Forced To Marry My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter 104: Chapter 104

"Okay, Uncle Daddy," Calvin chirped.

The three of them moved out together. Ethan headed for the door to run down to his car, while she and Calvin went into the bedroom.

She laid out Calvin’s pajamas before they hit the shower. They weren’t in there long, and she was just finishing dressing him when Ethan walked back in carrying his things.

"Uncle Ethan!" Calvin called out.

"Hey," Ethan said, setting his bag aside. He turned his attention to her. "Mind if I use your bathroom, Lane?"

She just nodded. "Thanks," he said. Once he ducked inside, she turned back to Calvin.

"Mommy, I’m not sleepy yet. Can you read me a story?"

"Of course," she said. She pulled a book out of the nightstand drawer. Reading to him was their special nightly ritual.

They both leaned back against the headboard, and Calvin snuggled up to her as she started to read.

They were right in the middle of it when the bathroom door opened and Ethan stepped out. They both looked up at him.

He was drying his wet hair with a towel and paused when he saw them watching him.

He smiled, and she could see the genuine joy and love in his eyes. He walked over, and Lane’s heart started racing. She looked down at the book as he got closer.

"What are you two up to?" Ethan asked.

"Mommy’s reading me a story, Uncle Daddy," Calvin said. "Come here, join us!" He patted the empty spot on the bed next to him.

Ethan didn’t need to be told twice. He sat down next to his son and leaned back against the headboard.

She bit her lip when she caught a whiff of him. It smelled like he’d used her shampoo and soap. They smelled exactly the same now.

"Mommy, keep going," Calvin prodded.

She cleared her throat and kept reading. Both of them listened quietly. Or rather, Calvin listened.

She could feel Ethan’s eyes on her the whole time, and his gaze was so intense she could hardly focus on the words.

"Mommy, I’m sleepy now." She stopped when she saw him rubbing his eyes.

"Okay, time for bed," she said, setting the book aside. She turned to settle him in, but she noticed him turning toward Ethan.

"Uncle Daddy, can you sleep here next to Mommy and me?"

Lane’s jaw nearly dropped. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Hmm... if it’s okay with your Mommy," Ethan said.

"Mommy?" Calvin looked at her me expectantly.

She just nodded, unable to say no to her son. With that, both Calvin’s and Ethan’s eyes lit up.

"Mommy, I’m gonna pray now," Calvin said, closing his eyes. "Papa God, thank you so much. Thanks for letting Uncle Daddy be with Mommy and me. Amen."

"Good night, Mommy. Good night, Uncle Daddy," Calvin said, giving them both a kiss on the cheek.

"Good night," she and Ethan said at the same time.

"I’ll just turn off the light," she said, starting to get up, but Ethan stopped her.

"I got it, Lane."

He hopped up, flicked the switch, and was back in a flash. She felt the bed sink as he moved closer. In the soft glow of the lamp, she saw him hug Calvin.

She thought he’d stop there, but her heart nearly stopped when Ethan wrapped his arms around her too.

"Good night, Lane," he whispered. She could feel him staring at her in the dark. Instead of saying anything, she just closed her eyes. A comforting weight lifted off her chest as she drifted off.

When Lane woke up the next morning, she was startled to find herself facing Ethan instead of Calvin. Her eyes went even wider when she realized she was practically glued to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his chest.

His eyes were wide open, full of happiness. "Good morning, Lane," he said, his voice deep and clear.

"Mommy, you and Uncle Daddy are so sweet!" Calvin giggled. She looked up and saw him sitting near the foot of the bed, watching them with a huge grin. "You’re hugging him so tight!"

Her cheeks flared with embarrassment. She tried to pull away, but Ethan just tightened his grip around her waist. He clearly wasn’t letting her go.

"Join in!" Ethan called out with a laugh.

Calvin dove in between them, and Ethan pulled them both into a huge hug.

"I love you both," Ethan said, his voice cracking slightly as he held them.

Lane closed her eyes, letting the moment sink in. Her heart was absolutely full. She was finally home.

__________

Lane froze mid-stroke while brushing Calvin’s hair when her phone started buzzing. She picked it up and saw Ethan’s name flashing on the screen.

She couldn’t help but wonder why he was calling instead of just coming up. She stared at the screen for a second before finally hitting answer.

"Hello?"

"Lane."

