Getting married

A week passes by in a blur. Before I know it, Gabriel reminds me that he will be arriving later.

When I offer to pick him up at the airport,he blatantly turns me down. He has his team here in Italy which handles his schedule every time he visits the branch.

After dropping my children off at school,I make my way to the flower shop where I spend the day working. Sometimes, business is low but it's the Christmas holiday. Love seems to bloom in the air and the orders keep piling.

“ I should probably get myself an assistant." I mumble to myself wrapping up a bouquet of lilies. The sound of approaching footsteps capture my attention. I frown, wondering who ignored the closed sign at the door. With so many orders,I figured out I'll momentarily close the business for any walk-ins. That would give me enough time to handle the orders.

I frown when Jamie approaches me with a smile on his face.

“ Leen, I hope I am not intruding?" He àsks and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. How is he not intruding when he ignored the closed sign at the door?

I offer him a smile, “Of course not. Are you here to get flowers?" I ask ànd his smile immediately drops, replaced by a nervous look.

" Not really. Today is my day off so I thought I could come by and invite you for lunch.” He says, keeping his gaze anywhere but my face.

I am not surprised though. That's so much like him. Just because he is free today,should I also clear my schedule ànd go to lunch with him?

As much as his intentions are pure,I wonder if the guy is dumb or something.

“ Oh dear. I'm sorry but I can't make it today. I have so many orders to package ànd deliver." I reply honestly.

" That's such a shame. I saw a really good seafood hotel nearby. Their lobsters are very good.” He casually comments and I facepalm.

I am tempted to tell him that I am allergic to seafood but I hold back, sending him an apologetic smile.

Jamie doesn't stick for long ànd leaves immediately after I turn his invitation down. I get lost in my work ànd before I Know it,my four pm alarm rings.

“ s**t! I am going to be late again." I mumble, scrambling to retrieve my handbag. I promised the kids that I would pick them early today then go shopping.

I can already imagine the disappointed look on their faces once I arrive late,again.

The drive to their kindergarten takes almost forty five minutes. I pull-up at the almost deserted parking lot and rush to the waiting lobby.

My eyes scan the remaining few kids. After a minute, I can't spot them. Anxiousness kicks in and I make my way to their teacher's office.

When the teacher informs me that the kids already left with their father,my heart plummets to my stomach.

“ Their father? How's that possible?" I mumble ,staggering back.

" Is there a problem Ms Leen?” The teacher asks and I am about to tell her that the kids don't have a father when my phone rings.

I frantically search for my phone and accept the call without checking the caller ID.

When my daughter's sweet voice booms in the speaker,my racing heart calms down.

Thanking the teacher,I leave the office and head to my car. I curse throughout my drive home.

I park my car in the front yard and jump out,taking long strides to the house. The words I planned to dish out at Gabriel die in my throat when I take in the man seated opposite my children.

My eyes widen and I stumble backwards. If I hadn't locked thé door behind me or announced my presence with how loud I banged the door, I would have turned around and walked away.

“ Cupcake,you are home." My brother's voice calls from the kitchen. A moment later,he appears wiping his hands with a towel. He also has an apron tied on his waist.

I nod,too shocked to form words. My eyes shoot to my kids and they look back at me, silently.

“ Aren't you going to say anything to your father after six years of hiding, Aileen Carter?" My father's controlled voice rings in the air. I can feel hís burning gaze as he regards me.

I swallow nervously. Even after six years,I still have not gotten over the fear I had for this man.

“ How are you,father?" The words leave my mouth,squeezed.

I çast a glance at Gabriel and he just shrugs.

" I didn't bring him here. He followed me.” Gabriel explains but that doesn't make him any less guilty.

“ When were you planning on returning home?" My father suddenly asks and I stiffen, inwardly groaning. Gabriel gives me a look before beckoning the kids.

“ Come on Bailey, Kaiser. Let's go buy some delicious snacks for you and your Mommy." Gabriel coerces the two.

While Bailey readily agrees, Kaiser looks reluctant. His gaze keeps darting between me and my father.

“ Go on baby, your grandfather and I need to talk." I say to him ànd only then does he move to follow Bailey and Gabriel.

I take calculated steps,stopping at the opposite sofa from where my father is seated.

I settle down then regard my father seriously.

“ I didn't think about going back to Los Angeles.” I reply honestly. In the past six years,the need to go back to Los Angeles never crossed my mind. I didn't have anything to go back to. No family to welcome me and definitely,I wasn't looking forward to meeting the people who betrayed and caused me pain.

“What about the children's father?” My father asks after a moment of silence.

I frown.

" What about him?” I ask back ànd I watch as my father's expressions harden.

" Lake is the father, isn't he?” He asks ànd I look away.

" When are the two of you getting married?”