Bonus Chapter 3

Five years is not a long leap when we spend time with our loved ones. Sandy felt like he erased those bitter five years with these new ones. But still the pain was so fresh and it's stabbing him right across his chest every time he sees Sana or Rose's empty album or Alex's sudden change of attitude. But he learned to see the bigger side. He is happy. Alex is happy. Sana is happy. Rose is happy. That's what they need now. The reason is Clara for sure. She unveiled everything and risked her life to bring the truth

out.

Sandy sat in front of the bed where a man was lying there lifeless.

"Thanks for snatching five years of my life" Sandy's words weighed more than he could ever imagine.

The man in front of him didn't deserve even his anger. But he chose to meet him at least once.

"Thanks for making me realize the meaning of trust" Sandy added as tears formed in his eyes. His entire life was a lie and he is not able to bear the pain.

"Finally, I will be a great father to my son. Thanks for teaching me not to be like you." Sandy added finally and stood up to leave the ICU where John was admitted in the hospital. His health deteriorated completely when he was arrested and Sandy didn't even once look at him. The doctor finally gave up treating him and that's when Sandy decided to say these three lines to his father.

But to meet his father, it took five years. Sandy entered his home as his five years old son came running to his side with a heavy dispute.

"Chris, what happened?" Sandy asked, making him sit on his lap.

"She always makes fun of me." Chris pouted his lips and Sandy sighed tiredly. There is no way he could handle this fight anymore. He stood up all annoyed as he called everyone to the hall to hear the dispute.

Chris stood on the other side while he glared at his enemy.

"She is saying that she is important to dad and uncle. And I am last on the list" Chris highlighted the main issue.

"If a five-year-old little boy is fighting with another small kid, it's understandable. But look here" Sharon exclaimed with a huge sigh. It's been their routine. Everyone looked at the main culprit there who was too annoyed to defend her actions.

"I didn't lie to him. It's the fact right, Alex?" Clara asked, pouting so cutely and Alex just smiled at his wife. She is too cute whenever she fights with all the kids there.

"For Sandy and Alex, I am first" Clara announced proudly.

"Darling, you are too much nowadays," Kiara exclaimed as she made Chris calm down.

"You little rat, always changing teams. Till now you were supporting my point and you only started this fight." Clara crossed her arms in front of Kiara who clicked her tongue at her.

"Maybe your point is right. But I come first above all" There comes a very small voice to attract everyone instantly as they all turn to see a small girl who is an exact copy of Alex and Clara. So beautiful and so mature. She has sharp eyes and her tongue works exactly like Clara's.

"Hope you realize this first" The little girl proudly announced to her mother as she sat on the lap of Alex, making Clara's jaws drop to the ground.

"Rachel, don't make my darling cry." Chris changed his side instantly as he hopped up

to Clara's side who was beaming so cutely at him while Kiara too joined the hug. But Rachel has no interest in joining them as she is so comfortable in Alex's lap.

"So dramatic," Rachel commented as Clara made an o -shaped mouth. This girl is a heavy competitor to Clara.

"Oops. It's 8 already." Clara jumped in horror.

"It's my first day" Rachel pouted as she guessed already that her mom would not come with her to her school.

"Today there is a special presentation for the upcoming project. You know how grumpy my boss is right?" Clara bends to Rachel's side who is not okay with this at all.

"Your boss is grumpy, annoying and very bad," Rachel yelled at Sandy while he gaped at her words.

"If it's for my Princess, I will change the timing of the meeting." Sandy gave in instantly, receiving an instant smile on Rachel's lips.

"I am telling your mom to resign her job at that stupid company and join me here. She can come anytime and go anytime." Alex commented with a scoff while both Sandy and Clara stood before Alex with fiery glares. Both Sandy and Clara made Skyline number one with their hard work.

"Mom, Dad. I want you both here at sharp 5 in the evening. Or else I won't cut the cake." Rachel spoke in her kiddish tone. It's her birthday and she can't tolerate anyone's absence. Frank lifted the girl and kissed her forehead.

"I will make sure they are here before 5" Grace commented from behind with a stern look at Alex and Clara.

"Kids, it's time for a bath" Edward announced as all the kids jumped to his side instantly. He loves to play with them in the swimming pool. Alina helps to get them ready.

Grace was so happy to see her family like this. Alina, Rose, and Clara never differentiated between the kids. For everyone, Kiara comes first always. But the three kids are like apples to their eyes.

******

"Did you meet him?" Alex asked all of a sudden. Of course, how can he hide anything from Alex?

"Hm," Sandy replied plainly. Alex sat there in silence. Sandy loved how Alex gives a positive vibe as he expects. No words, no hugs, no cringe gestures. It's pure genuine that he is always there for him.

