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 hand 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 sroom with Ryan? She glanced at him and refused outright, "No, that's not appropriate." Ryan arched an eyebrow before he asked, "You used to stay within the hospital." "That's different!" Lora protested.

"How different? I'm still injured, it's not like I can do anything to you..." Ryan trailed and smirked. "Unless you wantto do something to you." Lora blushed and tugged at her hand roughly, "Let go-" "Argh!" Ryan groaned and Lora stilled, looking him over worriedly.

"What is it?" She asked anxiously.

Pain contorted Ryan's face as he said with difficulty, "I think I pushed myself too hard... my injuries hurt so much." Lora's heart sank, worry creeping into her. She sat on the edge of the bed and said, "You try to sleep... I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. In case you need anything." At the stime, Ella tried to knock on the guest room door when Ethan stopped her. He uttered, "Mommy will send Daddy away if we disturb them." "Oh... then I'll just see Daddy tomorrow," Ella whispered back. "Since Mommy is sleeping with Daddy, does it mean she forgave Daddy?" Ethan sighed, saying, "I don't know... let's wait and see." The two kids went to ask their grandparents to tuck them in. Even though they didn't spend much twith Ryan, they were excited to have both their parents around that night.

The next morning, Lora found herself in bed. Her heart skipped a beat when she realised she was still in the guest room.

'Did I sleep in the sbed as Ryan?' Lora asked herself, her heart fluttering like a hummingbird's wings. 'Oh no! How could I let that happen?' She mused.

She closed one eye and turned to look at her right side with the other. However, the other side of the bed was empty. Had Ryan left already? Whatever the case, she was saved from the embarrassment of waking up with Ryan in the sbed. Lora didn't even know how she slept or how she found herself on the bed.

A short while later, Lora took a shower. Since her parents were around, she 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 care of the twins.

When Lora was done, she went downstairs. However, as she approached the kitchen area, she heard svoices.

"... are you going to make breakfast for us, Daddy? Can you cook?" It was Ella's voice that resonated in the area.

"Of course, your father is a man of many talents," Ryan's voice came.

"Are you sure?" Ethan's voice was filled with doubt. "Those eggs look burnt to me." "Ah... I'll do them again," Ryan's voice reached Lora's ears.

She quietly stood in the doorway, watching Ryan and the children's interaction. Ryan had wrapped an white apron around his waist and he was busy flipping something black on the pan. Lora arched an eyebrow at that. Couldn't he see that the egg was now as black as charcoal?

The kitchen was a total mess with so many dishes in the sink and so many eggshells on the counter. It seemed Ryan had been at it for a while now seeing how he already emptied one tray of eggs. Although the place was a mess, Lora couldn't help the warmth that spread through her at the heartfelt scene before her.

The twins looked genuinely happy to see Ryan in the kitchen despite the smoke that had clouded the place.

"Are you planning to finish our eggs?" Lora asked, making her presence known.

Ryan glanced at Lora and the tips of his ears turned red. He sighed and said, "Your parents allowedto use NO their kitchen so I could surprise you with breakfast... I'm sorry I made a mess instead." "It's the thought that counts," Lora remarked and offered. "Lettake over." "No," Ryan refused and said, "Lettake you and the children out for breakfast." Lora furrowed her eyebrows. She was about to decline when Ella beat her to it, "Yay! I want to go and eat out with Daddy and Mommy!" too," Ethan remarked. "We've never had a meal with Daddy." Lora sighed and reluctantly replied, "Fine... but only this once." Ryan's eyes lit up. He raised his hand to give the twins a high five before exclaiming, "Yes! Our very first family date!"