Maine

"My boys are going to be eighteen  in two days". Oh my gosh I feel so guilty... I cried my eyes out.

"If..if..if I had gotten a g..g.. glimpse of the future and seen we would be this rich, heaven knows I would have fought circumstances to have my baby Tyler with me today. I literally am the worst mum ever".

I heard footsteps and didn't even turn around.

I walked in to see Ashley crying again. Lost in her train of thoughts while looking at the picture I took of her and the boys when they were newly born.

It's everything we have ever done since that night. It's everything she has been doing.. crying two days to the boys birthday is a habit that has stuck to her.
Seeing her like this all the time makes me blame myself for letting Ashley convince me. But what could I do.
It was either we lose the train tickets to Maine I worked so hard for or be left without a roof on our head in Minnesota.

~~~~~~~~~
Ashley's parents were of high class and rich but they didn't approve of our relationship. Why?
I was an orphan and lived in an orphanage home. My mum was raped and she died while she gave birth to me. Growing up in the orphanage wasn't exactly the kind of childhood were you could get much love but it sure was something. I always loved to draw and was one of the brightest student. Not many kids in the orphanage home had the privilege to get into College but I did. I was on a scholarship by Mr George Morgan. Yes Ashley's father and boy that man is a Disciplinary. Always about principles.

He wasn't supportive of Ashley's relationship and I.
I had written my final but Ashley couldn't. I was a year ahead of her.

Mr Morgan did all he could to hinder our love but all his plans were futile. He disowned Ashley when he learnt of her being pregnant for me and forbade anyone from helping us.

I was able to get us a house to live in till she gave birth and I started my arrangements of living Minnesota for a better life for my Ashley and our little baby only I didn't know it was going to be little 'babies'

I was offered a job as a 24 hours waiter with a house before we got to Maine. One of my pals in college made it possible.

My story to success began thus.
It all happened so fast. A high class business man stopped by for a late lunch and saw a drawing I hadn't completed. He fell in love with it instantly and handed a over his business card to come by his office on Monday. Turns out he was the CEO

I was offered the job as an architect and was sent to go for a job training for a year in London. The job offer came with a car and we were able to buy a house of our own. Ashley was able to complete her education and is a Real Estate Manager.

Well you see we aren't living the kind of life we lived in Minnesota while I basically. You should trust Ashley to rub off on her Dad when we had this life.
                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ashley Ashley!!!" 

"Huh" she sniffed and answered. "Hi Recce, how was work today?"

"Ashley, I know you're still upset about leaving baby Tyler behind but if you don't stop crying you are going to be sick and would probably lie to Ted when he sees that picture you are holding. And boy can that child see through your lies". I joked trying to make her laugh a little.

She smiled at me. "I know Recce. I'm just worried a little. I hope my baby is still alive and living well. I..I.. regret and blame my"

"Do not complete that statement." Recce warned looking annoyed with me. "It's all you ever did. Cay you please stop blaming your self for once woman. Jeez it's a headache hearing your voice full of complain and tears. Look how your eyes are puffy and red from crying."

"I..I..I.. just"

"You what" Recce questioned and hugged me.

I hugged her letting her cry on my shoulder. I can't stay angry at her when she's like this. I know how much she hurts.

"Can you for once in the last eighteen years be positive about our baby Tyler. Common please don't cry your self out." I consoled. "Everything is going to be fine."

"It's not fine. What if..." Ashley tried to say

"I said to be positive woman." Recce soothed. "Tyler is FINE and ALIVE where he is. He is in a nice place that I believe and hope so. I just need you to do one thing for me. Believe in Tyler and be positive."

"Okay, I'm sorry. I would be positive and mark his birthday."

"That's Good. Ted would be happy you didn't fall sick on his birthday again this year. Last year was a disaster when I handled the party"

"Yea I remember the disappointed expression on Ted face when he came to my room to complain." Ashley said in between laughs.

"There I made you laugh as always. What do you say we light up those floating candle bags in the sky to mark each of their age" Recce suggested.

"Floating bags" confused expression "ohh do you mean sky lanterns".

"Yes sky lanterns how could I forget the name. So what do you say about it"

"Oh Recce it's perfect and wonderful"

"Good.. I would have that arranged. Let's go have dinner with Ted and I have a great news to share with you when we are back to the room"

"Great I can't wait to hear the news you have for me. One more thing Recce. I have been doing some thinking do you think Ted and Tyler would ever forgive us for tearing them apart."

"I don't know Ashley and I don't want to think about it just yet" Recce answered with a fearful expression on his face.

"Do you think we should tell Ted that he has a twin brother somewhere?" Ashley asked.

"No, No I don't think it would be a good idea. Ted could... He could.... I don't want to think about it Ashley. Let's just go eat.

"Hey mum.. Hey Dad thank you for dinner it was great"

"You're always welcome Ted." Ashley and Recce replied.

"So little tiger what plans do you have for your birthday?" Recce asked using his old nickname for Ted

"Hey dad you know I have outgrown that name." Ted scrunched his nose in complain.
"I haven't thought of any birthday plans yet. Maybe a pool party with me and the guys"

" Just let me know what you have planned. Your mum and I have a surprise for you"

"Okey dokey Dad"
"Good night mum. Pecks her on the cheeks. Good night Dad. Love you both. Especially mum"

"Hey you don't get to love my wife more than you love me" Recce complained

Ashley laughed at their behavior.

"Are you been jealous of your son Recce?" She asked

"Of course not. I'm just saying he isn't equal with the love"

"Let's get to bed Mr not equal" she said in between laughs.

~~~~~

"Okay Ley guess what"

"Ahh there he goes using that weird name when he is excited about something" did I mention weird.

"You know I'm not good with guesses Recce"

"Just give it a try". He encouraged

"Fine. Let me guess..... Nothing"

"You zap the fun out of my excitement Ley"

Ahh the name again.. I would just let this slide. Ashley thought

"Drum rolls. I got a huge promotion to oversee a new branch" Recce said excited.

"Oh my gosh. That's huge news Recce." Ashley said proud about the news.

While Recce handed her the promotion letter which she read.

" But there isn't a location yet. It's not stated in the letter" Ashley noted.

"Yes. The boss hasn't decided which branch I should oversee.
A new branch or one having supervisor problems"

"Oh Recce I'm happy for you. I'm happy for us" Ashley said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note

Hey guys ❤️

I'm sorry for the late update. Thank you for reading and please don't forget to vote and comment.