Four years later I feel her eyes on me, but I pretend not to. I continue to stir the porridge. It’s a game we play, my girl and I. She sneaks up on me. If she kisses me first, she wins. If I kiss her first, I win. I let her win, most of the time. Sneaking a look as I reach for a banana, I see she is wearing all black. She loves pink too, as befits a mafia princess, but she’ll always love black I think. I hear her next steps and in my mind I race with her, me chopping the fruit versus her stalking me. My heart races as I tip the slices into the pan and spin on my heel, leaning down and brushing the top of her head with my lips just as she grasps my thigh and places a kiss on my knee. “Ah! I won, Daddy!” “I think you will find I won!” I protest as I scoop her up and onto my shoulders. She hooks her feet and holds on even as she squeaks at being six feet in the air. Just like her mother, our wee bairn Naomi. She’s my pride and joy, and Cleo is all my happiness. Naomi chunters contentedly as I finish making her breakfast, directing me to put more sugar in her bowl. And I, indulgent parent that I am, pour on another half teaspoonful and whisper, “Don’t tell Mummy. “What are you not telling Mummy?” Cleo asks as she walks in. Still stealthy. I can’t help it. When it comes to Cleo, I’ll do anything for her. “I’m helping her grow up strong like her mother. ” I walk over to kiss her, and then, in a move that always delights them both, I kneel down until Naomi can kiss Cleo too. “And with a sweet tooth. I straighten and lift Naomi to sit in her chair with an extra deep cushion. Just one of the changes to the castle. It used to be the place I found quiet and respite. This is still the place I want to be most in the world, but it has been turned upside down by my girls. The most significant alteration is that it’s safe and peaceful. We took the business straight- Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates… ish, and Cleo hasn’t needed to use her skills in nefarious ways. My wife is deadly, and can look after herself. I prefer to be the one fixing problems, but we compromised by always working on threats together, and though I wish she’d let me just protect her, that’s not my Cleo. She’s still the best assassin in Scotland and England. It’s a skill she’ll never stop practising, even if it gives me a heart attack every time I have to wait at a discreet distance. “We need a work meeting for that new investment,” I say to Cleo. “Later?” It’s not really a question, and Cleo’s eyes flare. “Naomi, what about some cartoons after breakfast?” Our daughter nods happily. Breakfast continues as usual, but I see Cleo’s expression when our daughter isn’t looking. It’s full of promise. Our daughter. This life we made. There’s always time for another investment, and I hope Cleo is willing to negotiate on that. Because there’s a small thing I want from her, that will grow, and grow. Title: A Second Chance by CrushReel In "A Second Chance," Clarissa and Pierce, once the epitome of a perfect couple, drifted apart as life's challenges tested their love. Following their divorce, they embarked on separate journeys. However, fate may have other plans as circumstances lead them back towards each other. Will they seize this second chance at love or let past wounds hinder their reconnection? This contemporary drama novel intertwines themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships against a backdrop of time travel and reincarnation. Readers will be captivated by the intricate exploration of how destiny plays a role in bringing souls together across different lifetimes. What sets "A Second Chance" apart is its compelling narrative that delves into the intricacies of human emotions and the enduring power of love. Dive into this engaging tale that transcends time and space, available to read at CrushReel for those seeking a poignant story that resonates with the heart.