Destined Arrangement

Chapter 21

Eric's POV
"Thank you for the ride Eric".

We are at her apartment building, and I don't want to let her go, not just yet. This is the first time I've got to see her, to have her just inches away from me, and I don't know what to say. I've practiced over the mirror a dozen times what to say to her if and when we'd meet but now that she's here, I'm speechless.

" Do you wanna come in and have tea and perhaps something to eat, I know we didn't really get to get and those appetizers really don't do much". she breaks the silence.

"Y..Yeah, sure". I stammer, I really didn't expect her to invite me in,"Thank you".

We in the kitchen, the kids are asleep and the babysitter just left and again there's this awkward silence. I see open the fridge and remove what looks like leftover lasagna and orange juice.

" let me help" I offer rather than stand doing nothing, I get the plates and forks and place them on the island. She heats the lasagna in the microwave. Still silent expect for the microwave.

"Eric, I'll be moving". She breaks the silence again.

" Back to the house? " I ask.

"N...no, this is a one bedroom apartment and I share the room with the kids, its crowded. I've been looking for a bigger place, though not too big and once I find a perfect place, I'll email you the address".

Ting

" Finally the lasagna is ready, was starving" she pulls it out of the microwave and serves.

"Alaine, you don't have to look for a place. You could stay at the penthouse".

" Eric, I don't think that's a good idea". She protests.

"And why not?"

Silence, she stares at me for a minute. She opens her mouth to speak but closes it, opens again and closes and then she finally says,

"Eric, I gotta be real with you. I don't hate you, you gave me the joy of being a mother and you are great with the kids and an amazing father. I need space from you. It hurts every time I see you, I can't get the image of you and...and... That girl out of my head".

I wanted to rush in and tell her it was a mistake and that I miss her and how I love her and remind her of what we had before but when I opened my mouth, she cut me off and raised her hand, signaling me to stop.

" I'm not done, Eric." And I decide to shut up and listen. "I know, what you are going to say but we have to be honest with ourselves. We only worked out for that short period of time because of the sex, amazing sex by the way but Everything happened so fast, the pregnancy not that I regret it. But we didn't have time to build our relationship. It was always sex then helping out with the pregnancy and when the kids came along with the stress, and we weren't having sex anymore, it's like the spark died. And a relationship isn't just about sex. And then there's the elephant in the room, the one we ignored and never discussed because we both wanted to remain in a good place".

Silence again, and she was right. Everything happened so fast we didn't really build our relationship. As far as the elephant in the room, I knew what she was talking about. Its not that she wanted public acceptance, but acceptance from me. She needed to know that I would be willing to show the world, she was mine and yes, we'd ignored it for so long that I didn't think much about it, till now and I couldn't help but think, am I still afraid what society will think of me, of the relationship I have with this beautiful plus size woman?
Time to get serious and win my family back.

"I understand Alaine and I'm ready and willing to do anything to make us work, if you give us another shot. I'm not saying let's get back to where we left off, all I'm asking is let me help and our babies. Move into the penthouse and I promise, I'll only visit when you want me to" with my left hand to my heart and my right hand raised doing a Scout's honor pose.

A pause

Then finally, "OK, fine. We'll move in into your penthouse".

I felt like jumping and punching the air but I had to keep my cool. We went back to eating our lasagna. And then just like that, I remembered something that had been bugging me.

" So Alaine, who's the douchbag you came with?"

"Really, Eric?"

"I know poor timing, but I'm just curious who's hanging around my baby mama and kids, that all". I did after all have a right to know, right?

" if that's what you are worried about, then don't. He doesn't even know I have kids and I'm not planning on letting him meet them".

Ok, that's a relief. So he isn't exactly competition but still I didn't like him or the way she held her.

"So who is he anyways?"

She rolled her eyes, "he's an ex, OK. We just bumped into each other a few days back."

I don't mean to act as a jealous husband/soon -to -be -ex -husband- if- I don't- play -my -cards -right.

"Oh, so what happened?" I ask

"Oh my God Eric, what's with the 21 questions?" As she drops her fork on the plate and it makes a ting sound.

Yeah, what's with the questions? Your acting possessive and that won't win you points. Gotta think of something.

"Well, you said we rushed into everything and I agree with you and I just want us to know each other better. Past, present and perhaps the future, we owe it to ourselves Alaine, if it doesn't work out well at least we'd know we tried everything". I think I saved it, didn't I?

" I'm tired, I wanna take a bath and we'll talk more tomorrow when you visit, okay?"

I help her clear the table, clean the dishes and It was time for me to leave but I didn't want to.

"Can I kiss my babies goodnight?"

"Sure but If you wake them up...."

"I know I know, I'll be responsible to put them back to sleep" I replied and yet deep down I wished they'd wake up and be my excuse to hang around some more but they didn't. They were sound asleep like little adorable angels.

We say our goodbyes, and I leave. No more lazing around. I'm gonna win her back and there's no way I'm allowing that ex of hers to weasel his way back.