Starting Over 💙

Chapter 31

Sebastian heard a knock on his door later that same night. He answered it, surprised to see Chris standing in his doorway, "Chris? What are you..." Chris didn't let Sebastian finish his sentence before he balled his hand into a fist, making quick contact with Sebastian's face. "Fuck!" Sebastian grabbed his cheek in his hand, "I guess Ellie told you." He left the door open as he went to the kitchen to the freezer to get ice.

Chris hesitated before entering the apartment, slamming the door shut behind him. He began to pace in front of Sebastian in the kitchen as he watched. Sebastian started to say something but Chris put his hand up, making him sit quietly, watching his friend pace as he braced himself for whatever was going to happen. Eventually Chris stopped pacing, facing Sebastian, "I need to know why. And if she ever flirted with you or indicated she had feelings for you first."

Sebastian stood up, but Chris motioned for him to sit back down angrily. "I'm sorry Chris."

Chris shook his head, "no! I didn't ask for apologies. Start talking before I give you a matching bruise on the other side of your face."

Sebastian sighed, "the answer is no. Of course she never once gave me any indication that she had feelings for me. It was all me. She never would have kissed me if I hadn't kissed her. And I only did that because I was drunk. It was all me Chris, not her."

"Well, we both know that isn't completely true. She never had to kiss you back, or show up here in New York at your doorstep, did she?"

Sebastian groaned, hanging his head down, "I'm so sorry Chris. For the record she said she's in love with you and only you and nothing could ever happen between us. And forbade me from coming around unless you were home."

Chris leaned on his hands on the counter across from him, staring down at the granite, "how could you do this?" He looked back up at his friend, "were you ever going to tell me?"

Sebastian shook his head, "it was selfish of me, I feel awful. And I told her not to tell you and to forget it ever happened."

Chris backed away, scoffing, "you feel awful?" He shook his head, "she's right, don't come around. And don't message my wife anymore. You want to ask about the kids, you can ask me. I have to go."

Sebastian watched Chris open his front door, "are we still friends?"

Chris stopped, hanging his head down as he stared at the ground, "I don't know. I'm more worried about my family right now. Goodbye Sebastian."

~~~

Chris arrived back at his house finding both kids sleeping soundly in their beds with Dodger asleep at the foot of Maddy's. He kissed them both on the cheek, making sure they were covered in blankets before heading to his room he shared with Ellie. He found her asleep on her side of the bed, her hand resting on his side. He sighed, undressing quickly before sliding under the blanket on his side.

"Chris? What are you doing back here?" She leaned up to look at him as he put his arm out for her.

"Don't say anything, just sleep." He patted his chest as she laid down her head. He wrapped both arms around her, pulling her close to him as she started to cry. He ran his fingers through her hair, feeling his shirt damp with her tears, "shh. Sleep."

~~~

They were awoken in the morning by knocking on the door. Ellie sat up, groaning, "that will be the new nanny. She starts today." She got up quickly, answering the door, "Jennifer, hi. I'm so sorry. I forgot you were starting today." She moved out of the way so that the new nanny could enter.

Jennifer grinned, shaking her head, "hey. No worries."

Ellie showed her around quickly, stopping outside her bedroom. "This is mine and Chris's bedroom, I prefer if you didn't go in it."

"Yeah. Of course." Jennifer smiled and nodded as the kids came out of their rooms.

Ellie motioned to the kids, "this is Madeline and Robert. Maddy and Robbie is fine." She bent down to the kids, "this is Jennifer, she's going to be around, helping mommy out while she goes to work. Remember we talked about being on our best behavior?" She laughed as both kids nodded, deceptively sweet. She stood back up, looking at Jennifer, "can you make the kids breakfast? I need to talk to Chris before he leaves."

Jennifer nodded, "of course." She motioned for the kids to follow her with a smile.

Ellie entered the bedroom, shutting the door behind her to find Chris dressed, "Chris. I'm sorry."

He nodded, "yeah. I know you are love. But I really have to go. I spent my entire time off flying. Flying home, to New York, back home. And now I have to leave again." He grabbed her by the waist, running his fingers through her hair as he watched tears silently fall down her cheeks, "I just wanted to spend some time with you."

"I know. I'm sorry." She rested her head on his, "you went to New York? How badly did you hurt him?"

Chris laughed, "I only punched him once. I also told him he isn't allowed to be messaging you. If he wants to ask about the kids he can message me." He sighed, "why Ellie? Please tell me you aren't in love with him."

"No! Of course I'm not Chris. I'm in love with you. I'm so sorry." She brought her hands to his neck as she looked into his red eyes, "I love you and only you."

Chris nodded, "okay. I love you too." He pulled her into an urgent kiss, making her moan before he pulled away, "I wish we could do more, but I have to go love."

She watched him grab his bag, "are we going to be okay?"

Chris stopped at the door, turning to face her, "yes. Just don't go around kissing anyone anymore, yeah? I love you Ellie."

"Of course I won't. I love you too."

"I have to say goodbye to the kids." He dropped his bag, pulling her back into another kiss. "I'll be back for a visit as soon as I can." She nodded as she watched him leave before getting dressed for work.

Chris went to the kitchen, kissing Maddy and Robbie before turning to Jennifer. "You must be Jennifer." He offered her his hand which she accepted politely. "I'm sorry for the rushed introduction but I have a flight to catch." He turned back to Maddy and Robbie, "I love you guys."

Maddy ran up to him as he bent down to hug her as Robbie came up to them. He wrapped his arms around both of them as he heard 'I love you daddy' from both of them.

Ellie came out of the bedroom to find both kids eating breakfast and a cup of coffee waiting for her. "Ugh. Thank you Jen. I didn't sleep well." She took the coffee, putting it in a to-go mug. "So, I should be home by 5. You have everything you need on the sheet." She pointed to the paper she left on the fridge. She pointed to a number on it, "if you can't get ahold of me you can call Chris's mom. Thanks again."

Jennifer watched Ellie hesitate after saying goodbye to Maddy and Robbie, "go. It'll be fine."