“Daddy!” The kids yelled running towards him as he opened the door to welcome them.
Chris had finally come home after four months away working on a new project, and the kids were eager to spend some time with him. They had missed each other like crazy during that time. Of course they would constantly talk over the phone or video chat, but that was nothing compared to the real thing.
“You look terrible.” Chris commented helping you carry the kids bags inside his house.
“Well, thank you.” You sarcastically replied, rolling your eyes at him.
“When’s the last time you slept?” He questioned closing his front door once you both were inside.
“I slept.” You told him.
“How many hours?” He asked setting the bags on the couch.
“I don’t know.” You said looking away wondering where your kids had gone. “Where did they go?” You asked.
“They must be outside playing with Dodger…” He replied. “Would you like something to drink?” He offered.
“I’m fine, thank you.” You declined.
“C’mon Y/N, it’ll only be a minute.” Chris insisted.
“Alright.” You said unzipping your coat.
It wasn’t a strange thing for you to spend some time at Chris’ every time you dropped your kids. It was almost like a habit, as your children would always insist on you staying for a little longer. The same thing happened whenever Chris dropped them at you house. Maybe it was their desire of having their parents be back together, maybe they just weren’t ready to say goodbye. It wasn’t long since you had divorced, less than two years, they were still getting used to the idea. You all were.
Chris and you had separated in good terms. It was something you had talked exhaustively about. And probably the hardest decision you have ever had to make, but it seemed to be for the best at the time. Both your schedules were getting incredibly busy, and you saw each other less and less with every passing day. It was deeply saddening to see how you were slowly becoming strangers living under the same roof.
You looked after the kids whenever Chris had to travel for work and he took care of them when you were the one that had to work. Eventually you’d coincide and the four of you would spend as much time as you could together, but that simply wasn’t enough. You loved each other so much to continue to live in such a miserable relationship, and agreed you both deserved better.
“Daddy?” Your daughter said coming through the backdoor.
“What do you need princess?”
“I’m a bit hungry. Do you have any chocolate cookies?” She asked walking towards him.
“I do,” He replied kissing her temple. “but we’ll have dinner very soon, you’ll just have to wait a little more. You can have some cookies afterwards.” He told her.
“Fine.” She grumbled. “Is mommy having dinner with us?” She asked with a grin on her lips, her big blue eyes going back and forth between the two of you.
“I’m sorry honey, I can’t.” You answered. And the hopeful look on the faces of both Evans in front of you faded instantly. “Why don’t you go call your brother so I can say goodbye to him too?” You asked her, and after sighing sadly she walked out the door yelling your son’s name making you chuckle.
“You’re welcome to stay if you want to.” Chris told you. “The kids love having you here.” He added, but you shook your head slightly.
“I have a ton of work I need to finish.” You said standing up to place your cup in the sink as both children walked inside, Dodger right behind them as the protective older brother he was.
“Can I have a hug?” You asked and they both run towards you wrapping their tiny arms around your legs. “Be good, alright? Don’t make daddy get all grumpy.” You said getting on their level and kissing their foreheads. “I’ll see you in a few days.” You added standing back up. “Bye Dodger!” You said petting him as he happily shook his tail. “Bye Chris…” You added kissing his cheek.
“Y/N, you’re burning up!” He said noticing your temperature at the proximity. “Are you feeling ok?” He asked.
“Yeah, I just…” You replied placing the back of your hand on top of your forehead, instantly feeling the excessive warmth. “I just need some rest… I’ll be just fine. No need to worry.” You assured him, but your words flew right past him.
“I think maybe you should spend the night here.” He told you.
“I’m fine Chris, really.” You said grabbing your coat, trying to persuade him to let you go but knowing he was hard to convince once something had gotten inside his head.
“Please.” He said softly, extending his hand for you to give him your coat. “You took care of me an innumerable amount of times. Let me take care of you now.” He said, seeing the indecision in your eyes. You sighed giving in, and placing your coat on his hand.
“Kids, mommy isn’t feeling very good today so she’s gonna spend the night here with us.” He explained placing his free hand on your back and rubbing it softly. “Will you help me take care of her?” He asked.
“Yes!!” They yelled overflowed with excitement, making you laugh.
“Shh…” He signaled. “We need to be a little more quiet.” He explained, still chuckling. “C’mon let’s get you on the bed.” He said guiding you towards his bedroom.
“Thank you.” You told him as you entered the room. “Really.”
“It’s ok, I’m happy to help.” He said looking at you with a smile, before entering his walk-in closet. “Here.” He said coming back offering you one of his t-shirts. “You’ll be more comfortable wearing this.”
“Thank you.” You repeated with a small smile while timidly taking it.
As soon as Chris walked out the door, you brought his t-shirt straight to your nose inhaling his scent. God how’ve you missed it! Wearing it felt like having Chris wrapped around your torso. And you didn’t know if it was the fever, or how comfortable his bed was, but you fell asleep as soon as you laid your head on the pillow.
About three hours later, and after getting the kids on their beds, Chris walked by his room wondering if you’d like something to eat, or if you needed some medicine to help drop your fever, or anything at all. He just wanted to see you were alright. After knocking a few times he slowly opened the door to find you sound asleep. His stomach twisted in knots at the realization of how much he missed watching you sleep. How much he missed you. Taking a few steps towards the bed, he kneeled on the floor right beside you.
