True love doesn't happen right away; it's an ever-growing process. It develops after you've gone through many ups and downs, when you've suffered together, cried together, laughed together.

- Ricardo Montalban

It warm and hard.

When my mind and body became aware of my surroundings, I realised the surface my face laid on was warm and hard with thumping sound coming behind it. The weight coiled around my waist radiated heat and instantly my eyes opened to the glass windows, now covered with shades, barricading the bright sunshine.

I leaned up my head to take a good look at the heater under me. Tyler! Sleeping with me on the same bed! My racing mind screeched to a halt when I noticed his face, his really appealing sleeping face. Even while sleeping, he had a stoic face.

Ignoring my better judgement, I raised my hand and touched his chin with one finger, making sure he really was asleep and not pretending. When there was no reaction, I glided my palm over his smooth skin. His cheekbones so defined and his lips...so soft. Even I had cracks most of the times on my lips but not his. They were as smooth as a baby's lips.

Unknowingly, my fingers drifted to them and I could feel the air as he breathed. That stopped my further exploration. What was I doing? Here he was sleeping peacefully and I was feeling him?

Shaking off the pervert-ness, I carefully untucked his hand from my waist and sat up. The bed sprung up as it lost my weight but still, Tyler slept through it. He must have been very tired. When did he sleep anyway? When did he get onto the bed? It was probably very late.

My eyes scanned him, resting perfectly still with a slight tilt of his head on the soft pillow. That was when his bare chest caught my eye. My eyes widened at the defined lines of his muscles. My head was on that? God must have helped him because if I saw that while I was still in bed with him, I would've jumped him. No questions asked!

As I turned away from the mouthwatering view and took a small step, I felt the pressure of my bladder instantly and without further delay, I found myself in Tyler's giant bathroom. Seeing the clean and beautiful bathroom, I hesitated to even use it but then my bladder pushed through its demand. Doing my business, I washed my hands and brushed my teeth after finding a spare toothbrush in one of the cabinets.

Looking at the mirror, I realised if Lydia saw me then I would scare the poor little girl. My hair was a mess, my makeup smudged from not washing it before sleeping. I sniffed myself and made a quick decision to shower but I needed clothes. Walking into Tyler's closet, I hoped he wouldn't mind sparing a T-shirt and shorts.

For a full half an hour, I took advantage of the bathroom hardwares. While stepping into the shower stall, I tried not to get lured by the large jacuzzi on the side. After stepping out to the bedroom, clean and fresh in Tyler's comfy clothes, I stopped to gaze at the man sleeping in the king sized bed.

Yesterday was mayhem. I didn't know how the situation reversed that quickly. One moment there were smiles and laughs then in another, there were tears and hiccups. I wouldn't put the whole blame on Tyler but I would definitely say that most of it was his fault.

If he would just share what was eating him alive from deep inside, I could have grasped the situation more clearly. Tyler was not a man to talk, not a man to even smile. I knew these had to do with Laura, his late wife.

But I wasn't giving up. I would be patient and assure this man that he would always find me here, waiting for him because this turning point in my life was all because of him and a great part of my heart would never let me part with him. He was the best thing that ever happened to me so far. He and Lydia. I wouldn't give them up for anything.

Softly kissing his forehead, I turned and made my way downstairs, to make breakfast for my growling stomach. When the kitchen came to my sight, it was alive with maids and cooks. Inwardly chucking, I realised this was not the empty apartment of mine. This was a house, even though quiet but bustling with more people than I ever had in my apartment.

A little girl swinging her legs on the high chair before the countertops caught my eye.

"Lydia, you're up and ready already?" I asked as I took her neighbour chair and dropped a kiss on her head.

"Yes, school starts at 10." She told me, with a glance at the clock on the wall.

It was nine now so she had time to have breakfast. "Did you have breakfast yet?"

She shook her pretty little face. "No, I was waiting for you."

"Aww." I smiled at her and accepted a plate of breakfast from one of the cook. "Thank you."

As we ate silently, I sneaked quite a few glances to my right. Why wasn't she saying something about last night? Did she forget? Did she not remember it at all? I decided to venture out the topic before her father made his presence known.

