Love Over Everything — Chapter 38

“Sweetheart, wake up we are about to land, ” Christopher whispered in her ear.

She reluctantly opened her eyes, Chris kissed her forehead and buckled her up. He could see she still wanted to sleep. He smiled, he couldn’t wait for her to meet Tyler.

They finally landed, their luggage was transferred to the car and they got in too. The trio occupied the backseat with Zoe in the middle, munching on a bag of chips.

“Since it’s late, I think I should stop by Claire’s place and I’ll see you guys tomorrow, ” Susan said.

“Are you sure? I asked Naomi if you can stay with us and she agreed. Her place is big enough for all of us.”

“I appreciate it but you guys need your privacy and I want to respect that. Besides, I don’t want you and Naomi to remind me of how single I am.” She teased.

“Claire is expecting me already, both of us will stop by Naomi’s place tomorrow.” Claire is Susan’s close friend from high school. Susan wanted her brother to have some alone time with his family that was why she insisted to stay with Claire and besides, it would give them time to catch up since they’ve not seen each other in almost a year.

“Okay then, ” Chris said and Susan gave the driver Claire’s address. They dropped her off at Claire’s place and headed to Naomi’s place.

The Driver pulled up in front of Naomi’s house and began offloading the bags and gifts from the trunk.

Christopher helped Zoe get down from the car, he held her hands in his and they proceeded to Naomi’s entrance. He pressed the doorbell and almost immediately Naomi opened the door.

“Hi.” She greeted Chris before throwing herself on him. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her forehead before they pulled away from the hug and that was when Naomi noticed Zoe, she was hiding behind her father.

She was about to say Hi to the little girl but they were distracted by the driver who brought Christopher and Zoe’s luggage to the entrance.

Naomi and Chris took the suitcases and gifts in, Christopher paid the driver, and gave him a huge tip. The Driver thanked him and took his leave.

Naomi shut the door behind her and squatted towards Zoe who was standing beside Chris. Naomi noticed Zoe was a bit taller than Tyler and she had Christopher’s eyes, just like Tyler.

“It’s nice to meet you, Zoe, I’m Naomi and I’ve heard so much about you.” Zoe looked at her father and then back at Naomi.

She smiled, “You’re very pretty.” She said to Naomi.

Naomi chuckled in relief, the worst thing that could happen was not getting along with Zoe. She was special to Chris, therefore, she was special to her.

“Thank you and so are you too, my dear.”

“Do you love my Daddy?” She asked which made Naomi blush.

“Zoe?” Christopher groaned.

Zoe giggled and then hugged Naomi which melted Naomi’s heart.

Naomi kissed Zoe on her forehead before she pulled away from the hug.

“Where’s Tyler?” Christopher asked Naomi.

“Watching cartoons in his room. I think he miscalculated the four-night sleep I told him. He thought you and Zoe were coming tomorrow instead.”

“Tyler?” Zoe gave Christopher a confused look.

“Let me go get him, ” Naomi said and then made her way to Tyler’s room.

Naomi cringed at the volume of the cartoon Tyler was watching. No wonder he couldn’t hear them from the living room. He had increased the volume after she told him she was going to make dinner.

She reached for the TV remote and placed it on mute.

“Someone is here to see you, Ty.” She said to him.

“Who?” He asked.

“It’s a surprise. Come on, let’s go.” She said to him and helped him down from his bed then they made their way to the living room.

••••••••••

Christopher chuckled at the priceless smile on Zoe’s face as soon as she saw her brother. He couldn’t remember when last she smiled that big.

“Tyler!!!!!” She ran as fast as her legs could carry her and hugged the hell out of Tyler to the extent that they fell on a nearby couch.

Tyler giggled and returned her hug, “I missed you Zowi.”

“I missed you, Ty Ty.” She kissed his cheek and he did the same to her left cheek.

“Daddy said you’re my sissy.” He told her after they stood up from the couch.

“I’m your Sissy?” She asked in disbelief, remembering the time she begged her Dad that he should be Tyler’s father.

“Yes Zowi, ” Tyler affirmed and Zoe’s smile got bigger.

“Daddy, Ty Ty is my brother.” She announced proudly.

And that was when Tyler noticed his father. He ran towards him and hugged his legs tightly.

Chris squatted towards Tyler, hugged him and showered his face with kisses. “I missed you, buddy.”

“I missed you too, Daddy, Thanks for bringing Zowi.” He smiled.

Zoe came to join them and Christopher pulled his Children into a joint hug. His heart was full; he was the proudest father in the universe. Even though his children were from different mothers, seeing them get along gave him so much joy.

“C’mon Zowi, I want to show you my room and my new toys.” Tyler grabbed Zoe’s hand and led her to his room, leaving the adults in the living room to do whatever they wanted.

Christopher closed the gap between him and Naomi. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her; a long passionate kiss.

They pulled away when they were out of breath. “I missed you, ” Naomi confessed as she looked into his beautiful eyes.

“I missed you more, my love.”

Naomi smiled. She tiptoed and placed a quick kiss on his lips.

Her eyes made contact with the wrapped gifts on the couch beside the door.

“I think those are too much.”

