I shook my head out of amusement before I went to the garden. I caught Demi and Jeremiah planting something there, it had become their new bonding together. If any outsider were to see them now, they would really think that the two were father and daughter. Even the shirt they were wearing were the same.
Jeremiah bought that for Demi when the three of us went to the mall together. He also bought one for himself which made the little girl really happy. They were both big fans of that movie. And now, they were even singing a worship song together.
“Hey, pumpkin,” I overheard Jeremiah told her after a while.
“Yes, Daddy Rem?”
“You know, last night, I told your mother that, no, wait.” Jeremiah stopped plowing and turned to Demi, looking stunned. “What did you call me again?”
“Daddy Rem,” she answered nonchalantly.
“Who told you to call me that?”
“No one.” The naughty girl shrugged. “I just thought I should call you that. I asked my mom last night if I can call you that way. And she approved, oh, wait. I forgot to ask you, too. I’m sorry.” Demi also stopped plowing as she turned to Jeremiah. “Is it okay for me to call you Daddy Rem? For sure, my original father won’t take it against me. I’m also sure that wherever he is right now, he also wants my mama to have somebody beside her just like you. He would have wanted me to have a father figure, too. You and daddy are both awesome. And that’s the reason why I love you both. “So… is it okay?”
“Of course, it is!” Jeremiah said, laughing, as he embraced the child. I saw how his eyes watered. “You have no idea how you made me happy, pumpkin. I didn’t think your mom would approve, though. You are like a real daughter to me, pumpkin. And I love you, too, so much!”
Demi giggled. “I know, daddy Rem. So, what was the story again?”
“Yeah. I almost forgot about that. I’m glad you reminded me. As I was saying, last night, I asked your mother if I can court her. The thing is… she didn’t give me a reply. She just smiled. What do you think that meant? Was that a yes? Or was she turning me down but she couldn’t say it straight to my face so she decided to just smile instead?”
Jeremiah shook his head after releasing Demi from his embrace. “You see, you have a very unpredictable mother, pumpkin. Ali and I had been best friends for so many years. But there were days when I still have no idea what she’s thinking.”
“Then you shouldn’t have asked her in the first place, Daddy Rem. Sometimes, you don’t have to ask. You just need to go for it. It took you years before you ask her if you could court her. Don’t tell me that it will take you another year before you get the answer?” Demi told him and I almost laughed when I heard her talking like an adult already. “You’re a brave man. Stop being too nervous to do things, all right?
“Besides, I can feel mom. She’s just right behind us and had been listening to us for a while now. So, to save you the trouble, let me just pop the question for you.”
Demi stood up and removed her gloves before she turned to me. “Mom, Daddy Rem has been in love with you all his life. Tell me, does he stand a chance? I’ll accept it if you say no, but I don’t think I can understand why. I mean there are many women who likes him. Some of those women are living in this neighborhood. And you know what?”
“What?” I shot back, trying not to smile, while Jeremiah seemed too surprised to move. He froze. Literally.
“They approached me and bought me different flavors of ice cream just so they could get some information from me about Daddy Rem because they knew that he and I are super close. They are also good researchers, mommy. They know that you and daddy Rem were just best friends. They ask me about his favorites and the likes. And I’m really tempted to tell them. You know that ice cream is my weakness. But I rejected those ice creams because I’m saving Daddy Rem for you. And he is rejecting those women, too, because he is saving his self for you.”
Jeremiah’s mouth parted with disbelief. “Kid, how can you… how can you just say it like that? And why didn’t you tell me sooner that your mommy was just right behind us? Goodness, you put me on the spot!”
Jeremiah stood up and took off his gloves as well.
A sweet smile curled my lips at the sight of them. One looked proud while the other looked embarrassed. There were times when I would still see one of Alexandros’ subordinates who still possessed his face. Since the spell he crafted was not completed, his face will be his knights’ permanent face.
But I no longer felt devastated about it.
I stared at Jeremiah for a long time. He was one of the reasons why I was able to stand tall and proud again. Without his support, I couldn’t possibly surpass every rock that was thrown in my way.
I had been with him from the moment when I was still too innocent that all I could see were the beauty and the positive things in this world, when I still wasn’t aware that life could be so cruel. I was also with him at my breaking point, at the time when I wanted to curse almost everything I see.
Jeremiah was with me through every pain, through every misery. There were times when I had been very unfair and I took my anger and frustration out on him. But he didn’t mind. He saw my weakest and ugliest side, and he still thought that I was the best woman for him.