"I just pray that our kids are not like us to make anyone make decisions in their lives," Sandy mumbled and Alex patted his shoulder.

"Chris, Kiara and Rachel are too intelligent than us to let emotions rule more than their heart or mind," Alex replied.

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"We should tell our story to them maybe in future so that they could see that monsters do exist" Sandy added with a smile. Alex couldn't agree to it more.

"You should go now or else your wife will kill me, saying that I have snatched her husband" Sandy pushed Alex away with a laugh. It's been half an hour since Clara called him for help but he got busy with Sandy as usual and Clara would always eat Sandy alive.

*****

Alex entered the room and hugged her from behind with no words as he smuggled into her neck.

"You don't have time for me nowadays," Alex complained like a kid and Clara turned to his side. Seeing his pout, her anger melted like puddles. She always understands if he is too down with emotions.

"Should I resign from that useless company?" She asked and his eyes twinkled in response. If anything brings a smile to his face, she wouldn't mind doing them.

"Join me. We can enjoy ourselves in the office too." Alex added. He genuinely wanted to be with Clara for more time. Since she joined Sandy's company again, she is either

busy with her work or with the kids. No one is ready to leave Clara for Alex.

"I thought that you were just pulling Sandy's legs. If that's what you want, I will join you." Clara agreed instantly. Alex was surprised. He knew that she could do anything for him. But her job was her passion and he didn't expect her to quit that for him. And that too so easily.

"I don't want to regret anything in my life, Alex" She pecked his lips.

"Let's get ready fast or else, my princess will kill us," Alex mumbled and took a new parcel to Clara. She was so happy to see a long red gown and he had the same colour tie to match his suit. His efforts always made her special.

Both got ready and came down so quickly. Rachel wore a red and black gown which was sweeping the floor and she looked like a Disney princess in real life. She jumped and hugged her mom and dad with a huge grin.

"Happy birthday, my angel." Clara kissed her daughter with little tears. She gets Stella's resemblance in Rachel always and she misses her mom like hell.

"That's unfair. I am a little rat and she is an angel?" Kiara pouted and turned away to show her curly hair.

"You are my sweet little rat and I won't change the name." Clara clicked her tongue and Kiara could only smile at her darling. No one could understand the chemistry of Clara- Kiara-Chris and Rachel.

It's become a ritual for Alex to bake a cake for his princess. He felt like it was the best way to express their love. Rachel jumped in excitement to see the blue falls cake. She kissed her father again.

She cuts the cake and feeds them one by one.

"Where is my gift?" Rachel beamed.

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"First my gift. Because it's me who made it possible to bring you into this world" Clara crosses her arms and everyone bursts into laughter. And yeah, Alex would always give a small present to Clara first on Rachel's birthday. He gave tickets to her and she widened her eyes seeing only two tickets for them. It means, no Rachel, no Sandy mainly.

"Two days to Paris" He replied and she hugged him instantly.

"Now, shall I get my gifts?" Rachel asked with a pout.

"My baby sister." Kiara gave a big frame of greeting card which she made from her hand and Rachel grabbed it so excitedly. While Chris gave her a big chocolate which he has never shared with anyone.

Alex and Clara gifted Rachel with a small battery car and that's it, Rachel, Chris, and Kiara vanished into thin air to celebrate the remaining celebration with their new toys. "Brother, you are always spoiling them with these expensive gifts," Alina pouted. She always wants every kid to learn and work hard to get what they want. A typical mom brings her kids right in their path.

"Of course. I totally agree with Alina here." Rose is like a strict lady in the form of a mom. She is basically a warden to all kids.

"Gifts are supposed to express our love. It's not expensive or cheap." Clara defended her husband instantly.

"Look at them, Rachel is riding her car but at the same time, she is holding that chocolate and greeting card close to her heart. The same applies to Kiara and Chris. Kiara spends time to give her sister whereas Chris chose to give his favourite chocolate." Clara explained them with a constant smile. She admires all the kids and wants to bring the best out of them. She doesn't want to control them. She wants to play with them and help them to reach their goals.

"I agree with Clara." Grace beamed as she could relate to Clara's thinking. Who else could relate? It's exactly like her grandma.

"Let's grow together with them" Alex and Sandy said it together and everyone agreed

to it instantly.

They knew that this journey also will. not be easy. They will face so many hurdles. There

will be so many Johns. They couldn't avoid mistakes. But they have only one oath that they won't repeat their mistake.

Trust is the base of every relationship. If you trust, there is no need to even ask a second question. If there is trust, there is love.

The End.