Chapter 56

As the day ended, me and Victoria told the boys that I would be going to my house. Michael almost cried. I got a little emotional as well, but I had to be strong. Victoria created the illusion that we were going to the other side of town, but in reality, we were going to the secret house. We walked hand in hand in complete silence as the full moon shined in the night sky above.

"Michael, I really missed you." I heard Victoria say.

"I missed you too." I bit my lip, staring at the ground.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I did."

"What happened while you were at your...?" She turned to look at me as a way not to finish her sentence.

"We didn't talk much to be honest with you. I was extremely depressed over there after thinking about what I had done."

"Did she want you to do anything?"

"Oh yeah. Plenty of times."

"Did you...do it?"

"Do what?"

"Whatever she asked for you to do."

"Not all of it."

"Oh...." She looked away. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I'm prying."

"You have that right. You're my wife."

"Well...what did she have you do?"

"Ahh," I sighed as I looked up at the moon. "Well, we didn't have any sex, if that is what you're wondering. Since I thought she was pregnant, if she asked for a massage, I did give her one. Other than that, we really didn't do anything. She tried to talk to me, but I didn't even care to be cordial with her."

"Before you 'knew' she was pregnant, you wanted to have a lot to do with her..."

"Not really."

"How is that?"

"She was annoying."

Victoria burst out laughing. I smiled... I was glad to see her laugh. "But wait, are you calling me annoying then?"

"No. Not at all. Why?"

"Dr. Moore passed the message that you picked out girls that had certain characteristics that reminded you of me. So you must find me annoying?"

"No...you're not annoying, V. That girl was falling in love with me and I got annoyed."

"Was I an easy girl that fell in love with you?"

"Not at all... You hated me, remember?" I smirked.

"I didn't hate you," she smiled. "You were just an asshole." She opened the door to the house.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it returned too. Try not to make it come back later on, okay?"

"I'll make sure it doesn't come back."

"Good." She smiled. I looked around. It's been a while since I've been in this house.

"Did you do anything here while I was gone?"

"Just relax here."

"Did you uh...happen to bring anyone in particular back here?" I prayed the answer would be no.

"Like who?"

"Joshua."

"No." When she said that, I accepted her answer and left it at that. We walked upstirs and went to the bedroom. Victoria helped as I took the decorative pillows off the bed and lay down side by side.

"What happened at the main house while I was gone?" I asked.

Victoria sighed heavily, "we weren't there."

"What do you mean?"

"I couldn't stay there. We just recently came back a week ago, because the boys were sick of staying with my mother."

"What do you mean you couldn't stay there?"

"Too many memories and pain... ya know?" She looked at me.

"Yeah," I sighed. I kissed her forehead. "I'm so sorry, V."

"Michael, I forgave you."

"I know, baby. I just..." I sighed, "you didn't deserve any of that crap. You're an amazing wife. You're such an amazing woman. You didn't deserve any of that." Victoria turned and faced me, hugging me closer to her.

We didn't talk much that night. We just slept in each others arms, which I really missed and I know she really missed it too. The next morning, I woke up to find that she was not there. She probably went to the main house to create the illusion that she never left in the first place.

I took a long shower and got dressed. The whole time I'm thinking about the many things that Victoria and I have done in this house. This was our home away from home. It was where we made love. Where we went when we needed to be alone. Or when we needed time to be alone separately. I quickly checked my hair and face. I looked fine, I guess. I don't look that bad. Maybe we could go skating or something today. I've never taken the boys skating before. This ought to be fun. I called Victoria as soon as I got downstairs.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey, baby. I have something planned for today."

"Oh, really? Like what?"

"Have you eaten?"

"No. I'm making cake."

"Making cake? For who?"

"You'll see. Come on over." She said and hung up. I hurried to put my shoes on and made my way to the main house. A million thoughts ran through my head. Victoria is such a good, amazing, woman. I have two, wait... I smiled. Three beautiful children, who love me very much. A family that will support me no matter what. What more could I need?

As I approached the house, I noticed Prince sitting outside by himself playing in his sandbox.

"Hey, Prince. What are you up to?" I asked as I sat down beside him.

"Hey, dad." He sighed as he poured sand on his feet.

