eventually ask her to marry me but I want to take it slow, I don’t want to scare her away.”

“I can already see and feel your happy ever after, I’m so happy for you Chris. You deserve so much more!”

He blushed, “Thanks Buba.”