Anneliese's POV

"Please come in" I tell Julian and hands me a dozen pink roses. "They're my favourite" I say smelling them. "They are beautiful, thanks Julian" I tell him. "Let Coco out while I put these in a vase" I state. Being careful of the thorns I place the roses in a vase half filled with water.

"Coco and Serafina seem to like each other" Julian states walking into kitchen as I place the roses on the window seal.

"Serafina has always been good with other animals" I tell him still admiring the roses. "So did you want some tea or coffee?" I ask.

"Either is fine, but a teaspoon of sugar if it's coffee please"  he states. So I make put the kettle on getting the tea bags.

"Any milk?" I ask taking it out.

"Just a dash please" he tells me. The kettle whistles and I prepare the tea for us. We take our cups to the lounge where a tray of cookies was waiting. "What sort of cookies are these?" he asks picking one up.

"My mother's ANZAC cookies, she loves making them knowing they are one of my favourites. She dropped them off this morning" I explain smiling. "Go on try it" I tell him smiling and he takes a bite.

"This is an amazing cookie" he states and continues to eat it making me giggle. He looks at me strangely and I blush looking away.

"I could give you some to take with you" I tell him.

"I'd like that, thanks Anneliese" he says smiling.

"You can call me Anne if you want" I say.

"Are you sure?" he asks.

"Call me anything you want" I tell him.

"How about I call you Elise" he suggests and I nod my head smiling. We finish our tea before either of us spoke again. "Elise it is then, now about Coco" he states. "How am I suppose to brush him?" he asks.

"How about we brush them together" I suggest. "It's time for Serafina to have a brush any way" I state. "You need to be gentle though or you'll damage Coco's delicate skin" I add. We call the cats over and they jump into our laps. "Start combing at your cat's head and gradually move toward their tail. Comb the longer locks on the armpits and belly. Look and feel for tangled balls of fur called mats, which are very common in these areas. Be very gentle as you brush and search. Many cats feel threatened when touched in these areas. It might take them several brushing sessions to get used to being combed there. So take it slowly and if you find any mats. I'll show you how to detangle them" I explain.

We start to brush the cats taking it slowly with Coco, but he soon got used to it. But did not like being groomed on his belly. Until he saw Serafina ok with it and only allowed me to do it. I found a few mats in both cats and showed how to detangle them. Afterwards we gave the cats a few treats and left them alone.

"So how often should he be brushed?" Julian asks.

"I try to brush Serafina two to three times a day, to prevent mats or knots" I tell him. "I suggest you do the same with Coco" I state. "Is there anything else you need to know?" I ask.

"How much do I feed him?" Julian asks.

"I let Serafina have biscuits all day and give her wet food twice a day. Once in the morning and one in the evening. About a teaspoon or one and half teaspoons, make sure he has plenty of water" I explain.

"Got it, thanks for all the help Elise" he says smiling.

"You're easy to talk too, when you aren't being annoying" I tell him shrugging. "You eat all the cookies" I say pouting.

"Sorry" he says sheepishly.

"I'll get some more tomorrow after my appointment" I say waving my hand.

"What appointment?" he asks and I curse myself.

"I have a doctors tomorrow morning before work" I tell him.

"Can I come?" he asks.

"I don't think that is wise Julian" I tell him. "What we did was like a business arrangement, we agreed to never see each other again. Now your here with your mother, this is getting to personal. You need to remember your boundaries" I state.

"How can I forget? With you reminding me everytime we meet" he states annoyed.

"It's because you keep crossing the line Julian" I tell him. "You weren't suppose to be apart of mine or the baby's life. Now you're trying to worm your way in" I state.

"Is that so wrong?" he asks. "It's my baby too, it takes two to make a baby" he states. "I know your boyfriend died, but that was years ago. You're allowed to move on and fall in love again" he tells me.

"Believe me, I know that" I tell him standing up. "I've been told that for nearly ten years ever since his funeral. But I won't fall in love again only to lose the man I love" I state. "I've already gone through that once and won't risk it again. Especially with a baby on the way" I tell him.

"I won't ever leave you Anneliese or break your heart" he says grabbing my hand.

"I just can't take that risk Julian, please leave" I tell him avoiding eye contact. He sighs in defeat grabbing Coco giving me one last wavering glance before leaving. "What am I going to do girl?" I ask Serafina as I pat her. I decide to take a bath then go to to bed. Serafina curled up beside me and we fell asleep.

A/N

Picture above of the dozen pink roses.