Convenience

Part 117

Beatrice wasn't sure what to say. He was right. Dreams. She has the same dreams. And he was right. They have to do something about it.

He knew they were both very stubborn! And very determined! Very strong in their own way. David decided that he would have to be the first to speak if he really wanted to rekindle their relationship. And he thought, that what he says, eventually, is really crucial. And given her penchant for one-word responses when she is cross, or annoyed, he wasn't sure that one-word responses counted as a conversation. But he persevered.

His opening gambit, "I am really sorry about what happened, five years ago." His eyes showed his caution, but David added, "But I am not about to repeated my actions five years ago, or during our separation time!" He looked up at Beatrice, and then with a roll of his eyes admitted, "Five years ago, I wasn't ready to be a father or a husband. My fault. I get that." He massaged the bridge of his nose.

"Well that's honest." Beatrice replied somewhat dryly. She asked bluntly and tried to make light of it, "And you are ready now?"

He nodded.

She put her mug on the desk, she said, "Ready to be a father?" Was that his decision? Is that why he was here? She pulled herself together. Beatrice asked drolly and threw him a muted glare, "Is that why you are here?" She could see that she had David's full attention, "To tell me that?" Her questions were practically dripping frost, hiding her nerves and apprehension.

The frost had no impact on him, but he thought there was bravado in her voice. Or nerves. He ignored her tone and looked at her. Somewhat conservative with her dress code. Nothing ostentatious. The woman in front of him was elegant. It was in her bones. It wasn't so much the clothes as the woman herself. She looked simply graceful. Given that, she would be straight. No affected. No drama. Straight questions.

Not exactly the same, when he said, "Sort of."

"What?" Beatrice only just remembered in time not to sound terse or anxious. She huffed, "Remember, no hiding, no pretending. Your rules for this meeting." She was practically sitting on the very edge of her seat. Her anxiety had driven her forward. "And my rule: Honesty."

His eyes sparkled. "Yes." His lips twitched as he got her point. She was gorgeous and feisty and her determined chin confirmed the fact that she was a stubborn woman and not a push-over. His lips broke into a grin. Stubborn and not a push-over. Like him!

An eyebrow quirked as she asked, "That you are ready to be a father?" She shook her head at him and remonstrated. "Really?" Her skin was a terrible shade of grey. She reminded herself silently to stop fantasizing about them, their relationship, him. Her pulse was racing. When in charm mode, David was overwhelming.

"Yes." He replied with honesty. David replied with more of a bite, "Of course I am ready to be a father." David responded bluntly, and flicked Beatrice a challenging look. He waited for her to contest that statement.

She expected this decision. And if she thought about this, she had expected this, this particular outcome. But it hurt. Really hurt.

She needed to take some time, to pace her response, as his statement had answered her silent question and it had floored her. But Beatrice said without thinking, "So, you made your decision." She could hear her heartbreak. Now if only she could get her heart to cooperate with her brain.

"Yes." He said firmly, but he heard pain and resignation in her voice. Her vulnerability was suddenly evident in her voice.

Beatrice looked straight at David, and in her coolest tone that came from the need to control her pain, "You didn't have to come here." Now David heard the strength in her voice. He frowned. He heard conviction in that statement.

She tried to pretend she hadn't taken an unexpected hit. She reached for her mug, sipped, and tried not to show her feelings. But hiding behind her mug wasn't enough. She got to her feet. Turned around and walked to the window before she could cry.

Obviously, they didn't have the same dreams.

When she saw him, when he appeared at her door, she thought he had come after her. He didn't do that five years ago. So when she saw him, she thought he was here for her. A perfect ending, for her fairy story. He was here, for her. But now, she knew that he wasn't here for her. Her heart shattered.