Hi everyone!

I apologize for the delay. I ended up going on a spontaneous trip to Cancun, Mexico with my family. I just couldn't pass up the beauty of the resort, I had to enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the place and put down my phone for the whole week of my stay there. But I'm back and here is the next chapter of the story!

I promise there is more to come!

Damien

"I called Paul," Martha said as she walked back.

"Right. He got back last night," I said, remembering that he's back from his convention in Atlanta. "Thanks."

"He'll be here soon."

I nodded.

"Jerry's got the little ones."

"Thank you."

"Also your sister called and asked if you were still coming to Gabby's recital. She said she couldn't get a hold of you."

"Shit. My phone's still in my office."

"Would you like me to get it?"

I shook my head. "I'll call her back later."

She looked surprised.

I shrugged inwardly. The last thing on my mind is work. And work can wait.

A knock on the door sounded.

"Come in," I said.

The door opened and Paul came in.

"Thanks for getting here so quickly."

"She'll be okay. It's most likely from fatigue and exhaustion, based on what you've told me," Paul, a doctor and a good friend of mine said.

"Why isn't she waking up?" I asked.

"Her body is trying to play catch up. She'll wake up soon. She needs the rest," he added. "But if you're really concerned, you can always bring her to the clinic to have a full workout."

I nodded.

"But I can tell you right now, a good TLC is all she needs," he smiled.

"Thank you."

"Is there anything else?"

I shook my head. "I'll probably take her to the clinic for a full workout, but for right now, we'll be okay."

He nodded back.

"Thank you again."

He paused for a moment then,"So, are you gonna tell me about her?" He asked.

"There's nothing to tell," I said. Yet.

He chuckled and shook his head. "And the two little ones downstairs?"

"Her kids. That's all I know."

"Just be careful. If there's kids involved, it can get complicated," he commented.

I looked back at him and said nothing.

He smiled. "I have a feeling it's too late," he muttered.

I frowned.

He clapped me on the back. "Another one bites the dust," he said as he gathered his things.

As he closed the door behind him, I chuckled too.

Paul was a known ladies man. Then he met his match, Erin. One who was immune to his charms and gave him the chase of his life.  They've recently gotten married and are blissfully happy and enjoying the married life. I've never seen Paul as happy as he is ever since Erin came into his life. Erin with her beautiful soul. She's one of the best people I know. She has such a kind heart. She has this aura that just invites you in and makes you feel comfortable. It wasn't hard getting along with her or even liking her as a person. She just radiates happiness and positivity.

Paul is truly lucky to have found her. Now looking at the woman who seemed to have made a mark in me in such a short amount of time, I wonder if this could be it. The one I've been waiting for, for what seemed like forever.

I smiled as I looked over her. She may very well be the one, but I have a feeling she'll be giving me the fight of a lifetime.

Then a few moments later, I heard crying

I turned around and there was Martha, holding a crying Michy in her arms, with Ty right behind her.

"What's the matter, princess?" I asked as I took Michy in my arms.

"Mama," she cried and pointed to Hallie.

I wiped her cherubim cheeks, her tears continuously rolling down from crying.

"Shh... I know sweetheart. Mommy is just resting. She's okay," I said.

She hicupped.

I rocked her in my arms as I soothed her.

"Mommy sleeping?" Ty asked.

I nodded. "She needs to rest, little man."

"Mommy sick?"

"She's going to be okay. She just needs to rest." 

Just then she moved.

"Mommy!" Ty exclaimed.

Hallie blinked a few times, before opening her eyes completely.

"Good to see you awake," I said.

Michy wriggled in my arms wanting to go to her mom, so I placed her on the bed right beside Hallie.

"Hi, sweet pea," she said, as she took Michy in her arms. She opened her other arm for Ty, who immediately climbed on the bed into his mom's embrace.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Martha found you unconscious in the bathroom. Paul, a good friend of mine, a doctor came to check on you. He recommended plenty of rest and vitamins to get your strength up."

"Oh. I'm sure I'm okay. I don't need to," I shook my head.

"Actually, we should get you into hi s clinic to have a full work up done. I want to make sure you're really okay."

She frowned.

Here it comes, I thought to myself.

"Like I said I'm fine. And if plenty of rest is all I need then I will make sure I get plenty of that. Just as soon as I get back to our apartment, I'll make sure I'll do that," she said and I almost laughed, but thought better of it, but apparently, I didn't hide my amusement fast enough, because Hallie called me out on it.

