CHAPTER 30
Robert Swiss parked a safe distance from the house. He got out of the car and looked around the city. Breathing in the fresh air seemed like something Evangeline, his youngest daughter, would do. He inhaled and exhaled, eyes closed and just let the Miami air sink in again. It was refreshing to be back here. He had grown up in the suburbs. Miami always had and would always be home. As he made his way into his home, he prepared himself for what he would meet. His wife, he was sure, wouldn't welcome him with open arms. Though she had called and invited him down here, he knew she was only fulfilling the obligation. Their parting hadn't exactly gone right. She had made it clear their terms on parting. It wasn't legal yet, but it was a written agreement.
He walked briskly towards the compound. Everything was exactly as he had left it. Even the gate's passcode hadn't been changed. The walls looked shinier, though, an indication at some point after he left, it had been repainted. Breathing heavy, he stepped to the door and turned the knob. As he opened the door, a cold fruit salad was thrown in his face. Shocked, he stood staring at the mess. If he had expected a warm welcome, this was far from it. This was a very cold welcome splashed all over his face.
The objects of his plight were his two grandchildren, Ethan and Elizabeth. They were having a food battle as they kept throwing things. He stood watching the drama. The twins paused to see the intruder. He didn't look harmful. If he did, mother said to run from such people. He didn't look familiar either. Mother said not to hang around strangers. So, they ignored the older man and went about throwing their fruits. Every fruit each twin dodged landed on the man. "Sorry." they'd yell and continue their game. He stood rooted to the same spot, bags in hands, looking from one twin to the other as they ran around the living quarters.
The kids reminded him of his own. Evangeline was always one to throw a tantrum. Her fighting instinct being to throw things first. He remembered the day he had come home to a messy apartment. The kids had been throwing things at each other. He hated that! Being the first home, he had been so sick at the sight he came home to meet. He didn't step a foot inside. He just closed the door and went to sit it out in the car. His wife came in hours later to meet him asleep in the .early
"What are you doing in the car?" Mrs Swiss asked, tapping the car glasses to wake him up.
"You should go in first." He urged. Mrs. Swiss laughed as she opened the door. "Here we go again." She sighed and entered the house to clean up. It was after she was done that he went inside. The following day, he sat the kids down and warned them never to throw things and mess up the home like yesterday.
Finally, with the weight of the bag weighing heavily on his hand, Robert Swiss was brought back to the present. "So good to be home!" He groaned and dropped his bag. Recognition finally dawned! The twins ran towards the man screaming, "Grandpa." Though they've never met him before, they had seen his pictures. Even now, they both stared at the man then at a huge portrait of him on the wall.
"Yes, that's me." the man said, smiling even as his wife walked into the room.
"Hello, husband." Seeing the mess the kids had made of the living room, she taunted, "Want to sit this one out too?" His wife asked, clearly remembering the incidence too.
He shook his head, "They didn't listen to me then, did they?" He groaned, "If they had, these little minions wouldn't have picked up on it."
The twins grinned at their grandfather, and he forgot he had been a little put off by the welcome greeting he got. "Welcome home, grandpa." They both chorused. Well, it's been a long time here.
Though it was late hours of the morning, Evangeline was just waking up. She was surprised to see that Jason, too, was still around and sleeping too. They had both slept in the living room while watching the movies. As she stirred, he moved too. "Hey." She greeted.
"Good morning." He replied, helping her up. "Did you have a good night?"
"I did, which is very funny. I didn't even wake up in the night."
"We did sleep late." He told her. He was still holding her hand. Evangeline looked at the hand and then pulled away. "What's your day like today?"
"Got some couple things to do at the office. But that can wait. I can have it done on the laptop too if it becomes a matter of urgency" looking closely at her, he asked, "Why are you asking?"
"Just to know when to get the breakfast started." She looked at the time, "Maybe even brunch. What would you like to eat?"
"Not sure. What do you have?"
