Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

-Helen Keller

The aroma of sweet and spice filled the medium-sized homey kitchen and a timer clinked.

I stepped forward with a mitt and pulled out the rectangular pan out of the oven.

"That looks delicious." Chloe perked up, over my shoulder with her tongue peeking out. "Let me taste it."

"Ah uh!" I lifted the pan out of her reach and placed it on the ceramic counter. "After the dinner."

Puffing out her bottom lip, she tugged my ponytail. "You're no fun."

In return, I tugged her shoulder length blonde hair and showed her my tongue. "Deal with it."

"What is it anyway?" She asked pointing at the cake.

Picking up the piping bag, I started frosting the cake and muttered. "It's a three layered pumpkin cake."

"Pumpkin?" I could detect the disgust in her voice easily. "Who uses pumpkin in a dessert?"

"Many actually." I answered then finishing the frosting, I made use of the knife and cut the cake into many rectangular sized pieces. Lifting one up, I placed it on a white plate and expectantly looked at my elder sister. "As you can see, it doesn't have pumpkin only."

"Is that chocolate?" She grinned and leaned down at the piece.

"Cookie crumbs." I laughed and shook my head at her lustful face. Anyone could win Chloe over with chocolate. "Bottom layer is cookie crumble then up goes, spiced pumpkin but don't tell the kids."

"Pumpkin is healthy, right?"

I gave her a dry look. "Ofcourse, Chloe. Don't be a stereotype blonde."

Before she could retort something, a new voice said from the door way. "What's going on here?"

An automatic smile came over my face as Tyler made his way to me, albeit sporting a frown. "What are you doing? I thought I told you not to do anything."

"You want her to be a dutiful wife? Listen to you always? Good luck with that." Chloe snorted then dipped her finger in the piping bag.

I rolled my eyes and smoothed out the creases on his bottom-green shirt. Evidence of playing with Lydia and Luke. "I didn't do anything. It's just a simple cake. Less work, my dear."

Tyler looked down at the three layered cake then at me. "Simple cake? Less work?"

Before I could innocently lure my husband away, Chloe swallowed and gestured. "It looks amazing though."

Once again, Tyler looked down and paused. "Yes, it does. Is that pumpkin and what is that yellow layer?"

I sighed as I recognised the glim in his grey eyes. I had seen that look on his face many times and on a little girl too. "That's pudding then you have the cold whip."

It was a new bake for me. Since, I had been feeding my people too much sweets. I thought why not make them healthy? Coming across a pumpkin and vanilla cake recipe on the internet, I improvised adding cookies and pudding so that no one would complain.

The cake had cookie crumbles at the bottom then I layered spiced pumpkin mixed with cream cheese over it. After that came the layer of pudding and finally the whip. When I'd be done putting some nutmegs on the whip, the cake would be ready to serve but after dinner until then refrigerator.

"Well, let me taste it then." Tyler said as he extended his hand but I slapped it away.

"See?" Chloe objected. "She did the same thing to me."

"Grow up, you two!" I huffed then called a maid to put the cakes in the refrigerator for firming.

When I glanced back at Tyler, he had his previous frown on his handsome face. "Now as I was saying, it's been only a week, Claire. You should rest."

I flaked my hand in the air before circling my arms around his neck, getting on my tiptoes. His height still amazed me.

"Two weeks, honey. Two weeks, besides I'm completely fine."

Completely was over the top but I was fine. Not completely but fine.

Two weeks ago, Blake Collin had attacked me and tried to take away Lydia but he failed, thanks to Neil's quick action.

When my call with him had abruptly cut off, he had sensed something off and quickly joined the park's name with the street number before coming to our rescue in time. One whole week, Neil Harris had gloated about being our knight in shining armour and I had cunningly showed him my crooked heel.

My effective weapon.

A gentle hand on my midriff brought me back to present. "How is it?" Tyler asked softly. "Do you still feel pain?"

I shook my head and kissed him on the lips, shooing away his worries. He had been worrying day and night. I couldn't say he had no reason to worry because I wasn't sure myself.

Last week on one night, I had felt the same scare I felt at the park when Blake tried to take away Lydia from me. In my dream, I had seen Blake laughing and walking away to the darkness with Lydia, crying in his arms.

That dream had frightened me to death. Tyler Sanders had made me Lydia's mother and I didn't want anyone taking away my right, my love, my family.

My bruises were gone with time but the emotional scar left me paranoid. I didn't express my fright of being alone or leaving Lydia alone anywhere to Tyler because his hair would turn grey in no time.

