Her Return, His Regret by Natie

Lora's stomach churned with worry as she took care of Ryan. He had gotten worse when she took him to the guest room... his skin turned pale, beads of sweat coated his forehead and he developed a fever. During that time, Lora placed a cool, damp washcloth on Ryan's forehead and neck to help reduce his fever.

For hours, he wasn't responsive and worry crept into Lora. Why was Ryan looking so weak? His injuries were healing and the chilli shouldn't have made him so sick.

She furrowed her eyebrows, wondering if there was something wrong with him. Brushing her thoughts aside, Lora stayed by Ryan's side until later in the evening when colour returned to his face and he finally opened his eyes. "Are you ok?" Lora asked, her voice laced with concern.

Ryan glanced at Lora and nodded, his voice hoarse, "I'm ok."

The chilli effect had gone and the medicine that Lora had given him had stopped the stomach cramps.

"Why did you eat chilli when you know you can't eat anything spicy? Do you have a death wish?" Lora questioned, a frown etched on her face.

"I wanted your father to forgive me," Ryan replied. "I needed his approval to be with you again."

Lora sighed, her heart racing. She looked into Ryan's eyes and a complicated feeling crept into her before she said, "Don't waste your time, Ryan. At most, we can only be friends."

"Friends?" Ryan arched an eyebrow as a lump formed in his throat. Was there really no chance for them to be together again?

He wanted to bring Lora home and live with her as husband and wife with their kids. He wanted to give his children a complete family... what better way than to do it with the woman he loved? However, Ryan knew Lora wasn't ready to give him her heart yet. Looking at her, he grinned and remarked, "Ok... friends it is... but can I be your bestie? Just being friends sounds too distant."

Lora rolled her eyes and replied, "Stop playing around, Mr Kingsley. It's late but you still look weak... you can sleep in here and leave in the morning."

She got to her feet and turned around to leave when Ryan grabbed her hand and whispered,

"Stay with me."

Lora froze in her stance, her heart pounding erratically in her chest. How could she stay in the same room with Ryan?

glanced at him and refused outright,

he asked, "You used to stay with me in the

"That's different!" Lora protested.

different? I'm still injured, it's not like I can do anything to you..." Ryan trailed

blushed and tugged at her

groaned and Lora stilled, looking him

it?" She

contorted Ryan's face as he said with difficulty, "I think I pushed myself too hard...

of the bed and said, "You try to sleep... I'll stay with you

on the guest room door when Ethan stopped her. He uttered, "Mommy will

I'll just see Daddy tomorrow," Ella whispered back. "Since Mommy is sleeping with Daddy,

don't know... let's wait

went to ask their grandparents to tuck them in. Even though they didn't spend much time with Ryan, they were excited to have

...

skipped a beat when she realised she was still

sleep in the same bed as Ryan?' Lora asked herself, her

no! How could I let that

closed one eye and turned to look at her right side with the other. However, the other side of the bed was empty. Had

embarrassment of waking up with Ryan in the same bed. Lora didn't even know how she slept or how she found

while later, Lora took

didn't really need to work so hard with the kids. Her parents did everything... it was like they were new parents again excited to take

went downstairs. However, as

make breakfast for us, Daddy? Can you cook?" It was Ella's voice that resonated

your father is a man of many talents," Ryan's

with doubt.