"What's wrong, little guy?" I faced him.

"Nothing."

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

"...well, what's wrong?"

"Are you staying for good?" He looked up at me.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know," he looked down again. "You're always gone."

"Prince... I'm back for good. I'm not leaving you."

"Are you coming back to live with us?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then why didn't you stay last night?"

"I couldn't."

"Oh... your girlfriend needed you?"

"No. I don't have a girlfriend."

"But you were gone with that lady and you never came back. You left last night and didn't come back until this morning..."

"Come on." I reached my hand out to him.

"Where are we going?" He asked as he grabbed my hand.

"We're having a family meeting." I opened the back door and walked into the kitchen. Victoria greeted me with a smile. "Good morning, baby." I kissed her.

"Hey. What's up?" She asked Prince.

"Daddy says we're having a family meeting." He sighed.

"Oh, what about?" She looked at me.

"Prince, go get your brother." He ran off to find Michael. "Prince asked me some deep questions, V. And I think we should answer them together."

"Like what?"

"He asked me if I'm staying for good this time. That hurt me a lot."

She sighed, "he asked me that too. I said yes, but he kept asking questions. Like, about your girlfriend and stuff."

"Well, we're going to dicuss all of that with them today. Okay?"

"Are you sure a five and seven year old will understand anything about this whole situation?"

"You're right... V?"

"Yeah?"

"I know it's just been one night that I've spent in the other house, but for the boys... do you think...?"

"Yes. For me too."

"Are you serious?" I was surprised that she answered so quickly.

"Yeah."

I hugged her close, "thank you so much."

"Anytime."

"No, I'm serious, V. I-"

"We're ready for the meeting!" Prince announced as Michael followed him into the kitchen.

"Let's got to the living room." I told them. We all headed to the couch. Prince sat by me and Michael sat beside Victoria.

"So, what's the meeting about?" Michael looked up at me.

"Well, your mother and I wanted to talk to you about something important."

"What's that?" Prince asked.

"Well, you know we go to a counselor, right?"

"Yeah." The boys answered in unison.

"Well, yesterday was the first time that I have seen your mother in about two months. We met up with the counselor. You all know that I was staying with a woman who claimed to be having a baby, right?" They both nodded. "Well, she's not having a baby. She was lying."

"Were you mad?" Prince asked.

"Yeah, I was mad. I was mad for a lot of things. Most of the things you guys are too young to understand, but I was definitely mad that she lied to me."

"Like how mom was mad at you when you lied to her?" Michael asked.

I looked up at Victoria who was looking at Michael. I sighed, "yeah, like that, but your mother and I met up yesterday and I told her the good news. There was a lot of good news. Like I said, you wouldn't understand most of them, but the good news is that I'm back with you all and yesterday me and your mother decided that I could come back and gain your trust and live with you. We originally planned for me to stay at the secret house, which was where I stayed last night.

"Daddy!" Prince laughed. "You lied again!"

"Yeah, but that was a good lie. There are good lies and bad lies, but your mom said I could stay here instead for now. So, I don't have to go to the secret house anymore."

"So, you're staying for good?" Michael asked me.

"For good." I smiled.

"There are more good news too, just so you guys know." Victoria turned to face the boys.

"I know!" Michael smiled, getting excited.

"Shhh. Your brother doesn't know, Michael. Don't say anything." I laughed.

Victoria smiled, "you guys are having a baby brother or sister!"

"You're having a baby!" Michael shouted with excitement.

"You're having a baby, mommy?" Prince asked.

"I am." She smiled.

"A boy or girl?"

"We don't know yet, Prince." I smiled. "But you'll be a big brother now."

"Can you have a girl, Mommy?! Please! I want a baby sister!"

Victoria and I laughed, "I don't get to decide that, sweetheart."

"Does daddy get to choose? Daddy, can mommy have a girl?"

"I don't get to choose either."

"But...who chooses?"

"God chooses." I answered.

"Oh...well...I'm going to pray tonight and ask him for a sister." Victoria and I laughed.

"Well, actually, it would be nice to have a girl." Victoria looked at me with her loving eyes. I gazed into her eyes and kissed her. "Promise me forever, Michael." She whispered to me.

"Forever and more."