Later that afternoon I found myself in the girls’ nursery wondering if I were dreaming the whole thing up. Never in a million years did I imagine Sean would ever come here. But he had. And we’d spent hours laughing and talking and playing with Izzy and Gabby.



Of course the girls loved him at once. It broke my heart a little bit to see how evidently they needed a father. We lived with Pete, but he was hardly home enough to be a real father figure. It was Sophia and I, quite the odd couple, who raised my daughters.

My little Isabella was shy at first, looking at Sean apprehensively when he greeted her.



But even a stone would warm to Sean’s happy demeanor, and eventually she was squealing with delight as he played peek-a-boo with her.



And then there was Gabby, accepting from the start. As soon as Sean had walked into the room, she toddled right up to him and tugged on his pant leg, demanding his attention.



As for Sean, he never stopped beaming at them. It was clear that he would make a great father. And I saw the pain in his eyes as he held Gabby. Was he wishing that she was his child? Or merely remembering that he’d never have a daughter to call his own?



So, I guess it was inevitable really. How could I have expected to let him back into my life and not have to answer for my past?

“Kat, if you don’t mind me asking… what happened with Emilio?”

I’d known it was coming, but the question still stung and the answer caught in my throat.



My thoughts raced in my mind. The whole scene of walking in on Emilio and Trevor played behind my eyes. I sighed heavily and decided to tell the short version.

“He… he cheated on me,” I said, unable to meet Sean’s eyes.



Sean was silent. I sat staring at the pattern on the walls for several seconds before I risked looking up to gauge his reaction.

“I’m so sorry. I… I don’t know what to say.” He stammered out after a moment. Then his expression turned from shock to anger. “That idiot. He didn’t know what he had.”



“I know.”

“Did you know her? The other woman, I mean?”

“Um, not exactly. There was no other woman. It was… another man.” Again I lowered my gaze in embarrassment.



“Oh. Ohhh!” Sean said with sudden realization. “Again, no clue what to say. But Kat, you know I’m always here to listen if you ever want to talk about it.” He extended his arms in a friendly gesture.

“I know.” I sighed, not willing to open up. “But I don’t think now is the time.”

“That’s okay. If you’re not ready, I’ll wait. I’m here for you Kat.”



Here for me. Yes, if Sean was anything, he was most definitely there for me. He’d only been home for a few short weeks, but we were getting too close for my comfort. Was this the way normal friends were? Or were smart people not friends with their ex boyfriends? Probably the latter.



I was lost in my thoughts for a moment before Sean stood up to leave.

“Well, I should be going. I have a 5 o’clock appointment I have to make.”

“Appointment? Are you sick?”

He laughed. “No, not sick. I’ve started seeing a psychiatrist.”

He frowned at me, gauging my reaction to this news. He probably feared I would think he was a nut job.

“It’s just that, I want to make sure I stay sober,” he continued. “Now that’s I’m home and there’s a bar on every street corner and alcohol in every supermarket, my therapist keeps me accountable. Plus, it’s great to talk to someone about everything I’ve struggled with in the past few years. So, I’m not crazy or anything. Trying to avoid that.”

“You know Sean, our friendship works both ways. I’m here for you too if you ever need to talk,” I said, and I truly meant it.

----------------------------------------------------

After that day, Sean visited us a lot more. The girls always looked forward to seeing their new playmate. Sean usually took us to the park, and sometimes he would bring little gifts for the girls. A flower, candy, a new toy. I had to admit, I was getting used to having Sean around.



Time wasn’t standing still for me. The days I had spent dwelling on my lost marriage had passed. The days Sean and I had spent in the awkward first stages of new friendship had passed. And before I knew it, the girls were turning four years old.



It came as no surprise to anyone that I’d invited Sean to the birthday party. Sophia and Pete were used to seeing him quite often, and I saw the looks they threw my way when they thought I wasn’t looking. It seemed like everyone was waiting for Sean and I to announce that we were dating. I paid no attention to the speculation of my family and simply enjoyed my time with my old friend.



It didn’t matter what people thought. It didn’t matter how Sean looked at me. All that mattered was that for the first time in a long time, I was truly happy.