For now, I always had someone with me when I left the house. I made sure Liam -who recovered from the blow on his head- was always beside me. I was never out of his sight and Lydia was never out of my sight.

Tyler caressed one last time on my midriff before joining the rest of the family in the dining room.

"You lied, didn't you?"

I jumped, momentarily forgetting Chloe behind me. I glanced at her swiftly before washing my hands. "I don't know what you are talking about, Chloe."

"Cut the crap, little sister." She said as she grabbed one of my arm and turned me around to splay her palm over my ribs. "They still hurt, don't they?"

I swallowed then reluctantly nodded. "They do but less, I swear. It's healing slowly but it's healing."

It was the truth. My ribs were taking their generous time to heal but I knew, one week more, they would be fine as new.

Chloe rested her palm over my chest. "What about here? Is it healing?"

"What do you mean?"

She backed away and let loose a small humourless laugh. "Do you take me as a fool? Hell, do you take Tyler as a fool? I'm sure he noticed it too."

I pressed my lips into a thin line and looked away.

She continued. "It's been two weeks but just because we don't say anything doesn't mean we don't know anything, Claire. I'm sure you know your husband very well and I bet he understands you more than you let him."

"It's not a big deal, Chloe." I sighed.

"Oh, baby sister." She said softly and hugged me from the side. "We see you looking over your shoulder always. We see you looking for Lydia, asking about her whereabouts every 10 minutes. Stop being so paranoid, Claire."

After a moment, I helplessly gazed at my elder sister. "Oh, Chloe. I'm scared. I'm scared that something similar would happen and this time I won't be able to protect Lydia, this time there'll be no knight in shining armour."

Wrapping her arms around me, she rubbed my back in a soothing manner. "No, Claire. Nothing will happen. You have a husband who would never let the unfortunate happen again. You have a cocky protector who thinks you're his match made in heaven but sigh, Tyler snatched you first."

I laughed out when Chloe described Neil but smiled when she stated. "You have us, Claire. You have your family."

"I love you, Chloe." I hugged her tightly before kissing her on the cheek. "You're my favourite sister."

"I love you too." She caressed one pf my cheek then pinched the other one. "And I'm your only sister. Now, Let's go before your mother-in-law comes to check her kitchen."

The senior Sanders residence was at a secluded neighbourhood. It was smaller in size compared to Tyler's house but since it was just for two old love birds, it was perfect.

Roger and Helen Sanders had wanted to celebrate their marriage anniversary in a private family dinner at their own residence.

Tyler had no grandparents. God bless their souls. Roger was an only child just like Tyler but Helen had one brother and one sister so both of their families were invited along with my parents and Brandon, my brother-in-laws parents.

It was a gathering of at least twenty people and they were already seated in the dining room when I reached between my husband and daughter.

"Great. Everyone's seated." Helen clapped her hands as she took her own place beside her husband. "Let's start the dinner."

"Wait!" Roger's voice boomed from the head of the table as he pulled his sleeve and checked his watch before scowling. "Where is that boy?!"

Everyone flinched at the intensity of his voice. Roger had a really deep voice. So when he spoke normally, it feels as if he was pissed but when he was actually pissed, it feels as if a terrifying tornado was approaching.

A door slammed open and every head turned as Neil Harris stumbled inside, closing some buttons on his formal shirt and combing his messy hairs with his fingers.

"I'm here! I'm here." He shouted, breathlessly and quickly strode over to the dining table.

Silently, we all watched as he took a seat across from me and grinned charmingly. "Hey, everyone."

But when they only stared, he glanced at me in confusion. I sighed and discreetly pointed to my lips then my cheek.

Now, he looked more confused.

I gritted my teeth and rubbed my cheek then forcibly pointed at him. He blanked before finally rubbing away the red lipstick mark from his cheek and sheepishly showed everyone his cheeky dimples.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Tyler's female cousins sighing dreamily. Married and unmarried both.

"Grandpa looks angry." Lydia whispered from beside me.

I shushed her and warily looked at my father-in-law. Tyler and his father were same. They had a pretty straight nick for punctuality.

"You are late and...and..shameless." Roger rebuked, staring the young businessman down with the famous Sanders family grey eyes.

But Neil only smirked, not at all moved by the hard stare. "But you love me anyway."

Roger grunted in return before clasping his hands in prayer and instantly, we all followed.

When every eyes were closed, I suspiciously studied Neil but he smiled and blew me a kiss. I bet everyone could guess where the infamous playboy had been.

