The next morning, Amanda woke up to the sound of laughter. The tinkling laughter of her babies, carried gently through the baby monitor, is the most beautiful sound you can imagine. She smiled despite the lingering tension of the previous night. Her boys were her world, and their laughter was the best way to start the day. She got out of bed and headed to the baby's room. She found Liam sitting in the cradle, and Noah was lying next to him, looking at her with his big green eyes, just like his father's. It was crazy how much her babies looked like Christopher. She then noticed that the cradle was starting to look small to them. She should think about getting them their own bed instead of keeping them in the same cradle, but how would she manage? She couldn't do it with her virtual assistant's salary. She will think about it later.
"Hello, my little sunshine," she said, taking Liam. "Who's ready for breakfast?"
She took them out of bed one by one and made them sit in their high chairs in the kitchen. Then she started preparing their bottles. As she prepared their bottles, her mind kept coming back to Christopher. She had to find a way to deal with his sudden reappearance. She couldn't deny that he had a right to know his children, but she also couldn't forget the pain of his words that day. She had to protect her boys, but she also wanted to give them a chance to get to know their father. She also needed to think about herself. Christopher could help her with the financial burden of raising the children. Two young children are expensive, and it will become even more expensive as they grow up. How would she fare when they reached preschool age?
Later that day, as the boys were napping, Amanda sat down with a cup of tea and her thoughts. She was listening to music. As she listened to the lyrics, each word resonating deep in her soul. It was as if Taylor Swift' song had been written just for her, to describe her story with Christopher:
"This happens once every few lifetimes
These chemicals hit me like white wine
What if I told you I'm back?
The hospital was a drag
Worst sleep that I ever had
I circled you on a map
I haven't come around in so long
But I'm coming back so strong
So when I touch down
Call the amateurs and
Cut 'em from the team
Ditch the clowns, get the crown
Baby I'm the one to beat
Cause the sign on your heart
Said it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?"
She felt a familiar wave of vertigo, a dizzying cocktail of emotions – fear, desire and nostalgia. "The attraction between us is as strong as it was on the first day. You try to hide it, but I can see it. I see it in the way your eyes blink at me, in the way your breath stops when I get too close." Christopher's words echoed in her mind, his confident statement a stark reminder of the powerful attraction he always exerted on her.
She knew she had to talk to Christopher again, to set ground rules and figure out how to move forward. Amanda took out her phone and dialed the number on the card Christopher had given her the day before. She hesitated for a moment before deciding to text him instead of calling him: "We need to talk.
Can you come tonight?" Christopher's answer was almost immediate: "I'll be there, love."
Christopher found a beautifully wrapped little package on his desk, topped with a single red rose. Curiosity piqued, he carefully unwrapped the gift. As he lifted the lid, a velvet box fell and landed softly on his desk. Even before opening it, Christopher knew what it contained.
A small handwritten note accompanied the box. It read: "Schedule a meeting ASAP. I want to meet my daughter-in-law and grandchildren."
His mother. Of course.
Did he want to get married? The question remained unanswered. Desire, a powerful force that had long slept in him, stirred within him. But desire was a fleeting emotion, a fickle mistress. It wasn't just about his own happiness. It was about his children, about giving them the stability, the love, the family they deserved.
There was no place for his own selfish desires. He had to do the right thing. He had to give his sons a better life, a life filled with love, security, and the unwavering presence of a father.
He thought "My decision is made. I'll ask Amanda to marry me. I can't offer her love but I can offer her something more lasting: my commitment and support. I'll be a present father and a good partner for Amanda."
As he strengthened his determination, his phone vibrated with a text message. It was from Amanda. The message was short, simple, but it sent an adrenaline rush through him. A wave of anticipation invades him, a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He quickly answered.
That evening, after the boys had gone to bed, Amanda waited for Christopher. When he arrived, she let him in and led him into the living room. They sat down, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words.
"Thanks for coming," She said. "We have to set boundaries if you want to be a part of their lives."
Christopher nodded, looking serious. "I understand. I just want to be there for them, Amanda. Whatever it takes."
Amanda took a deep breath. "First of all, you have to understand that it won't be easy. They never knew you, and I don't want them to be hurt. We have to take it slowly."
"I get it," Christopher said. "I'll do what you think is best."
They spent the next hour discussing how to introduce Christopher to the boys, agreeing to start with short visits and gradually increase the time he spent with them. Amanda clearly stated her expectations, and Christopher listened attentively, her determination evident.
When Christopher left that night, Amanda felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could make it work. For the sake of her boys, she was willing to try.