CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

It was evening. Lara and her family had dinner and ate what was left of the cake after the twins' morning assault. The cubs cuddled a little with their mommy before obediently going to sleep.

They were tired after eating so much cake, and Melanie couldn't help but chuckle while taking away the last few remaining bites. Cooking had always been her hobby, but having two pups eating with so much appetite made everything worth it.

Lara and Nate took a stroll together in the garden, observing the nocturnal flowers blooming.

«I haven't given you my present,» Nate pointed out.

«If it's another diamond, you can keep it,» she replied, crossing her arms.

«It's not even that costly,» he tried.

«There's even the certification in the box!»

«Oh, well, Scarlet liked it...»

«I don't understand how she can be so attracted to expensive stuff,» Lara chuckled.

«Rather than the price, it's about the beauty,» Nate explained. «She chose the shiniest among the diamonds, which happened to be authentic. She has a good eye.»

«You shouldn't buy just everything she asks for, Nate.»

«I don't. This was a special occasion.»

«My birthday?»

«The first birthday we spent together as a family. It's important! It's also the first thing she buys for you as a present, so she wanted the best of the best.»

«And you just went along,» Lara scoffed, shaking her head.

«Of course. How could I not?»

«Well, thanks,» Lara sighed. «But you didn't need to go out of your way, for real. You also helped Jaden draw and write. This is more than enough for me. There's no need for anything else.»

«I've already arranged it, and you will like it: I promise. No diamonds nor expensive stuff nestled anywhere... Even though I did think about framing it with gold or platinum, I confess.»

Lara chuckled, unsure whether his was just a joke. Still, his face was solemn while he held her hand and pulled her inside.

«You will like it; I'm sure,» Nate repeated, maybe to convince himself that everything woudl be all right.

«Let's see,» Lara surrendered, opening the box. It was flat as if it contained a children's book.

When she removed the lid, she checked if it really was a book... She took it out and opened the first page, curious. There was nothing on the outside: a white cover only. Oh, it was a photo album!

The first page was covered by a single picture of her cubs. They were wearing the best clothes and smiling at the photographer. Scarlet's hair was tied up in twin tails while Jaden was wearing his hat. The rest of their clothes were matched light blue. Jaden's trousers had a darker shade, just like the ribbon on Scarlet's dress.

«Oh,» Lara sighed, caressing the corner with her hand. She didn't want to ruin it, so she moved her fingers away. «So pretty,» She added. «A perfect present for my birthday!»

«I figured,» Nate chuckled, sitting next to her. «I feel like the roles have reversed today, by the way.»

«Hmm?»

«Last time, you made me see some pictures of the twins. Now, it's my turn.»

He turned the page and showed her the rest of the pictures.

«Just like usual, two of each copy,» he said. «This is fresh from yesterday. The teacher in the kindergarten sent me some of these... And the rest is from when I was out with the kids. I've come up with the idea just recently, so it might be a little boring, but this is what we've done the last few times.»

«Yes?» Lara chuckled. «It's interesting.»

Some pictures had both the kids, while others were portraits or taken when only one was around. In total, there weren't many, but, since there were two of each, they filled the album.

Then, towards the end, Nate started appearing in some of the pictures. Lara smiled even wider at that discovery. He was so handsome that not taking pictures was such a pity, but she also couldn't think about it at the right moment and was still without!

«This is me with Scarlet at the mall. We took the pictures in a photo booth and split the outcome among ourselves. This is what I got... Well, not all,» he explained.

«I see... And this? Were you at the entertainment park with Jaden?»

«Correct. There are some rides he likes very much. We will also go to the zoo, sooner or later.»

«Seems nice.»

«We can go together. As a family.»

«Yes, we can.»

«Once the crisis is over, we can do a lot of things like a family,» he added. «Just be patient a little more, okay?»

«Okay!»

They continued watching the album together, sometimes commenting on some pictures.

«Nate...» Lara said at some point. «Do you mind if you and I take a picture together?»

«Now?»

«Now... Or when you want. I'd like to have one. Is that okay?»

«Yes, sure!» he said, getting up and looking for the perfect angle and light. «It's dark now, but we'll take another during the day. This will be just until then.»

«I'm not in such a hurry,» Lara pointed out.

«But I am! Come here... The garden is better during the day, but we should have thought about it earlier. The lamps should produce enough light for the camera...»

He took out his phone and surrounded Lara's waist with an arm. Bending his neck to have his face closer to hers, he could find a position where they both had light and a good angle. He took a couple of pictures and checked them before showing Lara the best.

«Oh, nice,» she said.

«I'll send it to you now.»

That said, he set that picture as his background picture. Then, he realised that something was missing.

«Oh, we really need to take another one,» he said. «Maybe just you and the pups... That would be better as phone wallpaper.»

«No, all four of us would be just perfect,» Lara rebuked. «But, until then, I'll keep this one as background.»

She pressed her phone on her chest, happy. Her blushing cheeks were as beautiful as usual.