"Lydia?" I asked quietly, mindful of the two or three person present in the kitchen. When she set her familiar grey eyes on me, I went on. "Do you want to talk about last night?"

Hearing that, she lowered her eyes and muttered. "You're not going to leave us, are you?"

I discarded my plate and slipped a finger beneath her chin, to lift her face up. "I'm still here, am I not?" I asked softly.

She hesitantly nodded. "When I woke up, I thought you were gone." She admitted. "But then I saw you on daddy's bed. It means you're staying, right?"

She saw me? Good god! What a scene we must have pictured for her! But that wasn't something to dwell upon right now.

"Yes. I'm never leaving, honey. You should know that by now." I answered her then tilting my head, I looked at her eyes and said. "And now you want to talk about what you did to daddy?"

At once, she dropped her gaze.

"Oh, no, no." I shook my head and put it back in my line of sight. "Talk to me while looking at me..ah." I paused when I realised that was something, what Tyler would say. Staying with him was influencing his habits on me. I shook my head and focused my mind on a more important matter. "You know it was bad, right? You know that hurt daddy a lot?"

Solemnly, she nodded.

"Then why would you do it, Lydia?" I inquired, trying not to be too hard on her. After all, she was a little being.

"He made you cry!" She exclaimed in a quiet voice but I was sure the lingering people heard it. Well, they probably heard our shouting yesterday too so it was useless to hush hush now anyway.

"Who said he made me cry?!" I exclaimed back.

"He was the only one there with you!"

"But that do---" I started but on a second thought, I rearranged my words. "Okay, maybe he made me cry but that doesn't mean you will shout at him. He's your elder and your daddy. That's no way to talk to your daddy, honey." When she started interrupting, I added. "He loves you, Lydia but when your loved ones say stuffs like I hate you, it hurts a lot. Right here!" I placed my hand over my chest where the heart rests. "It hurts pretty bad."

"I didn't mean to hurt him..." Lydia said softly, fidgeting her fingers. "I just didn't want him to make you cry. I didn't want him to make you leave."

How could I scold her when she says things like these?

"Aww, Lydia!" I pulled her chair closer, to hug her closely. "Sometimes mommies cries. In fact, they cry a lot. Daddies can be very difficult sometimes so it makes us mommies cry but it doesn't mean mommies will leave whenever that happens. Mommy loves you and daddy too much to leave you both."

"You love me? You love daddy?" She raised her head and stared at me with her hopeful eyes.

I froze upon hearing her. Did I just say I love...Tyler? But that was too soon to tell, right? I meant I couldn't just fall for someone who frustrates me, argues with me, shouts at me while angry? Oh god...

"Mommy?"

I leaned my head down to find her questioning eyes. Time to change the topic. "You know, the question should be, do you love daddy?"

"I do!" She answered immediately, without any hesitation and that was what I wanted to hear.

"See? Now all you gotta do is say exactly that!"

I beamed at her and turned her to the half finished plate. Soon, we both were taking our last bite and at that time, Tyler walked in.

"Where were you?" He asked, when he entered the kitchen, dressed in a lounge pant and a T-shirt. "I thought you would be in bed when I wake up."

I blushed slightly and gestured toward the empty plate. "I was hungry."

His grey eyes scanned the plates and us sitting at the chairs. "Will I not get my meals in the dining table anymore? Or this is where we eat from now on?"

I laughed and patted the empty seat to my left. "Come on. Once in a while, eating here works. But before that...." I expectantly looked at Lydia and raised my eyebrows. "..I believe your daughter has something to say first."

I heard Tyler walk and felt him standing behind me, with a tight grip on my shoulder, warily looking at Lydia. He was tensed and I knew he was holding me for support, in fear of hearing more hurtful words from Lydia. I placed my hand over his hand and squeezed.

"Lydia?" I called softly.

After taking a deep breath and broadening her shoulders, she placed her eyes upon her father, her sorrowful eyes looking so sorry and teary. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I...I.." When she sneaked a glance at me, I nodded encouragingly. "I love you, daddy. I don't hate you. I love you."

I could literally hear Tyler's breath hitch from behind me, his hand gripping me harder to the point of hurting me but I endured it. I could be a support beam for Tyler. He needed it even if he might deny.

