After the party Alan and Katie went out and left Miguel with Arvilla for the night.

Carol and Margene were also there after the party had ended.

"You kiddos got some great stuff!"

"They sure did." Arvilla smiles.

"Uncle Bobby outdid himself, didn't he?  A playhouse!"

"Yeah, they'll love that once it's up.  And once they start walking!"

"They're close." Miguel says holing Joseph's hands and walking with him.

"They are, they're just lazy." She chuckles.

"They'll be walking soon enough!" Margene says.

"Yeah.."

"Okay Arvilla, what's up?  Why do you look upset?" Margene asks.

"I'm not.  I'm happy." She smiles softly.

"That's such a fake smile.  What's wrong?"

Arvilla sighs. "I really thought he'd come."

"Aw sweetie.. I'm sure he wanted to." Carol wraps her arm around her friend.

"I don't know.. if he really did he would have made it happen.  God, I sound so selfish!"

"No you do not!  It's okay to be upset."

Miguel saw Arvilla's tears slowly rolling down her face.  His heart broke for her.

Miguel then kneeled down and whispered to Joseph. "Go walk to your mommy and make her smile."

Joseph smiled at Arvilla as Miguel let go of his waist.

"Tia look!" Miguel says as Joseph smiles and takes his first step.

"Joe!" Arvilla shot up with excitement. "Come to mama, sweet boy!" Arvilla sat down on the ground and held her arms out.

"Mama!" Joseph cheered as he quickly walked towards her.

Joseph threw himself onto his mother and she cried tears of happiness. "Aw I'm so proud of you, big boy!  You did so good!"

"I told you he was close." Miguel smiles.

"You did!  Thank you for helping him, Miguel." Arvilla holds her arm out and he walks towards her for a hug.

"You're welcome!" He smiles sweetly.

***

May.

This month is Arvilla's 42nd birthday.
Robert's just past and of course Arvilla spoke to him and sent him a gift.

Arvilla is still hurt that Robert didn't go to the twins birthday party but never brought it up to  him.  She understands it's not easy to just leave your job at a drop of a hat.  Even though he has been known to do that before.  Arvilla was not going to hold it against him.

"What happened to your webcam?" Arvilla asked.

"It broke so I've gotta go buy a new one.  It sucks cause I can't even see your face on your birthday."

"It's okay, I'm not much to look at anyway."

"Don't you ever say that, Arvilla.  You are beautiful."

Arvilla blushes and let's out an adorable little giggle. "Thanks, Bobby."

"Anytime." He smiles. "I can't believe today makes a whole year since I've seen you.  Like really seen you and hugged you.."

"Yeah.." Arvilla sighs. "It feels like forever yet.. as fast as a blink of an eye at the same time.  It's crazy.."

**

Two hours later.

Today she is meeting the boys, Margene and Carol for lunch.

"Happy Birthday Mrs. Holden." Katie smiles.  She tagged along as well.

"Thank you, sweetie!  Thank you all for coming, you always know how to make me feel loved." Arvilla says with a beautiful smile.

Miguel smiles and hugs Arvilla tightly.

"You're the bestest!"

"Aw thank you, sweet boy!"

"So any plans tonight?  Are you girls gonna party hard?" Alan asks.

"Hah!  No dear, I'm afraid those days are long gone.  I'm forty two now, I might as well be a hundred!"

"Oh wow." Alan rolls his eyes.

"Hey don't roll your eyes at me!" Arvilla laughs and taps his arm.

"You're not old!  Go out and have some fun.  When's the last time you went out?"

"Like out out?"

"Yeah!" Alan chuckles.

"I guess Margene's bridal shower."

"You were super pregnant then, that didn't count." He laughs.

"That's true!  Well I guess the last time we went dancing was when we were in Argentina.  I was only about three months pregnant then and could still move around.  That's when I met Bobby." Arvilla smiles. "Bobby liked me." She giggles.

"Bobby still likes you!" Miguel says earning an elbow in his side from Alan.

"Ow!  He does!"

Arvilla chuckles and nods her head. "He did like me.. but we're just really really good friends.  That's it!"

"For now." Miguel smirks.

"For always!  You little stink!" Arvilla laughs.

**

Later that evening.

Arvilla sat on the couch watching a movie.  The twins already had their bath and milk for the evening and were both almost asleep on the couch beside her.

Arvilla's cell phone ran and she quickly picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey.."

"Bobby?"

"That's me!" He whispered.

Arvilla laughs. "It's late over there, what are you doing?  Is everything okay?"

"Yeah I just wanted to talk to you one more time before I went to bed."

"Oh!  Okay." Arvilla smiles.

"I feel bad about not getting you a gift."

"Please!  Don't worry about it, Robert."

"No, you sent me something and I feel terrible for not sending you anything."

"Will you stop?  It's fine!  I don't want anything.  Really!"

Just then Arvilla's doorbell rang.

She sighed and walked over to answer it.
"Bobby, I don't care about gifts."

"Well I do and I want to give you something."

"You don't have t—" Arvilla opened the front door and froze.

Robert was standing there with a gift and flowers.  He smiled and said, "I hope this will do."

Arvilla dropped her phone and started crying.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "It's been a whole year since I've seen you!" Her voice was shaky.

"I know.  That's way too long and I'm sorry." Robert held Arvilla in his arms and shut his eyes.  He wished so badly to see her and his feelings would have gone away, but that wasn't the case.  Arvilla looked even more beautiful than before, and she made his heart pound harder than ever.