HILDA MANCHESTER
It is the restaurant's third year anniversary today and I just couldn't help but notice how happy Kelvin was. Why wouldn't he be anyways? He worked so hard to make it what it was, and three years of successfully making amazing dishes and training chefs wasn't exactly easy.

"It is of great joy that I announce to you an extension of the restaurant, because we wish to serve you well and find it extremely painful to report the restaurant filled always. The new extension of the MWL restaurant would be opened tomorrow". There were claps as Kelvin made this huge announcement. I was so proud of the man he had become, he makes it so easy to forget I was older with his own maturity.

The party went well, it was a success gladly and I was sure everyone had a great time. Finally coming to an end we made our way home as he drove.

"Daddy, is mommy still coming tomorrow?" Jason one of his twins asked. It annoyed me always whenever he had to spend time with Alicia because of the twins which we confirmed were his, three years ago.

"Of course, right after the opening". He replied not taking his eyes off the road.

"Will mommy come for the party?" Jade the other twin asked.

"No" He replied shortly.

Most times it was hard explaining to the kids why certain things were impossible, and they always made it clear they didn't want me mothering them. I was never included in their discussions and they never listen to a word I say.

It took almost two years for them to warm up to Kelvin and in those two years, I was sure their mother had enough time to make me look bad to them.

"Why?" Jade asked pouting, I could see her from the mirror.

"Because she would be busy, you will get to see her right after and your mum Hilda would also be there with you". He explained as he safely parked the car in our garage.

We moved into a bigger house because of the twins but not once had Kelvin listened to my talks about getting married.

"She is not our mommy, she is just your girlfriend". Jadon replied.

"Yes, she is not even your wife!" Jade said stating the obvious as we alighted the car. I exchanged glances with Kelvin who looked away almost immediately.

"She is your mommy as well okay?" He told them but they only shrugged and ran inside the house. I bet I would never be their mum or his wife.

Kelvin had been everything, he had always made me happy but one thing he keeps forgetting is how important getting married was for me.

We quietly went into our room like everything was fine, I watched him undress and make his way into the bathroom without a word. I fumed with anger as he strolled back and got into the bed. He knew he was supposed to say something, he knew how badly I wanted to get married and how annoying it was that he ignores it all the time. I find it rather humiliating that even the kids now mentions it.

"Are we just going to pretend like nothing happened?" I asked him. His back was turned to me as he laid in preparation for his 'goodnight' sleep.

"What exactly happened Hilda?" He asked and finally turned to me "I told you the kids would warm up to you. We both know how long......"

"Oh please spare me all of that Kelvin. How long are you going to keep ignoring marriage? Am I just supposed to be that girlfriend who cares for your kids?" I asked him in annoyance. His countenance was so annoying, he looked like I was talking trash! This must be trash to him.

"Marriage! Marriage!! Hilda, what difference does it make? I love you, isn't that enough? I have a lot of things to set straight and marriage isn't in my plans yet!" That's it? Not in his plans!

"Why? You need enough to time to think about having your one big family with Alicia, right?" I yelled at him, got out of the bed and picked up my pillow with me.

"Hilda! Come on baby, is that why you're worried?" He asked as I left the room. I paid him no attention whatsoever! I wasn't going to force him into marrying me, neither would I continue being his trophy girlfriend or a nanny for his kids.

I never had plans to raise kids that aren't mine, kids that doesn't acknowledge me or kids of a woman I despised but I found myself doing it. I found myself with two kids without birthing one yet, and it's all for him, all because I love and understood him. The one thing I ask of him had suddenly become too huge.

How difficult could getting married truly be? If he wasn't trying to decide on either settling with Alicia for the kid's sake or whatever, he wouldn't be making the mention of marriage seem so unimportant.

I laid on the sofa with my pillow beneath my head, I thought about all of these years with him. The times we had together were beautiful and full of love but if that love was fading, I bet I have no reason being with him.

"Hilda baby, you know I can't sleep in that bed without you" there came his voice.

I closed my eyes pretending to be asleep only to feel his lips on my cheeks. This was why I stayed this long, all of these sweetness. I opened my eyes to meet with his pleading ones.

"I'm sorry okay? I am bothered about the kids, they are not exactly stable with being shuffled between Alicia and I. I haven't forgotten my promise to you baby". He said apologetically, first of its kind!
"She has no place here" he told me hitting his left chest while I just quietly listened.

"Marriage is not a display of love, it is a display of commitment, and it doesn't even guarantee that commitment but trust me, I want to marry you. You are the only woman I want by my side forever Hilda. Not Alicia or any woman out there! So please be patient with me. I know you have tried, you really have and I'm sorry I had these kids I wasn't even aware of, I'm sorry for the burden I brought upon you. I....." I could tell he was being sincere and for the first time I saw his frustrations, I understood him as regards this.

Maybe all of these while I must have misunderstood him. Maybe bet he was doing this for me and for the kids to be comfortable, it must have been so selfish of me to keep bothering him. I cut him off with a kiss on his lips catching him off guard.

"I don't blame you for the kids, none of us were aware and they ain't burdens really. I'm sorry I misjudged the whole situation". I told him.

Tears rolled down my face as I deeply regretted ever pushing him. He loves me, I knew it but I allowed my insecurities get the best of me.

"No, I am sorry babe". He replied and went back for the kiss which soon became rather very passionate.

"Let's see how sorry you are". I told him nudging my head downward, a signal he got immediately. With a huge grin, he buried his heads in between my thighs leaving me a moaning mess.

We moved the rest of the love making into the room to avoid being walked in on by any of the kids. One of those amazing nights I must admit.
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Author's note.
Did you wait too long for this chapter? My sincere apologies 😁

I figured it would be best to clear the air on the matter pressing before moving forward.

This sequel would contain more of romance for those who complained about the prequel having little to no romance.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and hope you'd enjoy the rest of the book.