As I promised here's the next chapter. Don't forget to review :)

Three and a half years later….

"Derek, are you alright?" I asked, with a concern look on my face, as I gently tap him with my open hand on his back, so he could expel fluid and giving him the napkin to wipe out his mouth.

"Yeah I'm fine," he replied, still coughing, trying to expel the beer from his lungs.

"You sure?"

"Yes. I just took a large sip that's all," he said, trying to breathe. "But I'm alright now," he said, covering my hand with his and giving me a slight smile.

I smiled back, before I leaned back onto the couch.

Derek was nervous and he was nervous for a good reason. He invested a lot of effort to gain Sandra's trust, to get close to her, to get close to Selena. He spent countless, sleepless nights thinking up a plan how to get close to them. He knew it wouldn't be easy, especially with Spectra being around. Finally, after careful planning, he made his move and he was genuinely surprised how easy it was; he invited her for a drink and she said yes. He was proud of himself; his plan worked like a charm. But, now all his hard work could disappear in seconds if Sarah or William recognizes him. Not to mention he wouldn't leave the house alive. A million thoughts were going through his head as he sat there waiting for the inevitable. He felt like a prisoner, but he could not go back; not after all he did. He could only hope that everything will be fine. Soon he heard their voices becoming louder and louder as they approached the living room. His heart was racing. He had never been more scared in his life. He needed to calm himself down or Sandra would suspect something. He took a deep breath and just as he exhaled the air, Spectra, Sarah and William entered the living room. He watched as Sarah and William approached Sandra and hugged her. So far so good he thought to himself.

"This is Derek," Spectra said, pointing at him. "Sandra's boyfriend."

He winced as Sarah and William turned to him.

"Nice to meet you Derek. I'm Sarah, and this is my husband Will," Sarah said, with a big smile on her face stretching her hand out to him.

"Derek," he simply replied, trying to sound normal, but he could feel his throat become tight as he shook her hand.

"And I'm Will," William Lennox said, shaking Derek's hand.

"Nice to meet you."

He could not believe it; they did not notice he is safe; he survived he thought to himself. He was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard the tap of small feet running toward the living room.

Please let it be Selena he thought closing his eyes.

He quickly turned his head to the left and saw Selena playing on the floor, completely uninterested in what was happening around her.

When he saw Selena playing on the floor, he knew that the tap of small feet was coming either from Annabelle or Theodor. And frankly he did not know what was worse. And soon a ten year girl stormed into the living room and headed straight toward him. The little girl wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his stomach and quietly whispering I missed you.

He could only hope that no one in the living room, beside him did not hear what she said.

Sarah, Will, Spectra, Dean and Sandra looked at him with a confused look on their faces.

"Annabelle sweetie. What are you doing?" Sarah said, confused as she walked up to them and tried to separate her from him, but to no avail; the little girl clung to him tightly. "Annabelle sweetie, let the nice man go," Sarah repeated, but Annabelle did not listen.

"Annabelle let him go….." Sarah ordered, raising her voice at her.

Nothing.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what got into her," Sarah apologized, while trying to pull Annabelle away from him. "Annabelle let go of him this instant or I swear to God I will…. " but Derek didn't let her finish her sentence.

"Here, let me try," he said. He kneeled in front of Annabelle and whispered something into her ear, making her smile and letting him go.

"What did you tell her?" I asked him.

"I told her if she lets me go I will buy her an ice-cream," he replied.

I smiled.

"I'm amazed. You really know with children."

"Well, it's a gift."

"Right then….." Spectra began." I think it's time for dinner. "