In out and back in love with you.

12. Mrs. Donovan’s in the building!!!

After the hotel room fiasco, Alexander decided not to take any more chances and go home to sleep. When he arrived, his mother was waiting for him in the hall.

- Good night son. - Linda said in a soft voice. -Mother, what are you doing up? Are the children asleep? Everything okay? - It was unusual for his mother to wait up for him.

- Everything is fine, don't worry, I just wanted to talk to you, Narcy was here a while ago, she packed her bags and said she would leave with her sister for a couple of weeks. The children were very restless about that. Do you want to tell me what's going on?- Linda was worried, she knew that for a while now, her daughter-in-law had stopped taking care of her grandchildren, and her son traveled all the time, she knew things between them were not quite right, that's why she decided to visited for a couple of months, help her son a little with the children and know once and for all if the couple had a future, it did not look promising right now.

- Did she say anything else? -The intrigued man asked.

- Just that she needed space, and you needed to cool off. -Linda repeated her daughter-in-law's words.

- Space? That's all he seems to need lately. well, she's going to have much more space in the future. -The CEO said in a sarcastic mood.

- Oh? Care to elaborate? -The old woman knew what was coming but she had to make sure.

- What do you want me to say? You've been here for the last two weeks; you've seen how she is with the kids. We can't go on like this, I want out- He knew his mother would understand.

- Oh son, I can't say I'm surprised, but I still don't fully understand, I mean, when the children were born, she was a good mother, and you got along well. What happened?? For some years I have seen you both getting further away but I didn’t know things were so bad, well, I had an idea, in fact, that's why I came, Alec told me on the phone that both he and Kyle spent all their time with the nanny, and he didn't lie. The two weeks I've been here the children’s been all the time either with you, with me, or at your grandmother's house with Rebecca, so your decision doesn't surprise me, but still, I don’t quite get what happened. - Linda wondered how long her son had been living like this.

- Money was what happened to her mom! It seems that the more my bank account grew, the more Narcy's interests expanded, at first I didn't give importance to it, she started going to the country club and taking tennis lessons, meditation seminars, to attend social events and I thought she was just trying to fill the time she stayed alone while I traveled, but a couple of years ago she asked me to hire a nanny and began to neglect the children, finally a little over a year ago after my brother Peter’s wedding; she stopped spending time with them completely, she is away from home even when I'm in town, and when I'm not here, the nanny told me there are days she doesn't even come home. I tried to talk to her and solve things, but she doesn't listen. - The businessman seemed exhausted when he finished.

- Ok, out it is then- Linda confirmed -But son, you must be careful...

- What do you mean mom? - Alexander asked.

- I've seen you with Alec and Kyle and you're a good father, you have breakfast with them every day, you take them to school bus and wave them goodbye, and when you get home from work you check their homework, although you travel a lot you call them every day, and I'm so proud of you, of the father you've become, I mean, clearly the children would be better off with you, but she's their mother nonetheless, so, when you ask her for divorce, don't you think she's going to fight for her Children?- Linda was worried, Narcy didn't seem very... motherly lately but that didn't mean she would give up her children just like that.

- Earlier today I told Narcy I wanted out; do you know what she asked? If I would leave her penny less!!!… I don't think her children are what worries her. - He said

- Then you must be even more careful son. If what worries her is money... I mean... for some women... children are powerful bargaining chips. - She concluded.

- You’re right, and we’ll have to reach an agreement, I don’t want to take them away from their mother, if she wants to see them I will not prevent it, but considering how absent she’s been in their lives, well I don’t think it’ll be a problem, as for money, if she ask me to choose, you know I would choose my children without hesitation, in the end Alec an Kyle will get more love and stability and attention if they stay with me.- After a couple more words with his mother they both went to bed.

Early Tuesday Alexander decided to make waffles for breakfast, he wanted to know how his children felt after their mother left the day before. When his mother got up, he was already finishing breakfast so the four of them sat down at the dining table.

- Did you make waffles daddy? - Kyle asked excitedly, it was his favorite breakfast.

- That's right buddy, It’s Rebecca’s day off, so grandma is going to be in charge, ok? And hey, how did everything go yesterday? -Alexander asked, he wanted to know if his sons were worried or restless, they were used by now to their mother leaving for days but he got to make sure.

- I did well in math but in English class the teacher took me out the school play. - Kyle said with sadness.

- Did she take you out? Why? - Linda asked her grandson.

- Because I don't have a costume, the teacher sent a message to mom six weeks ago and told her she should bring it yesterday for the rehearsal, but mommy forgot. - The little boy hid his face looking at his breakfast but, in his voice, you could hear he wanted to cry.

- I told you not to ask mom, she always forgets things, you should have asked Becca- Alec said, shoving a piece of waffle in his mouth.

- Mom promised - Kyle defended.

- Ok, I understand, I will talk to the school myself, so they let you be in the play, just tell me what costume you need. -Alexander intervened to avoid an argument between his boys.

- I must be a knight in golden armor. - Kyle said.

- Okay, I'll see what I can do- Alexander concluded, again Narcy showed how little she cared about their children, at least they didn’t seem to be sad or mad at her absence.

- Dad, I was thinking about this weekend… can we go to earth challenge park? - Alec proposed excitedly.

- That would be so cool- Kyle supported.

- Earth challenge park? What’s that? - Linda was confused

- It's an amusement park grandma, it has sports games and walls you can climb, and a painting war area and the game catches the snake and many fun things!! - Alec explained to his grandmother with a big smile.

- Hey dad, do you think mom wants to go with us to the park on the weekend? - This time Kyle asked, looking at his father with big eyes.

-Ahm, your mother went to visit aunty Wendy, and she will be there for a few weeks, so she can’t make it, okay? -The young father didn't know what else to say to his children, he had to prepare himself to have a serious talk with them and somehow tell them about the divorce without breaking their hearts.

- Mom wouldn't go anyway Kyle, she doesn't like to get dirty and besides she's always busy- Alec sounded resentful

- You're right, but at least we can go- Kyle said hopefully looking at his father.

- Of course we can!!, now go get ready for school, the bus will be here in 40 minutes.

After taking the children to school bus and making a quick call to their principal’s school office, Alexander went to his own office thinking about two issues that now pressed him and were at the top of his head: The first was how to talk to the beautiful consultant he would see in a few minutes and most still be pissed at him, the second was where to get a knight in golden armor costume in less than 4 days which was the deadline the teacher gave him to allow Kyle to perform in the school play. When he arrived at his office, Monica received him with a take-out coffee she bought for him on her way to work.

- Hey you!! How are you??, good morning!! -Hello Mon! Quick question, where do I buy a children's costume with immediate delivery? - Alexander was lost! Usually, Rebecca takes care of these things, but the nanny had the day off and he wasn't sure where to look for these things.

- Ammm no idea, my baby is only six months old, so diapers and baby milk are the only thing I know. - While his cousin answered this both entered the boardroom where Cassandra was already waiting for them with all her team, a professional look on her face and work folders in front of each chair in the boardroom. Without a doubt, the agenda to start the meeting.

- Mr. McIntyre, good morning, we are ready to start with the opening report. The diagnosis of your main risks is ready. - Cassie began in a tight tone.

Initial diagnosis already? That was quick, they've only been here for a day. And what’s with the Mr. McIntyre s**t? Is your serious right now? As if we didn't know each other in more ways than one? Ok, she's still angry, copy that. and rightfully so, but no use crying over spilled milk, nothing more to do but follow the game she’s playing - Alexander thought frowning.

- Ok Miss Donovan, let's see what you’ve got.