(Lea's Pov)
"It's been sorted." Eric announced, a grin playing on his lips. I let out a shaky grin, followed by a deep breath.
"Everything?" I hopefully asked. He nodded.
"Everything - you have nothing to worry about." He assured me. I took a moment, letting it all sink in.
I was officially leaving my life back in Oklahoma, and restarting it here, in Denver. Eric had taken it upon himself to call my boss and announce my decision of quitting. He even called Drew and Sophia's school, informing the principal they'd no longer be attending there.
Lastly, he got movers to pack up all of our remaining belongings in our apartment, and bring them here. Everything was sorted. It was official that I'd be staying here...again.
How I felt about this situation, was confusing. One part of me was happy, joyous for the kids, for they were finally able to see their father everyday. Also, this state meant a lot to me. I had grown up in it - it was home to me.
But then there was another part of me which felt completely different. I...I was scared. Scared that I'd gain another heartbreak. As time would go on, there would have to be times I walk in on Eric and Janice - doing things...things my heart would churn at.
I'd have to live everyday of my life, witnessing the two. And I didn't think I was strong enough to live through it all. But the only thing that kept me going, was my children's happiness. And his.
"Thank you for sorting it all out." I quietly told him. He nodded, smiling small as he peered down at me from his tall height.
"You're welcome. But, thank you...thank you for choosing to stay." He whispered. My heart skipped a beat and hesitantly, I took a step forward, reaching out to hold his hand. His eyes shot up from the sudden gesture.
"I'd do anything for you...and the twins happiness. If us staying, gains a smile from you, so be it." I told him softly. His eyes never left mine, and I watched as a glint of emotions crossed his eyes.
"Come on, let's tell the kids. I'm sure they'll be more than thrilled." I stepped back, dropping my hand from his. He cleared his throat, nodding. I inhaled a deep breath, still feeling the warm tingles from his touch.
Mustering up a smile, I took a step inside the living room, where I knew the kids would be. As I assumed, they sat on the ground, chatting whilst drawing.
"Kids," I called, catching their attention. Their heads snapped in my direction, both grinning. Eric stood beside me.
"We...we have some important news to share with you." I announced. I glanced at Eric, who wore a small smile on his lips. He nodded at me, reassuringly.
"What is it, mommy?" Sophia asked, with a confused pout on her lips. I exhaled softly, biting down on my bottom lip.
"Well, you guys like it here, right?" I started off. A gentle approach would be less surprising. Although I knew the twins would be thrilled with the news they'd receive, I still wanted to be cautious and not throw it straight out.
Slow and steady.
"Yes! Love it!" Drew chirped up. I shot him a smile, letting go of my lip, which was latched between my teeth.
"Well, your dad and I figured it would be better if we move here." I slowly said.
"We're moving in." I declared. The two's eyes widened, both furrowing, before slowly beaming in happiness.
"Seriously, Ma?" Drew asked with a grin.
"Seriously." I chuckled. Sophia stood up, running to hug my leg. I smiled, hugging her back.
"Come here, champ." Eric rasped, squatting down to engulf a grinning Drew. He giggled as he was embraced into a hug by his father. My heart warmed and I couldn't help but think how perfect the moment was.
But like always - no perfect moments lasts for long.
"What did I just hear?!" An angry, high-pitched voice yelled. All our eyes trailed over to her. There she stood in the doorway, glaring with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Janice," I heard Eric sigh.
"Don't 'Janice' me! What did I just hear? Please tell me it's not true, or I swear I will..." She trailed off, muttering to herself. I noticed the kids frown in confusion.
"How could you make such a decision without consulting me first?" She fired. Eric's face became emotionless, and he stood up, facing her.
"Can we not do this right now, Janice?" He sternly said. I bit down on my bottom lip, locking my eyes on the carpentered ground.
"No! We're doing this right now! What's gotten into you, E? You're seriously letting the same witch back into your life?!" She screamed. A layer of range built in my stomach, but I held back from spitting out a comment. My children were present.
"Janice!" Eric growled in a warning tone.
"What? You don't like me calling her that? Well, I'm sorry, but it's the truth. She's just trying to find a way back into your life...she wants to hurt you again, E."
I bit down on my bottom lip, inhaling a deep breath. Her words were lies, all terrible, horrible lies.
"That's not true." I finally let out. She arched a brow, her eyes darting to me.
"Oh, it's not?"
"Yes, Janice, it's not. Now stop trying to brainwash him with your cheap thoughts." I muttered. Her eyes glowered at me.
