Echoes of the Past

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I spent the whole day trying to erase Cole from my mind. But I soon had to see him again, as I had to take the boys to him. It wasn't just his physical resemblance to Eric that unsettled me; it was the way he looked at me, the warmth in his eyes, the tenderness in his touch. It reminded me of a time when things were simpler before tragedy had torn my world apart.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. This was my life now—I was married to James, a good man who had been my rock after Eric's death. I had built a new, stable life, and I couldn't let anything—or anyone—disrupt that.

But as the afternoon wore on and I went about my daily routine, I found pushing Cole out of my mind increasingly difficult. 

When I picked up the boys from school, they were their usual lively selves, chattering about their day, their excitement about the upcoming soccer game, and about the things they did today at school. I smiled, grateful for the normalcy they provided. They were my anchor, my reason for As we pulled into the driveway, I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Boys, I have a surprise for you."

"What is it, Mom?" Eliah asked, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

"It's about Uncle Cole. He arrived today!" I watched their faces closely, noticing the smiles starting to form.

"Really?" Ethan exclaimed.

"Yes," I nodded, returning their smiles. "He's missed you both so much and can't wait to see you."

Eliah's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, we've missed him too! But it's been so long... I'm afraid I've almost forgotten what he's like."

His words tugged at my heartstrings. I decided to ask gently, "Do you still remember your father?"

Ethan looked thoughtful for a moment before answering, "A little bit... I remember he had a big, warm smile and used to carry us on his shoulders."

Eliah nodded slowly. "I remember his voice when he used to read us stories... but it feels a bit blurry now."

Their honesty brought a lump to my throat, and I offered them a reassuring smile. "It's okay. We'll talk more about him, and maybe seeing Uncle Cole will help you remember even more."

" I'm sure it will since he's his twin. It would be like having our Dad back." Eilah said.

"Not exactly, but I understand what you mean," I told him not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm.

"Where is Uncle Cole living?" Ethan asked.

"He's staying in a house nearby. I thought we could go visit him later today."

The boys exchanged excited glances. They had only faint memories of Cole from when they were younger, but the idea of reconnecting with someone so closely tied to their father thrilled them.

"Can we go now, Mom? Please?" Ethan begged, bouncing in his seat.

I smiled, though my heart felt heavy. "Of course. Let's go."

As we drove to Cole's rented house, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something I couldn't fully control. The boys' excitement was contagious, but it also brought a twinge of guilt. How would they feel when they picked up on the tension between Cole and me? Would they notice the inner conflict I wrestled with—the struggle between my past and present?

When we arrived at Cole's place, the boys practically leaped out of the car, rushing to the front door. Cole opened it just as they reached it, and his face lit up with genuine happiness at the sight of them.