"Are you sure you're okay Preston?" I asked. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. He was driving a little more reckless than normal, but I tried to understand that he was just upset. "Pull over please." He glanced at me through the mirror and pulled into a park just a few blocks from Shawn's apartment. He turned the car off and looked back at me.

"Can we go for a walk?" I asked.

"You'll be late for dinner with Ms. Heard." He said.

"She'll understand."

We walked around for awhile until we came across a small park bench. I looked at him and smiled, offering him a seat.

He could barely look at me. The last thing I wanted him to think was that he'd done something wrong.

"I'm sorry for how I acted. I just, when I got the text to come get you, I panicked." He looked at at me. "I thought he'd try to hurt you again."

"Text?" I said confused. I didn't recall sending any text messages.

"Yes ma'am. Gil called me saying that he'd gotten a message from Rebbie and that I needed to get back to the restaurant ASAP." He looked out towards the play ground where kids were laughing and running around. "I assumed the worst going into that and I'm sorry."

"Its okay Preston. I'm not upset with you at all. Can you believe that my sisters are trying to convince me to work through this with him." She brushed hair from her face. "They kept comparing this to my mother and father. I really try my best not to question their relationship. There is no doubt in my mind that they love each other. But I don't know that love is what kept her with Joseph. In fact I doubt that it has been enough all these years." I paused and thought about my next words. "Mother made a choice and stuck with it. I don't want that." I looked at him. " Do you think he can really change Preston?"

He gazed off into the distance, biting his lip as if he wanted to say something. He thought carefully not saying a word until he was ready. "I did." He said finally.

Just then I realized, he'd never talked about his personal life with me. I mean sure I knew his daughter and wife. I had met them on many occasions but never any thing beyond that.

He continued. "Let me start off by saying that I have been clean for the entirety of my working with you. Just please know that, I would quit this job before I'd ever jeopardize your life. But I haven't always been so responsible." He said. "Cocaine was my choice of drug. I thought it was harmless. Just something to take a load off, party and just have a good time. At least it started off that way."  He stood up and faced me. "I love my wife. There wasn't a single moment that I didn't. Even when I was doing all these horrible things. But I was high and drunk all the time and most of it is a blur. Except the day I hurt her pretty bad. She ended up in the hospital. The doctors and police knew it was me but she continued to deny it and wouldn't press charges. That was the day we found out she was having Theodora. That was the day I decided that I needed help." He blinked away his tears. "Theo is my world and so is her mother, but she has never looked at me the same after that. So yes change is possible but can you move past everything he's done?"

That's where he left it. We walked back to the car in silence. The sun was starting to set. I made sure to text Shawn.

Me: Around the corner, I can't wait to see you beautiful. I've missed you so much.💕

Shawn: Missed you too, I can't wait to hear all about your day.❤️

Shawn's Apartment

All the lights where dim, except candles that were coming from the table. I smiled, walked and sat my purse down.

I could hear foot steps approaching. I glanced up to see Shawn walking towards me. She smiled and pulled me into and embrace. She kissed me softly.

"I've missed you all day." She said with a sweet smile and kissed my hand.

"I missed you too Shawn." I stroked her soft curls and just took the image of her in. God she was beautiful.

"So, I know that you have been out all day and wanted you to be able to relax. I ran you a hot bath, and laid out a robe for you. Go get cleaned up and meet me at the dinner table when you're done." She said. I touched her face and kissed her again, standing on the tips of my toes and wrapping my arms around her neck.

"Thank you."

I stepped into the bathtub and melted right in to the water. It was so warm against my skin, I could feel my muscles begin to relax. "Mmmmm this..." I said aloud. It was amazing after the day I'd had. There was a tap at the door and Shawn walked in.

"I brought some champagne to help you relax." She said and kneeled beside me. She carefully poured me some and handed me the glass. "Take as long as you need. I'm keeping the food warm for you." She said and walked out.

After my bath, I wrapped the robe around me and walked back into the kitchen. The apartment smelled amazing. Shawn was sitting up on the counter, waiting patiently for me. Light music played in the background. She noticed me and smiled.

She hopped of the counter, held her hand out and took me into the dining room where she pulled out my chair. She disappeared back into the kitchen and returned with dinner.

"This is beautiful Shawn. It looks amazing." I glanced at her and she smiled proudly.

"I had a little bit of direction but this is all me today." She pulled a chair closer to me and held up her glass. We did a sweet and silent toast and took a sip. I picked up my fork and went to take a bite, but Shawn stopped me. "Wait before you eat, I have one more surprise for you." She said with excitement. "Stay right here."

There was a light tap on the door. Who could be coming over this late? I thought as I looked at the time. I walked over to the door and glanced out of the peep hole to see Rebbie on the other side. I didn't know what to do. She had no clue about Shawn and I. In fact she had no clue I liked women at all. I tightened my robe, took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Rebbie, what are you doing here this late? How did you know where to find me?"

She walked inside before I could even invite her in. "Gil told me. I needed to see you, to talk to you because I'm worried." She took a long look around the room. "You seem a little busy at the moment."

"I was just about to have dinner."

"Looks like a romantic dinner." She said. "So what Toya said was true. You're seeing another man, while you're still married?"

"Rebbie can we have this conversation outside?" I said and opened the door. Shawn had finally came out of the bedroom closet. She had a single rose, a card and a long small box in her hands.

Rebbie glanced at her and then back at me again. "Get your things, your coming home with me tonight."

"What? No, Rebbie we are not doing this right now."

"I'm not asking Janet. We have some things we need to talk about. Now get your things please and let's go."