As soon as Micheal returned to his office, an unexpected message popped up on his screen from Amy.*Hi, Mr. Langston. I was wondering if you guys have anything planned for Yvonne's birthday.*Micheal blinked, momentarily stunned. Yvonne’s birthday? He hadn’t known. No wonder she had eaten the dessert at lunch with such passion, savoring every bite like it was a secret celebration. He replayed the afternoon in his mind, recalling how she had been in unusually high spirits, saying she was in a good mood and nothing could upset her.Thoughts flooded his mind. He hadn’t anticipated Yvonne’s birthday would sneak up on him like this. She had been so adamant about keeping her distance from romantic entanglements, brushing off his subtle advances with grace and restraint. Micheal knew she wasn’t ready for anything more, not yet, but he couldn’t ignore his promise to his children: to make Yvonne their mother one day. He would find a way to make her see him not just as the father of her favorit
Yvonne’s mischievous smirk remained as she lunged at Micheal, determined to smear some frosting on him. But in her excitement, she misjudged her step, her foot landing on a stray dollop of frosting on the floor. She slipped with a startled yelp, her hands instinctively grabbing onto Micheal’s shirt as she lost her balance. Micheal, caught off guard, tried to steady her, but the momentum was too much. Before either of them knew it, they tumbled to the ground in a heap, Yvonne landing awkwardly on top of Micheal. The room seemed to freeze for a split second as their faces were mere inches apart, and then, in a moment of pure chance, their lips brushed together, soft and fleeting. It wasn’t planned, not even close, but the warmth of the accidental kiss lingered far longer than it lasted.Yvonne’s eyes widened, and Micheal’s breath hitched, the unexpected closeness sending an undeniable jolt through them both. Their hearts raced, and for a second, they were too stunned to move, the sensa
Yvonne’s hands trembled slightly as she opened the first box, revealing a delicate set of hairpins adorned with tiny, glittering flowers. Her heart melted at the sight, and she looked up to see Lily’s proud, beaming face. “Do you like them, Miss Yvonne?” Lily asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “They’re beautiful, sweetheart,” Yvonne cooed, gently tucking one of the hairpins into her hair as Lily watched with delight. Next, Yvonne reached for the box that Jack had chosen. Inside was a simple yet elegant wrist chain with tiny charms that jingled softly as she held it up. She immediately slipped it onto her wrist, admiring the sweet gift. “This is so lovely, Jack. Thank you,” Yvonne said, smiling warmly at him. The children’s innocent joy filled the room as Yvonne fawned over the thoughtful gifts, but it was the slightly larger box that caught her attention next. Yvonne carefully untied the ribbon, feeling the anticipation build as she lifted the lid. Inside was a framed pic
As the movie neared its end, Jack and Lily’s eyelids grew heavier with each passing scene. Yvonne noticed Jack’s little head bobbing as he tried to keep his eyes open, while Lily snuggled closer, her breaths evening out as sleep overtook her. Micheal smiled softly, nodding toward the kids. “I think it’s time to get these two to bed,” he whispered. Together, Micheal and Yvonne carefully lifted the twins, cradling them in their arms as they tiptoed down the hallway. They gently tucked the children into their beds, pulling up the covers and placing soft kisses on their foreheads. Yvonne brushed a stray curl away from Lily’s face, lingering for a moment as she watched the little girl sigh contentedly in her sleep. When they returned to the living room, they paused at the doorway, taking in the aftermath of their impromptu celebration. The room was a cheerful mess: colorful confetti strewn across the floor, half-eaten snacks scattered about, and spots of dried frosting on the cushions
Yvonne let the quiet lull her, her thoughts swirling with everything Micheal had done to make her birthday special. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had gone to such lengths for her, and Micheal’s thoughtfulness filled her with a warmth she hadn’t felt in years. She glanced sideways at him, noting the way he stared out at the city, his profile softened by the dim light. She could see the hints of vulnerability in his eyes, a gentleness that was always there beneath his protective nature. “Why do you do it?” she asked suddenly, breaking the silence. “Go through all this trouble for me?” Micheal turned to her, caught off guard by the question. He considered his answer, choosing his words carefully. “Because you matter, Yvonne. You’ve been through a lot, and I wanted you to have a day where you didn’t have to think about anything except how special you are.” Yvonne’s heart tightened at his words. She bit her lip, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice. “I never knew you
Micheal’s heart raced as he watched Yvonne beside him, her face glowing softly under the moonlight. She looked peaceful yet vulnerable, and for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to share more than just these quiet nights. He hadn’t meant for their conversation to turn personal, hadn’t intended to lay bare the hopes he’d harbored secretly. But with Yvonne, his guard always seemed to slip, and he found himself speaking from a place he usually kept hidden.Micheal knew he couldn’t afford to be selfish. His children had grown attached to Yvonne, often whispering in his ear their dreams of calling her “Mommy.” He’d seen it in their eyes, a silent wish they were too young to articulate fully but that radiated every time they were near her. Yvonne had become more than a friend or a caregiver; she was their safe haven, the piece of their family puzzle they didn’t know they needed until she arrived.He glanced at Yvonne, watching her shift slightly in her s
Yvonne rushed into her room, half-running, and collapsed onto the floor as soon as the door clicked shut behind her. The brave front she had put up moments ago crumbled, leaving her reeling from the chaos of her emotions. Her stomach still fluttered with the ghost of their shared kiss, a sensation that sent shivers through her body. She had always considered herself reserved, composed—a woman who kept her emotions tightly controlled. But in Micheal’s arms, she had melted, completely losing herself in the heat of the moment. She kissed him back, her body responding in a way she hadn’t allowed in years. His body had felt solid, warm, and grounding. His lips… “Oh my God!” Yvonne gasped, her voice shaking with disbelief. She pressed her hands against her cheeks, feeling the heat that still lingered. How could she have finalized her relationship with one man and kissed another all on the same day? Her heart twisted in her chest as she grappled with the weight of her actions. The truth
While Yvonne revisited the moments of their unexpected kiss, Micheal stood by his bedroom window, lost in his thoughts, unaware of the soft smile that had settled on his lips. The kiss lingered in his mind, its warmth still fresh on his skin. As far as he could remember, it was the first time he had truly initiated a kiss. There were no memories of tender embraces or sweet beginnings with the woman who had given birth to his children—only the lost memory of one night and then the news of him having children after they were birth by a woman who died afterwards. Micheal couldn't recall the circumstances that had led to their union. Drugged? Manipulated? He suspected his parents had orchestrated it all, ensuring an heir at any cost. It was a mystery that he never dwelled on too deeply, a chapter of his life he had long buried. But kissing Yvonne—it felt like a first. A real, conscious choice, untainted by deceit or obligation.Micheal hadn’t expected Yvonne to respond as she did. He had