“Why is it so hard to let you go?” He wondered moving a strand of hair out of your face. “I can’t stop thinking about you. How you feel, how you look. Everything about you—I can’t stop thinking about it. You and our babies are the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I see before closing my eyes at night.” He said letting a sad sigh scape from his lips. “Divorcing you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You have no idea just how much I love you.” He confessed looking at you.
The house was really quiet when you lazily started to open your eyes. The sunlight bursting through the windows indicated you that morning had arrived not long ago. In diagonal to you, a couple feet away, something caught your eye making your heart shrink. Or rather someone. Chris was lightly asleep curled up on his grey arm chair. You couldn’t help but feel guilty for it. At the end of the day, you had stolen his bed for the night. Of course you never expected to find him sleeping there in such uncomfortable position. Your best guess was that he’d sleep in the guest room -where you should’ve- or with one of the children.
Pulling the covers away from your body, you quietly grabbed your jeans and put them on. Approaching Chris you shook him a little in order to wake him up from his very uncomfortable sleep.
“Chris.” You whispered as you softly shook him. “Chris.” You repeated and he hummed slowly opening his eyes.
“Morning.” He said with a small smile plastered on his sleepy face.
“What are you doing sleeping on the arm chair Chris? You’re not twenty anymore.” You said chuckling as you scolded him. “Get in the bed, your back is gonna appreciate it.”
“I’m fine.” He replied stretching his back as he stood up and then stopping for a moment to stare at your outfit. He couldn’t remember when was the last time he had seen you wearing any of his clothes. He missed that too.
“Aren’t you gonna get that?” You asked stopping his train of thought, bringing him back to reality.
“What?” He asked.
“Your phone, it’s been ringing for a while…” You explained pointing at his hand.
“Nah, it’s just Scott. He’s just pissed I cancelled the blind date he had set up for me last night.” He explained without realizing what he was saying until he had finished saying it.
"You cancelled plans for me?" You asked. “Chris you shouldn’t have! I could’ve just gone home last night. There was no need for you to…”
“I wanted to.” He said interrupting you. “With the kids and you here, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else or with anyone else.” He added.
"Because nothing else matters to me except for you and our wonderful children." He stated.
“What you said last night,” You said automatically catching his attention. And a sudden rush of heat reached his face turning his cheeks into a pink color. “I heard it. Or at lest I think I did. Maybe it was just a dream, I don’t know…”
"I didn't think you’d hear that,” He replied with a whisper, looking away from your gaze. “but I wasn’t lying. Y/N, I love you." He said holding your hand. "I’d take our relationship back in a heartbeat." He confessed, and noticed how much you hesitated. “What are you thinking?” He whispered taking one step closer and moving that wicked strand of hair that would always fall on you face.
“I’m just wondering.” You replied. “I’m scared it could end badly if it doesn’t work out.” You told him. “I mean, the kids are still getting used to the situation. I wouldn’t want them to go trough all of this all over again.” You said and Chris nodded with understanding.
"How mad would you be if I kissed you?" He asked looking at your lips and then into your eyes.
“I guess you’ll have to do it to find out.” You answered.
Chris smiled before giving in to what his heart was screaming inside his chest. It had been so long since you kissed for the last time, but Chris’ lips tasted as sweet as you remembered.
You heard his phone crashing on top of the bed and the next thing you felt was his arm wrapping around your waist bringing you closer to him. His hand sliding up under your t-shirt -his t-shirt- to caress the soft skin on your lower back. A quiet moan escaped your lips at the contact of his cold fingers with your warm skin. Chris smiled and took the opportunity to let his tongue explore your mouth.
“Mom? Dad?” The sound of your son’s voice resonated in the hallway as he approached the room you were in. Taking one step back you put some distance.
“Hey you!” You said once his tiny figure appeared through the door, and he ran towards you.
“Ma!” He screamed. “Are you feeling better now?” He asked as you lifted him in your arms.
“I am.” You said and he clapped his little hands. “I still need a few hugs to feel much better.” You told him and he instantly wrapped his arms strongly around your neck.
“Hold on!” He said suddenly pushing you away.
“What?” You asked confused by it.
“I’m not gonna hug you then.” He replied.
“Why’s that buddy?” Chris asked him as curious as you were.
“Because if I don’t hug mommy she won’t feel better. And if she doesn’t feel better, she’ll stay here with us much longer…” He explained.
“That’s not very nice!” You complained, but he shrugged making a face.
“What do you say you go wake Y/D/N up, and the four of us have some breakfast together?” Chris asked ruffling his hair even more.
“Yes!!” He yelled with excitement, and you put him down so that he could go find his sister.
“They like having you here…” Chris commented. “So do I.” He added and headed to the door, but you grabbed his hand before he could go any further. He turned back to look at you and a smile spread across his face. Using the hand you were holding he brought you closer to him wrapping your arm around his waist. His own arm wrapped around your shoulders and he happily pressed a kiss on your temple. “C’mon, let’s have some breakfast…”
