4. A boyfriend for our Mommy

Lilian POV

In that unlikely moment when he entered the flower shop, it was as if the universe was playing a trick on me. After so long, he was there. Shocked, I backed away, almost falling to the ground. I was so focused and worried about my boys that the last thing I could think about at that moment was him.

"Lilian…?" He spluttered, looking shocked to see me as well.

"You…? What are you doing here?" I asked, still not understanding.

The boys ran towards me, holding on to my leg. “We brought him for you, Mommy. He's your boyfriend now,” they said, all excited.

"Oh, he's handsome," Ruby said, also smiling at the man. Oh my God… What was going on…? I didn't know what to do or how to react.

“I saw them up on the hill, I thought they were lost, so I brought them back here. They are your children, right?” Jensen asked, his voice sounding calm, although he was still visibly surprised.

"Yes, yes. They are my kids…” I replied, arranging my hair behind my ear, still in awe of the events. The children were talking about him, and I could only wonder what the hell was going on? Why was Jensen there, and what was he doing? After so long, I wouldn't even imagine that he remembered my name anymore.

Rory was pulling on my arm, wanting attention. “Can you serve him apple pie, Mommy? He seems to be hungry, he was crying in his car,” the boy said, looking worried.

Crying in the car?

“Oh, poor thing. He must be so hungry,” Ruby commented, all moved.

Jensen gave a little laugh that sounded more like a plea.

I had to do something. “Have you guys done your homework today? Why don’t you go up to your room and catch up on the matter, huh?” I patted all three of their heads, and they nodded.

“But you’re going to give him apple pie, right?” Ryan asked. “Remember, he’s your boyfriend.”

“Okay, okay. I'll give him pie. Now go upstairs, okay?” I told them, and then I got the attention of Sadie, the nanny. “Please take them.”

“For sure, Lilian,” the girl replied, and then took the children. “You guys come with me, and I’ll make you a snack too.”

So she and the children went to the back of the store, which had the stairs that led to the small apartment upstairs where I lived with the triplets.

“They demand energy, don’t they?” Jensen commented, still looking in the direction the children had gone.

I gave an embarrassed laugh. “They love feeding people,” I commented, wiping my hands on the apron that was tied around my waist. My hands weren't dirty, they were just sweaty from the highly embarrassing moment.

“They're lovely kids, I must say,” he commented, putting his hands in his pockets.

“Thank you…” I couldn’t even look at his face, and apparently he couldn’t even look into my eyes since he was looking everywhere in the flower shop except at me.

“Beautiful place here. Bold and friendly. I see nature following you everywhere you go,” he praised, making me chuckle. It had been so long since I heard his voice that I just didn't know how to act now. “I didn’t know you moved to Rustburg,” he commented.

"Oh yeah. I needed to start over somewhere,” I replied, clasping my own hands. “Thank you for bringing the boys here.” I remembered to say thank you.

“You’re welcome, it was a pleasure,” he replied with a small smile, and then turned around, intending to leave.

I was torn. Years had passed, and I didn't know what to think of him. I still hated him for what he had done to me in the past, but I couldn't ignore the flutter in my heart when I saw him there. And now he was turning to leave, and maybe I would never see him again, or maybe it would take another five years for this event to happen.

So that desire to want him to stay a little longer was clear to me. Should I invite him to eat the apple pie, just like the kids recommended? No… it wasn't good to hear my inconsequential thoughts. I had to put my hand on my conscience and remind myself that this man did not have a good character. He hadn't been a nice person...

But before he reached the door, he turned back to me. “I'm in town for a few days, and I think the kids liked me. If you don't mind, I can take them to the park tomorrow afternoon,” he suggested. “In your company or in the company of someone you trust, of course.” He chuckled, which I returned.

“Okay, maybe,” I replied, nodding repeatedly, my heart almost coming out of my mouth.

"It would be great. See you tomorrow then,” he said, opening the door and leaving after waving lightly at me.

When the door closed behind him, I had to hold on to the flower shop counter to keep from falling to the floor because my legs were so wobbly. I touched my cheeks with the palm of my hand. I was so hot, my heart was almost jumping out of my mouth.

“Oh my God in heaven… what just happened here…?” I babbled to myself, having so many questions.

Had Jensen Grimes just left my flower shop? Had Jensen Grimes really been there? And he was so… different from the last time we spoke. It had happened five years ago, but I remembered everything as if it had been yesterday.

Oh, my God in heaven! I ended up remembering that hateful woman who was with him the last time I saw him five years ago. Were they still together? Well, even if they were, it wasn't something I should care about, right?

My Goodness! And the triplets were saying he was supposed to be my boyfriend, little did they know that Jensen Grimes was their father…