A/N: Hi guys! Noticed that some of you didn't like the mistake that Rex did with Serena and i can't blame you for reacting like that. I just want to say that i made the story like that because i didn't want this story to be like a fairytale. I wanted it to be more realistic. I didn't want to have perfect characters that's why I made them do their own share of mistakes. I wanted their love to cure those mistakes because no matter how much they got hurt, love will still win in the end---something like that :)

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REX's POV

"Daddy, mommy, can you please sleep with Avellie and I tonight?" Rexus asked while Ellie and I were tucking them to bed.

"Mon chéri, your daddy needs to go home for now because he didn't bring a change of clothes with him here at the ranch but don't worry, he'll be back tomorrow for sure" Ellie answered before I could even say anything.

I looked at our children. Disappointment was written all over their faces.

Their gaze switched to me and there was expectation on their faces. They were looking at me as if they're asking for me to stay and I couldn't say no to them.

Since I got here and discovered about them, I already promised myself to be with them always to make up for the lost times. I already planned to give them all the attention and love that a father should be giving to his children and I already started earlier today.

I played with them until they got tired and feel asleep.

During dinner, I assisted them by deboning the fish for them. Ellie cooked several dishes and all of them were really delicious. It was my first time eating something that made by her after more than five years and I ate a lot.

After dinner, we watched cartoons at the living room before Ellie and I accompanied them to the bathroom to help them clean themselves. We helped them put on their pajamas and the children were so happy. They kept on giggling happily and I knew that they were enjoying Ellie and I's attention.

We looked like a complete happy family and it made me want to fix things between me and Ellie as soon as possible. I want a happy and calm surroundings for our children and I'll give that to them. Not only that but a complete family too.

But first, I need to make sure that Carlos and Mason would go to jail together with their conspirators.

I knew for sure that they would never leave us in peace while they're at large. Judging from the threat that I saw at the resort and the text that they sent Ellie; they're obviously plotting our downfall but I'll make sure that they would never succeed no matter what.

I've finally discovered the truth about what happened to me more than five years ago and I wouldn't just sit and do nothing because I would get the justice that I deserve.

Now that my family is with me now, I would never let anyone touch them because I'll do what it takes to protect them!

"It's okay, querida. I'll just call George to bring me something to wear for the night" I said. George is the caretaker/butler at my grandparents' vacation house. Ellie's lips parted in surprise upon hearing my response.

"Really, daddy? You're really going to sleep here with us?"

"Of course, chiquita. This is my first night together with the two of you and I would never miss that for the world" I answered my daughter and her smile widened.

"Yes! Play with us again tomorrow, daddy" Rexus requested.

"Of course, chiquito. We'll play a lot tomorrow so go to sleep now so that you have a lot of energy for tomorrow"

"Your daddy is right, mes chéris. You should sleep now because it's already getting late" Ellie said. She was sitting next to Avellie while I was at the other side of the bed, sitting next to Rexus.

"Then read us a bedtime story, mommy" Avellie requested with puppy dog eyes. Ellie smiled fondly and then stood up and picked up a story book which was placed neatly at the bookshelf at the corner of the room. It looks like our children loves books judging by the number of books there.

"Ready for the story? This is one of the books that I gave you yesterday and I'm sure you're excited to hear the story" she asked our kids and then showed them the front cover of the book. A gift for mama.

"Yes, mommy" they answered excitedly in unison. Then after that, Ellie started reading the book. I couldn't take my eyes off of her as she began reading the book. She looked like she was enjoying reading the story to the kids too.

I smiled inwardly. I didn't realize it before but she changed a lot now. The way she talks and act were a lot gentler as if she would think about what she would do or say first before saying or doing it.

My eyes focused on her face. She wasn't wearing any make-up but I couldn't help but to get mesmerize by her natural beauty. My eyes went down to her lips and I suddenly remember how those lips taste like; how they felt like whenever we kiss. I groaned inwardly when I felt my pants tightened because of that thought. Damn! Just by staring at her like that was giving me sinful thoughts.

"---The end" I blinked for a couple of times when I heard her say the last words. I didn't even hear what's the story was about because my attention was fixated on her. Our little ones looked like they were already sleepy as the story ended.

