"You are not leaving and that is final," he said angrily as he followed me out of the room.
"Listen James, you can't force me to do what I don't want to do. I tried giving your aunt the respect she is entitled to, but I cannot take it anymore. I can't even have some alone time with my children in this house. Cooking two meals for dinner just to please one individual who criticizes everything I do is not my idea of living blissfully. I cannot ask her to leave, for she is family after all, but I and my kids can leave this house easily," I told him in a cool and calm manner.
"I have never known true happiness when I am in this house after all. And it's just a constant reminder of what I went through when we got married."

James just stood looking like he had taken a thorough beating. The house had become too quiet.
"Can I come by and see the kids?"
"Yes, you can," I whispered as I started walking down the stairs.

I said my goodbyes to Aunt Rebecca, who responded with a smirk on her face.
I found Jeff, Sammy and Joyce waiting with my children by my car.

"Pam please, I can fix us. Just don't go," James pleaded.

"There is nothing wrong with us baby," I said placing my hand on chest. "Just fix the problems that threaten, us. You know where I will be if you need me."
Leaning down he held me closer to him, not caring if we had an audience, knowing his aunt would not approve of such behavior.
"James, I need to go now," I sighed enjoying being in his arms.
He slowly released me so I could walk towards my car. Joyce was coming along also since I needed help with the children.

------------------------

Days turned to weeks, I couldn't sum up the courage to face James, not after the way we had parted I didn't want to be the reason rifts were created in his family. Getting my act together I stared using my gym to shed off the pregnancy weight. Every time James came by I was either in my office or in the gym, I just couldn't look at him knowing I would cave if he were to ask me back home.
Sammy visited me from time to time and soon joined me in my mission to lose weight. Jeff laughed at this notion, and we actually made a bet that in six months we would be back in shape.

"This I have to see. And you ladies don't even have a trainer."
"We don't have a trainer but we have everything we need. Don't we Sammy?"
"If we win this bet, you are on diaper duty every time you are around the children," I told him.
"No problem Pam, and what about you Sammy?"
"Give me time, I will come up with something," she said giving him a wink.
"Alright deal ladies."
"Wait what about you, if we lose what will you ask of us?"
"Oh I don't want anything, if you win I win," he said giving his wife a cheeky grin."

James stopped coming over regularly and chose to come see the babies during his free time over the weekends. He slowly stopped coming over even his parents were surprised by this. Sam and Tara were constantly over my house just to spend time with their grand-babies, this was also the same for my parents.

It was now 4 months since the little ones joined us, and I was enjoying every minute of my time with them. Their constant babble was a delight as they had their own conversation amongst themselves. I knew very soon I would need to baby proof this place as they would start exploring their surroundings soon. Sammy was happy that her son had playmates everything she came by for our daily workout.

Time flew by as the children learnt how to sit unassisted, very soon they would be crawling around. Maria and Thomas were glad to have the children around, but had been disappointed when they saw us return after the short stay at James's house.

James's POV

As soon as Pam left my house that day I headed straight to my father's house.
"Dad, I need your help. Aunt Rebecca has just destroyed my life."
Knowing his sister all too well, Sam sat down and listened to his son narrate the events that occurred. He then went with his son to have a talk with his sister, thus by the end of the week she had packed her bags and left.

Every time he went to see the children Pam made sure to always avoid him, until he just couldn't take it anymore. He remember her words from their last conversation.

"I have never known true happiness when I am in this house after all. And it's just a constant reminder of what I went through when we got married."
"Just fix the problems that threaten, us. You know where I will be if you need me."

His first problem was out of the way, now he had to deal with other hindrances in his marriage. He quietly sold his house, he didn't even inform his parents about his decision. Jeff was the only one who knew of his actions. He purchased a new house, making sure the pool was safe for anyone with a spacious backyard for the children to play in. With the help of Pamela's mother and his, he bought new furniture as well as set up the children's nursery, this time he did it all himself.

