Side Story 8

“Thank you, Dion….”

“What are you saying.”

Soon, the two of them got out of bed. On the now quiet mattress, Lisbeth squirmed and curled up her body. Pulling the blanket up over her head, she let all the strength leave her body. She heard the two, father and daughter, talking to each other as they went outside. Then the door closed, and quiet returned to their bedroom.

Sleep overtook her again in an instant. Very soon, Lisbeth fell back into a deep slumber. The sounds grew distant, and finally, she couldn’t hear anything at all. In the now peaceful bedroom, only Lisbeth’s gentle breathing could be heard.

How much time had passed?

Beth. Beth…

She faintly heard someone calling her name. Lisbeth, her consciousness sunken deep, slowly lifted her head. Someone is calling me. Lisbeth’s eyes slowly opened. Because the curtains were drawn, the room was still dark, and there was someone else in the room besides Lisbeth.

Without even properly looking at the person half-lying in front of her, Lisbeth smiled faintly. She didn’t need to see his face to know. Just the faint outline of his body was enough for her to know who it was.

“…Did I sleep a lot?”

“It’s almost afternoon now. If you sleep too long, you might not be able to sleep at night, so I came to wake you.”

Dion kissed Lisbeth’s cheek, her sleepiness not yet gone. Lisbeth’s smile grew brighter. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Dion’s neck. Their lips met slowly. The soft sound of wet flesh meeting then parting rang out quietly.

Dion let out an embarrassed laugh.

“It’s a little awkward right now.”

“Hmm, what is?”

As Lisbeth asked what was awkward, her knee was subtly pressing between Dion’s legs. Dion playfully bit Lisbeth’s nose and said,

“It’s what you’re doing to me right now.”

“So it’s awkward, Dion.”

“Diana’s waiting. Even if I want to hold you right now, I can’t.”

“That’s right, our daughter is waiting.”

With a giggle, Lisbeth obediently pulled her knee away.

“Take your time and come down. Lunch is being prepared, so you can eat as soon as you come.”

“Mm. Got it.”

Even so, the two couldn’t easily let go of each other’s arms. Their lips met once more. Dion gently sucked on Lisbeth’s lower lip. Lisbeth’s tongue lightly brushed his lips. The tension between them rose in an instant. But—

“Mom, Dad!”

With the sound of the door bursting open, Diana’s voice rang through the room. Dion and Lisbeth were startled, quickly pulling their faces apart. Seeing the two hugging tightly, Diana pouted, then quickly crawled up onto the bed. She squeezed herself between Dion and Lisbeth and lay down, grinning.

“You two were kissing without me!”

“Our daughter needs a kiss too.”

When Lisbeth kissed Diana’s round, plump cheek, Dion, not to be outdone, kissed the other cheek. With both of them showering her with kisses, Diana laughed and toppled backward. “Mom, Dad, it tickles!” Lisbeth hugged her daughter tightly as she squirmed and twisted. Then Dion stretched out his arms and embraced them both.

The warmth of each other filled all three of them.

If happiness could be pictured, Lisbeth thought, this must be what it looks like. She kissed the crown of Diana’s head. When she looked at Dion, he seemed to be having similar thoughts, his eyes moist. When she kissed him silently, a smile spread across both their faces.

“This is so nice…”

At Diana’s whisper, both Lisbeth and Dion burst out laughing.

It really was, so very nice.

“I love you.”

At Lisbeth’s words, Dion replied,

“I love you too.”

Not wanting to be left out, Diana raised her voice,

“Me too! I love Mom and Dad too!”

“I love you, my baby.”

“Our pretty Diana.”

When Dion hugged them both tighter, Diana and Lisbeth screamed in playful protest. “I can’t breathe!” As Diana wriggled and laughed, Dion loosened his arms.

Dion kissed his beloved two girls and said,

“Now, shall we go down and have lunch? Diana, do you want to go first and wait at the table until Mom comes?”

“Yes! I will be the first at the table!”

Even faster than when she’d climbed up, Diana scurried down from the bed. Then, as if she’d suddenly remembered something, she exclaimed, “Ah!” and said,

“But Mom, you have something red on your neck. Maybe a bug bit you!”

Lisbeth’s eyes widened as she touched her neck. Before the flustered Lisbeth could answer, Diana dashed out of the room. Watching Lisbeth’s bewildered face, Dion bit his lip.

“I’m sorry, I…”

“No, it’s just, from now on…”

From now on, we shouldn’t do this where it shows, right? 

At her words, Dion nodded awkwardly. The two looked at each other, then burst out laughing.

Even after getting back together, having to keep their meetings secret was a little funny. Still, there was no more reason to be anxious about this secret relationship, so in its own way, it was fun.

“Go down first, Dion. I’ll come down soon. Stay with Diana.”

“Yes, I will. Come down slowly.”

Only after watching Dion leave did Lisbeth get out of bed. She walked to the window and drew back the closed curtains. The bright light of the midday sun washed over Lisbeth’s body. In that brightness, Lisbeth smiled contentedly and stretched her arms.

It was peaceful and happy. She could faintly hear Diana’s laughter.

If this is a dream, may it never end.

A pure, flawless smile appeared on Lisbeth’s face.

<Side Story Complete>