Their eyes looked heavy already.

"Goodnight, mes chéris" Ellie said gently and then kissed their foreheads.

"Goodnight, mommy" they both chanted and then kissed her cheeks. They faced me and then said the same thing to me.

"Goodnight daddy" and they kissed me on the cheeks. The happiness that I was feeling was incomparable. I didn't know that having children could give you this kind of feeling and it's really exhilarating.

"Goodnight, chiquito, Chiquita" I kissed their foreheads too like Ellie did to them a while ago. Rexus and Avellie were smiling and I could tell that they're happy of the turn of events.

"Mommy, come here" Avellie said and then patted the space on her left side. Ellie lied down beside our daughter and then gave her a hug. Avellie quickly wrapped her arms around Ellie and then burrowed her face on her mother's bosom.

"Daddy, can you lie down beside me too?" Rexus asked me while patting the space beside him. I couldn't help but to smile. I quickly got in the bed and the lied down next to my son. Ellie and I were lying down on both sides of the bed while our children were between us.

I changed my position and lied on my side to face my son. He automatically scooted over and then hugged me.

"Hmmm...hmmm..." my eyes went to Ellie when I heard her humming a song. Her voice was so sweet. It looks like our children really loved her humming a song like that. Maybe, Ellie sings for them before they go to sleep whenever she's with them.

I kept on listening to her and after a couple of minutes, our twins finally fell asleep.

"You're a good mother, querida. I can tell that our children love you so much. Thank you for always being there for them these past five years. Thank you because you raised them well. They're such wonderful kids and that's because of you" I said in a voice above whisper.

"Thank you" she whispered, enough for me to hear her. I was about to speak again when I heard the message alert tone of my phone. I took it out from my pocket and then read the message. It was from George informing me that he's already at the entrance of the ranch. I texted him a while ago to bring me some clothes, underwear and toothbrush.

I carefully removed my arm from hugging Rexus and then stealthily got out of bed so that the kids wouldn't wake up.

"Where are you going?" Ellie asked. She successfully got out of the bed too without waking up Avellie who was hugging her a while ago.

"George, my butler is at the entrance of the ranch"

"The kids are already sleeping. You can go home for the night if you want" she suggested. I just smiled at her and didn't comment because she looked uncomfortable with the idea of me spending the night here with them.

"I'll just call the guards so that George would driver all the way here instead"

"Okay. That's a better idea" I didn't answer what she said a while ago but I already made up my mind. I would sleep with them because I already promised our children and I wouldn't want them to be disappointed when they wake up tomorrow without me.

She picked up her phone on the bedside table and then called the guards and instructed them to let George in.

"He's on his way" she informed me after she finished talking to the guards.

"Thank you, querida" I slowly opened the door and then went out of the room. I quickly went down to see George at the gate. After about two minutes, a car stopped in front of the gate. It was George. He gave me the things that I asked him and then left after that.

I was about to lock the gate when I heard someone cleared their throat. It was Zandro.

"Why are you still here? Aren't you going to go home? It's already late, you know?" he asked and then approached me. His hands were shoved inside the pockets of his pants and he has a serious expression on his face.

I thought he left the ranch already because he didn't come back after he took back the ponies of Avellie and Rexus in their stable this morning.

"I am not going home tonight. I'll stay here" his eyebrows knitted together.

"And why would you do that?"

"Because my children asked me to and besides, I don't want to leave them either" Zandro didn't answer for a couple of seconds. He remained staring at me as if trying to figure out what I was thinking.

"If you're doing this to have your way with Ellie and hurt her after, then I suggest for you to stop, bud" my forehead creased.

"What the hell are you talking about? Where the hell did you get that idea?" I couldn't help but to feel ticked off because of the tone of his voice.

"I know how much you hate Ellie and I want to protect her from your plans against her; well, if you have any"

"That would never happen and just to clarify that; I don't hate Ellie" he cocked up an eyebrow.

"Really? All of a sudden, you're not angry at her anymore? What happened?"

"A lot has happened but one thing is for sure; I already forgave Ellie of what she did to me five years ago. Besides, I already know what really happened back then. I already know who's behind all of it and Ellie's family has got nothing to do about it. I was wrong of harboring hatred towards her and her family because it wasn't them who harmed and tried to kill me"

"So, everything is okay between the two of you now?" I sighed.

