Page 83 of When Love And Destiny Collide

I kiss her goodbye, and on my way back to the house, I pull out my phone and call Jon.

***

"Well, that was quick," Marian says the moment I step into the kitchen. "Want some eggs?"

We sit together in silence, eating breakfast for the next twenty minutes, until a knock at the front door breaks the quiet.

Marian glances at me, "Who's that?" she asks, one eyebrow raised.

"Davey, go get the door, Buddy. Uncle Jon’s here to pick you up."

Marian freezes mid-bite, her eyes narrowing as they flick to mine, silently questioning me and wishing I would crumble under her gaze.

"Hi, Davey!" Jon's deep, resounding voice echoes from the front door.

"I think you and I have a lot to talk about," I say, rising to my feet just as Jon and Davey walk into the kitchen.

"Hi, Jon!" Marian exclaims, her voice bright with forced enthusiasm.

"Hi, Marian," Jon says, his voice warm. He returns her hug when she stands and throws her arms around him.

"How long has it been?" she asks, kissing him on the cheek.

"Uncle Jon," Davey pipes up, tugging at Jon's sleeve. "Are we going to see my cousins?"

"Yes, Sir," Jon replies with a smile. "How about we go swimming at the house?"

"Yes!" Davey shouts. "Daddy, can I go put on my swim trunks?"

"Go ahead," I say. "And pack a bag with a change of clothes."

"I’ll help you," Jon offers, his eyes flicking between Marian and me, clearly sensing the strain in the air.

"Yeah!" Davey shouts as he races down the hall and up the stairs, with Jon following close behind.

"What are you doing?" Marian asks, glaring at me.

"I should be asking you the same question, Marian. What do you think you're doing?"

"I was trying to do something nice," she says, her voice tight as she collects the plates from the table. "I thought the three of us could spend the day together."

"We are not a family, Marian," I say, my tone harsher than I intended, but the words come out anyway. "You’re my son’s mother. You have a right to spend time with him, but don’t confuse that right with anything more."

“You’re really going to throw away fifteen years for a fleeting attraction to a girl half your age?”

I meet her gaze, my voice laced with quiet defiance. “Are we really going to talk about who threw our marriage away?" I don't bother hiding the edge in my voice. "And when it comes to Lily, I’m not about to stand here and justify my feelings to you.”

When we hear steps descending the stairs, Marian quickly moves to the sink, and I meet Jon and Davey in the living room.

"I’ll pick you up before dinner," I say, helping Davey with his backpack.

"Let him spend the night," Jon suggests with a smile. "Tim and Bethany said you could meet with them today. Just give them a call."

I nod, wrapping Davey in a quick hug before walking them to the door.

"I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Buddy. I love you."

"I love you too, Daddy."

---