When there was only silence from Tyler, Lydia's eyes started flooding. Uh oh. At once, I elbowed the statue behind me and was rewarded with a wince of my own. His abdomen was hard. God, what did he have in there? Steel abs?

But nonetheless, my elbow worked its magic for Tyler spoke up and what he said was the right thing to say at this moment.

"I love you too, Lydia." He said but didn't move. This guy was hopeless. Like really, he couldn't hug and say? Well, anyway it was better than nothing.

I clapped merrily. "Yeah, well now everything is fixed. So smile!"

Lydia smiled and Tyler stared.

After a awkward minute, Tyler took the empty seat and started on the breakfast placed before him by the cook. Halfway through his meal, Lydia turned to me with a question.

"Will you be staying here from now on?" She asked. "Now that you and daddy sleep together?"

I stilled and a chocking sound came from behind me. Immediately, I thumped Tyler's back and lend him his glass of water. After taking his fill, he stared at Lydia with wide eyes. "Wh--what did you just say?"

Squirming with a bite of her lips, Lydia replied. "I saw you both on the bed. I was looking for mommy and I found her in your bed. Ms. Gemma told me not to wake you both so I came downstairs."

Wetting my lips nervously, I started, aware of the few pair of ears listening to us. "We were...just sleeping..it w.."

"It's okay." Lydia smiled, completely unaware of how improper her words might sound. "Mommies and daddies sleep in the same bed. Ellie said her mommy and daddy do too!"

Lydia looked so excited that I stopped myself from saying anything. What goes in her little mind, no one knew.

Clearing his throat, Tyler looked at me once, barely hiding his grin before giving his attention to his daughter. "Who's Ellie?"

"She's my friend!" Lydia answered.

Before she could say anything else, I glanced at the clock and stood up. "Honey, you should leave for school now or else you'll be late."

Hurriedly she jumped down and hugged her daddy who became a statue yet again to return the affection then she received a hug and a kiss from me before joining Ms. Gemma at the opening of the kitchen.

When she went away from my sight, I returned to my previous position, sipping the coffee in silence.

"Thank you."

I turned to Tyler. "For what?"

"For making Lydia say those things." He answered, staring down at his own cup of coffee.

For a moment, I thought he was referring to the sleeping talks but then my wise mind let me know it was the apologising and love talk. I shook my head. "I didn't make her say those things. I might have used some words but she is a smart girl to understand her own mistakes."

"Nonetheless, you're the one who spoke to her. So thank you." He said as he turned his sincere eyes on me. When I ducked my head bashfully, he added. "You're a great mother."

"Really?" Eagerly, I awaited for his answer. It was great knowing Tyler appreciated my maternal skills. I thought I knew nothing about parenting but hearing the compliment from Tyler's mouth lifted my spirit and confidence.

"Yes." He nodded then with a swipe over my body with his eyes, he grinned. "And you look great in my clothes."

"I didn't have anything else to wear. So..." I muttered, unable to look him in the eye.

"I'm glad. For that, I get to see you in my clothes, see how great you loo...no, no. Not just great." He smirked and with another scan of my body, he winked. "Inviting."

Widening my eyes, I stood up and glanced at the lingering workers in the kitchen. I hissed at Tyler even though I was feeling too shy to look at him. "Tyler!"

He looked over his shoulder and said. "Leave us."

"Wha--what are you doing?!" I scowled at him.

After the maids and cook left us alone, he pulled me between his legs by my hand. "Appreciating my shy fiancée in my clothes." He said as his legs pressed my thighs on each side, trapping me before him. "You should wear them more often."

I squirmed, trying to get away without letting him know how this close proximity affected my insides. "Why did you make them leave? They'll think we are...doing something." I muttered quietly.

"Well, aren't we?" He whispered with his deep tone, untangling my hands and placing them over his abdomen, making me feel his taut pecs through the thin fabric. Leaving them there, he held my chin making our eyes clashed. "You know I missed you when I woke up. I was looking forward to waking up in the morning, with you in my arms...." He wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me closer. "Looking forward to do this.." Softly, he pressed his lips to mine and I sighed blissfully.

It feels soooo good. His lips feels sooo good.

"And this.." He trailed his lips to my neck and sucked harder on my skin, making me fist his t-shirt.