"Kind of but there's still something that remains unfixed between us until now. It's my fault that's why I'll do anything to resolve it. I want her back"

"Are you sure you're not angry at her anymore?" he asked again with his eyebrows creased. He sounded like he didn't believe me. I rolled my eyes.

"I already told you, everything's quite fine now. Besides, I didn't really hate her before. I got hurt and confused but the anger that I was feeling towards her back then wasn't really that deep because my love for her was always there and until now, I still love her so much and I love her even more now because she gave birth to our wonderful children" his face suddenly softened and then he heaved a sigh as if he got relieved of what I said.

He was about to say something when I interrupted him.

"Anyway, you have a lot of explaining to do, Zandro" his eyebrows arched.

"What do you mean?"

"How come you didn't mention about Rexus and Avellie to me before?" I asked through gritted teeth. I couldn't help but to feel bad about the fact that he kept it a secret from me! If I've know about it earlier, I would've come back earlier too. He raised both of his hands while smiling hesitantly. He looked uneasy all of a sudden because of the evident displeasure on my face.

"Chill, bud. I didn't tell you about it because you were so determined to get your revenge and I was afraid that they might get hurt too. The situation was complicated back then and you didn't even want to hear anything about Ellie back then. Just the mere mention of her name could send you into rage. Besides, I didn't want to take away Ellie's right to tell you herself about your children. It's not my place to inform you about it. I hope you understand"

"Is this one of the reasons why you were so mad when you learned that I broke my promise and talked to Ellie at the party instead of avoiding her like I said to you?" he nodded his head.

"Yes. Ellie has gone through a lot already and I don't want her to get hurt anymore. Avellie and Rexus are the ones who's making her wake up every single day to face every hardship in life. They make her happy even during those times that she was sad because of thinking about you. They're the ones who cheered her up and gave her reason to continue living. You are my friend but if you executed your plan of getting revenge on her, I would fight you with all the strength I have to protect her against you" I chuckled.

"Is that why you're here right now, watching after them?"

"Yes" I took a deep breath and then tapped his shoulder.

"You don't have to worry about her or Avellie and Rexus because I would never do anything to hurt them. Ellie is the love of my life and I'll protect her and our children against all the people who want to harm them? Rest assured because all the things that I've said about getting my revenge on them is completely gone now because they don't deserve that, especially Ellie" I said with all honesty. Zandro's eyes lit up. He kept on staring at me for a couple of seconds like he couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing from me.

"This is the first time that I heard you say something like this and it's refreshing. Your eyebrows aren't furrowed anymore and you're talking normally like normal people unlike before that you were always so formal. Because of it and what's happening now, I think, you made the right decision to approach her at the party and let her know that you're still alive after all. Although I was afraid at first that I needed to fight one of my closest friend. Thankfully, it didn't went that far" I chuckled.

"So, are you coming in or you'll stay outside for the night?" the corner of his lips lifted.

"Why? In a hurry to go to Ellie now?" he teased. I laughed and then walked ahead of him.

"Just lock the gate yourself. Goodnight, my 'ex-singer turned businessman' friend" before he could answer me, I quickly strode towards the main door and entered the house. I went straight to the grand staircase to go upstairs, to my children's room. I carefully opened the door so that I wouldn't wake them up.

I looked for Ellie inside but she was nowhere to be found. Where is she? I thought we're going to sleep here together with our kids? Did she actually think that I'd really go home for the night?

My question was answered when the door opened and Ellie entered. She was now wearing a negligee and it was so obvious that she wasn't wearing anything underneath other than her panties. My friend down there suddenly stirred upon seeing her like that.

God! She looked so seductively beautiful and it took me all the will power I had not to take her in my arms and make love to her over and over again. I really wanted to do that but today's not the right time because I still have a lot of effort to exert to win her whole trust again.

I wanted for her to give herself to me wholly without any resentment or hesitation in her part when that happens.

Her eyes widened when she saw me and her arms automatically crossed across her chest in order to hide her breasts from my eyes.

I swallowed hard.

