toykathy:


chai!! That zobo n pepper soup don suffer for my hand
*sits comfortably bsyd chuks87*
BTW i no be him o, i be her

Helo!! wat r u tryin to say/do so u hv plans abi ,,, it will not work ...

Omavik:
Helo!! wat r u tryin to say/do so u hv plans abi ,,, it will not work ...

plans? Say wetin happen? U better adjust well if nt i go use my heavy duty buutts push u comot.

toykarthy n omavik ....abeg o..... pls let peace b still...na wetin nah...

chuks87:
toykarthy n omavik ....abeg o..... pls let peace b still...na wetin nah...

Dnt mind toykathy,,she too bully person...

Omavik:
Dnt mind toykathy,,she too bully person...

abeg.... make una try reason una selves... tnx o

chuks87:

abeg.... make una try reason una selves... tnx o

we re peacemakers o, we just dey play nau. *Omavik oya come sit 4 my lap, take dis chilled apple fanta cool ur body*

Yawns *change position and continue sleeping*

nellytivities:
Queen Nelly, please do and update. Nigerians don start. Shey you want make this place scatter? People don dey claim fridge and drinks and zobo. Everyone is getting exhausted with the wait. Oya o!

thanks dear am on it .....

CHAPTER EIGHT

The following evening Ben and Ruby went to Hannah 's. He stayed behind reconciling inventory when he heard the front door open. He glanced up to see Ruby standing in the doorway to the living room, her face twisted with emotion.
"She 's going, " she said.
"She 's leaving next week! " she ran across the room into his hands, pressing her face into his neck.
He closed his arms around her and cupped the back of her head with his hand.
"Its okay, Rubes. "
"I don't want her to go."
He didn't know what to say. He couldn't make promises on Hannah's behalf. He had no idea when she planned to come back, or if she planned to come back at all. He suspected Hannah didn't know herself. That was part of the appeal of the open road.
He heard the sound of the front door opening again and a couple of seconds later Ben entered the living room, Hannah hard on his heels. She looked stricken where she saw Ruby in his arms.
"Oh, man, " Ben said
"She 'll be alright, " Joe said to Hannah. "I think you just took her by surprise. "
"I wish I could stay, sweetheart. But this is something I 've dreamed of doing ever since I was your age. I 've been collecting maps and tourist guides for years. Look, its not like I will be gone forever. I 'll come back. My mom lives right next door --- I have to come back or she 'll kill me."
He glanced down and saw that Ruby was smiling a little now.
"Will you send me postcards? "
"Every week," Hannah said. I promise.
Ruby walked across the room and wrapped her arms around Hannah 's waist, laying her head against Hannah 's hip. "Its going to be weird without you."
Hannah blinked rapidly. "Yeah."
Joe became aware of Ben standing to one side, the expression on his face an odd mixture of envy and scorn as he watched Hannah embrace his sister. Joe had a sudden memory of Beth sitting on the couch, Ben snuggled in her arms as she read him a book. She 'd been warm and affectionate, kisses and cuddles before bedtime, tickle wrestling on the living room rug.
Ben missed being held by his mother, just as Ruby clearly craved a woman 's touch. For a moment Joe felt very heavy with regret. There were so many losses he could never hope to replace, too many gaps in their lives for him to even come close to filling them all.
"I was thinking that maybe before you go I could go for a ride around the block on your bike, Ruby said." She kept her voice clearly innocent, but she was asking.
"You are such a baby, Ruby. No way is Dad going to let you go on a motorbike, " Ben chipped in.
"It was worth a try." Ruby 's grin was cheeky.
"Yes, it was," Joe agreed. "Now who wants a hot chocolate before bed? "
"Me." Ruby said, twisting away from Hannah and racing for the kitchen. Ben followed suit.
Joe looked to Hannah. "Can we tempt you?"
"Thanks, but I 'd better go. Maybe another time. "
"Sure. He followed Hannah to the door.
"I 'm leaving next weekend. Saturday precisely."
"Okay "
A long silence .........
"I 'd better go, " she said.
"Okay ".
When she turned away, her movement were jerky, almost as though it has taken an effort to drag herself away.
He closed the door after her, staring at the wooden surface blindly.
One more week, then she 'd be gone.
Damn.

