A Dream For Perfect Family

Writer's point of view…

   Owen walked out of the mansion corridor, carrying a briefcase in one hand and holding his cell phone to his ear with the other. He was obviously on call.

  The main entrance door was opened for him and he smiled at the man that opened the door for him. No matter what, he had learnt to be polite to his brother's employees, not that if he did otherwise, Zain would come for him. He just knew that treating people with the same respect they treat you with, will add smiles to their faces. After all, all humans are equal, regardless of social status.

  He stopped dead in his tracks as he sighted his wife leaning against the outer piller, looking pissed off. He quickly ended the call and walked to her.

"Hey"

She brought her face up and stared at him for a while before sighing. 

  "Why the long face?"

He asked curiously. Whenever she is having this long face, it has everything to do with Claire and Owen can't be wrong this time.

  "If it's about this morning in the dining room, please let it go. You should be used to her by now"

He said, dropped handed the briefcase to one of the men standing nearby and asked him to give him a minute, obviously, both will be leaving together.

  He took her hands and led her to the three seater and pulled her down to himself.

  "You know I can't get used to Claire talking to me the way she does. It's disheartening. There is nothing I do that pleases her. She calls me mother but doesn't acknowledge me as one. I have been nothing but a good mother to her" Her voice quivered at the end of her statement. Owen hates to see her like this. The connection between these two since the first day they met has not withered or maybe because she has Susan's heart. He has grown to love her.

  "You know I love you very much. I am sorry she talks to you the way she does. No one in this house has given her the reason to." He said, trying to cheer her up.

His eyes were locked onto hers as he spoke. His gaze seemed to linger at her bottom lips. This made her cheeks turn red and she turned her head away from his intense stare and tried to change topic.

"Mom, wants her to visit this weekend"

She found herself saying, trying hard to change the topic. She was tired of it already. Thinking about it alone is tiring, say more of talking about it. 

  "Does she want to go?"

Owen asked cautiously. It's a cautious topic and he wouldn't want to trigger anything right now. Claire always get cranky whenever White Hills is mentioned. Of Course Owen understood why, Claire doesn't belong there. It's not her maternal home. And Owen thinks he is being unfair by not telling her the truth. She will find out one day if he doesn't tell her and he dreads that day.

  "She did not protest as usual which would have been a relief but I realized she is tired of disagreeing with me and I hate the feeling of that"

Owen sighed and pulled her to himself, "see she is trying. She will come around. See this as a first step and before you know it, things will go the way she wants. The perfect family you want"

He said, kissing her forehead. "I love you very much and I am always in your side, never forget that"

He continued, rubbing her back softly.

   His words echoing through her mind. That assurance, she needed it this morning. Mercy knows that the only thing that feels right is her husband 's unconditional love and that has been her comfort for thirteen years now. Anytime she sees reasons to give up on Claire, Owen's love is all she needs to get her back on track.

  "I love you too, Owen and as of the perfect family I dream about, I will have it with you and Claire."

"That's my darling. I like your faith."

He stated and pulled away from the hug and the next second he found himself kissing her. 

    His hands caressing her cheeks softly. She returned the kiss eagerly. As always the kisses were warm and loving and they made her feel better instantly. After a while, they broke apart with a smile on their faces.

"Have dinner with me tonight"

"Is that a date?"

She asked warmly and Owen nodded.

  "Then I am in for it"

She responded with a full smile on her lips. Owen chuckled and stood up," I better get going, duty calls."

"That's right, darling. Have a good day"

Mercy stood up too and pushed him towards the entrance. She blew kisses to him and he returned it. 

  She watched him as he got settled inside the Red Audi, she gave him her a smile again and the driver drove off leaving her with this feeling of loneliness that has persistedly lingered in the air.