Katrina walked into the station holding Clarence’s hand on one side and carrying Theo with her other arm. The little girl clutched tightly as officers and detectives greeted her, holding the box of cake on her free hand. Clarence was adorable, her shy demeanor making her even more endearing, while Theo waved at the officers enthusiastically, making everyone smile and wave back.
Clarence stepped closer to Katrina, partially hiding behind her as they made their way to the lift that would take them to the floor Kylan and the others were on.
As the lift doors opened, Clarence peeked from behind Katrina, her face lighting up at the familiar faces in the office. Francis happened to be walking past with Vanessa, the department's police officer for the women's desk, and they both noticed the trio.
Vanessa smiled warmly. “Hey, little ones.”
The seven year old ran up to her, bouncing excitedly. “Nissa! I made a drawing for you and big brother Francis!”
Francis grinned. “Let’s see it then!”
Katrina approached Vanessa, smiling. “She still can’t pronounce your name properly, huh?”
Vanessa shook her head with a gentle laugh. “I don’t mind.” She crouched to Clarence’s level as the girl rummaged through her bag, her cheeks slightly pink. “I like it.”
Clarence pulled out a paper and handed it to Francis. “Here!”
Francis and Vanessa examined the drawing, their expressions softening. Francis ruffled Clarence’s hair. “This is amazing. We’ll put it up where everyone can see.”
Clarence beamed, running back to Katrina to wrap her small arms around her waist. “Well done, sweetheart.” Katrina looked up at Vanessa. “Is everyone here?”
Vanessa nodded. “Francis had just came back from Ross Corp, and I tagged along."
"Eleanor and Harry are in Detective Garrett Hale's office. Aaron and some of the Ross Corp. techs are talking with other police officers for the new drones to be used," Francis added. "Mr. Ross and Mr. Burns are in Chief's office."
Katrina chuckled. “Sounds about right.” She turned to Clarence. “Sweetheart, do you want to see anyone else before we surprise Daddy?”
Clarence pressed her face into Katrina’s side. “Daddy.”
Katrina smiled warmly. “Alright, we’ll see the others after Daddy, okay?” Clarence nodded and took her hand again. As they walked through the office, Katrina waved at the officers and detectives, who all greeted them warmly.
She knocked on a large office door with the plaque "Kairo Jones, NYPD Police Commissioner", hearing Kylan's familiar annoyed click of the tongue from the other side.
It was then she knew that he was alone for a moment.
She knocked again, earning a gruff “Come in.”
Opening the door slightly, Katrina whispered to Clarence and Theo, “Go get him!”
Theo dashed in, growling playfully. “Rawr!”
A rare laugh escaped Kylan as he spun his chair to face his two kids. “You two, what a wonderful surprise! Here, Theo, let me help you out of your coat.”
Katrina entered, her eyes scanning the room for the others. It was a large office with a long table used for conferences with the Police Commissioner and judging from the scatter of papers on the table, it looked like they were on a break.
Her eyes landed on her small family and her heart melting at the sight. Theo was perched on Kylan’s lap as he helped the two year old remove his gloves. “Mommy really bundled you up, huh?”
Theo giggled. “Cowd.”
Kylan smirked. “That cold?”
Clarence was the one who then answered. “Theo is cold, Daddy.”
“Daddy doesn’t feel the cold much, does he?” Kylan looked up at Katrina, his expression softening as their eyes met.
“You’re right. He doesn’t,” Katrina teased, taking Theo's coat and gloves from Kylan. “Daddy’s super strong.”
Clarence’s eyes lit up. “Daddy’s a superhero? I wanna be like Daddy!” She jumped up and down beside Kylan’s chair before she hugged Katrina tightly. “I wanna save Mommy!”
Katrina's heart twinged hearing her say that. It seemed that the incident with Isabella Stone made a scar on her daughter even if it was already two years ago. She kissed her cheek. “Don’t you have something for Daddy?”
Clarence’s face lit up, and she ran to her little bag, rifling through it. Meanwhile, Katrina placed a box of cake and tea on the desk beside Kylan. She poured him a cup and set it before him, feeling his hand brush lightly against her back.
“What blend is this?” he asked, inhaling the aroma.
“Something new,” she replied, brushing a hand over his hair. “I thought you might need a little boost. What time did you leave this morning?”
Kylan sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Three in the morning.”
She concern evident in her eyes. “That early?”
“Mm-hmm,” he said. "The police department had requested for a full-on make over on their police gears and security devices. It's a wide operation for Ross Corp. so we are camping here for a little while." He pulled Clarence to his side as she came running over with a drawing.
“Look, Daddy! I made this for you!” she exclaimed, holding up a crayon drawing of their family standing in front of a house, complete with a little bear in the yard.
Kylan smiled warmly. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart.”
He stood, lifting Clarence onto his hip. He carried her to the family board near the corner of the room, already filled with pictures. Taking two pins, he handed them to Clarence. “Hold it up for me, love.”
Kylan carried Clarence to the family photo board he temporarily made in case Clarence came by with her new drawings, lifting her so she could pin the drawing alongside the others. “Good job, kiddo,” he said, stepping back to admire their work.
“Love you, Daddy,” Clarence whispered, hugging his neck.
“Love you too, princess,” Kylan replied.
Katrina pulled the bear-shaped cake out of the box. “Hey, you two, the cake’s ready.”
Kylan turned, grinning as he carried Clarence over. “Is that a bear?”
Clarence clapped her hands. “I made it!”
“It looks so good, I almost don’t want to eat it,” Kylan said with mock seriousness.
"Cake!" Theo joined in, clapping his hands from where he was sitting.
Just as Katrina was about to cut the cake, Ryan poked his head in. “Kylan, I need—oh, hello there.”
Ryan entered, greeting Katrina warmly. “Good to see you here, Kate,” he said, scooping up Clarence as she ran to him.
“Uncle Ryan!”
“Hey, little lady.” Ryan gave her a fist bump before he asked, “Have you been good?”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss (Kylan and Katrina)
Why doesn't he goto a psychologist and get better and end happily quicker...
This kylan is the epitome of so fffed up is unbearable to read goes on and on...