Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 46 RYAN I couldn't wait for the weekend to reach any more. I only found out about them a few days ago, and it is basically like I cannot live without them. The few times I Face Timed Lily to speak with the kids, I only got to speak with Noah and Ethan. The few times Liam joined the conversation, he just sat there and listened to me without uttering a single word, despite my countless attempts to engage him in a conversation. The moment the chopper touched down the hotel's rooftop, I had Angelo take my stuff to my penthouse while I got into the car, one of my security accompanying me to help load the excessive gifts into the car, and I let an unpreferred driver take me to Lily's residence. Judging from the time. I was sure she was done with her hospital duties for the day, and even if she wasn't done, the kids were back from school, so I could just spend some time with them before she got back. I sent her a quick text to inform her that I was en route to her house, although she was already aware that I would be coming to Canada. today. The driver pulled over at her gate and one of the security walked over r to our car and instructed the driver to roll down all windows. The moment he saw me, he gave me a curt nod before turning to his colleagues and instructing them to open the gate. With less stress un Gate. unlike the previous days, we drove past the headed for the building which was almost a ten minutes drive away from the Pulling over, I opened the door myself and got down, ambled to the trunk, opened it, and carried the gifts I had brought with me. Pressing the doorbell, a domestic staff opened the door and ushered me inside. She told me to make myself comfortable while she go call Lily. I have no reason to remain in the living room. What I believed was common sense told me that the kids would be in their study room, getting their homework done, so I went upstairs to surprise them myself. The staff noticed that I was just behind her, so she stopped. "Do you want to meet Ms. Lily yourself?" I nodded, walking past her. "I know my way around the house," or at least part of the house, so you don't have to show me around or do the calling for me. I made my way to the study and knocked once before pushing the door open. Instead of the kids, I saw Lily putting away their books on the shelf. Her eyes widened a bit in surprise when she saw me standing in the room with her. "Did you just arrive?" she asked, her eyes darting to the window. Why does she look nervous though? "Yeah, I just arrived." My eyes squinted at her suspicious behavior. "are you okay?" she blinked rapidly in response. "You are acting weird." Licking her lips, she nodded. "Yeah, I am fine." Turning, she placed the last book on the shelf. "You arrived earlier than planned, you should have at least called or texted." "I texted." I deadpanned, “finding her current reasoning annoying, "where are the kids?" Taking a bath. She replied, heading for the door, but I grabbed her forearm, halting her. "are you sure you are fine!" She nodded firmly, yet failed to convince me. "I am fine Ryan. I just had a busy day at the office and I am a bit tired." Nodding skeptically, I decided not to push it, despite knowing that she was not being entirely truthful. "Spring break is in two months, you know that right?" Tilting her head, she blinked up at me. "I am well aware of the school calendar Ryan." "Have you told them that they are going to spend the holiday with me?" she fell silent which means she hasn't told them about it. "I am not trying to pressure you or anything, but I believe it would be much better if you let them know ahead of time." Truth be told, I am eager to spend the holidays with them. I want to take them to the park, wearing matching t-shirts and sunglasses. I 11:43 AM Chapter 45 want to take pictures with them, I want to take them to the movies, and share popcorn and ice cream with them. Yes, I am that kind of man, I want to be that kind of father "What if you tell them yourself?" she suggested and my eyes widened, "what?!" she blurted out, feigning ignorance on the reason for my nervousness. "I think it is a great idea for you to tell them yourself." I shook my head, letting go of her hand and taking a step back. "I do not think it is a great idea. You are just giving Liam one hundred and one reasons why he shouldn't go with me to New York for the holidays." She smiled at me. "Stop being scared of your son Ryan." She advised and I almost argued that fact. I am not afraid of my son, I am afraid of his feelings for me, I am scared of how he perceives me which is why I tread carefully around him. "Fine, I'll tell them myself." Lily nodded encouragingly, "that would be great. I will also inform the nanny of the travel plans so she can make adjustments too." Staring down at the beautiful ginger-haired lady standing before me, an idea formulated in my head and I smiled inwardly. "Is that necessary?" I asked her with a slight frown. Not exactly getting my question, her head tilted again. "informing her ahead of time?" she nodded, answering her question. "courtesy demands that we let her know despite her role or duties in this family." Slipping both hands into my pocket, I shook my head. I wasn't talking about that, I meant, is taking her along with us necessary? I have enough domestic staff that will take care of them and also there is Stephanie," I watched her frown at the mention of that woman's name. "since she is going to be their stepmother in the future, it is best that they

start bonding now." Lily's lips thinned with anger. "Keep my children away from that woman." She hissed. Forcing to keep my smile locked in, I blinked slowly at her. "and why is that? If they can bond with their stepfather, I do not see what the problem is with them bonding with their stepmother." "Jake is glad to have the kids in his life, but I can't say the same for that woman." She gritted out. "That woman hates me for the very reason of my existence and I honestly do not give a, but if you leave my children under her care, she is going to make me regret it, so I'd rather not have that." I was certain Stephanie wouldn't want to be anywhere close to the boys, not that I'd let that happen anyway. "I need a mother figure in their lives within that short period, so if you do not want Stephanie, you will have to find a replacement "Their nanny is the best option." "I am not going to leave my children under the care of someone who doesn't know the streets or dangers of New York." "So what are you suggesting Ryan?" Squaring my shoulder, I tried not to look too excited that things were going exactly how I wanted them to go. "It is either Stephanie stays or you come to replace her." "You are insanel" The door to the library pulled open and Jake stomped inside. "she is not living in the same house with you in New York." I glared at the intruder. Was that the reason she was acting strange? Has he been here all along?! 11:43 AM Chapter 47