"What's amusing you?" She asked.

"Nothing."

"Anyways, I've already taken too much of your time. We should get going," she started to say when another knock on the door sounded.

"Sir, your mom is here," Martha said.

"Perfect timing," I smiled.

"Damien, what are you ill?" She asked as she walked into the room, then stopped once she saw who was in the room with me. "Oh, hello," she smiled warmly at Hallie and her kids.

"I'm Arabella, Damien's mom. Sorry to barge in like this, but Martha called and asked for my soup, so I thought Damien wasn't well," she said.

"I'm okay Mom," I assured her. "This is Hallie. And this is Ty and Michy, her kids."

"They're beautiful," my mom gushed. "But with a mom like you, who would doubt it," she said, making Hallie blush.

"Hi, Mrs. Anastasi, it's very nice to meet you," she said. "Your son was kind enough to offer us some help when we needed it, but we really have taken much of his time and we were just on our way home."

"Actually, mom, she's staying here for a little while. At least until I can make sure that she's healthy as a horse."

"Great. Compare me to a horse will ya," she muttered, making me chuckle. "Like I said all of two minutes ago, I'm perfectly fine. All I need is rest. And I'll rest well and better in my own home," she said stubbornly. "Besides, I don't want to be a bother."

"Non sense," my mom dismissed. "I'm going to guess that there is no man in the picture?"

Hallie blushed, but shook her head.

"Family? Relatives?"

She shook her head again.

"Then it's settled. You have no one to take care of you or help you. My son is perfectly capable of taking care of all of you and since he has opened his home for you, then you must take him up on his offer."

"But," she started to argue, but my mom gave her one of those looks, which ended all her protests.

I chuckled.

She glared at me.

"Honey, it doesn't hurt to accept some help. We all need it sometimes," my mom said.

Hallie hesitated, as she looked at Ty and then Michy. She closed her eyes for a few moments, before nodding.

I could tell she want entirely sure what she was agreeing to, but it was the first time I saw that she was open to whatever help I'm offering.

It was enough. For now.

"I have the soup in the kitchen being heated up. But I have a feeling this little guy and young lady would like a special treat of their own," mom said.

Ty bounced in excitement, while Michy raised her arms for my mom to take her.

"Thanks mom," I said. "Hallie and I will be there in a couple minutes.

"She should be resting I bed. I'll send her food up when it's ready," she said.

I nodded. "Thanks."

"Thank you, Mrs. Anastasi. Ty and Michy can be a handful, are you sure it's okay?"

My mom laughed softly. "Honey, I raised a handful of kids, trust me, nothing could be more challenging than my own set of hellions!" She winked.

"Hey!" I feigned hurt.

Mom tapped me on the face fondly before leaving with the little ones.

"Very well played, Mr. Anastasi," Hallie commented once they were out of earshot.

I feigned ignorance.

"Don't even pretend you don't know what I'm talking about," she narrowed her eyes at me. "Getting your mom to do your dirty work for you. Who could resist such a wonderful woman? It would be rude to," she said.

"I don't know what you're talking about I was just trying to be thoughtful. My mom cooks the best comfort food when you're not feeling well and I figured it would be a treat for you to have a taste of her homemade soup. One that she always give us ever since I could remember when we weren't feeling well."

She sighed. "Listen, I don't understand why you're doing this and while I really appreciate it, I really do have to decline your offer, whatever it is you're offering. I can manage on my own."

"Hallie, what are you so afraid of?"

She frowned.

"Are you always this stubborn?"

"I just down want to owe you anything."

"Who says you do? I'm helping you because I want to, not for anything else."

She snorted. "People always wants something in return."

"Not everyone."

"I have yet to meet someone who doesn't," she retorted.

"That cant be true."

"For men it is."

"Now that sounds sexist."

"Not if it's the truth," she replied stubbornly.

"What kind of men do you meet?" I responded and immediately, I realized my mistake.

Her face paled and she shut herself off again.

Damn it.

She looked away, as she tried to blink back her tears.

My suspicions were right. Someone hurt her.

Someone from her past.

"Who hurt you?" I asked softly.

Could it be Ty and Michy's father?

She looked at me with pain-filled eyes.

"Whoever he is, I'm not him," I said.