18 REBECCA One and a half hours later , the kids and I walked into Central Park : Reiner and I had agreed to meet near the ice cream cart , which , of course , was the childrens favorite thing . The two of them were incredibly excited : even though I was holding their hands , they were constantly trying to run in every direction , searching for their dad . As soon as Id told them what we would actually be doing that afternoon , their little faces had lit up like never before : surprise , excitement , curiosity… oh , theyd never been more beautiful . After an initial moment of shock , theyd started running , shouting , and jumping on any surface that allowed it : they were the picture of happiness , and just like Reiner , they bombarded me with questions about him . I answered some while others I left for him . After all , I couldnt spoil every surprise . Wayne was … lets say a little less thrilled than the kids : if I thought convincing him to go home after lunch was difficult , convincing him of the goodness of my idea to introduce Reiner to the kids was even worse . He was extremely protective of us and very wary of Reiner : I didnt blame him at all if only , I was grateful : he loved those little ones like nephews , and me like the sister he never had . Wayne and Ravi were , and would always be , family . He only truly surrendered when I assured him that Reiner really didnt have any intention to take Jim and Vi away from me that Id felt it loud and clear in his mind , and that his only desire was to get to know them : just like it had happened to me , finding out that he was no longer the Alpha and had been exiled reassured him quite a bit . Nevertheless , he decided to verify that information with a source inside the pack who confirmed that yes , Garrett was the new Alpha and that Reiner had been exiled for refusing to become his Beta and leaving the pack without swearing loyalty to the new Alpha . When I found out about that ( something that Reiner hadnt told me ) , Id felt sick to my stomach : not only had they taken away his fathers legacy , they had also tried to mock him . Daddy , Daddy , Daddy ! Violet grinned , happily bouncing . Just like her brother , she was a bundle of happiness and excitement : she couldnt wait to meet him . She and Jim kept looking around , trying to spot him . Five minutes and well be there , little one , I reassured her , unable to hide my smile . I loved seeing her so happy and the fact that my previous encounter with Reiner had gone so well made me feel at ease about seeing him again . 1/4 ig Point 18 In the end , neither of us had ever mentioned what had happened four years earlier nor had he asked why I hadnt told him about the kids , something he had every right to inquire about . It was clear that , at least in that moment of his life , he had no desire to dwell on past pains he just wanted to move forward and start a new life . I was more than happy to support him : despite the recent developments with his family , I wasnt sure that if I had told him the truth about what happened four years ago , he would have believed me . Considering that , as far as he knew , I had cheated on him , he probably didnt have much trust in me and I knew that when you lost Reiners trust , regaining it was a real challenge : he would likely think I was lying to take advantage of him . Even if that wasnt the case , my last encounter with Sheila and the images of the deepfake she had used to turn Reiner against me were still an open wound , never fully healed , that haunted me more nights than I cared to admit . The mere thought of talking about it made my stomach churn . Lets leave things as they are , I decided . If he wont bring it up , I wont either . Lets focus on the kids theyre all that matters now . I extended a thread of thought toward Reiner , finding him instantly . Where are you ? Exactly where you told me , next to the ice cream cart , he replied promptly … and very hurriedly . You have no reason to be nervous , I chuckled . Yeah , well , easier said than done , he retorted . Where are you guys ? Just around the corner . The kids and I turned the corner just as Reiner turned toward us : and I realized Id never , ever forget that moment . The rest of the world disappeared , and time seemed to stand still : it was just the four of us and that invisible thread that bound us all together . For an e endless moment , none of us moved : Reiner stared at the kids , shocked and teary eyed , and they looked at him with the same emotions in their eyes . They didnt even ask me if it was really him : they had no doubt about it . They , I knew , could feel it . That was the precise moment , I realized , when we truly became a family . When the dream Reiner and I had fought so hard for became a reality . The next moment , time and space resumed their flow and the kids ran toward Reiner . DAD ! they shouted , flying toward him : and Reiner , without missing a beat , knelt down and 2/4 18 opened his arms just in time for them to dive into them . In that very moment , as Reiners arms closed around them as he hugged them , and I felt love and happiness explode in his chest … it was as if something in me clicked into place like the missing piece of a puzzle . Hey , you guys ! Reiner exclaimed , holding them tightly . Youve grown so much ! I kept a little distance as they finally met , hugged , and got to know each other : and when Reiner pulled out two gifts , one wrapped in pink and one in blue shining paper , the kids went even more wild . What are you doing , standing there like a statue ?, he asked , chuckling . Come here . Something warmed in me at those words something I quickly hid : it wasnt a good idea for him to sense certain things through our bond . After all , we were there solely for the kids . So , I joined them , crouching down beside them . In a split second , Jim wrapped his arms around my neck , still bouncing . Look , Mommy ! he exclaimed , excited to show me his new toy . Reiner had gotten him a mechanical dinosaur that moved , made sounds , and had glowing eyes . For Violet , hed chosen a beautiful doll ( the exact one I had planned to get her for Christmas ) , complete with a pacifier , little outfits , and a diaper . Theyre beautiful , I smiled , trying to recover from the kids onslaught . Did you say thank you ? Oh , dont be a bore , Becks , Reiner chuckled . Thanks , Daddy! the kids exclaimed , hugging him and planting kisses on his cheeks . So , Reiner said after a while . Whos up for some ice cream ? Naturally , his proposal was met with jubilant cheers : and so , the four of us ( it felt so strange to finally say that! ) headed toward the ice cream cart . Yes , I thought , watching Reiner literally glow with happiness and the kids bask in their dads embrace . Yes , itll be fine . 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