Time to say yes!

The next morning, I felt as if I had finally found the right direction in my life. When I went downstairs to find Ethan, I found him in the kitchen preparing cereal for Nicholas.

- Hey! Good morning.

They turned around in surprise.

- Hey, baby, good morning. - He came over and kissed my lips tenderly.

tenderly.

- Good morning, darling. Hello, little one! - I kissed Nicholas's forehead.

- Mom, Colle made coffee for me!

- How nice of him! Did you thank him?

- Thank you, Colle. - Nicholas smiled.

- Thanks, Ethan, you didn't have to.

- That's all right, dear. I thought you might like to sleep in, I didn't want to worry you.

- And, well, I don't know if this is the best time, but I've given the key a lot of thought. - I sniffled gracelessly. - If you're still willing to give it to me. I understand, I really understand, I don't even know why I reacted the way I did. But I didn't mean it badly, I know exactly what I want. And I really want to be with you.

Colle studied me for endless moments and then said;

- The key has always been yours, baby. I'm so glad you finally accepted it! You've always belonged there! We can plan a room for Nicholas. And you can stay with me, I'll clear out a part of the closet for you.

Whew.

I fell into his arms and gave him a sincere smile. - Thank you, dear. You make me so happy. Now I have to go upstairs and change, I'm working at the cafe today, since they didn't fire me, and I have to drop Nicholas off at school.

- Don't be in such a hurry. I'll take you, baby.

As I got up to leave, Ethan slapped me on the buttocks, making me jump.

Oh, I love this man.

I was looking forward to the girls' arrival. It had been so long since I had missed them! There was so much to tell. When the SUV stopped in front of the front door, my heart almost burst out of my mouth.

- Vivian shouted, running towards me. - I missed you, Nicole! - She hugged me tight. - I can't believe we're here! Ethan was so nice to let us stay with you and spend your birthday with you!

- Oh, this place is huge! And I need my friends. - I did a fake pout and hugged her back.

Right behind came Alice, who walked up to me and took me in a hug. - I miss you so much! She hugged me tight, then Vivian hugged me again and the three of us stayed together.

Someone huffed behind us, I turned to look at a thin but well chiseled man with short, light brown hair.

- This is Jamie," Alice told me enthusiastically, although I thought his appearance was a bit forced.

- Hi, Jamie," I said.

- Hi, Nicole. Alice has told me so much about you. - We shook hands.

- Hey, honey, how about taking me to my room?

- Jamie, I want to stay with the girls, I think there might be someone who can do that," Alice said sweetly.

- Don't worry, Jamie, I can get someone to do it.

Just then, Jamie threw Alice a discreet, deadly glance of disapproval.

- I think I'd better take him," she said, her smile fading from her face. - As soon as I get him settled in the cottage I'll be back. Are you staying in the main house?

Weird, but okay.

- Yes, I will. If you prefer, you can stay somewhere in the house.

- In fact, I think it's even better, if it's not in the way. Alice and I can share a room. Jamie can stay in the cottage," Vivian said in a dry tone.

- Vivian! - Alice warned her.

- Princess, it's all right," Jamie retorted. - I don't have time for this, I'm a little tired. If you don't mind, I'll retire along with Alice. -He grabbed her elbow and turned her around. They walked on.

- Sebastian, I wonder if you could take them to the cottage on the north side of the property? -I asked the new driver Ethan had put at my disposal.

- Of course, Ms. O'Connell. O'Connell.

- Actually, I do mind! - Vivian shouted loudly.

- Vivian! - This time I disapproved. - What's the problem? You just got here, why this tense atmosphere?

- You've only just met him, don't you know," she said in a frown, as we walked inside the main house.

- So explain it to me.

-He's strange," she let out. - And it scares me, he's always been kind of possessive of her. Last month, when they got engaged, it got worse. He tapped all her phone calls, her e-mail, social networks, internet, personal laptop, Blackberry, bank account, everything! He has access to everything. She no longer has a social life, and she has withdrawn from me. Tell me when was the last time you received a call from her?

- Oh... I don't know... I think it has been two months.

Maybe it is not that long.

- See? She calls me rarely! Just over two weeks ago I called her, told her that I missed her and wanted to meet her. She told me no, that she was sick, that she had a migraine problem. Anyway, I went to have dinner alone at the mall. When I got there, after passing a few stores, I found her having dinner with Jamie, her and JAMIE! - she raised her voice.

- Yeah, it's weird that he keeps monitoring her like that. But have you ever thought about the possibility that it's because her family was recently attacked?

- No, it isn't. I'm sure, one day she didn't know what she wanted, the next day she showed up with a diamond on her finger saying she was engaged? She doesn't fool me, Alice is not happy. A week ago she borrowed money from me. Since when does she need money? Even if her parents have lost some money, her account is separate.

This was all strange, but justifiable, Alice was the most balanced of the three, she would never do something, or be with someone, against her will.

- I'm sure that for everything there is an explanation. I can't promise anything, but I'll talk to her and see what I can find out. - I stopped in front of the room where Vivian would be staying. - Don't worry, it's probably nothing. - She hugged me tightly before entering the room.

- Thank you, little one.