When Robert came home, his youngest daughter tottered over to him by the door. He picked her up and showered her chubby face with kisses. A pang of guilt burned in his chest over never having made the time to talk to his family while he was gone. He hugged his youngest extra tight and was surprised that his older daughter Klara wasn't the first to immediately greet him. Then he felt a thump on his leg.
Klara glared up at him, her red face scrunched up in a little fury. "Daddy, you were gone!" she whined.
"I know, princess, I know," he said, shifting his youngest into one arm and reaching down so he could scoop Klara up as well but she merely hit out at his leg with her small fists.
"You didn't give me my bedtime story!" she said and then began wailing and sobbing.
Robert felt like the world's worst father. A deep and overwhelming shame overcame him. How could he ignore his daughters for two entire days just to satisfy his own dick? Crouched down, he wrapped both his daughters in his arms and said, "I'm sorry, princess. I'm home now. I missed you both so much. I love you, I love you."
Klara continued crying into his arms even as she clung tightly onto him.
The housekeeper had prepared his welcome home dinner. Robert noticed that Anna looked more tired than usual. She had bags under her eyes and her usually shiny hair was gathered limply into a messy top-bun. He'd greeted her with a kiss but she wasn't very talkative. He understood if she was mad at him. After all, she had to take care of the house and the girls by herself. Even with the help of the housekeeper and nanny, she looked exhausted.
Robert knew he had to make it up to her somehow. So he told her that the wellness retreat had gone so well that he didn't have to book any more appointments for a while. She said she was glad to hear it but she didn't look as enthused as he expected her to.
So he tried for a vague apology. "I'm sorry for leaving you and the girls and not calling. It's just that everything was so busy I never found the time."
"Don't worry about it," she said. "It's good that you had time away."
She withdrew to her walk-in closet to put some things in order.
Now that he was going to spend more time with his family, Robert had to tell Gavi. They needed to put their relationship on pause, just until his family life was on better footing. On the team bus on their way to a game, Robert sat in the back with Gavi. He couldn't really find a more private time than this and besides, no one paid any attention to their quiet conversation in the back.
Gavi was daring enough to try and hold his hand but Robert stopped him. Gavi's hand rested on Robert's thigh.
"Listen, we're going to have to cool it a bit," Robert said in a low voice.
Gavi looked confused. "Huh? Why?"
"I just... I should be with my family more," Robert said. "I need to be with my family more," he re-stated, adding finality to his words.
Gavi's brows furrowed. "Does Anna suspect something?" he asked in a whisper.
Robert vehemently shook his head. "No. Absolutely not."
"Then it's okay," Gavi said, palm up and waiting for Robert to lace his fingers with his. "We can see each other twice a week instead."
Robert sighed. Usually he gave in to the teenager but this time he wouldn't budge. "I mean it, Gavi. We need to take a break. It didn't feel good to be away from her and my girls."
Gavi pulled his hand back, lower lip jutting out in a hurt expression. "I thought you enjoyed our time together."
"Gavi, I did. I do. A lot."
