No matter how old he got, she would always call him that. "Gisting with dad, old lovebirds. Anyways Mom, I’m good. How are you and Dad?""Ooh, we're still very young lovebirds. Don't be jealous.. We’re just fine, dear," she replied cheerfully. "Your father went in to have some coffee, but I can get him if you want to talk to him too.""Actually, yeah," Dazzle said, his heart pounding in his chest. "Could you get him? I’ve got something I need to tell you both."There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Dazzle could almost hear the shift in his mother’s demeanor. "Is everything alright, Dazzy?""Everything’s fine, Mom," Dazzle quickly reassured her. "It’s just... it’s important. I’d rather tell you both at the same time.""Alright, dear. Hold on a moment."Dazzle listened as his mother called for his father, her voice slightly muffled as she moved through the house. He could feel his palms sweating, his nerves getting the better of him as he waited. Finally, he heard his fath
The following evening, Richie paced back and forth in his hotel room, the phone pressed against his ear. His heart pounded with nervous excitement as he listened to the ringing on the other end. Finally, Dazzle picked up, his voice cheerful and relaxed.“Yo, Richie! What’s up, man? How’s the trip going?”Richie let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Hey, Dazzle. The trip’s fine, work’s a bit hectic, but that’s not why I’m calling.”Dazzle’s tone immediately shifted, sensing the seriousness in Richie’s voice. “Alright, spill it. What’s going on? Why are you all serious now?”Richie stopped pacing and leaned against the window, looking out at the city lights. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately… about Leah and the kids. You know, she’s everything to me. And I’ve asked her to marry me before, but she wasn’t ready. We had our issues, especially with how things started between us, but we’ve worked through them. We've been together for months now and I think—No—I know it’s time. S
Alex woke up the following morning. He remembered a discussion he had earlier with Emily. He couldn’t shake the thought of Leah, the boys. The idea of Leah having kids, it just wouldn’t leave his mind. It ate at him, gnawing away until he couldn’t stand it anymore. "Did she really get pregnant after that night?.. and if she did, she probably doesn't know their father. I need to call her"...He picked up the phone and dialed her number, his heart pounding in his chest. As the phone rang, he tried to steady his breathing, but the moment he heard Leah’s voice on the other end, all that calm flew out the window.“Hello?” Leah’s voice was sharp, impatient.“Leah, it’s me, Alex,” he said, trying to sound composed, but his voice wavered slightly.Leah paused for a moment, and he could almost feel her irritation through the phone. “What do you want, Alex?”“I... I heard something from Emily,” Alex began, choosing his words carefully. “She said you have kids... twin boys. Is it true?”Leah’s s
Leah stared at her phone, her heart still racing from the anger boiling inside her. She couldn’t believe the nerve of Alex, calling her out of the blue with that nonsense. After everything he had done, after all the pain he’d caused, he had the audacity to suggest something so ridiculous. Which prompted her to delete the call, erasing every trace of him from her phone, as if that could wipe away the bitter memories.Now, she needed to talk to someone who would understand, someone who could make her feel better and help her clear her head.. Without hesitation, she dialed Richie’s number. The phone rang and he answered, his voice instantly soothing her frayed nerves.“Hey, beautiful,” Richie said, his tone warm and full of affection. “What’s up?”“Richie, you won’t believe what just happened,” Leah said, her voice tinged with frustration. “I’m so annoyed right now.”Richie chuckled softly. “What’s got you all worked up, babe?”Leah took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down enough
Alex’s anger and frustration were still clear in his eyes. He had spent the last few hours pacing, thinking about Leah and their last conversation. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. How could she reject him like that? He has to do everything he can for her to see that they belonged together.He picked up his phone again, his hand trembling slightly as he scrolled through his contacts. He hesitated, his thumb hovering over Leah’s name. Should he call her again? What would he say? He knew he couldn’t just let it go, not now, not after she had dismissed him so coldly. He was done playing nice. This time, he would make her listen. She had to understand that she didn’t have a choice.With a deep breath, he tapped her name and brought the phone to his ear. The ringing seemed to last forever, each tone making his heart pound harder. Finally, she answered, her voice calm but with a hint of irritation.This time he was calling with an unknown number."Hi, this is Leah. Can I
It had been another long day at work for Richie, but the thought of hearing Leah’s voice was the only thing keeping him going. He dialed her number, the sound of the ringing filling the quiet office.“Hey, babe,” Leah answered, her voice soft and warm, instantly making him feel at ease.“Hey, beautiful,” Richie replied, smiling to himself. “How was your day?”Leah sighed lightly. “Oh, you know, the usual. Running around after the kids, dealing with work stuff… nothing too exciting. What about you?”“Same old, same old,” Richie said, rubbing the back of his neck. “But hearing your voice makes it all worth it.”Leah chuckled softly, "Babe! You never change. Always have something to say back.. huh?"..“Well, I try,” Richie replied, his tone playful. “Gotta keep my lady smiling.”Richie could picture Leah sitting on the couch, maybe with a blanket draped over her legs, a small smile playing on her lips."Anything new on your side".. Richie asked."Yeah.. there's something bothering me"..
Richie leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he thought about the conversation he needed to have. He had just finished his call with Leah, and the lingering concern in her voice kept echoing in his mind. He never knew Alex wasn’t someone to underestimate, and it was time to make sure Leah was protected at all costs, not knowing how far he might go. He picked up his phone and dialed Dazzle. The ringing seemed to go on forever, and Richie tapped his fingers impatiently on the desk, waiting for Dazzle to pick up. Finally, the line connected.“Yo, Richie!” Dazzle’s voice boomed through the phone, cheerful as always.“Daz, we need to talk,” Richie said, his tone more serious than usual.“What’s up, man?” Dazzle replied, the cheerfulness fading a bit as he sensed Richie’s mood.Richie exhaled slowly. “It’s about Leah. I need you to make sure the guards are always around her, day and night. No slipping, no gaps. I don’t want anything to happen to her while I’m away.”Dazzle’s voi
Dazzle drove down... parked outside Leah’s house, leaning casually against his car. He wanted to have an easy conversation with her, about Richie’s instructions. Which was clear enough…Leah’s safety came first, no matter what.As Leah stepped out of the house, her eyes met Dazzle’s. She raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Dazzle? What are you doing here?”Dazzle straightened up, pushing off the car. “Leah, we need to talk. Richie gave me some instructions, and I want to make sure you’re okay with everything.”Leah tilted her head, her smile fading slightly. “Instructions? What’s going on?”Dazzle sighed, trying to find the right words. “Richie’s worried about Alex. You know how he’s been acting, and with Richie out of town, he doesn’t want to take any chances. So, he asked me to make sure the guards are following you around at all times, except when you’re at home.”Leah’s eyes widened in surprise. “Guards? Following me? Dazzle, I’m not some kind of c