Christopher smiled, “They are from me, Zoe, my parents, Susan, Debbie, Andre, Ruben, and Sophie. Due to one reason or the other, they will not be able to make it to Tyler’s party but they sent gifts and their regards.”

"Susan came with us but she will be staying at her friend’s place for the few days she will be here. She said we need our privacy as a family and she doesn’t want to intrude. She will be here to see you and Tyler tomorrow.”

“They are so sweet and I can’t wait to meet Susan.” Naomi smiled.

“I got something for you,” Chris announced.

“If it’s expensive I’m not going to accept it.” She threatened which made Chris chuckle.

Christopher released her from his hold, reached for one of the gift bags and handed it to Naomi.

Just as Naomi predicted, it was an expensive diamond necklace but more beautiful than she had imagined.

“It’s beautiful.” She whispered.

“I’ve bought it already so you have to accept it, my love.”

Naomi was a fashionista, she didn’t need anyone to tell her the piece of Jewelry she was holding was as expensive as hell.

She looked at Chris in the eye and made him promise. “No more buying of expensive stuff for me.”

Christopher smiled, “I will try.”

She hit his chest playfully, “I’m serious.”

“Okay, ma’am.” He lied.

“I love it very much, Thank you!” She kissed him.

“So I was about making spaghetti for dinner. Will you and Zoe be okay with it?”

“We will be fine with anything.

Naomi’s eyes went to the gifts that were on the chair again and she chuckled. “First of all, we need to keep those. Tyler will insist on opening all this night if he sees them.”

Chris assisted Naomi in putting the gifts in a storeroom, She made him bring his suitcase to her room and he showed her the items he bought for them.

Naomi smiled. “These are cute.” She said as she admired the superman suit sweatshirts he bought for her, himself, Zoe and Tyler.

“We can wear them on Tyler’s birthday eve.” He suggested and she nodded.

He reached for another bag and brought out the shirt he bought for Naomi and himself.

“I didn’t plan to buy all of these. I took Zoe for a costume shopping, I saw these amazing sweatshirts and couldn’t take my eyes off them.”

“It’s so thoughtful of you. I was thinking of rocking a plain shirt and jeans for Tyler’s party but this shirt will make my outfit colourful. Thanks!”

Chris assisted Naomi in making dinner, after that, they set the table and Chris went to get the kids from Tyler’s room.

Naomi smiled as she watched Chris approach her with both Tyler and Zoe in his arms.

“Mama, I showed Zowi most of my toys and she likes them, ” Tyler said to his mom as Chris placed him and Zowi on their feet.

“That’s good to hear, sweetheart.”

“Come sit beside me, Zoe, ” Naomi said to Zoe as she pulled out a chair for her and helped her sit on it.

Tyler sat between Zoe and his father, Naomi said a short prayer and they dug in. Naomi served Zoe while Chris served Tyler.

Naomi was surprised by how well Tyler ate his food; No doubt it was due to Zowi’s presence. The little girl cleared her plate and asked for some more.

“I finished my food mama” Tyler announced proudly and Zowi gave him a high five.

“Thank you for the food Naomi, It was delicious and I enjoyed it, ” Zowi said.

Naomi smiled at her, “You’re welcome darling.”

“Thanks for the food, mama,” Tyler said which made Naomi laugh out loud. She had always begged him to finish his food and most of the time she used to be the one to thank him whenever he finished his food.

“You’re welcome, buddy.” She replied after which Tyler guided Zoe to the living room to watch some cartoons.

Christopher wrapped his arms around Naomi’s waist as she placed the dishes in the dishwasher. “Thank you for dinner, my love.” He kissed her cheek.

“You guys are making me feel shy with the compliments, but you’re welcome anyway.” She admitted.

“Did I tell you Zoe chose a supergirl costume for the party?” Chris asked Naomi.

“You didn’t tell her Tyler opted to be superman for his party?” Naomi replied.

“No, I didn’t. We got to the shop where they sell costumes and she said she wanted the Supergirl costume.”

Naomi smiled, “Their sibling bond is stronger than we can ever imagine. I’m happy they will be matching.

“Don’t you think it’s time to get those two to bed and have some alone time” Christopher suggested and Naomi agreed. “I think so.”

They made their way to the living room where the kids were.

“Hey loves, it’s time to get you cleaned up for bed” Naomi announced.

“Can Sissy sleep in my room, Mommy?. Please?” Tyler pleaded.

Naomi looked at Christopher, wanting to know if he was okay with the idea. She missed Christopher a lot and wanted him to spend the night with her, and at the same time, she detested the idea of Zowi staying alone in the guest room.

“Sure, Zoe can sleep in your room” Naomi responded to Tyler who did a happy dance with Zoe.

Naomi helped Zoe take a shower and change into her nightdress, while Christopher did the same for Tyler.

They tucked the kids in and read them a bedtime story. Halfway through the second bedtime story, the two munchkins slept off.

Naomi and Chris kissed their foreheads, deemed the light and exited the room.

…………….

“Do you want to take a shower first or I should go first?” She asked him.

He closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“How about we take a shower together?” He whispered. “That way, we can manage water.” He added, patiently waiting for her response.