Chapter 13: Growing Up

The months passed, and Samantha settled into life at home with her husband absent from the breadwinner’s side. The bakery consumed most of her time from dawn till dusk most days while Maria proved invaluable in managing the household and keeping the children occupied in Ethan’s absence.

The nanny, Maria, had become way more than just an employee over time. She was now a dear member of their family, whom they couldn’t think of living without anymore. Her gentle manners and patience have made her indispensable to not only Samantha but also the children who were as close to having a second mother.

Lately, Lily had especially taken it upon herself to cook, clean, and watch over her little brother since Dad wasn’t around all that often. The two children seemed to be growing up much faster than normal lately for their ages.

Ethan Jr had blossomed into quite the adventurer, always getting into some new mischief or another around the house. From climbing up onto the roof via the tree in the backyard to exploring every nook and cranny of the attic with all its mysterious happenings hidden within every dusty corner.

Samantha couldn’t help but wonder how far it would keep going like this before they’d both be grown adults full-fledged already. Then again, maybe it was for the best if it all passed quickly here, the way things that had been happening lately.

She was sitting alone in the living room, sipping at a glass of red wine one evening after putting the kids down for bed. The reflection of how their lives had totally changed since Ethan’s need to stay away. The what’s, how’s and whys of the situation did not matter to her.

Every time Ethan returned, he carried new scars on his body. She knew he was busy hunting something damnable and it was taking a toll on him. While her heart bled looking at him, she knew her role in his life. She could not help him, but she could love and support him. She could be strong for her family and Ethan.

The depth of loneliness settled over her heart, and she missed him much more than she ever had before. She only wished desperately for just one night back together again where they could forget everything except each other’s love once again. Maybe then things would feel normal here again if only for a little while longer.

As she stood up to go upstairs to their vacant room, however, there was a sharp knock on their front door. Her heart galloping furiously, Samantha ran to see who could be calling that late in the evening. She gasped out loud when opening it revealed her husband standing there just as surprised by her presence too after all these weeks apart.

“Ethan,” she gasped with a sigh, flinging herself into his arms with joyful tears. “Oh my god, I’ve missed you so much.” They clung tightly to each other for what seemed like several long moments merely embracing the reunion after such a separation no matter how temporary it might prove to be this time around.

“What are you doing here?” Samantha asked softly finally as they broke apart enough to walk inside together into the warmth of home. “Is everything all right?”

“Everything’s fine,” he assured her, gently reaching up to caress her cheek lovingly with the back of his fingers. “I just needed to come back and see my family for a little while.”

They then sat on the couch, clasping hands as she shared everything that had been going on lately. The kids’ rapid growth, Maria’s incredible help around here in taking care of them both while he was away so much.

“I don’t know what I would do without her,” Samantha admitted truthfully, with a soft smile tugging up the corners of her mouth at the thought of how lucky she felt having someone like that in their lives now. “She’s been absolutely invaluable.”

Ethan nodded his head in agreement and felt grateful too for the woman who had stepped into a role no one else could ever fill here now. Then they continued on discussing other topics before finally retreating upstairs to their bedroom together.

That night passed far too quickly as they made love slowly at first amidst whispered words and sighs till passion took over, driving them together with frantic urgency. When they finally reached their peak, it was simultaneous two halves of a whole writhing in perfect synchronicity before collapsing back against the pillows, panting, sweaty but blissful.

At that moment, then, she could well be so contently fulfilled. Whatever tomorrow might bring in, at least they were having tonight once again together for themselves. It reminded her why she fell so thoroughly in love with him and the feeling of love was stronger than ever.