Luminous Fire

26. Changes

Before you start to read the chapter, I must remind you of the warning I gave you all at the beginning of this story; that this story is not all happiness. The not so happy moments are coming up in the following chapters. The story overall will have a good, happy ending. It's going to be harder to write, but I will get it done and not have so spaced out updates. I don't want you all to have to wait long for updates.

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The first couple of weeks go by, Xavier comes home during the weekends, and calls us each night to say goodnight, but then things start changing.

He comes to bed like if nothing is wrong and tries to give me a kiss. I move my head to the side, so he ends up kissing my cheek instead.

"What is wrong, Cristian?"

"You have to ask?

"You're angry."

"No, disappointed."

"I'm not coming home because I don't want to. Things just keep changing at work and I can't quit. I've worked so hard for this. It'll lead to a better income for all of us."

"I've told you that money or things aren't the most important things. Spending time with your family is. Besides, I'm sure the supervisor would do a great job handling things. You did hire him."

"I do love you and the twins. I miss you all when I'm away."

"You should spend more time at home. You don't even know what you're missing. Each day is different with the twins. They're growing each day."

"I know."

"No, you don't. Did you know I found Angel crying asking why you had been away so long? He rarely cries. You know how sad that made me and who was here for him? Only me."

"I didn't know that. I'm sorry."

An apology won't solve anything. "Stop saying sorry. Make an effort to spend more time with the twins. They miss you because you are their dad too. I'm not their only dad though it's starting to feel like I'm a single parent."

"You're not a single parent. I'm here."

"Then, start showing it again. Don't keep doing what you're doing or there might come a time when you might loose the children's love..." Before he can respond I go on. "Don't keep disappointing them, if you do they will stop asking for you."

I lie down in the bed and turn off the light. He doesn't say anything, but lies down. I hope he thinks about it before it is too late.

***

He hasn't been home for three weeks. Calls have been spaced out, not like they used to be. Did he find someone else? Does he not love me anymore? Why? If not, then why not come home to see us? If he did, why can't he just talk to me about it? The twins shouldn't have to go through not seeing him if he doesn't love me anymore.

When I call him, he always seems to be in a hurry even at night time. He gives the excuse that he is too tired, that is understandable, but I'm also tired from taking care of the twins, my job, and chores that need to get done, but he says during weekends too. He hadn't worked all weekends before. Why did he hire the supervisor if he wasn't going to let him take care of things? Could it really be that he found someone else?

The phone rings startling me. It's Xavier.

"Hello." I say.

"Hi Cristian, how are you?"