**********★★**********

The following friday night, Hannah checked her camping gear one last time. Her mother stood to one side of the garage, arms crossed tightly over her body.
"I can't believe you're really going. You've talked about this for so many years, and now this is finally it, " her mom said.
"Yep."
"What time are you leaving tomorrow? "
"Ten."
Her mother pressed her lips together, but Hannah could see she was close to tears.
"Mom, I 'll call every week, I promise. "
"Alright. I know. Its just going, to be lonely without you here." She sighed. "Is anything happening with Joe or not? "
"He 's got two kids to consider and I 'm hitting the road. What do you think? "
"I think you should hang around and see what happens. "
"I can't. What if it does not work out again? What if I 'm not the woman Joe thinks I am or something else goes wrong? Am I supposed to pick myself up and dust myself off all over again? "
"You're scared. "
"Of course I 'm scared. I 'd be stupid if I wasn't. We're supposed to learn from past mistakes, aren't we? "
Hannah 's mother smiled sadly. "Loving someone is always a risk, sweetheart. That's why its so exciting and terrifying all at the same time."
"Right now I 'm willing to pass on the excitement if it means I don't have to put up with the terrifying. "
"If you could see the way Joe looks at you when you're not watching ........"
Hannah 's chest tightened. She took a deep breadth. "Mom, I don't want to talk about it. I 've made my decision, I 've said my goodbyes. I 'm leaving tomorrow. "
Her mother flinched and Hannah knew she'd hurt her feelings.
"Okay. Well, I 'll leave you to it and I 'll see you in the morning. "
"Mom......"
"Its okay, Hannah, I understand. "
Hannah kissed her good night then her mother disappeared into the house and she was once again alone.
She checked a few more last minute things then went in to the house. Satisfied she had everything in order, she crawled into bed. She rolled onto her side and stared into the darkness.
I wish he 'd never kissed me. I wish he was just a man with two kids and a dead wife who happened to live next door. She thought .....
But Joe had kissed her, and he 'd become more than her neighbor. A lot more.
"So stupid, " she muttered.

Eventually she fell asleep but woke up with her stomach tense with nerves and she had to force herself to eat a decent breakfast. As ten o 'clock drew closer she grew more and more nervous, her gaze darting to her watch every few minutes.
Ruby had made a point of saying she'd be over at ten to see her off. Hannah was dreading saying goodbye to her little buddy. She was also terrified Ruby would be accompanied by her father. She didn't trust herself not to say or do something embrassing and revealing. Like throw herself at him and ask him to tell her to stay.
She was in the garage when Ruby appeared, Joe was with her, and Ben. A lump formed in the back of Hannah's throat.
"Hey, " she said. Somehow her voice sounded normal.
"We bought you a going away present, " Ruby said.
"You didn't have to do that. " she looked to Joe, frowning.
Joe lifted a shoulder. "Don't look at me. It was Ruby and Ben's idea."
"Here, " Ruby said, holding out a neatly wrapped parcel. She moved closer and Hannah could feel the little girl watching and waiting for her reaction. Hannah eased the tape free of the paper and saw what they bought her : a pair of beautiful leather motorcycle gloves.
"Thank you. These are wonderful. "
Ruby looked at her brother. "You were right, " she said, resigned. She turned back to Hannah to explain. "I wanted to get you perfume but Ben thought you'd prefer these."
"Perfume would have been lovely but these are perfect, Ben. Thank you."
"It was just an idea, that's all." Ben said with teen discomfort.
"A great idea. I love them. They're miles better than my old gloves."
Hannah sank to one knee and opened her arms and Ruby stepped into them for one last hug.
Ruby sniffed and nodded her head. With a sigh she stepped back, using her forearm to wipe her eyes.
Hannah glanced at Ben but his body language told her he wouldn't welcome a hug the way his sister had. She held out her clenched hand instead and they bumped fists.
She flicked another look at Joe. He was staring at the ground. There was no way she was hugging or kissing him in front of the kids. Because she didn't know how to say goodbye to him, she zipped her jacket and reached for her new gloves.
"I guess I 'd better get this show on the road."
Hannah flexed her hands in her new gloves, smiling to show Ben and Ruby how much she appreciated them.
She was aware that she and Joe had barely exchanged a word. She had no idea what he was thinking or feeling, if the uncertainty and regret she felt was one sided or shared.
But she'd made her decision. As she'd told her mother last night, she wasn't prepared to gamble with her heart again. There was nothing to do but look forward.
Hannah turned the key to start the bike, she twisted and the bike rolled out of the garage and into the street. She paused for a moment, one foot on the ground, and glanced over her shoulder. She lifted her hand in a last farewell.
Her mother came out of the house, mopping at her tears with a wad of tissues. Ben stood off to one side, a frown on his face. Ruby had turned her face into her fathers belly, her arms wrapped around his waist. Joe's attention was on his daughter. He didn't so much as glance up.
She turned away eased the bike off down the street. She told herself not to look back again, but she couldn't resist a glance in the rearview mirror.
Her mother was turning towards the house, but Joe and Ruby and Ben still stood watching her. For the first time she saw emotion on Joe's face --- disappointment, frustration, regret. Then the road demanded her attention and she turned the corner and they were gone..........

