It has been some time since me and Laurencio got married, more exactly 10 years. I feel very lucky to have a husband like him because not only that he brought the bookshop for me, but he’s taking care of the boys and Ambra as well. She’s 15 years old and we remained best friends. Noah, Aaron and Ambra have a cousin named Dante-Alexander Graham. He’s one year younger than my twins.
I was sitting on the couch playing with Otto as Noah and Aaron were playing with their toys. Ambra walked in and I greeted her with a smile „Hey Ambra, how was your day?” She sighed and rolled her eyes „Don’t pretend you care! Leave me alone! Ugh! I hate you all!” She ran upstairs then slammed her bedroom door. I flinched a little bit at that. What did I do wrong? Did I upset her? I wanted to make her feel as a part of the family, not to distance her from me. Maybe she thought I loved Noah and Aaron more than I loved her? They boys hugged me and I returned the embrace „It’s okay, mommy. I’ll love you no matter what.” Noah smiled as Aron gave us a pout „No! I love you more!” I chuckled as they argued a little bit „You both love me equally as I do, okay?” They nodded and went back to their toys. A few minutes later I walked in the kitchen and made dinner since it was close to dinner time and Laurencio should’ve been home any moment. I was going to make some pasta which we all enjoyed and Ambra loved them a lot so maybe it would light up her mood. I heard the front door open and the twins greeted Laurencio as they walked in „Mommy! Look who’s back!” Aaron spoke and I turned around to see that Laurencio was holding up the boys with a smile on his face. He put them on their chairs then hugged me „Hey, love.” He whispered and kissed my cheek as I giggled „Hey. How was your day?” He sighed „Long. Yours?” My smile vanished away as I looked at him a bit guilty „Ambra keeps being a little bit stubborn, but it’s okay. She has her reasons to do that.” He nodded then quietly left the kitchen. I finished preparing dinner and put 5 plates with food on the table „Food’s ready!” I said out loud as Laurencio walked in. The four of us sat down and I called out for Ambra „Ambra baby, you’ll lose your favorite if you don’t come eat!” I chuckled as she walked in with a pissed frown upon her expression „Pasta? Are you for real?! I hate it!” She gagged then rushed to the bathroom and… Threw up? I rushed after her worried because maybe she was sick. I sat down rubbing her back as poor Ambra was throwing up. She finished and looks at me a bit guilty „Th-Thanks…” I hugged her at my chest still worried „It’s okay, baby. What happened?” She looked up at me and started sobbing „My life is messed up, Lexi… I’m so sorry… I’m such a failure…” I shook my head and kissed her forehead „It’s okay, dear. Tell me what happened.” She wiped her tears and sniffled „Kids at school keep making fun of me that I don’t have parents…” I frowned at her „What?!” She nodded and hugged me tight „I don’t want to go to school anymore…” I shook my head and kissed her forehead once more „We will solve it tomorrow, okay?” She agreed with me and we went back to eating. The whole dinner was peaceful and quiet because of what happened. After we finished, everyone went to bed and I went to tuck the boys in bed then to Ambra. She was waiting for me to tuck her in bed as well. I sat beside her and kissed her forehead „We’ll solve it tomorrow, okay?” She gave me a small nod and hugged me sobbing. I returned the hug maintaining the silence. She breaks the hug looking at me hurt „Do you still love me…?” I nodded „Of course I love you, you’re my baby girl.” She smiled „Well, I want to present you to someone tomorrow.” I frowned at her confused „Who?” She giggled as her face lit up and her cheeks flushed red „Surprise!” I smiled then tucked her in bed „Sweet dreams, Ambra.” She said good night as well and I left. As I got ready for bed too, Laurencio walked in a bit confused „What happened with Ambra at dinner?” I sat down on the bed a bit upset „The kids at school are bullying her for being an orphan…” He hugged me at his chest „We’ll solve it tomorrow.” I agreed with him then smiled „She said she’s coming back home with someone special.” I giggled and he kissed my forehead „I can’t wait.” And we fell asleep cuddling in bed. The next day I woke up early to prepare breakfast for everyone. Laurencio walked in some time later tired like he had never slept before. He took a seat at the table and I put a plate of food in front of him „Did you get some sleep last night?” He nodded „I don’t know what happened.” I kissed his forehead and gave him his regular cup if coffee, maybe that would help with some energy. Few minutes later Aaron and Noah walked in all fresh for a new day. They sat down and I smiled because they’re always so happy and looking cute „How are you, kids?” They smiled and Noah giggled „Very good, mommy!” I put them breakfast and everyone ate in peace. After the three of them got ready, I said goodbye to them as Aaron, Noah and Laurencio left. I tiptoed upstairs to Ambra to see that she was getting ready. I smiled as she looked at me returning the smile „Good morning, Ambra. How about we go eat breakfast?” She nodded and I took her downstairs so she could eat. Everything went well and after we finished, I took her to school then I went to the bookshop.
