Not A Bad Surprise

Hayley

The sound of the door bell ringing distracted me from The Disney movie I was watching with the kids.

I stood gently but wanting to disturb the kids as they were too engrossed. I wondered who had come at this time of the day. It was already past 7pm and I wasn't expecting anyone.

Amber has been too busy with her Brit man and I hoped that he doesn't hurt her.

I opened the door to see the last person I expected.

"Kyle?" I was really surprised to see him here. What was he doing here?

"Hi. May I come in?" He held up a basket of goodies.

"Sure." I opened the door wider to let him pass through.

"You know you shouldn't just open the door like that. You have to check through the peephole before opening the door." He admonished after he removed his shoes standing with me

"It's a safe neighborhood, you know that. Now what are you doing here?" I asked him folding my arms.

"I wanted to see the kids. I've been to busy at the office and.." He took them to the park just last weekend.

"You saw them last week. You can't just drop in anytime you want. Besides why didn't you call me before coming?" I was annoyed at his impulsiveness.

I didn't want the kids to be confused. I knew they were because their daddy didn't stay with them anymore and seeing him here at this time will only confuse them more.

"They are my kids Hayley." He argued.

"And I'm their mother. I don't want to complicate things any further but I want what's best for them. Please promise me you won't drop in without informing me first." I held eye contact with him.

"I promise." He let out grudgingly making me sigh in relief.

"Good. I hope no one saw you driving in?" I didn't need Tammy's mom spreading rumors.

"Nope. Are the kids still up?" Did he think I'll let him come in if I had put the kids to bed?

"Yup. Luckily for you they are watching Rapunzel." I chuckled at the faux horror expression on his face.

"Oh dear Lord, please tell me that Autumn has given up on her dream of wanting to be trapped in a tower waiting for her Prince Charming to come rescue her?"

"Sadly she has not." I took the basket from him and made my way to the kitchen while he went to the living room.

I smiled sadly as I heard the screech of the kids as they saw their father.

He surely has made their evening and it will be harder putting them to bed tonight due to all the excitement.

I made my way to the living room and watched from the sidelines.

Wynter and Autumn were wrapped snuggly in their father's hug. After they disengaged, Kyle carried them both in his arms to the couch we had previously occupied.

I sat on the other chair watching them interact with Kyle who had unbidden joy on his face.

Wynter and Autumn took turns chattering with their father excitedly using their little grasp of English they have learned.

An hour later, the kids started dozing off. Kyle and I took them to their room.

I had to hold in my tears earlier when I saw Autumn taking sneaky looks at her father, trying to make sure he didn't disappear.

"So I guess you are going now right?" I switched off the TV and sneaked a look at the clock, it was already 9pm.

"Yes but I want to discuss something with you if you don't mind." He sounded nervous.

"Okay." I sat down

"So have you thought of schools for Wynter and Autumn?" Yeah I was still anxious about enrolling Wynter and Autumn but September was coming up soon.

"Not really, but your mom is helping with the list."

Kate really was a God bless, my parents didn't live in the same state with me.

It was a blessing and a curse though Kate and Amber were here to help when I needed an impromptu babysitter.

"Okay that's great." He nodded.

"Yeah." There was a little pause before he continued.

"Also I wanted to apologize for what happened. I was out of line for embarrassing you at the bar. You have every right to move on with your life." He grimaced.

My eyebrows arched in surprise.

"And on behalf of Simone after her confronting you. I should never have put you in that situation in the first place. I was the one sober and I should have left and not take advantage. I take full responsibility for everything that has happened."

Wow, this was a surprise. It must be hard for him to bring this all out.

"It's fine. I forgive you." If he can own up to his mistakes, then so can I.

"Hayley I just want us to be cool co parents and put the needs of our kids first. No resentment or arguments. I just want to make this work."

"It's alright. I am not promising anything but I will see what I can do." Not if Simone steps out of line