Joe went over and over those last few minutes with Hannah during the following weeks. He should have said something. Given her his best wishes. Made a joke, at the very least. Instead, he'd stood there and let her ride away.
He told himself it was for the best. Safer. Easier. But when he came home at night and saw the garage door open, he remembered what it had been like to feel how soft her skin was and how kind she'd been to his children.
For the first time in two years Beth was absent from his dreams. There was only Hannah, her body firm and warm under his hands, her taste in his mouth. Teasing him, then walking away. Or staring at him expectantly, waiting for him to say or do the one thing that would make her stay.
The first postcard arrived on the wednesday after she left. Hannah wrote that the weather was fine. She missed Ruby and her new gloves were the best she'd ever owned. Lastly, she asked Ruby to say hello to everyone for her.
Ruby read it aloud three times before mounting it on a bulletin board on her bedroom wall.
The second postcard arrived a week after the first. Ruby pressed another pin into the map and taped to the board in her room.
Joe told himself that soon he would stop thinking about Hannah. They'd had one date and shared a handful of kisses. It was stupid to be so hung up on someone and something that had never really happened.
But it seems he was destined to be stupid. He wanted her, and her being gone didn't seem to make a Damn bit of difference to that fact.

**********★★**********

Three weeks after her departure from home, Hannah stood on a beach in the Northern Australia. A strong breeze blew her hair off her face and pressed her clothes against her body. She told herself how lucky she was to be here, seeing this, experiencing this moment.
After a few minutes, she started back to the campground where she'd pitched her tent last night. The beach would soon be filled with tourists and locals. If she wanted to, she could put on her swimsuit and take a towel and a book down to the water to join them. There was no work to get to, no one else's needs or desires to consider. She could lazy the day out but the problem was, she didn't want to. She'd woken this morning with Joe's face in her mind and her hands clenching the the fabric of her sleeping bag. This was supposed to be her dream, but every day she'd had to remind herself how lucky she was, how beautiful the landscape was and how much she looked forward to finally seeing all the places she'd circled on the map over the years.
Her heart wasn't in it. That was the truth of the matter. Her dream had changed.
Her heart was back fixed on a tall, dark haired man with sad eyes and the most incredible smile in the world.
Every postcard she'd sent to Ruby had taken her hours to compose. She'd told Ruby about her adventures and the people she'd met. And all the while, the only thing she wanted to write was : Does he miss me? Does he think about me? Does he feel the same way I do?
She stared at her campsite — the tent, bedroll, sack of clothing. She thought about the years she'd planned this adventure. Then she knelt and began to pull the tent pegs from the ground. Within twenty minutes she had the tent packed away. Half an hour later her goods were once again strapped to the back of her motorcycle. She didn't look back as she rode out of Townsville Australia .....,.

