Husband With Benefits

Lily wasn’t sure where to focus her gaze as the car turned into the long driveway leading to the large house. Cai had mentioned in passing that he had a lot of cousins, but nothing could have prepared her for the sheer whirlwind of chaos that greeted her. The entire front yard was alive with energy—a kaleidoscope of children of all ages running, shouting, and crying. A few adults darted around, trying in vain to corral the younger ones, while the older children seemed to manage themselves, sometimes even herding the littlest ones back in line.

The car had barely come to a stop when the children spotted them. Before Lily could fully process the scene, an enthusiastic swarm descended upon them. Cai barely managed to take two steps out of the car before being completely engulfed. Two little girls, giggling madly, clambered up him like he was a jungle gym, tugging at his arms as they demanded to sit on his shoulders. Not far behind, two boys followed him closely, as if they were his personal shadows, talking over each other in rapid-fire sentences.

Within moments, Cai was overwhelmed but not in the least flustered. The children had successfully toppled him onto the ground, and now they were crawling all over him like puppies claiming their favorite human. One girl tugged at his sleeve, asking about a promised story, while another held out her arms, waiting for a lift. Cai chuckled, his laughter lost in the cacophony of voices calling his name, each child demanding his undivided attention.

Lily stood by the car, unable to suppress the laugh bubbling out of her as she took in the scene. Cai, normally so composed, was now completely at the mercy of his cousins, though he seemed to be enjoying every second of it. Just when she thought the chaos had peaked, a tiny boy with chubby cheeks and an air of self-importance waddled determinedly toward the fray. With surprising authority, he pushed his way through the tangled limbs of the other children, shoving them aside with single-minded purpose. Finally, he climbed onto Cai’s lap and plopped down with all the regal confidence of a king reclaiming his throne.

Lily had to cover her mouth to stifle another laugh as she watched the scene, her own nervousness forgotten. This was the cutest scene. Cai wasn’t just handling the children—he was thriving amidst the chaos, as if he had an innate ability to connect with each of them, even when they were all speaking at once. She doubted he’d even noticed her watching, too immersed in his dear cousins.

Wanting to capture this moment, she quickly pulled out her cell phone and started recording the entire chaos in front of her. However, she’d only captured for a few seconds when she suddenly felt someone tap her shoulders. She turned around but before she could even clearly see the person, the girl, almost as tall as her, leaned forward and gave her an air kiss and then another. "You must be Lily."

Lily blinked and nodded as she looked at the girl in awe. The girl was a beauty. The kind that made people want to go and lie down on a beach to get the tanned look. She was naturally tanned and as she grinned at her, she realized, this girl was probably the one who had won the medal. She had the same smile as Cai... only a bit more feminine.

"You must be Innocensa. Congratulations on the win."

The girl clapped her hands in excitement," So, Cai has told you about me? Yes! I was so jealous when Aunt Dora said that she’d met you and I had not. It’s so nice meeting you, Lily! Welcome to the family."

And then, before Lily could say anything, she was kissed on both cheeks again and the girl had already skipped over to Cai, casually sitting beside him.

"You just made Ines’ day! She would have been disappointed if you hadn’t known her." A young voice called from behind him and Lily finally realized that what Cai meant when he said that the Frosts were easily recognisable. They all looked like different versions of the same base model. It was disconcerting.