A/N: I know this chapter is quite short. ;PBut I will update soon. Hope you like this!

Disclaimer: None belongs to me - for this chapter. Other than the plot.


Chapter 2

He didn't know where he was. There was just a white mist surrounding him. He could see nothing else.

Just then, he was blinded by a bright white light. He raised his hands to shield his eyes from the light. It was so bright; it was hurting him.

Then the light dimmed. He could now make out a figure of a woman moving towards him. She was wearing a long white dress; her hair flying high like it would on a windy day. She looked familiar.

"Daphne…" He breathed. He could not believe what he was seeing. Or rather, who.

"Oh Ian…" Daphne murmured. "I missed you." She reached out to caress his cheek.

"Daphne! Is it really you? Oh my god! I missed you so much!" Ian immediately embraced Daphne. "You came back!"

"Yes Ian," Daphne said softly, then let go of Ian. "I missed both you and Rylan too. I've been thinking about you everyday, ever since…" she swallowed, trying to find the right word. "ever since I… left."

Ian swallowed hard too. He remembered the day that Daphne had left them; she died during childbirth. And Rylan did not even get the chance to meet his mother. He did not even know how she looked like, because Ian had kept away all of Daphne's belongings, including her pictures, after her death.

"So, how's Rylan?" Daphne asked, trying to lighten the mood, and also in concern for her son.

But instead of answering her question, Ian turned away, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Ian?" Daphne's face was creased with concern. "What happened? Why are you… behaving like that?"

Ian shook his head. "Nothing." He didn't want Daphne to worry,

"Oh Ian, you were a bad liar five years ago, and obviously you still are now!" Daphne teased.

Ian gulped. "It's… It's just that Rylan…"

"What about Rylan?" Daphne demanded.

"He's… he's not really happy lately."

"Not happy? About what?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.

"He… he envies his friends." Ian replied, not sure of what he should say. "He wants a mother's love. He needs it." He suddenly blurted.

Daphne was taken aback for a few seconds, but she recovered soon and nodded. "Yes. I know. I was been expecting that."

"You were?"

Daphne nodded. "Yes," she repeated. "Every child needs a mother's love, care and concern. And a father's too."

Ian dropped his gaze to what seemed like the ground. He was fully aware of what Ian needed. But he just couldn't give it to him. "I know." He said, looking up. "I've given him all the love I can give. I don't know what to do now."

Daphne stared into Ian's eyes for a moment. Then she averted her gaze and replied, "I'm sure you know what to do, Ian. It's obvious."

Ian looked surprised. "What's obvious?" He asked, even though he thought he had the slightest idea of what she meant. "What do you mean?"

"Give him what he needs, Ian," Daphne told him, still not facing him, "if that's the only way that can make him happy." Then she turned back and looked at him sadly. "I won't mind if he calls another woman 'momma'. If he's happy, I'm happy too." She said, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"No, I can't possibly do that!" Ian argued. "I promised I'd stay true to you forever and not love another woman other than you, Daphne, and I'm never going to break that promise!"

"But Ian, think about our son. I know you'll stay true to me, and I know you'll love me forever. And I'm contented. But Rylan, I want him to grow up like all his friends, have a happy childhood, do you not understand?" Daphne reasoned. "I know you love me, and I love you too, Ian." Tears were already streaming down her cheeks. "I've got to go now. Remember, I love you." With these words, she faded away.

TBC...