Oh, god help me before I tear apart his t-shirt.

"Tyler..." I breathed out when he pressed his firm hands over my ribs, slightly rubbing the underside of my breasts.

He stopped but I didn't want him to stop.

Taking deep breaths, he raised his head from my neck and pulled my head to press his forehead over mine. When our blood calmed down, he looked me in the eye, his eyes apologetic. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry about yesterday. I feel like I should keep on apologising. I hurt you so bad. I made you cry. I --"

"Shh." I pinned my finger over his lips. "I don't want to talk about that anymore. We shouldn't keep that matter going."

After a pause, he nodded and smirked. "You're right. Instead we should keep doing this." With that, he lifted me over his lap and kissed me hard, taking my breath away literally.

When I felt a slight poking under my butt, I broke apart and squeaked out. "Tyler! Stop that!" Instantly, I hid my face in his neck to hide my embarrassment and flushed face.

He chuckled non-stop. "I can't stop it, my fiancée. It's what you do to me." He closed his arms around me and hugged me close. "It's what you have been doing to me since you dared to slap me right in the face."

Hesitantly, I pulled back and met his eyes even though the poking hadn't subsided. Oh god, I did that? "I'm..I'm sorry about that. It was j--"

"No, don't be." He shook his head and there were admiration in his eyes that sought out my beating heart for him. "You were the first woman who didn't cower before me or seduce your way out. You actually stood up to me. I liked that, even though it was for wrong assumption and in front of a crowd."

The teasing glint in his eyes, the lift of his mouth informed me that he no longer felt the slap as a big insult and I couldn't be more glad. I still couldn't believe I had smacked that smooth cheek of his. There was no way I would be doing that again.

Feeling guilty yet again for bruising him, I caressed his left cheek, the one I had harmed. "You couldn't really blame them for cowering. You can get pretty scary." I teased, softly smiling at his relaxed face.

"I'm not that scary." He denied, furrowing his eyebrows. "Am I?"

"No, you're not. You're a big teddy bear." I laughed, with a shake of my head.

He frowned. "Go back. Scary is better."

Ofcourse, Scary was better than teddy bear. When my laugh subsided, I ventured into the other thing he said. "Seduce? Huh?"

He closed his eyes in regret then opened one eye and I was still looking at him, questioningly. He let a tiny smile slip away. "Okay...some women can go pretty far. But I was good. I swear. Total gentleman."

I tried to look really serious but he looked so adorable, raising one hand in surrender and giving me a puppy dog look that I couldn't help but giggle. I knew he was a gentleman. Tyler didn't seem like the guy who would melt at every advance from desperate women.

My fiancé had class.

Getting up from his lap, I thought of teasing him. "Yeah, well. No one could handle your too serious face for long anyway."

Hearing my words, he stood up and advanced toward me while narrowing his eyes playfully. "Is that so?"

"Yeppp." I said with a sneaky smile as I backed away slowly.

"Too serious huh?" He nodded and rubbed his hands in anticipation. "I'll show you too serious."

With that he flung at me but I was already stealing away from the kitchen to the stairs, all the way laughing.

I was halfway up the stairs when I felt strong hands around my waist and lift my weight as if I was a sack of potatoes and dumped over the shoulder.

"Ah! Tyler! Put me down! Oww! Oh my god. Did you just....ow! Tyler!"

"Then stop moving or else I'll keep doing it."

Instantly I stopped moving and relaxed over his shoulder as he walked up the stairs to his bedroom with ease as if my weight was nothing major for him. My face was beet red and I curled my fingers over his t-shirt at the feel of his one hand clutching me at the back of my knees and other one draped over my....butt.

My eyes kept widening at the memory of him smacking me there...twice. I shouldn't have taunted him like that. Now I was paying for it.

I didn't realise we reached the bedroom until Tyler dropped me on the bed. Scrambling to get on my feet, I backed away but he placed his hands on my ankles. "I'm too serious for you, huh?" He cocked his eyebrows and lifted one corner of his mouth in a half-grin.

"Technically, I said face but yeah, all of you is kinda..you know." I told him, with a twinkle in my eyes. Rising on my elbows, I waited in excitement. His hands on my ankles, his eyes on my face were turning my insides liquid.