"This has nothing to do with you, so I suggest you keep your mouth closed." She flashed a sarcastic smile my way.
"Oh, but it does. You're here talking about me, and referring to me as a witch. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with me." I arched a brow. She huffed, darting her eyes back to Eric.
"You're sleeping on the couch tonight, Eric. And don't you dare think this conversation is over!" She coldly muttered, before strutting away.
"She's deluded if she thinks I'm sleeping on the couch. It's my fucking house." I heard him mutter under his breath.
I let out a sigh, peering down at the children, who wore confused expressions.
"She's really mean, mommy! I don't like her!" Sophia frowned.
"Yeah, me too, if anything, she's the witch." Drew joined in. They both giggled, making me smile in return.
"That's enough now, kids. Don't speak about your elders like that." I told them sternly, not wanting them to pick up bad manners. They nodded, bowing their heads.
"Now go play, I'll fix you both up a snack that you can munch on later." I smiled. They nodded, before dashing out the door to play.
My eyes darted back to Eric, who was watching me intensely.
"Are you okay?" I softly asked him. He sighed, nodding.
"I'm fine."
"But is everything going to be all right? I don't want to be the cause of a...a fight between you two." I frowned. He exhaled, looking at me with soft eyes.
"Don't pay her words any attention, okay?" He asked. I nodded, hesitantly.
"I'll sort things out. And if she likes it or not, you're staying." He muttered, firmly.
---
I watched as the twins bounced the ball around while I sat outside. A half-smile was on my lips, but my mind couldn't help but think back to earlier on. Of course Janice would have her own opinion on the decision Eric and I had made.
She didn't think about how happy it would make Eric. Nor did she think about how it could resolve Eric's depression. No - she only thought of herself. She was selfish, and it only added on to my hatred towards her.
She was once told me that she loved Eric. Yet, it was a lie. If she really loved him; she would put his happiness over everything. Just to see him smile.
That was love.
Sighing, I was pulled out of my thoughts when hearing footsteps approach me. My head shot up towards the door, finding the sight of a tired looking Eric. I pulled myself up, standing on my feet.
"Hey," I softly approached him. He half-smiled at me, nodding.
"Hey." He mumbled.
So, how did it go?
I wanted to ask him. But that was too straight forward.
"Is everything alright?" I asked instead. He pursed his lips, scratching the stubble on his chin. He shrugged, his eyes darting to mine. My stomach couldn't help but flip-flop from just looking at him. He was so beautiful.
"If you mean if Janice has finally become a reasonable, less self-absorbed person - then, no." He muttered. I couldn't help but grow curious to as why he called her all these names. My brows furrowed.
"That's not how you talk about the one you love." I blurted out without a second thought. I bowed my head, clearing my throat.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have -"
"- But it doesn't matter if Janice agrees or not, I've already made it clear that you three will be staying." He stated, ignoring what I had said. I nodded, smiling at him lightly.
"As long...as long this doesn't cause any problems between you two." I mumbled.
"It won't." He firmly replied. I nodded, pursing my lips and breaking our gaze. A moment of silence hung in the air and I glanced around.
"Dad!" I heard a voice call. I looked forward, seeing Drew with a smirk on his lips.
"Hey, Champ." Eric rasped. His eyes darted between Eric and I, before a grin grew on his lips.
"Can we go swimming today?" He gushed. I felt myself tense, playing with the ends of my shirt's sleeve.
"Of course we can. Go wear the swimsuits I brought for you and Sophia the other day." He chuckled. Drew grinned, running back to Sophia, I presumed to the share the exciting news. A small smile played on my lips, yet I felt my heart pound in nervousness.
"And you, Lea." He rasped, his voice sounding much closer. I looked up, meeting eyes with his, him standing inches away from me.
"Go get ready." He demanded. I opened my mouth to refuse.
"You have nothing to be afraid about. Remember, the kids love you. They won't be disgusted." He softly said. I nodded, closing my eyes for a second.
"Okay," I shakily whispered.
It was time to face one of my biggest fears.
My burns being revealed to my children.
---
(Eric's Pov)
My eyes were set on her. I watched as she shifted on spot, bluntly feeling uncomfortable at the situation I had purposely put her in. Not to make her feel uncomfortable, but to make her face her silly fear.
I had faith in our children. I had seen the strong bond the three shared, and I knew for a fact, they wouldn't react with disgust. Sure, they'd be a little confused, curious and shocked. But they were children - it was natural for them to think that way.
