The following days, Bella was extremely busy at work that she couldn't find the time to see Ethan. She only got to see him once in a while when he got to bring Leah to see Dylan. She could only call him but most times he couldn't pick up because he was extremely busy. Another problem was that he started going on business trips in Elfraine because he had a big upcoming project he was working on. He would at times spend three weeks or a month there. She missed him so much.
Days passed, months and little Dylan finally made a year. The more he grew, the more cute he became and resembled his father. And the more clingy he became towards his mother. By that time, Luna had resumed working leaving him at Nanny Emily's care. They always had to distract him every morning for Luna to sneak out for work and the moment she came back, he would only sit on her lap and follow her everywhere she went.
Today was his birthday and they were organising everything home. Luna suggested that they make a small celebration in the house. She wanted to make him a big party when his papa was present. Luna was all over the place cooking, baking but Dylan followed her everywhere and she was truly feeling sorry for him because she was very busy. Bella was dealing with decorations and wrapping of gifts. She squatted and told her," Baby, sit on the couch and let mama finish. I will switch on the TV for you and you watch power rangers okay?" He shook his head in rejection. "Baby, I'm not going away I promise. Be a nice boy and listen to mummy. Bad boys don't listen. Do you want to be a bad boy?" He shook his head and she said," Then sit here and I give you some cake. Okay?" He nodded in approval and she sighed.
After everything was done, Luna took Dylan to his room and bathed him before dressing him up. The neighbors' kids were the first ones to arrive. At around three, Ethan, Leah and Alex arrived each carrying gift bags. Bella's heart skipped a beat when she saw him. It was a month since she last saw him and oh God, she missed him. Dylan immediately ran to Leah and the two became lost in their kids world who were later joined by the other kids. "I thought you couldn't make it. Thanks for coming," Luna hugged Ethan. "I didn't want to miss this day. So how have you been? It's been a month," he said. "Good. Alex thanks for coming," she said. Ethan and Bella stared at each other but said nothing.
After a while, they all stood at the dining table and began singing Dylan happy birthday as he giggled. They ate the food, then later cakes and finally it was time for gift opening.
They had mostly gifted him toys unlike Ethan who gifted him a car. They were shocked. Yes he had the money but wasn't it a little too much for a one year old? Luna was happy but took him to the side and asked," Ain't we spoiling him too much?" "Not at all. He's a boy Luna. That's normal," he said. "O- okay. Thank you. I honestly didn't see this coming," she said. She told Dylan to thank Ethan for the gift and he said," Thank you, papa." Dylan called him papa because that's how he heard Leah call him. Everytime Luna heard him saying it, she felt something squeeze her heart and she honestly didn't like it but Ethan said that he was okay with it. Luna would have corrected Dylan but he was too young for that. She would have to leave things the way they are for now. After the party, the neighbors came for their kids and took them.
Bella was looking for an opportunity to talk to Ethan but she saw none. And as if reading her mind, he excused himself and went to the washroom. Shortly, she said she was going to her room to pick something and waited for him. When he came, she pulled him into her room and closed the door. Without wasting any second, she sealed her lips with his in a hungry and violent kiss. He remained still at first but after sometime responded to her kiss. She broke it when they became breathless and asked," I missed you. Didn't you?" "And why would you miss me?"he asked. "Because I like you," she said leaving him speechless. "What are you saying?" he asked. "That- "Papa," they heard Leah's voice calling him and he left her room then went to see what she was saying.
Bella could only sigh at the wasted opportunity. Today she had decided to tell him about how she truly felt about him.