A Second Chance

Chapter 5

It's evening now, and we are all back at the house, after the funeral. The girls are gloomy and silent, sitting in their room again, and Gabriel had disappeared to his room as soon as we came home.

I had stayed with the girls at the funeral. Watching them while Gabriel and his family greeted the guests and dealt with all the formalities.

I knew Gabriel must be exhausted from everything that has happened and all that he had to deal with, so I didn't mind handling the girls. That's what I was here for. I was worried for the girls, though. I hope they don't ask for him.

As I entered their room, they both looked up. "Hi Nicky." They both said together, softly. They both looked so sad.

"Hey girls, let's have dinner. I brought some pasta." I said as I sat the tray I held, down on a nearby table. I took the plates out and set everything up.

They slowly got off the bed and came to me. "But we are not hungry, Nicky," Livy said. She was hugging her bunny really tight, almost ready to burst in tears.

I didn't want to push them, but I also didn't want them getting sick. I know Paula has already tried but failed to convince them to eat anything. " I know, baby. You only have to eat as much as you can. You need to eat so you won't get sick. That's all I ask. Please, Livy?" I pleaded.

She rubbed her eyes and sat down in a chair next to the table and picked up the fork.

Bella sat next to her and silently started eating. I sighed in relief and smiled. They are such good little girls.

" Hey girls, while I am here, you want to go out and do something?"

They both looked up and asked. " How long are you here for?"

"A week. Come on, let's go out together. Tomorrow. Anywhere you want."

They both looked at each other and shrugged. "Ok," they both said, and I smiled.

I knew that would work. Knowing that I would be going soon would get them to come out and do something with me before I left.

They both ate their fill, which wasn't much, but I didn't complain.

I got them ready for bed. Read them a story, and after watching them drift off to sleep, I slowly got up and kissed them both and slowly walked out of their room and closed the door softly.

As I turned, I saw Gabriel standing at the end of the hallway by a door. I gulped and turned around and started walking away towards the stairs.

It's late and I have to go to the hotel to get some sleep. It's been a long day, and I was exhausted.

But my name being called made me stop and slowly turn around. He was now walking towards me. I turned my head to look around anywhere so I didn't have to look at him. It feels so uncomfortable, and I was trying my best to avoid him, but here he was coming towards me.

"Nicola." He said again, and I turned to look at him. " Are you leaving?" He asked. And I nodded. "I wanted to thank you. For today. You really helped me by handling the girls. They listen to you."

I looked down and nodded again. "Of course. They are my responsibility too. They need me, and I can't imagine not being there for them." I replied. And he nodded. I took this as my cue to leave.

But as I turned, I remembered about the outing with the girls, so I turned back around and asked him. "The girls have agreed to go out with me tomorrow. Is that ok? I will come by in the morning to pick them up."

Gabriel frowned, thinking for a second. "Yes, I guess that would be good for them. It would help them get back to normal life again, I suppose. I will arrange for the driver for tomorrow." I opened my mouth to protest, but he interrupted by saying,"I can't allow them to go out without a driver. They are too small."

I closed my mouth and nodded in agreement. He is right. It's safer than going out on my own with the kids. But his next sentence made me protest.

"I will ask the driver to drop you off at your hotel and pick you up tomorrow.

I shook my head vehemently. "No, please don't. I will arrange my own travel arrangements."

As soon as I said this, I quickly turned and left, not waiting for his reply.

I hurried downstairs with my bag and jacket in hand, and I left the house as quickly as I possibly could.

I walked outside and sighed in relief as I saw the cab I had ordered while I was in the girls' room pull-up.

I quickly got in and gave the driver the address. As the cab started moving, I relaxed and sat back. I looked back at the house and sighed in relief.