"I-I thought y-you already went home?" she even stuttered and I couldn't help but to chuckle. She looked so cute being uncomfortable like that under my heated gaze. Damn it! My throat was already getting dry because of the desire that I was feeling for her.

"I've never said that, querida. Just as our children requested, I'll sleep here" her mouth hang open.

"I'll just take a shower first" I said when she didn't say anything. I was about to open the bathroom door when I couldn't hold back my mouth and looked at her again.

"Wanna join me, querida? I missed taking shower with you" I almost breathed every word. Our eyes were locked together. I noticed her gulped. She looked away.

"J-Just go and take a shower. I'll sleep now" I couldn't stop myself to feel disappointed. I smiled faintly.

"I understand. Goodnight, querida"

"Goodnight" she answered in a voice above whisper and then bit her lower lip. I quickly turned my back on her because my self-control not to ravish her was getting at the edge already.

I entered the bathroom and then took a cold shower because I needed to subside the need and desire inside of me.

After I was done with my night hygiene, I blow dried my hair and then went out of the shower.

I looked at Ellie who was now sleeping beside Avellie. I walked slowly towards her, without any sound and then stared at her face. I couldn't help but to touched her cheek in a feathery manner.

"I love you, querida. Dream of me" I whispered to her and then gently kissed her forehead. I went to the other side of the bed and the lied down next to Rexus. Before I closed my eyes, I prayed hard that tomorrow would be another wonderful day but at the same time, a plan already registered in my head and that's to begin my move against all the people who made our lives difficult in the past years. I couldn't sleep right away because of all the things that kept on circulating my mind but after about an hour or so, sleep finally engulfed me.

Then morning came. I felt someone hugging me tightly and I couldn't help but smile. I opened my eyes to see who it was, expecting Rexus or Avellie doing it but imagine my surprise when I saw Ellie!

She was still sleeping peacefully. She has her arm wrapped around me while she was pillowing her head on my shoulder.

I slowly wrapped my arms around her soft body and then embraced her tightly. I carefully moved my head to look for our children but they were not in bed anymore. In fact, Ellie and I were the only ones who's lying on the bed.

I looked at the wall clock and realized that it was already 7:30 am. Then I remembered my plan last night. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and then texted someone.

'I'll double my pay to you just make sure to find them as soon as possible'

After I sent the text, I put it back on the bedside table and then hugged Ellie again. We stayed like that for I don't know how long. I was staring at her beautiful face, watching her sleep.

"Querido..." she murmured. I thought she already woke up but it looked like she was dreaming.

"Yes, querida?"

"Don't...leave me...again" my heart jumped for joy.

"Shhh...I won't ever leave you again, querida. I promise you that" she went silent again. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I remained on that position, hugging her tightly until she stirred and then woke up.

"Good morning, querida" her eyes widened.

"W-What are you doing? Why are you h-hugging me?" I chuckled amusedly.

"Correction,I wasn't the one who hugged you first. You were hugging me when I woke up so I huggedyou back" her cheeks went red. She was about to pull away from me when I stopped her.

"Aren't you going to greet me back?"

"Let go of me, Avis! I am not joking around with you!" Instead of doing so, I tightened my arms around her even more. She glared at me but I just smirked at her.

She rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Good morning to you. Happy?"

"That's not how you greet your querido, good morning"

"Then how?"

"Like this" before she could react, I kissed her hard on the lips. She moaned in protest but before she could do anything to stop me, I let go of her lips.

"You're so---"

"Do you know what is the date today?" I interrupted her.

"I don't care about the date today!" she hissed. I chuckled and then pecked her lips one more time, ignoring her glares.

"Don't you remember? Today's the hot air balloon festival in Grenoble. Wanna go there with me? Let's bring our kids" her face softened.

"I-Is it really?" I nodded my head. We remained staring into each other's eyes.

"C'mon, querida. Say yes, please" my eyes were staring at her pleadingly, hoping for her to say yes.

❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤 💔 ❣️ 💕 💞 💓 💗 💖 💘 💝 💟

This chapter is light. Even the next chapter, i guess---a calm after the storm...LOL

What do you think of this chapter? Should Ellie accept Rex again or not yet?

Can you predict the ending now or not yet?

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