I loved working in there. Every day kind people walk in and buy different books, but it was going to be different. Why? Because the author of Loving the Opposite Kingdom was going to have a book signing here for her 8th volume from the novel! I was so excited because I loved her books and the her way of expressing is so clear, but tangled at the same time because there’s such an amazing story. I got everything prepared with my workers and finished before she arrived. She walked in with… A bodyguard and 3 kids… Wow. That was getting interesting. I shook her hand smiling „Hi, I’m Alexis Bucudeno, the owner of the bookstore. It’s nice to meet you.” She returned the shake and the smile. She said something in another language to the kids and bodyguard then the three children rushed to the kids section. They were well behaved and very quiet. Annie sat down and took a pen put of her pocket „Do you want an autograph?” I nodded and handed her my book „It’s so interesting how the main characters discuss and the presence of the kids is making it harder.” She hummed a yes „Well, ask 12 year old me, not the present me. I’ve written those when I was a pre-teen and my first reader was quite shocked and a bit traumatized about it.” She chuckles and Sabrina walked in with a copy of the book and the two of them had a hug. Maybe they knew each other? I smiled and Sabrina embraced me as well „How’s that you scheduled to have an autograph signing here?” She shrugged her shoulders „I put my co-workers to pick a random number and used some math.” We all laughed because she said that she hated math in an interview. Sabrina gave her the book then took it back „You already have the autograph, the first autograph on the first 8th volume, remember?” Annie spoke and Sabrina nodded happily and I looked at them surprised „So she’s your first reader?” They both agreed as people started walking in. I spoke with Annie before that we have each half of the income of this. The day passed and the three children were all asleep in their mother’s car as we were doing business. She finished splitting the money and I got my half „Glad I met you, Mrs. Bucudeno. I hope we’ll collaborate more in the future.” I nodded and she left. I cleaned up and see a car pulled up in front of the store. I locked the bookshop then walked to the car to see Laurencio „Hey, love.” He hugged me having a wide smile on his face. I greeted him back and we hoped in the car. The kids surprised me with warm hugs and lots of love as I sat in the backseat. I hugged them all and smiled at Ambra „Did it solve?” She nodded happily as we kept chatting and got home. When we got there, Laurencio left me and the boys go inside as he drove off with Ambra. I got the boys ready for bed and exhausted them a little more by playing with their toys. After 15 minutes Ambra, Laurencio and a very tall guy walked in. He seemed around Ambra’s age and he looked familiar. Like I’ve seen him before, but for sure I didn’t. The boys looked up And gasp „Nikki!” They screamed and went to hug the boy. He hugged them back and looked at Ambra „They’re cuter in reality than in photos.” I smiled as she giggled and looked at me „Right. Nikki, I want you to meet my aunt as well. She’s more like my best friend, Lexi. Lexi, my boyfriend, Nikolas, Nikki for short.” I got up and we shook hands „It’s nice to meet you, Mr. And Mrs. Bucudeno.” Laurencio nodded and we all got settled in the living room. The twins were very excited to see Nikolas and he was as well. It felt like they’ve met a lot before. I couldn’t hold myself and I asked him a question that I should’ve not „Have we met before? You look very familiar.” He looked at me paying more attention and shook his head „Maybe you know my mother. She’s a known writer, Annie Limoneur.” I nodded „Yeah, she had a book signing at my bookshop today.” He signed a yes along with a smile „Well, I’ll tell mom you said hi. She was impressed about your bookstore. She hardly buys books from bookstores.” I chuckled and Laurencio looked at me surprised „You’re quite popular now.” I nodded proud of myself. We talked for some more time then I looked at the time to see that it passed Aaron’s and Noah’s bed time so I put them to sleep. I got back downstairs to see Laurencio talking with Nikolas. As I sat down, Laurencio asked him an interesting question „Are you thinking of a longer future with Ambra?” The boy was a little bit quiet then spoke with all the confidence „I do and as long as things work between me and Ambra, I’m willing to go through what the future will prepare for the two of us. We’re still getting to know each other, but I’m glad we gained each other’s trusts because that’s the most important thing in a relationship and as I said, only the future knows what will happen.” Laurencio nodded and his facial expression was showing how proud he was of this boy.
The following following chapter would’ve brought us lots of surprises along with our new family. Ambra growing out her love and the twins developing their minds as well as their physiques. Laurencio and I weren’t doing the best, but kept an act for the kids since they were too young to understand. For sure Ambra had seen it, but if there are problems, you never know if it really has a solution or not.
Days passed and I couldn’t hold my secret in anymore. I entered Laurencio’s office and closed the door behind me. He looked up from his computer „What happened, love?” I sat in front of him „I have to tell you something.” He nodded as a permission to confess. „I want a divorce, Laurencio.” The color from his face drained as I continued „I am sorry for this, but I loved you at once. Yet, I married you for the boys and Ambra. I didn’t feel anything at all and I tried to, but my power for this drained and I think it’s the right time to do this.” He nodded as his eyes watered, but he understood my reasons and wasn’t against it. The next day we signed the papers with a lawyer and shared the gatherings we had equally, yet the twins were going with me and Ambra remained with him.
We said goodbye to each other for the last time before I left with Aaron and Noah for a new life.
-THE END-