The Royalties

Richard, Charmaine and Athena do their stuff while Dei cooks for lunch. Ms. Fely helped Dei prepare their food. "You haven't changed Dei. This tastes the same. I'm sure Richard and Athena will like this. They miss this dish a lot." She told Dei while both of them were setting the table.

"You don't have to complement me, Ms. Fely, as if I do not know that you are a good cook, too. In fact, I learned to cook most of the dishes from you." Dei said.

"I know but still for this dish, yours is different.I seldom cook this dish for them, Athena always complains about the taste and I know Richard too, though maybe he does not want to hurt my feeling that's why he never complains." Ms. Fely complained.

"That's not true, Ms. Fely. It will always taste the same as mine." Dei replied.

"No Dei, yours is different because you know this dish is their favorite, that is why when you cook it, there is always a special ingredient in it and that is Love, your love to your family, which makes it more special and delicious." Ms. Fely explained.

"That was before Ms. Fely when we were still together." Dei said.

"And today your family is complete. Therefore, I know that this dish is just the same as how you prepare it for them before." Ms. Fely said.

"If there is anything that has not changed, it is you Ms. Fely. Your love and concern for my children is always there. I thank you, Ms. Fely." Dei said with a hug.

"My love for your family will never change, regardless if you and Richard are together or not. But in my heart I know, your family will be complete together again, in God's perfect time." Ms. Fely said.

"You may now call them Ms. Fely while the soup is still hot, Athena like her soup boiling hot. I'll get the grilled fish in the dirty kitchen." Dei said to avoid the topic about her and Richard.

True to what Ms. Fely has said, the four of them enjoy the lunch Dei have prepared for them. The joy is clear in Richard and Athena.

"I can't believe I ate that much today. It is different if Mommy cooks our food, ooopppsss sorry Ms. Fely." Athena said with a peace sign. Ms. Fely just smiled at the gesture.

"It's fine Athena. I know how much you missed your mom's cooking. It is fine even if you declare that your mom is the best cook in the world. Besides, nobody can contradict that fact, and your Dad can confirm to that. Just look at him. He hasn't finished his food while all of you have finished yours." Ms. Fely said. "Can you blame me, Ms. Fely? I wanted to savor my food. And it is better to chew the food for good digestion." Richard said then he continued eating.

"Mommy, can we have pasta for dinner?" Athena said.

"How can we have the movie marathon if you want me to cook the dinner too?" Dei asked Athena.

"Let's just watch two movies after lunch, and then Charmaine and I will help you prepare our dinner." Athena suggested.

"I'm sorry. Athena. We do not have ingredients for a pasta dish because that is not part of our planned menu for the week." Ms. Fely said.

"Then let's postpone the movie marathon and just watch one movie, after that let's do the grocery after watching." Richard said while still munching on his lunch.

"Is that for real, Daddy? You will come with us to the supermarket?" Charmaine asked.

"Depends on your Mom, if she's ok with her then I'll drive for you guys." Richard said.

"You'll come with us even in the grocery store? No need Richard, you don't have to do that. I can drive for the three of us." Dei said.

"It is just a small thing, besides we used to do this before." Richard replied.

"Yes, before.... let's all be clear about that, that was before." Dei replied.

"Yes and we can still do it now...." Richard said but takes it back when she saw a sharp stare from Dei.

"I mean, doing the grocery, I don't mind driving for you. It won't take much of my time, anyway. I am on a day off, remember? Also, it is better that way. I don't want to stay home and just wait for you, girls." Richard explained.

"I agree, Mom. I don't want to leave Daddy alone here." Athena seconded.

"Also, it is better that Daddy comes with us, at least there is someone to carry our grocery items." Charmaine supported Athena and Richard.

"I agree with you Charmaine. It is better if Dad would come with us." Athena insisted and Dei just kept silent.

"So is it safe to take that silence as a yes?" Richard asked, beaming.

"Three vs one, it will be useless to argue with you guys." Dei said.

"Thanks, Mom. Thank you making me happy." Athena said then gave Dei a kiss and a hug

Richard was beaming really big this time. "I love my girls so much." he said to himself.

*********

As planned, the four watched a romance movie which Athena picked for them. In the middle of the movie, Richard noticed Charmaine fell asleep on the couch.

"I think I have to bring Charmaine to her room, so she could sleep properly. I can't believe, she is too tired to go to her room." Richard said.

"She is not tired. She only was not able to get a decent sleep last night because she is so excited for this trip." Dei said. When Richard was about to carry Charmaine, Dei got worried and stop him.

"Wait, are you sure you can still bring her to her room? Remember, she is no longer the baby that you used to carry. I think it is better if we let her sleep here, I'll just get some pillow in her room." Dei suggested.

"She cannot rest properly if we let her sleep here while Athena is watching the movie. She is likely to be disturbed than rest." Richard said.

"I can lower down the volume Dad. And don't worry Mom. I know Daddy can still carry Charmaine to her room. Though, I have a better idea. Why don't we all take a nap here in the family room? We used to do that before right?" Athena said then she turned off the TV.

"Are you also tired sweetie?" Dei asked Athena.

"A bit tired, Mom. Daddy woke me up too early. Actually, we were already in the airport at five in the morning, despite your landing schedule of six in the morning. Like father, like daughter both of them are excited for your trip." Athena said, giggling while Dei throws a sharp gaze to Richard then reprimanded him.

Richard, the house is just 30 minutes away from the airport. I doubt if there was a heavy traffic at five in the morning earlier, you could have let Athena sleep a little more." Dei said, fierce.

"I will go to get some pillows, I'll go with Athena's suggestion, she is right. We could have a little nap here" Richard said then left to avoid being scolded by Dei.

Richard came back carrying lots of pillows. He converted the sofa into a double bed then carried Charmaine and Athena lay beside her sister.

"Lay down beside me Mommy." Athena said.

"No sweetie, I will not sleep. I'll just watch over you and Charmaine while you two are asleep. Go ahead and rest, I'll just wake you up when it's time for us to leave for grocery." Dei said then kissed Athena on her forehead.

After a few minutes Athena fall into sleep while Dei stroke her hair, she just stayed by her side.

"She missed you." Richard told Dei.

Dei heard him, but she did not look at Richard, instead she continues stroking Athena's hair while humming a lullaby.

"Thank you for staying here Dei. This means a lot to Athena." Richard said.

"I will do everything for my children. They are my life." Dei replied.

"I know Dei. I know that. Don't you want to take a nap too? You haven't rested since you arrived." Richard said.

"I'm fine, I missed watching them both asleep in one room." Dei replied.

"I need to take a nap also, will you watch over me, too?" Richard asked.

"You are all grown up Richard. You don't need someone to watch over you." Dei replied.

"That's what I said. I'll just sleep with my girls." Richard said. Then he lay on the couch to get some sleep, a few minutes later. "Uhmm, Dei?" Richard said while his eyes are still closed.

"Do you know that you'll regret it, if you don't wake me up later for that grocery time?" Richard asked still eyes closed.

"Yes, I know." Dei replied smiling.

"'Just making sure." Richard said then dozed off, beaming.