Everyone in the house slept well that night.
Abby was still dreaming the next morning when Diana got up and wandered out into the hall. From the kitchen, she could hear noises and the smell of food.
She walked in and saw Brian was busy in the kitchen.
“What are you doing?”
“I am cooking,” Brian answered quickly. He came out holding a big plate of toast and jam.
Diana was surprised. She didn’t know that Brian could cook. She guessed he must have learned it from someone he had met in the past few years. He really looked happy as he prepared the rest of the breakfast.
“Come and have a taste,” he called out to Diana.
Seeing the array of dishes on the table, Diana was very tempted. She was quite curious about what Brian had learned in the time they had been apart.
Diana sat down and took a bite of Brian’s ‘Eggs Benedict.’ It was amazing! And then she tried a piece of the homemade bread covered with raspberry jam.
“Did I cook for you like this before?” Brian asked.
Diana was stunned. “Why do you ask that?” she answered awkwardly.
“I just can’t remember what happened between us before,” Brian replied, clearly vexed by the fact.
Diana lowered her head and fell into silence.
“Will you give me a chance?” Brian asked carefully.
Diana couldn’t help looking up. When she saw Brian’s eyes, she felt as if a light was shining in her heart.
“Let’s start over. We can forget what happened before.” Brian spoke slowly and seriously as he looked deep into Diana’s eyes.
Diana felt her heart beating crazily. And then she heard Abby cry from her room, “Mummy?!”
Diana rushed to the bedroom to check on her daughter.
Once she had Abby calm again, Diana dressed her and took her out of the room.
“Hey, little princess! Do you want some breakfast?” Brian asked gently.
“Great!” Abby clapped her hands.
Brian bent down and helped Abby up to the table.
Looking at all the dishes, Abby asked Brian to give her some of the ones she liked, which Brian was happy to do.
Diana gazed at them and felt a strong sense of sadness. Abby had asked her more than once why the other kids had a father, but she didn’t. Diana never knew how to reply. In the past two years, though Chaney had been an excellent companion for Abby, he wasn’t her father. Abby was longing for a father.
Looking at them together, Diana didn’t want to disturb the beautiful scene. She stood beside them silently.
Half an hour later, Abby was full and cried that she wanted to get down.
Diana looked at her and smiled. Diana’s family loved Abby so much that they kind of spoiled her. She was sometimes a bit naughty as a result, and Diana had no idea how to deal with it.
She picked Abby up in her arms and said to Brian, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” For Brian, he felt that he was supposed to do these things for his daughter, but he didn’t mention it out loud.
Suddenly, Diana’s phone began to ring.
“Hello?” Diana answered.
“Are you, Miss Anderson?” A woman said over the phone.
“Yes,” Diana answered at once.
“We have approved the enrolment application of your daughter Abby Anderson. You can bring her to kindergarten today.”
Diana recalled that she had applied while she was still in France.
“Okay, that’s great! I will bring her there shortly. Thank you.”
One of the things that we’re pushing Diana to leave was to help Abby begin her education back in France.
“Hey, we have to go now,” Diana touched Abby’s face and said gently.
“Where are we going?” Abby gazed at Diana and asked.
“Mummy is going to take you to a kindergarten. You will have lots of fun there,” Diana explained patiently.
“What is a… kindergarten?” Abby was confused.
“It is a place where you can play with other children. And some teachers will teach you things, like singing and dancing.”
Abby clapped her hands. “I love dancing! Mummy, let’s go!”
Diana looked at Abby’s excited face and laughed.
“I can drive you,” Brian offered.
Abby rushed to him happily and said, “Great! Great!” She really liked the man standing before her.
Brian held Abby in his arms, looking every bit the father figure.
Seeing this, Diana felt guilty. She wondered whether she had made the right decision to hide Abby from Brian. But she soon reassured herself that it had been wise. Brian might be willing to let Abby stay with her, but Simon would never let his granddaughter stay with a woman he didn’t like.
Diana determined that whatever happened, she would protect Abby. She begged in her heart for Abby’s forgiveness for being selfish enough to keep Abby away from his father.
Diana was still immersed in her thoughts, while Brian was already walking out with Abby. Finally noticing this, Diana ran out after them.
“Mummy! Hurry up!” Abby shouted.
Diana’s desire to take Abby was strong, but Brian insisted, “Let me carry her. You have a rest for once.”
Nobody could know how much he liked having this little person in his arms. She was cute and soft. Brian hugged Abby firmly in his arms, full of pride.