"When you choose to see the good in others, you end up finding the good in yourself"

-Unknown

Chloe POV

Its been 2 months since the girls were officially adopted. Which means its been 4 months since Derek and I got wasted and got married. I don't know if he remembered or not.

I put the bottle of orange juice on the table as I placed a big bowl of mixed fruit in the center of the table. I heard the tiny footsteps followed by big ones coming towards the kitchen.

I turned around to see the Souza family staring at the food on the table.

"Ooohhh juice" Iyzo smiled at the OJ in a loving way.

Incy looked at her then at me.

"Good morning Chloe. Izyo has an OJ problem. She drinks it like its her life source."

"Good morning" I heard from my side. I looked down to see Iyzo patting my leg while still staring at the OJ. I laughed and picked her up.

"Good morning to you to princess Iyzo." She answered with a giggle.

"Jeez, I didn't get a good morning from any of you. The inequality in this house is appalling." Derek finally said. After he has inhaled half a french toast.

"You were busy breathing in-I mean eating the french toast."

"Ahaha. Chloe is so funny. Hilarious. You should be a comedian. so funny" He said with straight face.

"Whatever Derbear. Don't be a hater."

"I don't know who or what you are referring to as Derbear cuz its not me."

Incy, Iyzo and I laughed as we started to eat our own food before Derek takes a deep breathe and it's all gone.

"Oh Chloe, Simon says he wants you to come down and see the finished game with your storyline in it as soon as you have time."

"Oh? You guys are done? Like ready for release or like this is just a level of clearance?"

"Almost done. Simon said he wants a filmmaker's perspective because the graphics this game has to amaze everyone." he responded

"So when do you guys plan on releasing because like people are waiting."

Derek rolled his eyes. "I know but the graphics are worth the wait and the new map for the game is going to set the stage for something we have going for later. So they gotta wait."

Iyzo and Incy get up and leave the kitchen, probably to go find her tablet. Derek and I started cleaning up the table.

"Alrighty then, I'm off work for today so I'm meeting Rae and the girls today for a little while then I'll meet Simon."

"Oka-wait I am training today. I have a match in two weeks. The girls?"

"Dang you're right. Well I guess I can take them with me. We are supposed to be just shopping for a little while." I said

"Oh that's a great idea, they need to go school shopping anyways." Derek sips on his glass of water.

"What?! Oh no no, you're not about to push this on me! I don't even know what their uniforms look like. I didn't even know you guys picked schools yet."

"No need for that. Mary already bought their uniforms two weeks ago. We just need book bags and etc. Incy knows. Come on Princess, help your wonderful husband. I'll owe you my life." He smiled at me

I rolled my eyes.
"Wonderful husband? Where?"

He gasped, "Was that shade?

"Like its sunny babe" I say as I walk out of the kitchen.

Derek had left for his training half and hour ago. The girls and I are ready to go. I had informed the girls of my little surprises and they of course said it would be fine.

I decided to take one of Derek's car's because I felt like it today and he owes me his life now.

The girls and I hopped in the car and we were on our way.

The trip to the mall was filled with giggles and small conversations with Iyzo and Incy who insisted that she would not buy everything in black this year.

I parked the car and called Rae who informed me that were already inside an H&M. So we made our way into the store with Iyzo to my right, holding my hand and Incy to my left. Rae, Melissa, and Amber were standing around a mannequin dressed like an edgey flapper.

We walked over to them. Rae spotted us first.

"Hey Chlo!" Rae smiled and Amber and Melissa greeted me the same.

I felt Iyzo move closer to my leg and tighten her hand around mine so I picked her up.

"Hi guys. This is Iyzo" I say as I tug one of her ringlets a little "and this is Incy." I finished.

After everyone was officially introduced and Iyzo felt comfortable enough to walk beside me. We made our way through the store, looking at everything from shoes to belts to pants to headbands to scarves. This purple headband with big bunny ears caught my attention so I put it on Iyzo's head and let her look in the mirror.

"Do you like it?" I say as I fix the ears so they stood up.

"Yes!" Iyzo said excitedly then shook her head so the ears fall again. She giggles when they fell over her eyes. I parted them to they fell to the sides of her head instead.

"Since you like it, we are going to get it."

" I'm going to put it on Daddy's hair too" she laughed

I loved how she never stop thinking about her father and sister. And she does it in such a loving way, it's contagious.

We walked over to Incy who was staring at a black and grey cardigan.

"I thought you were trying to stay away from Dark colors " I said as I examined the very nice cardigan

"I know but its just so pretty and comfortable. Like look at it, does it not scream 'please wear me'?" she said with mock drama.

I laughed "Well yeah but you know if you don't want it, I could get it for myself and wear it in your honor. I will remember you every time, its softness touches me."

Incy gasped in mock outrage and grabbed the cardigan. "No. I'm getting it. I'll wear it in your honor."

"You guys really do look like a family."

We all turned to Rae who was smiling at us.

"Well thank you, we try." I smiled back

I spent the rest of the day with my gang and we ate and shopped. I lost count of how many outfits I bought for Iyzo. I had a lot more fun than I thought I would. Iyzo was sound asleep in her car seat as I drive home for the day.

Home

Derek's home was becoming my home and I can't say I hate it.

"Dad, I know what you're thinking and that's not it." My aunt finally convinced my father to care a little bit so she tricked me into having dinner with her and now they are trying to ambush me.

"Sweetie, you don't know anything about this man. No one has ever even seen him around you. Something is going on and don't deny it." Aunt Lauren urged with big doe "this is for your own good eyes"

I looked at my father and he looked exhausted and like he would rather be anywhere else than here. I can't blame him.

"Nothing is happening."

"Sweetheart, just tell me...I mean us, whatever it is. We won't be mad. And we won't yell or anything else. We are just trying to protect you hun." She was practically begging at this point and I was starting to feel guilty and like trash.

I mean, what could it possibly hurt if I tell them?

Aunt Lauren isn't the type to sell stories to the press and my father doesn't care enough to do so.

I sighed and let everything spill.

After explaining everything, I waited for my Aunt's reaction. She is eerily calm and collected. I think I would have preferred the screaming and yelling to this deafening silence.

Then she bursted into a brilliant smile, "Oh thank God!"

No one can blame me for looking at her like she just lost her mind.

"Wait what?"

"I thought you were pregnant or you witness a murder or something and you were being held hostage."

All I could was smile because, even when my aunt is being as annoying, she has my best interest at heart. Even if it is a bit misguided.

After rejoicing that I wasn't pregnant, and that I didn't catch a body, my dad bid us a good night.

"Hun, I might be relieved but I am in no way supporting this. No way in hell. But if this is what you feel like you want to do then go ahead. Just please please be careful. There is alot more at stake here than just your career sweetheart."

I frowned, "What is that supposed to mean?"

My aunt gave me a wise looking smile and revealed the truth I have been hiding from for a while,

"You like him. alot."

There it is. It seems weird to have someone else force me to address this truth I have been dancing around.

"Yeah, so maybe I like him a little."

"Mhm, a little. Don't put yourself in a position to get hurt, especially on such a public stage."

She is making a fine point here. I changed the topic

We spent the rest of the night talking about random things and dancing around the topic of my faux marriage. I went back home eventually but the conversation still lingered in my mind.

Don't get hurt Chloe.