A hand around my arm pulled me closer and I glanced to my left to find Tyler glaring at Neil but Neil blew a kiss to him as well, which made me tug my husband closer and glare at Neil as well.

Then after a pause, three of us silently snickered before joining the grace like the rest of the family.

******

"It was a great dinner, wasn't it?"

I waited for Tyler's response as he handed me a bottle of beer before laying back on the chaise lounge chair.

"It was okay but I would prefer you resting against that." He said, staring ahead and taking a sip from his own beer bottle before grimacing and placing it back on the table.

We were outside, by the pool, laying on our back and watching the stars. It was calming. I had suggested taking out two beer bottles and just chill outside but Tyler still wasn't a beer person. This sophisticated man was only fond of his own precious liquors.

I dropped my free hand on his arm and squeezed it. "I'm fine. We're all fine."

He sighed and clasped my fingers with his one and placed a kiss on top of my hand. "That's all I wish for."

Sensing his uneasiness, I lifted myself up and put my bottle down. He glanced up at me and stretched one of his arm out, inviting me inside his warm, protective cocoon.

I went happily and settled on him, comfortably. There was silence for few minutes as we both breathed in the quiet air and watched the white spots on the night sky.

Then, I dropped my chin on his hard chest and smiled. "Did you ever imagine, in just four months we'd be together like this?"

"No." He replied quietly. "But I guess I'm lucky."

I shook my head and laughed. "I still can't believe you proposed a stranger for marriage."

He chuckled and pinched my side. "And I can't believe you accepted it."

My smile froze as I muttered with my eyes downcast. "Yeah well, I was helpless."

A warm finger tilted my chin up and I met his glorious grey eyes. His emotions unhidden from me as he gave me a successful smile. "Only one time, I was glad for it."

Both of us were staring at each other when a voice came from the screen door, separating the inside of the house and the pool.

"What's happening here?"

We both turned our head and found little Lydia, with her hands on hips and narrowing those grey eyes at us.

"What are you doing here? You should be in bed." Tyler said, gesturing her to come near.

She came, strongly trudging a path to us in her night gown and pushed her hairs behind the ear. "I was looking for you both. I wanted to sleep together."

"Aww." I cooed and stretched my hand for her."Come here."

Delighted, she grinned and jumped on her daddy, earning a oomph from him. "God, Lydia. You're getting heavy."

She giggled but snuggled into us and squinted up in the sky. "So what are we looking at?"

"Stars." I answered, joining her inspection of the vast darkness.

A thoughtful look came over her face and she softly asked. "Is mommy Laura up there?"

I widened my eyes and felt Tyler stiffen up. His eyes were blazing fire when he sharply looked down at his daughter. "Lydia!"

Curling my hand over his fist, I shook my head at him before smiling down at her innocent face. "Yes, honey. She's up there, looking over you."

A bright smile graced her face as she once again gazed at the open sky, littered with uncountable stars. "No. Looking over us."

I glanced at Tyler and he snapped his head to my direction, grinding his teeth. "Yes, she's just looking over us." I whispered to Lydia but for his benefit.

"Good. I don't want anything to ruin my family." Tyler finally let out, ending the topic of Laura.

"Me too." Lydia scrambled up, unaware of the jab and straddled her daddy's stomach. "I want us to stay together foooooooorever! I want happily ever after."

I laughed and pinched her cheek. "Do you, now? Then I guess we have to be together foooooorever."

"Yes." Tyler agreed and looked me in the eye, with a different light. "What my daughter wants, she gets it."

"I know very well." I replied, travelling back to the time when he asked me to be the mother of his child because his child wanted me as a mommy.

Now here I was, four months later mommy to a pretty little Ariel and wife to a wonderful guy.

Tyler straightened up, dropping Lydia on the lounge chair and showed her the back of him, crouching down. "Hop on, Lydia."

With a gleeful squeak, she hopped on for a piggyback ride and both of them looked down at me then at each other. "Mommy will be jealous. We don't want mommy to be jealous, now do we Lydia?"

"No!"

Uncertainly, I stared at the pair when he leaned down and scooped me up, in his arms and started walking inside without any difficulty.

"Tyler!"

But he only laughed, continuing the walk inside with me in his arms and Lydia on his back.

"Wow, daddy! You can carry both me and mommy." Lydia commented with a huge smile. "You should do this more!"

Tyler glanced down at me, warmly and kissed my forehead before looking back at Lydia and snuggled his head to her mope of red hairs.

"I'd always carry you both."