Mysterious Marriage

Chapter 21 - Fear

Hey all! Thank you so much for reading so far! I do hope you continue to fall in love with Tate and Amilee (And Ryan of course!) Please leave a comment and let me know how you like it so far! I try to update when I can! Working full time (48 + hours a week) and being a wife and a mom takes a lot out of me! BUT This will be finished! <3 Onto the next chapter!

Amilee's POV:

I couldn't help but smile when I turned the page and read the next lines of the book to the children around me. The small boy in my lap, Luke, studied the pages of pictures like they were life itself with is brown eyes. Him and Lily both were taking a hold on my heart.

Luke was lucky enough to only have burns on his back. His face was all intact and very handsome for his age of four. His chocolate brown hair was shaggy and in need of a haircut, but it suited him at his age.

I finished reading the two pages, and allowed for Luke to help me turn the pages. When I heard Lily giggle in the background, I looked up to feel my insides freeze in shock.

There was my husband, Tate, sitting with the precious Lily sitting on his lap. His piercing blue eyes caught my grey ones and I felt my breathing stop. My heart started to instantly beat a hundred miles per hour, and I couldn't look away from him.

Something in his eyes, the way he was now looking at me, made hope spark inside my soul. I don't know what it was, but I couldn't help but feel adored... loved.

No. That couldn't be.

Quickly I broke the eye contact and cleared my throat, feeling my cheeks grow hot. I opened my mouth and began to read the last couple lines of the book. All the children, including Tate, listened carefully without a peep as I finished the book.

"And they all lived happily ever after."

Luke looked up at me and smiled. I couldn't help, even with all my insides doing flips, smile back down at him with love. I closed the book and he climbed down off of me and focused on the largest man he probably had ever seen. Then, Tate did something. I looked towards him again, and felt my heart leap.

Tate's face held a genuine, real, big... smile.

Oh my god. This couldn't be happening.

The way I wanted to walk over to him, touch him, smile and kiss him on the lips... I couldn't deny it any longer.

I was falling for him.

This was not good.

A nurse, as usual, came in. "Okay kiddos, time for supper. Say thank you to Mrs. Lee and go get cleaned up."

The kids got up, ran over and threw their little arms around me and others nodded their goodbyes and thanks. I hugged Luke and Lily last, kissing them both on the foreheads before Lily took his hand and pulled him over to stand before Tate, who still sat so he wasn't fully towering over them.

"Luke, this is Mr. Tate. A friend." Lily smiled brightly. Tate reached out and held his hand in front of the boy. Eyeing him carefully, Luke finally reached out with a smile and shook his hand by his pinky. I couldn't help but laugh lightly at the sight. It was adorable. "Bye Mr. Tate! Come play with us again soon!" she told him.

"Will do, Princess."

They ran off to their rooms to get ready.

How could such a large, intimidating, feared man be such a tender, soft hearted man?

I stood and so did Tate. It was only us in the room now and I swear I my heartbeat was the loudest thing in the room. "W-What are you doing up here?" I asked him, walking towards him.