"Dare?" I walked over, wrapping myself around his back. He was still angry with me, I could feel it, but I couldn't help but be happy to have him here, for him to finally know.
"We need a bigger place," Darius told me quietly. "We agreed on four, and I want them to all have their own room."
I smiled before I remembered I'd be living there alone.
"I want to be there for my kids," Dare continued. "I want to be at all the scans, see their first steps, and hear their first words. I want to come home and hear about your day. To go to sleep in your arms and wake up inside you. I want to be your husband, and a father to my kids."
"I want that too," I whispered. "But I won't ask you to give up Lynwood, Dare. I know what it means to you."
Darius turned to face me. "I need time to figure this out, Mora."
"Dare...please don't promise me anything. You've broken my heart already. I couldn't bear to get my hopes up and lose you again," I admitted. I went up on tiptoes and kissed his lips. "Come back to bed."
We made love again, and when we finished, Darius kissed me goodbye and left. It was still dark out. A heavy weight of loss settled into my stomach as I heard the door close. I got up and went to fix myself a drink. That's when I found the key on the kitchen table on top of his farewell note.
Mora,
I can't do this to you anymore. You deserve more, the kids deserve more than what I can offer right now.
Never doubt for a moment I love you. Just give me time to work this out.
Your loving husband
Dare.
I picked up my phone, swiping the tears from my eyes, and sent him a text.
You have until my birthday. Come home with me for good after the Halloween ball, or I file for divorce on the first of November.
Two hours later, Marshall buzzed at my front door. I let him up while I chased Jacob around trying to get him ready. Marshall came in, tackled Jacob, and played with him while I finished getting ready for work.
"I got a call from Darius this morning." Marshall sipped his coffee when I came back into the kitchen. "He wanted my advice on what a suitable amount for child support would be. I'm guessing you finally told him?"
"Yes," I answered with more melancholy than I knew I was feeling.
"Has he asked for shared custody?" Marshall asked carefully. I shook my head. "It may be coming, Mora. Can you prepare yourself for that?" I nodded. Dad sighed. "What happened, Mora? I expected you to rant and rave or be happy, but you look..." Marshall paused and his face fell. "Like you did the day you finally came home." Dad cursed under his breath. "He's walked away completely again, hasn't he?"
I put the note Darius left in front of my father. "I have to get to work. I'll see you at dinner on Friday." I picked up Jacob and my bag, heading for the door.
"Mora," Marshall called. I stopped, and he walked over to hug both Jacob and me at once. "Don't give up yet."
"I have to go."