CHAPTER 3 and a half

LET US BEGIN

EPOV

Here I am…sitting in that same coffee shop where I saw two of my kids 5 months ago. I called Marie and we decided to meet here. I was five minutes early so I decided to order a coffee while I waited.

Just as the waitress placed the coffee in front of me Marie walked in. Her long brown hair was in a messy bun. She looked just like her mom did when I first saw her. Beautiful.

She saw me sitting by the window and waved before going to order her drink. When she sat down beside me she smiled.

"Hi dad! How are you?" She tucked a shock of hair that fell loose behind her ear.

"I've been better. What about you? And everyone else?" I tried to seem happy. It was a miserable attempt.

"I'm doing alright. I've opened my own clothing store featuring clothes from young designers, including myself. Anthony's wife, Sandra, gave birth to the cutest baby boy I've ever seen and last night Andrea called us from England and said she's coming back home for a month. She'll be here in a week. Oh, and Daniel started a new social responsibility project. He has teams consisting of 7 people each going to different orphanages and homes to help kids with their homework."

Wow, looks like my family is better off without me.

"Marie, I read Anthony's book, and I have to know the truth: does Bella still love me?"

She looked down and fiddled with the hem of her skirt. Her lips were in a thin line and her eyes were glassy. The waitress took that moment to give her drink. She did nothing but stare at the table, her eyes shifting as if she was looking for an escape. She let out a sigh.

"Mom never not loved you. Every time she felt underappreciated, neglected, resentful or even angry at you, she never said anything bad about you. I think the worst thing she ever said about you was that you had horrible taste when it came to sport. She really doesn't like rugby or cricket." She laughed a bit and I smiled sadly remembering the first time I got her to watch a rugby match. I've never seen Bella so confused until that moment.

"It's like football, but it's not football. What's the point?" Cricket was even worse.

"So South Africa is playing India in what you call a 20/20? What is that? And why is that girl wearing a top that says AB IS MY BABY? Who the hell is AB? What kind of name is that?"

"Your mom always thought I was a bit strange." The tears were threatening to spill out and my vision was blurry because of them.

"Dad, we love you. We really do. But if you want to work your way back into our lives then you're going to have to start with Anthony first. He's always been the most protective of us. He works at Rosie's Auto Repairs. Do you know where that is?"

I felt some hope in my heart. He works with Emmett's wife.

"Yeah, I do. I'll call him tomorrow. I have to get to work. Goodbye sweetheart." I said half standing.

She stood up and kissed my cheek. "Goodbye daddy." And she disappeared. Looks like I have one kid on my side. Three more and a wonderful soul mate to go. I shook my head before going to the restaurant.

Thankfully Emmett was there.

"Hey Em! Can I have Rosalie's number? I want to talk about one of her employees!"

Sorry it's so short! I've been sick for the past week and a half, busy with school and babysitting and my cousins are here for the weekend. Add the soccer to that and I barely have enough time to make a nice hot cup of tea! Which is why this only chapter 3 and a half! lolz

AB-AB De Villiers he plays for South Africa. And yes that top exists.

Rugby and football are not similar…at all. That's like saying that cricket and baseball are similar. It just doesn't work.

I'm not a huge fan of rugby but I support my boys any where the go (Go Bokke!) and I love cricket.

For those of you who aren't aware the rugby world cup is actually going on in New Zealand at the moment and our South African Springboks are doing very well ;)

If, or when, we do win this world cup it will be our second time in a row! In 2007 we beat England in the finals. Such a proud moment…for us.

LOVE YOU ALL! THANKS FOR READING! CRITICISM WILL BE WELCOMED BUT PLEASE: NO FLAMES.