She went towards her refrigerator. "I've got enough to last us many weeks." She told him, "Considering they could spoil, we better make good use of them now." Withdrawing some items from the fridge, she went towards the kitchen.
"You can take some with you on the trip back."
"I always come here too. I'm sure it will be okay." She was already moving plates and getting ready to get the cooking started.
Jason got off the couch and started to arrange the living room. Done with the chore, he went to join her in the kitchen. She was reaching for some container in the upper cabinet. Since he was very much taller than her, he helped her to retrieve it and set it down on the table.
"You're making ..." He was saying before he notices her swooning. He quickly held her. Holding her in place, they stayed that way for a while.
Evangeline had been about turning to thank him when she misplaced her foot and started to fall. The shock of almost tripping made her still, so still Jason asked what was wrong. She nodded stiffly. He lifted her and carried her back to the living room. Then he went to get a cup of water. She drank gratefully, passed him the empty cup and laid down on the love couch.
"Are you okay?" He asked again, sitting beside her.
A tear dropped down her face. She was still in shock, and though she didn't understand the tears, she was only too relieved he had been there to prevent the fall. What could have happened to the baby? She shivered. He gently brushed off the tear and pulled her closer. As he did, his hands encircled her in a hug. It suddenly becomes hot in the room. Evan shifted uncomfortably under his hug. He pulled her back and looked at her. Evan noticed his eyes had gone dark. The look in his dark blue eyes drew her in. She reached for his face, tracing the taut line of his jaw. He captured the hand, turned the palm to his mouth and kissed it. She felt her stomach fluttered. It was just a kiss to the hands, yet he made her feel so alive.
He lifted her face to his. Their unspoken kiss hung in the air again. They both remembered, and both wanted it. Yet, he did nothing but look into her face. It appears like he was seeking her consent before kissing her, or was that him giving himself a million and one reasons why he shouldn't. She pulled away, not sure she could give him the go-ahead he desperately needed from her. He had to figure it out himself. But he didn't let her stand. He reached for her hand and pulled her back to him. When his head came down to hers, and his mouth parted hers, she opened up to him without any resistance. That was as far an answer she was ever going to give him.
The kiss was light at first. Like he had been testing out a theory, trying to know what was it about their kids that made him so excited. She was as curious as he was, wanting to know if he felt this current between them. The kiss was a gentle one, with both savoring the other. He lightly held her in place while his tongue invaded her crevices. She drank him in, pulling him in, demanding more.
Jason was all too happy to oblige her. There was no thought. No way to think about what he was doing or what she was making him do to her. All that matters were the way he felt this very minute. The kiss changed from a mere sampling to something more. Evan was demanding more, and he wanted more too. His hands drew her closer, pressing her to him. Then her hands unbuttoned his shirt, and she was in his naked skin. He sucked in a breath when she lightly brushed his nipple. He was so hard it hurt. He returned the favor by releasing her mouth and kissing her neck. Her moan was all the invite he needed to pull her clothing down. He started to kiss her again then bent to kiss her nape. She gasped, throwing caution to the air. She opened his shirt.
He reached for her too. Her boldness turned him on. He liked a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to demand it. He let his hands slide down her boobs. She wasn't wearing any bra underneath her nightwear, so it was easy to get her breast out. He looked at her in pure lust before letting his hand cup each breast. As he let their heavy weight get used to his palm, he returned to kissing her. Evangeline moaned when he kneaded both breasts. And just as they were in deep throes of passion, her phone began to ring. The ringing phone made them pull apart. Evangeline's breath was uneven, and so was his. She was happy she had that effect on him as he did hers.
"I'm sorry." He said
He looked almost sorry. Her mood plummeted, just like that. She checked her phone to see that her caller was her sister, "Not a good time." She whispered, gritted teeth and all. Then sitting up straighter, she asked, "Dad is where?" She said, staring into Jason's. "He's back in Miami. Wow"
