LOOSING HOPE

TROUBLE IN PARADISE?

One month later

It has been one month since Sanem had her appendix removed. She was almost back to her old self. She only had pain now if she moved the wrong way, but it was getting better. Can babied her...spoiled her...and pampered her for weeks after her surgery. He refused to let her do anything. He did go back to work at the agency during the day, but he either had Mevkibe or Mihriban here with her during the day while he was gone. They helped around the house and with the triplets. Each day, Sanem was able to do more and more on her own. She appreciated her mother and Mihriban being there with her during the day. It helped a great deal. Sanem was getting tired of just sitting around doing nothing. She walked outside and sat on the balcony. Mevkibe and Mihriban were playing in the yard with the triplets. Sanem could not believe how big they were getting. They were growing up before her eyes. They all looked up and saw Sanem standing there by the railing on the balcony. They all waved at her. Sanem waved back and threw kisses to her children. She saw Can's truck pull into the driveway. He walked over and greeted Mevkibe and Mihriban. He hugged and kissed each one of his kids and then headed into the house.

Can looked all over for Sanem and eventually found her sitting on the balcony. He kissed her cheek and told her hello, love. Sanem smiled at her husband and said hello. He asked her how she was feeling. She said she felt great today. She told him she had very little pain. Can told her that was great. She asked how things were at the agency. He told her things were good, business was a little slow at the moment. Sanem told him she was sorry. Can told her it happens sometimes. Can told her he wanted to talk to her about something. Sanem said OK. He asked what she thought about him doing some freelance photography around Turkey. He told her he would be gone away sometimes for a few days to a week. He would still run the agency, but he would also do the freelance photography. Sanem said she didn't know. She was not use to him being away from her and the kids. Can said he didn't know if he wanted to do it, because of that very reason. He said since business was slow at the agency, he could use the extra income from the freelance jobs. Sanem said this is true. Sanem told him ultimately it would be his decision. He said he wouldn't do it until she was able to come back to work. He would have her take over the running of the company with Emre and Leyla's help. He was also looking at a mini van for her and the kids, so she could drive back and forth to work. Sanem told him that sounded OK. Can gave her a kiss and said he would start dinner.

Later that night, after the kids were bathes and in bed, Can and Sanem talked more about the freelance job. The job sounded nice to Sanem and she knew it was something Can always enjoyed. She decided she would support him on it. She didn't want to be the cause of him not going. Deep down she hated it. She did not want to be away from him for even a night. They have never been a part since the day they married. She also didn't want the kids to be apart from him. She would give it a chance and see what happens. She told Can what she felt he should do. Can asked if she was sure. Sanem said yes. She told him she would miss him terribly, but if this is what he wanted then she supported him. He kissed her passionately. He told her they needed to get some sleep. He had a few campaigns to finish up at the agency in the morning. He told her good night and turned off the light.

Sanem laid there in the dark listening to Can's deep breathing. Can has not attempted to make love to her since their camping trip. He just gave her a kiss here and there. Sanem was wondering what was going on. Was he getting bored with their marriage? Had he met somebody else? She laid there and silently cried. She couldn't lay there any longer and went to the couch. She eventually fell asleep. Can woke up in the morning when his alarm went off. He reached over, but Sanem was not beside him and her side of the bed was cold. He jumped up and went looking for her. He found her asleep on the couch. Can was thinking what the hell. Why did she leave their bed? Did she not feel comfortable sleeping next to him anymore? Had she met somebody else? Can decided not to wake her. He was really upset over finding her on the couch. He went and got dressed for work.

The triplets woke up a few minutes later. They found their mommy on the couch and started kissing her all over her face. Sanem woke up with a smile on her face. She said good morning my munchkins. She started tickling them and they were giggling. She asked if they were ready for breakfast. They all said yes. Sanem got up and folded the blanket she had used and headed to the kitchen. She started whipping up some eggs in a bowl. She poured it into the frying pan and added other ingredients for omelets. She started the toast. She poured each child a glass of orange juice and sat them on the dining table. Can entered the kitchen. He told Sanem good morning and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled at him and said good morning. Can asked her if everything was alright. Sanem said yes, everything was fine. Can said OK. She asked if he wanted breakfast before he left for the agency. Can told her no. He wasn't really hungry. Sanem said well then, have a nice day at work. Can looked at her for a few minutes and turned around and left.

All the way to work, Can was racking his brain on what happened from last night until this morning. Sanem was fine when they went to bed. Was she upset about the freelance job and just not telling him? She really hadn't been anywhere, so meeting someone else was kind of out of the question. Was she tired of their life together? Did she stop loving him? Back at home, it took everything in Sanem not to break down and cry. Why wouldn't Can touch her? She felt they were acting more like roommates then husband and wife. He was an awesome father to the triplets. She always thought he was the perfect husband. He took care of her after her surgery. But now things seemed different. He was distant. He wanted to start traveling around Turkey taking pictures. He never seemed to want to leave her and kids before so why now? Was her marriage coming to an end? It felt like her heart was literally breaking into pieces.