CHAPTER NINE

Joe woke early. He rubbed his tired eyes and stared at the ceiling. So much for the blissful escape of sleep. Hannah came to him every night. If he couldn't have the real Hannah, he'd settle for a dream of her, even if it was driving him crazy.
He glanced at the alarm clock. Just after 6:00am. Great. The kids had stayed at his mothers last night since he worked late due to staffing problems. He'd arranged to pick them up at midday, which left him with a whole size hours to fill.
He rolled out of bed and reached for his jeans. Barefoot and bare chested, he walked to collect the newspaper from the mailbox. He was scanning the front page when he heard the low rumble of a motorbike engine in the distance. His head came up and his muscles tensed. Which was stupid, because there was no way it was Hannah.
The engine noise grew louder as he started towards the house. He glanced up over his shoulder, his pace slowing. Sure enough, a motorbike turned into the street.
His hands tightened around the newspaper. He stopped in his tracks and turned and stared as the bike slowed and then stopped in front of his house.
It was her. It had to be her.
He barely stopped himself from breaking into a run as he made his way down the driveway, dropping the newspaper behind him. Hannah slid off her helmet, shaking out her hair. He stopped in front of the bike.
"You're back, " he said.
"Yeah. "
It occurred to him that something pretty serious must have happened to bring her home early.
"Is everything all right? " he asked. "Is Robyn okay? "
"She 's fine. I came back because I forgot something ........"
There was a look in her eyes ...
"What did you forget? "
She held his gaze and stepped closer, so close her jacket brushed his bare chest.
"This," she said. "I forgot to do this."
She reached up and curled a hand around the back of his neck and pressed a kiss to his lips. For a moment he was blown away by her return, by the fact that she was kissing him, that this was real. Three weeks of dreams. Three weeks of calling himself an idiot for letting her go without even trying to get her to stay......
Hunger and lust and relief rose inside him in equal measure. He wrapped his arms around her, her mouth opened under his.
She tasted of sunlight, like salvation, a new beginning. Hope.
After long, breathless moments they broke apart to stare at each other.
"Come inside? " he asked.
She flicked a glance towards his house. He knew what she was thinking, what she was worried about.
"The kids are with mom "
She sighed in relief. "That's great. Because I don't think I can wait a minute longer. "
He lost track of time for a while. The world became only her and him and soon they were touching one another, exploring, encouraging, discovering..........
Pleasure rushed through him and he tried to hold off, but it had been so long and he'd been dreaming of this for weeks. It had been a long time since he'd held anyone or been held.
"I missed you, " he said.
"I could tell."
He curved a hand around her cheek. Thank God she came back. He thought to himself.
She lifted a hand and traced his lips with a finger.
"You have the best smile. When I first saw it my knees literally went weak.
"When I first saw you, I thought you were a man, " he said.
She gasped and punched him on the shoulder. He laughed and caught her hand.
He kissed her, and things soon became heated all over again. Afterward, she fell asleep in his arms, he must have drifted off as well because he woke to a gentle nudge in the ribs.
"Wake up, sleepyhead, " she said. "What time did you say you had to pick Ben and Ruby up? "
"Midday. "
"Well, its eleven. "
She rolled toward the edge of the bed.
"Ruby will jump out of her skin when she hears you're back, " he said.
"Yeah? "
He watched as she pulled on her underwear.
"How do you think she'll feel about this? " she asked, her gesture taking in the rumpled bed and him lying in it.
"I don't know. There hadn't been anyone after Beth. Probably the best thing for us to do is to take things slowly, " he said.
She nodded. "Sure. "
"Maybe you should come out for dinner with us tonight. Let the kids get used to you being around them again. "
She smiled. "That sounds good."
She zipped her jeans and tugged her tank top on. He stared at her, barely able to believe that the past few hours had really happened, that she was here. That she'd come back for him. For a moment, all his doubts and uncertainties fell away.
Hannah was home. The rest they could make up as they went along.

Hmm joe u beta dnt slack dis tym around

queen u did nt even tel us who won d mother-daughter fashion parade
We already knw who won so dnt do ojoro

feelinq that are never expressed are really hurtinq.

Queennelly your last updates were awesome. Thankz for the updates.

Mehn na now I just wake up oooo, it's either chuks or my rummie, one of them must have put something in that zobo. anyway I'm awake now so una plan no go work. ehen queennelly, cool story so far, but make I no lie I been expect details of d tidy.

toykathy:


we re peacemakers o, we just dey play nau. *Omavik oya come sit 4 my lap, take dis chilled apple fanta cool ur body*

yes o,,chucks we just playin to kill boredom since nelly no com update....
*gladly sips d apple drink*
tnx sisi

that was breathtaking Queennelly, thz alot for d update

Onemansquad:
Hmm joe u beta dnt slack dis tym around

queen u did nt even tel us who won d mother-daughter fashion parade
We already knw who won so dnt do ojoro

well they won oooooo.

stuff46:
feelinq that are never expressed are really hurtinq.

