Husband With Benefits-Chapter 629: Family Time

"Why did you move Autumn’s things into your room?" Arabelle asked the question innocently to Gabe while Autumn, in the kitchen, almost dropped bowl of popcorn in her hand.

Gabe had moved her things into his room? When? How did she not know that? They’d been together all day today since she’d come out of the room, expecting to be teased mercilessly. Thankfully, Seb had already left by the time she showed up and she was grateful for it.She didn’t think she was prepared for any teasing.. So, did Gabe do that in the mornig?

"Because she is my wife and husband-wife should stay together. Now, Miss Arabelle, should we start the movie?" Gabe asked playfully tickling Arabelle on the stomach.

Autumn walked out of the kitchen then, the bowl of steaming popcorn in her hand.As her eyes met his, she saw him pat the empty space next to him. Nuh uh! She was not sitting there. Their movie nights usually ended up in Arabelle sleeping halfway through the movie.

Gabe Frost had restless hands, as she had discovered since this morning. The man left no chance to touch her or feel her up. So, there was no way she was helping him create those chances. Decisively, she placed the bowl in Arabelle’s lap and sat on the other side of the little girl, so that Arabelle was a strategically effective barrier.

She saw from the corner of her eyes as he smiled a challenging smile and leaned forward to grab the remote, beginning the movie. She breathed a sigh of relief. At least for the next two hours, she would have some relief from the delicious torture that Gabe had subjected her to all day.

However, she had barely thought this when she almost jumped out of her skin. In a move so smooth that she had not even seen coming, he placed his arm along the back of the couch while his hand grazed the nape of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. She squirmed slightly, trying to maintain her composure and ignore the patters he was tracing onto her skin. It almost felt like she was being branded.

Deciding to distract herself and move away from him, without making a fuss, Autumn leaned forward pretending to grab some popcorn from the bowl in Arabelle’s lap. And now, when she moved back, she would shift away a bit naturally, so that his hand would not reach her. But just as her hand dipped into the bowl, she felt his hand do the same. Their fingers brushed against each other, and she felt him hook her little finger with his, a playful gesture that made her glare at him.

She tugged her finger but he wouldn’t let go, making her frown. She had a feeling that h wouldn’t let go if she let him...

Just then, Arabelle spoke up," Are you guys fighting for popcorn?"

Autumn glanced at Arabelle, momentarily grateful for the interruption. She managed a small smile and replied, "Just a little popcorn tug-of-war, Arabelle. Your Mister Gabe thinks he can steal all the popcorn for himself."

Arabelle giggled, her innocent laughter filling the room. "Mister Gabe, you have to share!"

Gabriel put on an innocent epression and finally nodded," As you wish Miss Arabelle. Here, have some popcorn."

He then picked up a piece and brought it to Autumn’s lips, a challenging and blunt look in his eye. Autumn’s eyes narrowed. He was purposely teasing her. She raised her chin. Well, then so be it.. Opening her mouth, she tool the kernel into her mouth, but made it a point to take his thumn into her mouth and licking the butter off it,slowly. It was quite gratiying to watch his eyes heat up just like that.

Surprisingly, halfway through the movie, Arabelle paused the movie and turned to look at Gabe."Mister Gabe, I need to ask you something."

Gabe raised a surprised eyebrow at that and looked down the little girl. She looked so serious." Of course, Miss Arabelle. Tell me."

"You and Autumn are husband and wife?"

"Yes."

"Then, can you adopt me?"

Gabe blinked in surprise, taken aback by Arabelle’s unexpected question. He glanced at Autumn, who looked equally surprised.

"Arabelle..."

"No. No. Listen to me and then decide. You know I am adorable and a good girl. And parents are supposed to take care of the kids. The two of you gtake good care of me. I know Autumn is my sister and not my mama. But mama is in heaven. However, she wouldn’t mind if I called sister Mama.And you can be my daddy. It is not wrong...Aunty N said that I should not address Autumn as her mother otherwise she wouldn’t get a husband. But now that she has you, Can I please have you as mama and daddy?"

As she said the words hurriedly, both Gabe and Autumn realized that Arabelle had been thinking this for a long time and it was not something she spoke impulsively.

Gabe kneeled down in front of her and held the little girl’s trembling hands. "Arabelle," he said softly, "if you want us to be your parents, we would be honored to have you as our daughter."

Autumn covered her mouth as she felt tears in her eyes, while Arabelle seemed to have gained a new lease of life. Her face lit up with joy and relief. "Really?" she exclaimed; her voice filled with happiness. "Thank you, Mister Gabe! Autumn and you are the best...!"

Gabe stood up and opened his arms wide. Without hesitation, Arabelle rushed into his embrace, her small frame engulfed by his warmth. Autumn quickly joined them, wrapping her arms around both of them. Arabelle looked up at them with shining eyes, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "Mama, Papa."

To which Gabe smiled and picked her up, feeling immensely gratified. For him, there had been two things in his life that were unattainable to him. Love and a child. But Autumn had given him both...