Luminous Fire

24. News

After some suggestions, we have Xavier's POV. I might include him in later chapters.

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Xavier's POV

"Dad, can I finger paint?" Angel asks.

"I thought we were using brushes." Cristian says as he takes a seat on the floor.

"But finger paint is fun!" Celestine adds.

"Yes and messy." Cristian says.

"Please daddy, right dad." Celestine says.

"Yes, please daddy." I say. "We should all finger paint. We can use paint brushes later."

"Okay." Cristian agrees.

The twins smile.

"Ugh, can you get up and get the paper towels, Xavier?"

"Yes."

"So here you go kids, paper for you both. Here's the paint. Finger paint whatever you want." Cristian says.

"What are you finger painting daddy?" Celestine asks Cristian.

"I don't know yet." He responds.

"What are you finger painting, dad?" Celestine asks me.

"I don't know. Any ideas?"

"You can paint Rocky!" Celestine exclaims.

"Maybe. Did we already tell you how I met your dad?" I ask the twins.

"Yes." They respond.

"I'll tell you again. I met him at an art class. I wasn't even going to go, but it was a good thing I decided to go at the last minute. I remember walking in and he was the only one sitting by himself until I went to sit next to him."

"And we know dad likes telling that story almost every time we paint together." Cristian says.

"Yes, it's a good memory because that is how we met, we became friends, and then later husband and husband."

"Yes." Cristian states locking eyes with me smiling.

A few days later, we are lying in our bed, Cristian on me, watching a movie after putting the twins in bed. I know I have to tell Cristian, but I know he won't like it. I can't let the opportunity go by though I've worked so long for this opportunity. I hope he understands.

I clear my throat. "Cristian, remember when I said our company was thinking of opening other locations?"

I feel him stiffen. "Yes."

"So they are giving me the opportunity to oversee an office and with it comes a promotion to senior project manager." I pause, but he doesn't say anything, so I continue, "The first office is three hours away. I would be staying over for a couple of days a week for a few weeks to oversee it's establishment and everything."

"Oh." There's a long pause. "So you accepted?"

"Yes."

"So when is this starting?"

"I start after the new year."

"Okay."

"But after that, I won't have to travel to oversee it only if there is an emergency. Also, the promotion means less travel time after the office is established."

He asks in a blank tone. "So when are you telling the twins?"

That means he's not happy at all with my decision, but I can't let this opportunity go. I do love them. "After the new year."