Chapter 32: I Want You


    "Daddy, Mommy looks so pretty today," told Kenzie with dreamy eyes and a smile not to be ignored.


    She looked at her mother, and back to her father, waiting for an answer.


    Ethan was dividing the chicken pops between the two kids when Kenzie remarked. It made him


    smile and look up to Samantha. He agreed, "Your Mommy is... always pretty."


    It had only been recently that Ethan had been willingly and clearly expressing appreciation, and that


    was towards Samantha. No one else.


    "Of course, they will always think that their Mommy is pretty," Samantha countered, trying to hide


    the blush on her face, but the truth was, she prepared for that special lunch.


    She wore a dress she had not worn in years. It was one of her mother''s dresses; a in navy blue,


    ruffled sleeve dress with semi-plunging neckline.


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Her wavy hair was down to her shoulders as usual, but that day, Samantha put on a little makeup


    over her face and wore her mother''s pendant.


    Hearing Samantha''s reply, Ethan just smirked at her down-to-earth personality. Clearly, she was


    beautiful and Ethan thought it was such a shame of the great General Davis to own up to an


    adopted daughter that was not even half as good-looking as his real daughter.


    He diverted the topic to schoolter on and discussed with Samantha the possibility of elerating


    both their children or give them special training sses, targeting their skills.


    "I - I really want them to experience childhood in as much as possible. Maybe, we can consider


    elerating them when they are much older." Samantha nced at the kids who were heartily


    eating their chicken pops before saying, "Maybe a special training ss will do for now."


    She smiled and imed, "I think... Kenzie would like dance sses or music sses."


    "I''d like to sing and dance, Daddy," revealed Kenzie, speaking while eating.


    "Manners, youngdy. Don''t speak when your mouth is full," reminded Samantha before giggling at


    her daughter.


    "What about you, Kyle," Ethan probed, but before his son could answer, he suggested, "Let me


    guess...puter ss?"


    Kyle was smiling as he was eating and nodding his head in agreement. That pretty much closed the


    discussion on the same topic.


    "Computer ss it is," Ethan concluded.


    The next thing Ethan covered was his busy schedule on his business trip, but like thest talk he


    had with the kids, he swore to be on a video call with them at night.


    Shortly after they finished their family lunch, Edgar came inside the restaurant, on cue. He meant to


    fetch the children and bring them to the car.


    "Let''s go, kids," Announced Edgar.


    Samantha was about to get up when Ethan held her hand. He said, "Sam, I''d like to have a word


    with you... Without the kids."


    Seeing the concerned look on Samantha, Ethan added, "Edgar will take care of them, right Edgar?"


    "Yes, sir. Miss Davis, don''t worry. They are good kids. I can handle them," assured Edgar with a


    thumbs up.


    "Umm... Okay," responded Samantha before returning to her seat. Her hand slowly became free


    from Ethan''s hold.


    Getting settled once again, Samantha looked into Ethan''s eyes and probed, "What did you want to


    talk about, Ethan?"


    "Sam, I - I know that I have only been a father to the kids for a few days and you may think


    everything is happening so fast - and trust me, I am sometimes still processing everything," Ethan


    told in his semi-business-like tone.


    He rested his arm on the table before resuming his thoughts, "But despite the overwhelming new


    circumstances - me suddenly being a father, there are two things that''s clear to me."


    "What - what is it?" Samantha probed while maintaining to lock eyes with him. She clearly saw the


    sincerity from his expression that she was eager to know.


    "One, I want to be the father of Kyle and Kenzie," he answered.


    "But you are their father," Samantha responded. Her brows drew together, utterly bemused.


    "I don''t just mean, providing for them, Sam. I mean... being there for them as a father," responded


    Ethan, and as he spoke, he unwittingly fixed his coat.


    He sighed and leaned back in his chair before saying, "I''m not a man of many words, Sam, but I''m


    trying to exin things the best way I can."


    "I want to see them more often and I want... I want to help you raise them as I am... their father,"


    Ethan rified.


    "This brings me to the second thing I absolutely want to have." Clearing his throat, Ethan moved


    closer to Samantha, resting both his elbows on the table. He said, "Sam, I want... you to consider...


    marrying me."


    Samantha utterly froze at the suggestion. The words ''Marry me'' echoed through her head again and


    again.


    She felt goosebumps all over her body and her throat dried up. She blinked repeatedly and shook


    her head before she rified, "Ex - excuse me?"


    "I don''t mean now, but we can start by getting to know each other first." His eyes narrowed before


    rifying, "Although, I don''t mind us getting married right now, if you''d like."


    Samantha''s eyes widened at the proposal. She remained silent,pletely lost for words. She


    listened as Ethan resumed this words.


    "But what I''d like you to consider is ultimately, giving our children a family... a real family," Ethan


    exined further.


    "I want to give the kids my name, their every right to carry myst name. And of course, I also


    want... to take care of you, more than just the children," Ethan finally added. "I want to give you


    back your pride, being the General''s real daughter, and that can only happen... if you marry me."


    He took a short pause and told, "There is no one... better than me. If anyone can get through your


    father, it''s me."


    Samantha remained to stare at him, still taken aback by his proposition. While it was ideal, it was


    just so unexpected.


    After some time, she struggled to let out her words, "Marriage is supposed to be shared by - by two


    people who love each other. You - you are just saying this because of the kids. I - I can see that you


    care for them, but - "


    "No, Sam. It''s not just about the kids," replied Ethan. "I also... I also want you, Sam. Aside from my


    children, I also want their mother."


    He said thest words so softly, they barely reached Samantha''s ears.


    Leaning back again, Ethan stated, "I expected that you''d be shocked, but at least... let''s give it a


    try... How about when I return from my trip, we should... go out... just the two of us."


    "Can we try that, Sam?" He repeated.


    ''Am I dreaming?'' Samantha asked herself in silence.


    Right in front of her was the perfect man, who happens to be the father of her children, asking her to


    marry him. It just seemed too surreal to Samantha that she could not decide on the marriage right


    then and there.


    She had to admit though, the idea of trying it out would be a good start. If it did work out between


    her and Ethan, everything would be perfect for her twins.


    "You don''t have to agree, going out with me right now. I understand that you want to think about it."


    Ethan checked the time and eyed the exit. He said, "I best get back - "


    "Okay..." Samantha endeavored to form a smile. She puffed her cheeks and said, "I''m okay to... go


    out with you."