Chapter nine.

Removing her little luggage from the car, Alison strolled her way into Gran Karen's gate after pressing the security code on the electronic gate. Wanting to surprise both her grandmother and Sam she came two hours earlier than expected boarding a plane, on her other hand was a plastic bag containing Samantha's favorite caramel chocolate, she also brought some airport souvenirs.

Finally, reaching the door she dropped her bags and rang the doorbell.

Waiting, she thought back at her exclusive night with Leonardo, it brought goosebumps afresh on her naked arms. For a moment she wanted to be engulfed back into his jacket, inhaling his sweet smell embedded in the jacket. She wanted his hands back on hers and that reassuring smile he throws at regular intervals.

Did he forget she was another plain woman? She was nothing compared to the women he might have dated. He scared her by thinking he might have feelings other than friendship for her. She was not sure of how to accommodate that.

Who takes interest in a woman who is yet to lose the weight she put on during her pregnancy period.

No one.

That answers why Richard lost his interest in her.

A friend for a day... she reflected on those words for a little longer. Maybe they would come back to being formal clients and project manager relationship next week.

He did say a friend for a day...

And hopes of having someone to love her back or the illusion of that occurring was close to nil in her heart.

The door creaked open slowly, but she saw no one.

The door kept opening wider than before she was starting to think Gran Karen's house was haunted, hesitating to walk into the house a menacing shadow behind the door appeared coming closer to the opened entrance.

Alison knows there is no such thing as a ghost or any of that horror fandom going around these days in movies, and it was confirmed when she saw the shadow holding a doll in her hand.

Finally, Sam appeared before her mother, on her face was a confusing mix of emotions and a hint of bafflement.

"Mommy?" She muttered still baffled, her mother was in front of her like she appeared from nowhere.

But then Alison heard the loudest cutest baby squeal she has heard in a long time as Sam's eyes brightened up and were filled with delight that her mother was back.

"Mommy!!!" She ran eagerly to Alison who had her arm already opened for a hug.

Hugging her, "Sam missed Mommy right?"

"Hmm- hmm," She nodded, "Doris, Gran Karen, and Sam missed Mommy alottt."

"Samie dear who is on the door?" Her grandmother's voice echoed.

Alison held Sam on her arm since she bent on staying very close to her mother.

Taking her luggage and the little sweet bag she strolled into the hallway and sighted Gran Karen coming towards her.

"Oh my... Alison is that you?" Gran's voice was filled with bafflement and was certainly sure her eyes were deceiving her.

"I think I do need to change these glasses I am seeing things now. But Sam how is she..."

"Gran Karen, Mommy is back," Samantha announced and wriggled about on Alison's hold.

Noticing she wanted to get down, Alison squatted a little and Sam jumped off her arm. Running to Gran and stayed by her side, "This is hard to believe. Allie when did you arrive?"

"Just now, come on let go to the living room."

Sitting on the sofa Sam poured her attention to her abandoned TV show talking to Doris.

Allison went towards the kitchen and dropped the bags on the kitchen island. She noticed Gran behind her with a smile on her face.

"What got you smiling?" She asked enthused it was a new thing to see Gran smiling so content at heart.

"You." Her reply was short, and it baffled Alison a bit. She was sure she was not doing anything funny to warrant a smile on Gran Karen's face.

"Me? How?"

"Hmm. Forget about it, you came earlier than scheduled I recalled you told me to pick you at the airport and Samantha was so excited to see you. Then whoosh you appeared from nowhere all of a sudden."

Alison chuckled lightly her green orbs brightening up like the morning sun on a dew-filled forest tree, "Just wanted to surprise you two, so I took an earlier flight."

"Samantha! Come and have a look at what Mommy got you."

Samantha was dressed in a blue flare gown with her cute little feet strapped in a Greek sandal. She turned her head to Alison and had a huge grin stuck on her face quickly she dropped the TV remote she played with, stood up running to Alison but quickly went back to pick up Doris lying on the couch.

Her little flustered face was apologetic, tapping her feet once more on tiles she ran to Alison breathless.

Alison picked her and placed a kiss on her forehead smiling at her little act of enthusiasm, "Baby don't run on the tiles, you might slip and fall."

"What did Mommy buy for Sam?" Swinging her legs as Alison placed her on the kitchen island ignoring the warning.

"Hmm... Mommy bought this." She brought out a little box of chocolates and the gleam she saw on Sam's face can't be bought.

"Chocolate yay! Gran Karen Mom bought Sam chocolates."

Back at home chocolate was banned due to a threat of a tooth cavity and Sam's uncanny obsession.

Alison also recalled that Sam made her promise to buy her chocolate before she left.

She quickly visited the closest store to her hotel and bought it on her way to the airport.

Sam took her chocolate box and headed back to her kiddies show stuffing her face with chocolate, patches of brown were evidence on her face. Alison was sure washing that sugar plastered on her face was going to be difficult.

Turning her attention back to Gran who kept staring at her, she raised her eyebrows sharply to her look.

"You look sincerely happy and that stress on your face, your worries seemed to have disappeared at least for a little while."

Alison pondered about Gran Karen's little talk.

Smiling awkwardly Alison turned her focus to her fingers, "How was work?"

It was relieving she changed the topic.

"It was great, I got things sorted out and landed a new contract."

"Meet anyone new, like new workers. New male workers."

"Granma!" Alison squealed, shaking her head in disapproval.

"What? Don't give that stare."

"No I didn't meet anyone new and for your information, I am not seeing anyone, now don't go around making insinuations," She reprimanded.

"Well I smell love in the air, reminds me of when Melinda came home after she visited the park. I knew something was up, and suddenly she was pregnant and got married to Dave."

Alison loved Grandmother for one thing she never recalled the bad incident that happened to her daughter she talked about the good memories they had and narrated them to Alison.

"Come to think of I never felt such vibe for Richard that your snobby ex-husband, sure you love him, but he never loved you back and look at the way he shattered your heart. I want you to be happy Alison, and I am sure you would find someone soon. Someone a hundred times better than Richard."

For some reason, unknown Alison felt touched, and her voice came out embarrassingly shaking "Well I am not with anyone and won't be. I mean no one would want to love me and also accept my daughter, and I have other things to bother about."

Dismissing the idea of loving again was good, it would stop her heart from hoping to fall in love with a certain friend for a day.

And yes she needs to tell Gran Karen about the new project on her hands and the three months durability.