"FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW"

JUST as Andrew wanted to happen, they continued to visit Sam the same day after Andrea's ballet class. And since the young man also mentioned to her that his sister knew they were coming, she was not surprised when they caught up with a lot of food prepared for them that Samantha herself had prepared.

"Do you like the food, sweetie?" Samantha's tender question to Andrea after their little girl had consumed all the food on her plate.

Andrea nodded then smiled back at her aunt. "Yes! Daddy told you are a Chef, is that true, Aunt Sam?"

That was when Samantha glanced at her brother Andrew and her afterward.

"Yes, I actually baked cookies, donuts, and a cake for you. I want you to take them all home later for your grandmother to taste too, huh? Can you do that for me?" Samantha kindly said to her niece that in fact the younger version of her when it comes to looks. Well, they are both very pretty.

Andrea giggled. "Grandma will be happy because she loves donuts," the little girl said.

Samantha stared at her niece's face for a long time. Her eyes were twinkling and the intense liking and amusement that she feels for her daughter were obvious.

A sweet smile tore from Samantha's lips afterward. And Lana secretly felt happy about that. Lana may didn't even admit it, but she was aware of the happiness that was now filling her heart. And that’s because she sees the natural love and tenderness between Samantha and Andrea.

A few moments later, the touch of happiness in her heart intensified, even more, when the young lady saw Samantha open her arms and then called her daughter.

"Come here, baby," she said.

Andrea immediately stood up and hugged her aunt.

"You know what?" Samantha again to the nephew.

"What?" and Andrea.

"I think we look alike. Don't we? We are both very pretty!"

Lana smiled at what Andrew's younger sister had said.

"Do you agree about that, sweetheart? You look like your Aunt Sam?" Andrew smiled and turned to her.

Lana simply tapped Andrew's thigh from under the table. She was worried that Samantha might be embarrassed but then something else happened. Because the young man gently grasped her hand and then gently squeezed it.

“Your Aunt Sam is very beautiful isn't she, baby?" Lana was actually telling the truth.

Andrea nodded in succession.

"I think Uncle Marius will like her too because I like you very much Aunt Sam," Andrea said to Samantha.

That was when Samantha laughed at what Andrea said. "Uncle Marius huh!" she said then followed it again by a light chuckle.

*****

"THANK YOU for bringing Andrea here Lana. You don't know how happy you made me," Samantha said when they were in the garden Andrew and Andrea were currently bonding and playing on the swing.

A beautiful smile tore from Lana's lips then she looked at the beautiful face in front of her. "Thank you too and you accepted us, my daughter," that was true in her.

A good laugh ran down Samantha's throat before she spoke. "Why not? Ever since you came I feel like I have been freed from taking care of a little boy with my brother. Although he is for a fact older than me,” it was Andrew that Samantha is talking about.

That was when Lana seemed to be unknowingly turned her gaze to Andrew and Andrea. Her daughter's beautiful smile touched her heart. As well as her small and sweet laughs as Andrew carefully swings the steel garden swing.

"I never thought before that my daughter could be this happy," she would tell the truth then smiled meaningfully at Sam.

Samantha just stared at her, so she continued. "I thought then that Mama Cecille and I had had enough to be in her life. Well, as she grows up, Marius has always been with us."

In the last name she mentioned, that was when Lana felt an intense longing for the best and most caring friend she had ever had. She hasn't heard anything from him for a few days.

"Marius?" Samantha asked.

"My best friend and childhood friend. He was also Andrea's godfather," Lana explained.

Samantha nodded. "Okay, so does that mean my brother is really the only man who has passed through your life?"

Eventually, Lana blushed at the seemingly teasing tone in Samantha's voice.

Lana laughed softly there. "I actually had a boyfriend when I was in college. That's all."

Samantha smiled, obviously pleased with her answer.

"Tell me the truth Lana, my brother mentioned to me that your house used to be the one he bought from Aunt Tina. You know what? Aunt Tina and I saw the picture of Andrew on the wall."

Samantha's words were meaningful, and Lana couldn't understand what that was for. That is why she ended up staring at her meaningfully and her future sister-in-law got the meaning of that look she gave her.

"Please tell me, do you love my brother? Not as a fan, okay? But as a woman?" whispering but without hesitation Samantha question her.

Lana was immediately taken aback by that question. Samantha stared into her eyes, and it was obvious that even though she didn't reply, she already knew the answer.

"S-Sam, please?" she pleaded and then stared at her pleadingly.

Samantha nodded again then she smiled kindly.

She grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently.

"So, you really love him, don't you?" she asked her afterward.

Lana couldn't speak so she heard Samantha again.

"Don't worry, I won't tell him. I promise you that you can trust me," Samantha's tone was reassuring.

Lana didn't know but even though that was the first conversation she had with Samantha, she had gained her full trust and she was really feeling so lighthearted about her.

"You know after Richard, I have never loved any other man except your brother, Andrew," she would tell the truth.

Samantha's smile got even lovelier because of what she said.

"So maybe that was the reason why when I had the chance to fulfill all my fantasies and dreams about him, I became very vulnerable. That's why I gave birth to Andrea," Lana admitted.

"Why don't you tell my brother how you really feel?" Samantha asked her whispering, again.

Lana laughed softly there. "Wouldn't it be nice if he was the first to admit it? Although he's tender and kind, I don't want to be always carried away in all my weaknesses," Lana explained.

Samantha shrugged her shoulders. "I understand and you actually have a point. Anyway, don't worry, I'll keep it a secret," Samantha said.

Lana smiled. "I trust you," the young lady replied.