She was even more confused when he told her he’d just wait for them downstairs. He usually walked right in, so his change in routine felt off.

She went quiet for a beat, wanting to ask why he wasn’t coming up, but she decided to let it slide.

"Okay," she replied. She said her goodbyes so she could finish getting Calvin ready.

"Mommy, was that Uncle Daddy?"

She nodded.

"Is he not coming with us?" Calvin asked.

She could hear the disappointment in his voice, and it was written all over his face too.

Lane shook her head. "He’s coming. He’s just waiting downstairs," she told him.

The sadness vanished instantly. "Let’s go, Mommy! Let’s head down now."

Lane just smiled and shook her head at how hyped Calvin was to see Ethan. "Alright, alright," she said, giving him a quick tickle on the ribs.

The boy let out a loud laugh as she finished his hair. "Let me just grab your lunchbox," she told him. She headed to the kitchen to snag the lunch she’d packed, and when she got back to the living room, he already had his backpack on.

"Let’s go?" she asked, holding out her hand.

He nodded eagerly and took her hand as they walked out of the condo together.

It didn’t take long to get outside, and she spotted Ethan immediately. When he saw them, a smile broke across his face and he stepped forward to meet them.

"Uncle Daddy!" Calvin called out happily.

Her lips parted slightly when she saw what Ethan was wearing. She was positive it was the same shirt she had given him years ago.

Did Ethan really still cherish that gift?

She couldn’t help but blush when he reached them and planted a kiss on her lips.

He then signaled for them to get moving. But the smile disappeared from Lane’s face the moment Ethan opened the back door and she saw Tyler sitting there.

Tyler was coming along. Just like her, Calvin went totally silent when he saw the other boy.

Lane couldn’t explain the feeling, but seeing Olivia’s child sent a sharp pang through her heart.

She knew the kid was innocent, but every time she saw him, she was reminded of the past and how much she’d been hurt.

She took a deep breath. Ethan helped Calvin into the back seat next to Tyler, then opened the passenger door for her.

She got in without a word. She noticed Ethan lingering, staring at her for a moment before he closed the door and hopped into the driver’s seat. Before starting the engine, he glanced her way again but kept his eyes forward.

She heard him let out a heavy sigh before he finally put the car in gear.

"Don’t you have a car, Calvin?"

A moment later, Lane looked in the rearview mirror when she heard Tyler’s voice.

"We do," Calvin replied.

"If you have a car, why did my dad have to pick you up?" Tyler asked.

Calvin opened his mouth to answer, but Ethan cut in first.

"Tyler," he said, his voice dropping into a serious tone.

"They didn’t ask me to pick them up. I offered. And what did I tell you? Being selfish isn’t a good look."

Tyler pressed his lips together, went quiet, and looked down at his lap.

An awkward silence filled the car for the rest of the ride to the daycare center. Once Ethan parked, he hopped out to open the door for her. When she stepped out, he moved to let the boys out.

He helped Tyler first, and the boy immediately wrapped his arms around Ethan’s neck like he had no intention of ever letting go.

"Tyler, get down for a second. I need to help Calvin out."

Tyler shook his head, refusing to budge.

Lane didn’t wait. She opened the door on Calvin’s side and helped him out herself.

When she looked up, she saw Ethan watching them.

"I’m sorry," he whispered to her.

She gave him a tiny, tight smile.

They all walked into the center together. She looked down at Calvin and saw him staring sideways at Ethan, who was still carrying Tyler.

"Calvin, do you want me to carry you?" she asked.

Calvin shook his head. "No, Mommy," he muttered.

She squeezed his hand and they kept walking until they reached the classroom.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ethan finally put Tyler down as they walked in.

"Good morning," she said to the teacher.

"Good morning," the teacher replied, pulling up the enrollment list. Lane gave her the details and noticed the woman glancing at her son.

"Good morning, teacher," Calvin greeted politely.

The teacher beamed at him.

"What a handsome boy. He looks just like his dad," she said, nodding slightly toward Ethan.

That’s when Tyler chimed in. "He’s not his dad, teacher. He’s my dad," Tyler stated firmly.

Lane bit her lip as she watched the teacher’s eyes dart between Tyler, Calvin, and Ethan. She could see the gears turning as the teacher’s face filled with confusion.

"Oh, sorry," the teacher stammered. But Lane knew exactly what she was thinking.

The teacher was wondering why Ethan looked more like her kid than he did his own son

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