Queennelly your last updates were awesome. Thankz for the updates.

yeah it hurts a lot

u r welcome

Uchexxy:
Mehn na now I just wake up oooo, it's either chuks or my rummie, one of them must have put something in that zobo. anyway I'm awake now so una plan no go work. ehen queennelly, cool story so far, but make I no lie I been expect details of d tidy.

lol.... I dnt do details u know .....Hahaha..... Thank God u r awake.

toykathy:
that was breathtaking Queennelly, thz alot for d update

u r welcome dear

Uchexxy:
Mehn na now I just wake up oooo, it's either chuks or my rummie, one of them must have put something in that zobo. anyway I'm awake now so una plan no go work. ehen queennelly, cool story so far, but make I no lie I been expect details of d tidy.

no wonda u dy slip lyk fowl since morning

Uchexxy:
Mehn na now I just wake up oooo, it's either chuks or my rummie, one of them must have put something in that zobo. anyway I'm awake now so una plan no go work. ehen queennelly, cool story so far, but make I no lie I been expect details of d tidy.

loolzzzz... blame ur roomie, others drank and got 6 pack abs

Omavik:
yes o,,chucks we just playin to kill boredom since nelly no com update....
*gladly sips d apple drink*
tnx sisi

lolzzz... una scared the hell outta me...

Uchexxy:
Mehn na now I just wake up oooo, it's either chuks or my rummie, one of them must have put something in that zobo. anyway I'm awake now so una plan no go work. ehen queennelly, cool story so far, but make I no lie I been expect details of d tidy.

The details wey you receive no reach? Go check p*rn site oga. Lol
Queen Nelly, please do not think of including whoever won the parade to the story. When you do, it becomes more like a Bollywood movie. You understand Abi? The main point of that chapter should just be to show that she was getting along with the kids abeg.
Nice story. I actually had tears in my eyes when I was reading through that scene of her in the garage before departure.

nellytivities:

The details wey you receive no reach? Go check p*rn site oga. Lol
Queen Nelly, please do not think of including whoever won the parade to the story. When you do, it becomes more like a Bollywood movie. You understand Abi? The main point of that chapter should just be to show that she was getting along with the kids abeg.
Nice story. I actually had tears in my eyes when I was reading through that scene of her in the garage before departure.

thanks dear....glad u share my idea..... bollywood kwa lol. ROFL

Hannah was nervous as she got ready that night, sweaty palms, shaking hands all for a casual dinner at Joe's.
The thing was she had thought about Joe and his kids the whole of her journey. She'd thought about the way Ruby looked at her with so much trust. If things work out between her and Joe, she would be stepping into some pretty big shoes, and it would be foolish to assume that everything would go smoothly. She couldn't believe she was standing in her mothers house thinking about becoming a stepmom.
Then she thought about the way Joe had looked standing in the street this morning wearing nothing but jeans. The look on his face, the hope in his eyes ..... this was about more than sex. This was real. And more than anything she wanted it to work.
A knock sounded on the door and her mother popped her head in.
"I knew you'd come back! I knew you were too smart to throw away something so good, " Robyn said throwing her arms around Hannah.
Hannah met her mom's eyes. "Thanks for being so patient with me, Mom. "
"I had a feeling about Joe the moment I met him, " Robyn said. "He's a good man. I think you can make each other happy. "
"I hope so."
"And those children need you so much, Hannah. "
"They have to get used to their dad dating me first."
"I'm sure they'll be fine with it. It's not like you're some stranger he's bringing into the home."
"Maybe. Anyway, we're going to take it easy to start with. I'm meeting them for dinner as a friend, that's all."
Her mother frowned. "You mean you are going to lie to them? You gave up your dream for him. What more does he want? "
"It's okay. Really. I understand his kids have to come first.
Hannah grabbed her purse and left.
Joe was waiting for her up front when she arrived. Inside, Ruby was sitting on the edge of her chair and she shot to her feet the moment she saw Hannah. Her arms wrapping around Hannah 's waist.
"You're back, " Ruby said.
"That's right ."
Ruby's arms tightened and Hannah had to blink back tears. It wasn't until that moment that she'd realized exactly how much she'd missed Ruby.
Ben had remained with his father, but he offered her a shy smile when she and Ruby finally made their way to the table.
"I thought you'd planned your trip for years, I thought it was your big dream. " Ben said frowning.
Hannah met Joe's eyes for a moment before looking away. "It was. But it turned out that I 'd outgrown that old dream. I realized I wanted to be here more than I wanted to be there. "
The conversation shifted to food and Hannah let out a silent sigh of relief.
She'd thought the evening was going well until Joe and Ruby left to check the cake and Ben turned and nailed her with a direct stare.
"Are you and my dad going out with each other?"