With Sammy's help he went to shop for Pam's wardrobe, he chose everything he knew she would love, with Sammy's assistance. He knew she loved sky blue so he made sure to get some clothes in her favourite colour right down to her socks. Even though he knew she was not moved by material things, he hoped she would appreciate his efforts. Time flew by, it had been 6 months to be exact since he had last seen her alone. He still visited his children from time to time, but his work was taking him away from them more and more as they were close to finishing one of their biggest projects.

---------------------------

"James!" Jeff called out to him as they sat in his office.
"Hey sorry, I was just thinking."
"Let me guess. You were thinking about Pam right?"
"Yes," he simply answered.
"You should go see her, she is doing really great if you must know."
"I don't know Jeff how will I even start a conversation with her after almost half a year of no communication. That woman just frustrates me, I hate that I am no longer in control of my life when it comes to her.
Jeff chuckled saying, "The moment you got married you lost control of your life, trust me I know how you feel. I just lost a bet to both ladies and I'm not even bothered by it, as long as my wife is happy, I am happy.

James decided to pay his wife a visit as his friend had suggested. He left work earlier than usual and headed to his house to freshen up before seeing her.

Pam's POV

Sammy and I laughed at Jeff as he was changing Joshua's diaper.
"Boy what is your mother feeding you?" he asked the smiling toddler.
Sammy and I had won our bet against Jeff. I was proud of myself having shed off all that weight. Sammy and I decided to continue our work out every week just to stay fit, and have ourselves some alone time.
Today the children's grandparents and Sammy were going to come over and fetch them just to give myself and Joyce a break.

Sammy was the first to arrive at five and quickly chose Esther as she didn't fuss much. The boys then went with their grandparents. Finally I had the house all to myself. I had given everyone some time off to spend with their families. Now I had some me time.

The microwave beeped once my popcorn was done. I took my bowl and a bottle of water to the living room. Just as I was about to sit down and relax, I heard a knock on my door.
Getting up I went to open up and see who was bothering me at such a time. Opening the door I looked up into James's eyes.

James's POV

As soon as she opened the door, I couldn't help myself as my eyes roamed up and down her body. She looked different wearing shorts that showed of her curves and a loose t-shirt. I never knew she wore shorts, but was glad she wore them indoors, I didn't want any other man seeing what was mine. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail and I could see she had straightened it. Her eyes still beautiful pools that I could so easily drown in. She was biting her lip, as if begging me to kiss her there and then. My heart was racing, palms sweating, as I stood staring at her. Clearing my throat I decided to speak first.

"Hi Pam," I managed to say after an awkward silence.

Pam's POV

Looking at him I couldn't help but stare. He looked drool worthy just standing there doing nothing except for his overgrown beard which masked his jawline. He had on a pair of black slacks, and a white shirt open at the collar. Looking into his eyes I saw the lust written in them. I had missed him very much, just the sound of his husky voice as he greeted me had me weak at the knees.
"James. What..what are you..you doing here?"

------------

"I came to see you sweetheart," he said huskily.
"Why, why, why did he have to use that tone of voice? Now if he asks me to come with him, will I be able to resist," I thought to myself. "Please come in. Umm, would you like anything to drink?"
"No I am fine thanks love," he said as he settled into the seat I was sitting on.

"So, how have you been?" I asked him breaking the silence.
"I have been good, just working and sorting some things out. How are the children?"
"That's lovely to hear, they are all fine, the boys just left with their grandparents and Sammy has Esther with her.
"I hope I am not intruding on any plans you had."
"No, not at all. I was just about to sit down and catch up on some series," she told him as she switched on the TV.

-----------------

They sat in comfortable silence as they watched the shows together. Moving closer to her he wrapped his arm around her and was glad when she didn't pull away from him. He was surprised when she even moved closer to snuggle beside him. Her coco butter lotion filled his nostrils as he pulled her closer, loving the feel of her skin. Leaning toward her he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

The following morning before James left, he asked to see her again, that very evening, which she agreed upon.

I spent the afternoon preparing our dinner, glad to know James would be here in a few hours' time. There was a knock and quickly rushing expecting James I saw none other than....