Alexis Miller [Editing]

Chapter twenty four: Yes?

I sit up staring blankly at him. He basically proposed to you. What am I supposed to do!? I don't know figure it out. Sometimes I hate my subconscious. “Uhm" I try to form words but that is all that comes out. The best thing for me to do now is leave. Yes, leave Ryder without an answer, smart.

“Alex?"

“I'm sorry I can't. I have to go." I rush over to where Cora is sleeping. I pick her up as gently as I can and head for the door.

“Alex! No, please wait!" I carry on walking towards the elevator. Ryder put me on the spot. I couldn't have said no or yes. I mean, I do love him a lot but I have so much going on now with Cora and all. I don't even know what I'm going to do after the summer ends and now he wants me to agree to marrying him. He is going to college in a few weeks! I can't deal with that.

Back inside the safety of my own home I lay Cora down on the bed. I lay next to her and look at the clock on the bedside table. 12:19am. I slowly close my eyes with thoughts of Ryder to take over.

*****

“Mommy! Wake up!" Cora jumps on top of the bed in an attempt to wake me up. Unfortunately it works.

“What is it baby?" I yawn.

“I'm hungry!" I lazily turn over and look at her. Her big brown eyes look innocently at me and I can't resist the temptation to help her.

“Alright Cora, go brush your teeth then come down to the kitchen." She quickly runs into the bathroom and the sound of the running tap can be heard.

Now in the kitchen, I lay out two slices of toast on a small pink plate for her. As soon as I turn to place her cup of orange juice down she is already here, munching away. “So mommy, what are we doing today?"

“Cora no, don't talk with your mouth full." I sit opposite her as I sip on my much needed coffee.

She completely ignores me and continues talking, “Are we going to see daddy? I want to see him." A few crumbs drop from her mouth back onto the plate.

She wants to see Ryder but I don't think I'm quite ready to face him again. “Oh sweetie I don't thin-"

“Mommy?" She rudely cuts me off but I know it's for a good reason. My Cora isn't rude, I raised her better than that, “why does daddy live far away from us? Why don't we live with him?"

I don't know how to respond to her, only because I don't know the answer. “Uhm I'm not sure dear."

“Maybe we can stay here and live with him!" She finishes off the last drops of orange juice then grins at me. “Do you love daddy?"

I don't know where all these questions are coming from but it definitely is a surprise. Cora is inquisitive at times. I don't want to lie to her so I'll just tell her the truth. “I do love your daddy, a lot, just as much as I love you."

“Hmm okay," she gets off the chair then walks towards me. “Because I love my daddy too." She walks over to the sink then stands on her tippy toes to drop the dish in. She is so cute and I can't believe she said that. She loves her dad.

I get up to put my empty mug in the sink when I hear a pair of wheels coming down the staircase. “Cora?" I call out but no answer.

After a few moments the person answers, “It's Tristan." He rounds the corner so that I can fully see him. He is standing next to his neatly packed suitcase. He doesn't give me time to talk but immediately wraps me in his arms, “I'm sorry, for hurting him and for hurting you."

He slowly lets go of me, “It's alright. I was angry but I can't stay mad at you forever. Besides, you had a misunderstanding and I get that." I smile at him while he hugs me again. “So, you want to tell me exactly where you're going?"