**********★★**********

Hannah blinked, her mind a complete blank for a long, long moment. She'd always been a crappy liar, one of the many reasons why she preferred sticking to the truth. She felt particularly bad lying to Joe's child. "Wow. Where did that come from?" she finally said.
"I known you like him,You look at him all the time." Ben said.
"I think your dad is a really cool guy. But we're just friends at the moment," she lied. It was what Joe had asked her to do, after all.
Ben stared at her for a moment longer before shrugging. "Okay. Whatever."
When they walked out to the street after their meal, Joe let the kids go ahead and caught her hand in his in the darkness.
"How're you doing?" he asked quietly.
"Good. How about you?"
"All good."
she took a deep breath, "You should probably know ___ Ben asked if we were dating when you and Ruby went to check out the cakes.
There was a short silence.
"What did you say?"
"That we were just friends."
"Thanks for that."
She shrugged. "Well i will see you guys later," she said.
"Can I come over tomorrow to work on the bike?" Ruby asked.
"Sure, sweetheart."
Ruby kissed her goodbye, Ben gave her a wary nod, Joe raised a hand in farewell. When she got home, Joe had slipped a note beneath the garage door.

MEET ME OUT FRONT AT 10:30?

She'd been waiting for ten minutes when she heard Joe's front door close later that night. she straightened from her position. He smiled when he saw her.
"You came."
"Yep".
He stepped closer and slid his arms around her. They kissed long and sow, taking their time. "You taste good," Joe whispered near her ear.
"So do you."
They fooled around a little more until they were both hot and bothered. Finally Joe broke their kiss and let his forehead rest against hers.
"The kids go to school at eight thirty on Monday," he said. She could hear the frustration in his voice.
"You wouldn't happen to be setting up a booty call, would you, Mr. Joe?"
"I'm interested in a lot more than your booty."
He tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingers caressign her neck. "Thank you for tonight. For your patience. I know it's not easy----"
"Don't. You don't have to apologize or explain. This is going to be tough for Ben and Ruby. I get that."
He gazed at her, warm with appreciation. "Have I mentioned yet how happy I am that you came home?" There was a serious not to his voice.
"It's good to be back," she said.
"Hannah, You drive me crazy, you know that?" he said.

