My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 536

Chapter 0536 

My house had slowly begun to take shape. The garden was thriving, after weeks of care, and the last month and a half had been surprisingly peaceful. Thanks to the courses took during my recovery, I had secured a new ya recommendation from my art professor landed me a position at the Royce Ceramic and Redmond Print Museum. The work hours were reasonable in the mornings, but the evenings often left me exhausted. Still, I enjoyed the rhythm of this new season in my life. I even had time to continue painting, I worked Monday through Friday, leaving weekends for rest and spending time at home. 

ALGI 

I hadn’t bought anything for the babies yet. Superstition, perhaps but I feared jinxing things if I prepared too soon. For now, I was saving so I’d be ready when the time came. 

I couldn’t help but think of my first child, the one I lost. This time, I had chosen not to prepare early. I would wait until the last moment to avoid tempting fate. Having these two babies would be a new experience, and while ! knew I’d be raising them alone, I strangely welcomed my solitude. My neighbors had been kind, their children often bringing me cupcakes and treats in exchange for drawing lessons and borrowing my art supplies, 

This morning, I woke up ravenous. I was making myself a sandwich with tomato sauce–one of my babies must be a tomato sauce enthusiast because it was all I could think about. I also craved grapes. Just thinking about them made my mouth water–I could eat an entire kilo without blinking. 

Life after leaving Peter’s house was different but good. I couldn’t deny that some nights I missed him. On those nights, a few tears might escape, but they did nothing to disturb the peace and calm I now enjoyed. There were two possible reasons Peter hadn’t sought me out–or our children. Either he hadn’t returned home yet, or he simply didn’t want the responsibility. I was prepared for either. 

My mornings were routine. I left for work at 9:00 a.m., my shift starting at 10:00. The twins always woke me by 6: 00 a.m., their cramped quarters reminding me to visit the restroom more often than I liked. By now, I had already bathed, dressed, and packed my lunch. I was nibbling on a quick snack–a piece of bread with cheese and tomato puree–because I couldn’t resist. 

Spike, my aging cat, had slowed down considerably. He spent most of his days napping, a shadow of his once playful self. I knew his time would come, and I hoped it wouldn’t be soon. He was my last connection to Adam, and when he left, I’d be saying goodbye to my past. I wanted him to stay long enough for my children to meet him. Oddly, he seemed to sense everything happening around him. He had become my guardian, lying on my belly when I returned home from work, purring and warming me with his presence. It was as if he was protecting my little ones with his body. 

As I opened the door to leave for work, I saw a car parked by the roadside. My breath hitched–it was a vehicle like the ones he used to drive. I knew immediately that it was him. Peter. 

For a moment, I hesitated, half inside and half outside the house. But I had already stepped out enough to make a retreat impossible. Closing the door behind me, I watched as the imposing man I had fallen in love with got out of the car. He wore sunglasses, the same kind that had once made him look so dashing when we were together. Those glasses that used to hide the eyes that could make me blush with a single glance.