20 REBECCA Great job , kids , I praised them as they set the table . Ravi , Wayne , and Reiner would be here any minute now . The kids had been thrilled to meet their dad and hadnt left his side for a moment the day before especially Violet , whod proved to be the daddys girl I always knew she was , falling asleep in his arms during the walk home . My heart nearly burst at the sight of my little girl so relaxed in his embrace , her head resting on his shoulder . Unlike James , who was more outgoing , Violet didnt give her heart and trust to just anyone . Reiner was very , very lucky. As for James … Goddess , I couldnt believe how much that simple afternoon with his dad had impacted on him . Even though he loved spending time with Wayne and Ravi , who had been the only men in his life until then , it was clear from the very first moments with Reiner that … well , it was different . There was such happiness , such anticipation , such wonder in his eyes that it nearly brought me to tears . Also , Jim was a pretty rebellious kid , always trying to dodge the rules but when Reiner had scolded him for wandering off too far , he accepted the reprimand without a fuss . It was the first time I saw him not protest . Yes , I thought . Yes , I did the right thing by bringing them together . It was clear that those three already loved each other to the moon and back : what more could I want for them than the happiness that finally being together gave them ? They certainly deserved it . Uncle Wayne and Uncle Wavi here , I heard Violet say as she set the place cards she had made that morning on the table . Mommy in her place … and Daddy next to me . NO , DADDY NEXT TO ME ! James shouted . I hope you know the kids are fighting over who gets to sit next to you at the table , I quickly wrote to Reiner . He replied instantly , with a laughing emoji . Little rascals . I adore them . Its not fair ! Violet protested . 1/5 +8 Point 20 Easy , guys , I warned . I popped the lasagna into the oven and walked over to them . I understand theres a discussion about where Daddy should sit , hmm ? The kids nodded , glaring at each other . Lets see how youve arranged the places … oh , theres no problem , I reassured them . Well put Daddy at the head of the table , and you two on either side , okay ? That way , hell be next to both of you . The solution , thankfully , resolved any tension between the twins . With a smile , Violet rearranged the place cards just in time for the doorbell to ring . The kids jumped in excitement at the sound and rushed to the door , miraculously avoiding a collision . Moses , curious about the noise , jumped onto the back of the couch and sat , ready to scrutinize whoever was about to walk in . As for me , I had no doubt about who that whoever was : my heart and stomach had started a peculiar dance a few seconds before the doorbell rang . DADDY ! the kids exclaimed , opening the door . Hi , guys ! Reiner smiled , hugging them tightly . Something smells delicious here . I made lasagna with Mommy and Violet made the place cards , James told him as they entered . I gwated all the cheese . Yes , and he came this close to grating his finger , I sighed to myself . I rarely let the kids help in the kitchen I was too afraid theyd get hurt . Their teachers , big advocates of childrens independence , and even Ravi , who often let them help and play in his kitchen , always told me to give them more freedom but it was very , very hard for me to do so . But nothing happened , right ? Reiners voice suddenly got closer and there he was in front of me , with that typical l know it all smirk of his . I glared at him . Have you been sneaking into my head again ? You had that look of yours that says yeah , and look what happened he commented . But considering our son seems to be in one piece , Id say nothing happened and therefore , you have no reason to worry . Hi , Becks , he smiled, wrapping an arm around my waist and gently pulling me close . His hint of a beard pleasantly tickled my cheek as his lips , soft and warm , left a light almost 2/5 +8 Poin 20 imperceptible kiss there : that touch was enough to bring me back to what had happened the night before . Ill try to be on time , Reiner chuckled and I did too . The day had been … magnificent : there were no other words to describe it . Just being next to him , watching him get to know his kids all of us playing together as a family … it had been magnificent . Apparently , Reiner was thinking the same thing : his eyes , though fixed on my face , were slightly unfocused and veiled with tears . If that wasnt enough to tell me what he was thinking , his feelings were : the love , the happiness , and the longing were so intense that I felt them stirring along our bond , like a freshly plucked harp string . Hes beautiful . The thought arose spontaneously in my mind : it was true . Reiner was as handsome as the last time I saw him but now that I saw him not just as my mate , but as the father of my children … now that I saw the love for them on his face … he was a thousand times more handsome . A strange tension began to grow between us between Reiner , standing still in the doorway , and me , just as motionless beside him : it was as if the moment we were living had frozen as if neither of us wanted it to ever end . And suddenly … Oh , Goddess . It was like going back four years suddenly I was in his arms , wrapped in a breathtaking embrace … safe again , against his solid , warm chest . It was as if nothing had ever happened : as if we were still one . As if he still loved me . As if I were still his Becks . Reacting instinctively , I wrapped my arms around his waist . Good heavens how I missed hugging him . Feeling his body under my fingers . Thank you so much , Reiner whispered , his voice low and warm and so damn close to my face . Thank you so much for today, Becks . Those words broke my heart : I hated so much the idea that he felt he had to thank me for getting to know his kids … because he never should have had to . He should have learned about the kids four years ago , with the two onesies I had bought to 3/5 +3 Point 20 20 break the news to him and he should have met them when they were born , should have been there to hold them , to smell their baby scent , to cut the cords … But he hadnt , because of Sheila . He hadnt had the chance to be there , because of her. I felt a knot tighten in my throat , and tears filled my eyes … but suddenly, the hug ended . Not that I should have expected anything else . In the end , to him , I was just the one who had cheated on him and then kept the kids all for herself . I couldnt expect him to hold me in his arms forever like he used to . Dont cry, I told myself . Whatever happens , dont start crying , damn it . See you tomorrow , Reiner smiled . I could only muster a nod before he disappeared beyond the door , closing it behind him . It was only half an hour later that I found the strength to get up from the floor and go to bed. Hi , Reiner , I smiled , trying to keep my racing heart in check and avoid him hearing exactly how fast it was beating . I brought dessert , he informed me , placing a Magnolia Bakery box on the counter that looked ( and smelled ) like it contained a delicious Red Velvet cake . My favorite cake . Wheres the fridge ? he asked . Ill take care of it , I said . Dont worry … DADDY , COME ON ! Violet exclaimed , grabbing his hand and dragging him away from the kitchen with all the considerable strength of a three year old . I couldnt help but smile as I watched the kids pull him from room to room , eager to show him everything and tell him stories about whatever came to mind : they were excited and delighted to have their dad in their home , and they couldnt wait to show it to him . Meanwhile , Wayne and Ravi also arrived , with appetizers and a nice bottle of wine : the kids allowed Reiner to greet them before dragging him off to the magical discovery of Mommys as Vi said ) . bathroom ( where she keeps all the makeup she doesnt let me play with Woah , Ravi commented , opening the bottle of Cabernet and pouring it into the decanter to let it breathe . I see there are two very happy little ones here . 4/5 + B Point 20 I nodded . Theyre giving him a house tour . I guess thats a good thing , right ? If they felt so ready and eager to share their personal space with him , whom they had only met the day before … it was clear that he had made not just a good , but an incredible impression , and that they trusted him : and for me , that was the most important thing . Absolutely , Ravi nodded : and he would have started a heartfelt explanation of the deeper reasons why that was a good thing if Wayne hadnt interrupted him first . I dont know about you , honey , he commented in a low voice , with a teasing smile . But I see three very happy little ones . I thanked heaven I had already put the lasagna in the oven because if I still had it in my hands , I would have smashed it over his head . In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. 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