I sighed, crossing my arms over my bare chest. When Lea had stepped out in the backyard, dressed in a sundress reaching her knees, I let out a exhale of disappointment. I knew it was hard for her to show her burns, but one day, sooner or later, they'd see for themselves.
If she told them at a young age, they'd react differently. More understanding and curious - questions that she'd be able to answer. So there she stood, a small smile on her lips as she watched our children play around in the pool.
I exhaled deeply. I made my way over to her, running a hand through my mess of hair.
"Hey," I mumbled. Her eyes widened and she glanced over to me. I noticed her eyes trailed over my tattooed chest, before she hurriedly pulled them away.
"Hi," She quietly replied, her fingers digging into the dress she was wearing.
Fidgeting; something she did when she was nervous or uncomfortable.
"Didn't listen to me, I see." I sighed. She bowed her head, chewing on her bottom lip. I clenched my jaw, feeling a shoot of arousal tingle in the pit of my stomach. God, only she could affect me like this by such an innocent action.
"I'm sorry." She sighed. I scoffed, causing her head to turn and look at me.
"Don't say sorry to me, Lea. You'll be feeling that way when they find out when they're older. They'll probably be upset at you for not telling them sooner. But, it's not my problem. So do whatever." I shrugged, walking off, only hoping she'd pay attention to my words.
While I let her think, I jumped into the pool, playing a game of 'Catch'. The kids had teamed up on me, and eventually, I let them win, finding it amusing how excited they could get.
"We won! We won!" Drew taunted. I playfully rolled my eyes, standing up to dry myself from the water.
"Yeah, yeah." I chuckled.
"Where's mommy?" I heard Sophia ask. I tensed, slowly looking down at her.
"She's, uh, she's -"
"- Right here." The familiar voice called. All eyes turned to look at her, and I was left breathless from the sight. Dressed in a dark red swimsuit, her breast outlined, and her ass, God, I could only imagine.
"Ma," Drew gasped, narrowing his eyes at his mother's faint burns.
"What happened?" Sophia said with worry in her eyes. Lea glanced at me, making me smile in assurance.
And so the conversation took place. While she shared her fatal accidents with her children, they both listened in interest and worry. Sophia even shred a few tears, giving her a big hug, Drew following.
"I always knew you were a Queen, Mommy. A strong one."
Sophia had said. While Drew was quiet, giving her a hug and kissing her cheek. It was sweet moment, and I watched with a smile. I noticed relief cross Lea's eyes as our children reacted how I thought they would.
Not disgusted, just curious.
"What are you thinking about?" I felt a gentle nudge on the side of my hip. I shook off my thoughts, turning to face Lea with a small smile.
"I'm proud of you." I honestly told her. A small glint flashed across her eyes, before she blushed and smiled.
"Thank you,"
Little did she know the effect her smile had on me.
After a while, the sun began setting and the temperature had picked up. The kids ran inside, a towel wrapped over their shoulders. I chuckled, turning to face Lea who had a towel around her shoulders too. Even though she was hesitant, she jumped into the pool later on, making me smile greatly.
"Thanks for this. I'm sure the kids love you even more now." She giggled. I couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. They're always going on about how cool you are and what not." She jokingly rolled her eyes.
"Well, I mean, I don't blame them." I playfully said. She shook her head with a grin. The air suddenly grew silent, but it wasn't awkward. It was comfortable. My eyes admired the sight in-front of me. I watched as she thoroughly dried her hair with the towel, a pout of concentration on her lips.
I couldn't help myself as I walked a little closer, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her into me. A yelp of surprise left her lips.
"Red is definitely your color." I rasped into her neck. A whimper left her lips, and I let my lips brush against the soft skin. I pulled back, licking my lips as I peered down at her.
"You think so, huh?" She arched a brow. I nodded, my eyes darting to her lips.
"I'm sure of it." I growled, before leaning down to capture her lips with mine. A shoot of warmth sprawled up inside of me. Tingles which I thought only happened to girls, occurred in my stomach. I pulled her in closer, feeling her breast push up against my chest.
My hands trailed down to her ass, not being able to control myself as I squeezed it. Breathlessly, we pulled back and I smirked.
"It's getting late, Lea. We should head inside." I pecked her lips once more, before pulling back and smugly walking inside the house.
My lips tingling from her touch.
And I smiled.
A real smile.
•••••
(AN) Hey guys! I didn't know how to end it, but there you go, a little moment. Anyways, what do you think will happen in the next chapter? Just letting you know more moments like this are to come :) Told you this sequel wasn't all sad. It's a mix, hehe. Anyways what did you think of the chapter?
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