CHAPTER TEN

Joe tried to gauge his son's mood as they ate breakfast the next morning. Ben was quiet, chewing away at his cereal, his gaze fixed on the tabletop. Joe cleared his throat, determined to get this right with his children.
"So how are things at school these days? Everything good?"
Ben shrugged a shoulder. "It's okay."
"Any new friends?"
"A couple."
JOe pushed his cereal away and focused on his son. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."
Ben fiddled with his spoon, "What did i do wrong now?"
"You didn't do anything wrong.This is about me and Hannah."
Ben's gaze flew to his face. "What about her?"
"Well, she and I have gotten to know each other. And it turns out we both like each other. So, we've decided to start dating."
Ben's eyes burned with intensity as he stared across the table. "What about MOm? Don't you love her anymore?"
"Of course I still love her. But it's been two years, mate, and sometimes it's nice to have someone to go to the movies with and dinner and stuff. We're dating, Joe said firmly. I wanted to give you guys a chance to get used to Hannah being back before I told you about us, but she told me you asked her about it last night."
"Yeah, and she said you were just friends."
"Because I asked her to. Like I said, I wanted you kids to have a chance to get used to her being around first."
Ben stood. "Is that all?"
"Do you have any question? Anything you want to talk about? Joe asked.
Ben simply stared at him for a long moment. "No."
There was no mistaking the anger and hurt in his face.
"Ben......"
"I've got homework to do"
Ben strode for the hall. Just before the exited teh kitchen he dashed his forearm across his eyes. Then he was gone.
Shit. Joe sighed, wondering if he should go after Ben or give him time to cool down and cry a little.
The doorbell rang, the sound echoing through the house, and he pushed himself to his feet.
"I'll get it," Ruby said.
He was halfway up the hallway when he heard Hannah's voice.
"Hey there"
A smile curved Hannah's mouth when he entered the entrance hall and she saw him.
"Hi".
Before he could respond, Ben strode between them and pointed a shaking finger at her.
"You're a liar. A bloody liar." he said.
"Ben!" Joe said, startled by the boy's voice.
Ben shouldered his way rudely past Hannah and out the front door. Joe made eye contact with Hannah.
"Sorry." Then he went after his son.
Ben hadn't gone far. He stood beside the mailbox, his head bowed. Joe stopped in front of him, "I asked Hannah to keep what was happening between us private. That's why she told you we were just friends last night."
"Then you're a liar, too."
"Yes, I guess I am. in this one case. But do you understand why I made that choice? Look at me."
Ben slowly lifted his head. His face was filled with so much misery Joe's chest ached.
"This doesn't change anything between you and me and Ruby. It doesn't mean I love your Mom or any of you less. It only means that Hannah and I are going to spend some time together. Now I want you to come apologize to Hannah."
Ben stiffened. "No way. I didn't do anything wrong. She's the one who lied to me."
"Because I asked her to. I thought you like Hannah. She's been a good friend to our family."
"That was before. She's not my friend. You can't make me like her."
"NO, but I can make you apologize. Right NOw."
"Joe."
He turned to find Hannah standing behind him, a concerned frown on her face.
"It's okay. " she said.
"Ben needs to apologize to you."
"He's allowed to have his feelings," she said. "I understand."
"I wnat you to go to your room,' he said to Ben.
"Fine."
Ben speared Hannah with a burning look as he strode past her.
"I'm sorry. That was my fault." Joe said.
"It's all right. I'd be angry if I was in his shoes too."
Ruby appeared on the doorstep, a frown on her face.
"I need to talk to Ruby," he said.
"I think she's heard enough to have a fair idea of what's going on."
He shook his head. "What a screw up."
"Yeah, well, it could have been worse."
"How so?"
"They could have walked in when we were going at it yesterday morning."
He couldn't help but laugh.
"Let me know if there is anything I can do, okay?" she said.
"Will do."
She gave him a small smile before turning to wave to Ruby and walking away. He watched her for a moment, admiring the swing of her hips.
Then he took a deep breath and went to talk to his daughter.

*****************************

Later that night JOe got a call from his mother. "I thougth you should know that Ben phoned and asked if he could come live with me," she announced.
Joe swore.
"Thats not going to solve anything," his mother said.
"Thank you, I Know that." He took a deep breath and let it out again.
"what's going on? Did you two have a fight or something?"
"I've started dating someone. Ben doesn't approve." he filled his mother in briefly.
"Oh, Joe. You've made a real mess of things, haven't you?"
"I'm open to suggestions," he said.
"Who is this woman anyway? How come I haven't heard about her before?"
"she lives next door."
"The girl Ruby has taken such a shine to?"
"Yes."
"I see." she said drily.
"I thought you'd be happy I was seeding someone."
"I am. But it's not like you only have yourself to think about. It's not enough that you are attracted to this woman. You have children to consider."
"I know all this, MOm. The kids already have a relationship with her. And I wouldn't have gotten them involved if this was just a fling."
"Well, that's good to hear. I only hope she feels the same way."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm not saying she's a bad person, Joe. I'm just saying that you're asking her to take on a lot. And it's going to take a special kind of woman, a very generous woman, to do that."
He stared at the wall. It wasn't as though he'd never considered those issues. But he'd let desire and need override his common sense and caution. Had that been a mistake?
He flashed to the hot and sweaty hour's he'd spent in bed with Hannah the previous morning and the contentment and peace he'd found lying with her in his arms afterward. There hadn't been a doubt in his mind then. He had to hang on to that feeling, to that belief.

nellytivities:

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Queen Nelly, please do not think of including whoever won the parade to the story. When you do, it becomes more like a Bollywood movie. You understand Abi? The main point of that chapter should just be to show that she was getting along with the kids abeg.
Nice story. I actually had tears in my eyes when I was reading through that scene of her in the garage before departure.

eya u mst b 2 emotional

Onemansquad:

eya u mst b 2 emotional

Yeah, sometimes I am. I try to make everything appear real. That way, it is more interesting.

2yrs no tidy and Ben dey vex for him dad? anyway him still small. he is probably feeling insecure though...........keep up d good work queennelly

Am loving this...

Itz lyk am reading harlequin or sillihoute novel.ur really good nelly.kip it up,thumbs up.