ALL MY HEART WANTS IS YOU

CHAPTER 3 - AN UNEXPECTED REUNION

SARAH

The restaurant buzzed with warmth and life, a cozy haven in the cool December evening. Strings of bright lights twinkled across the ceiling, casting golden hues over the polished wooden tables. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the aroma of roasted meats, created a homely comfort that settled over me like a warm blanket.

“Mom, can I have more fries?” Oscar's voice pulled me from my thoughts, his wide, hopeful eyes trailing the empty plate before him.

“Sure, sweetheart,” I said, smiling as I waved over a waiter to bring another portion.

It was thirty minutes to the New Year, and I was content to spend the last moments of the year with my boys and Denzel. The city outside was alive with revelers, fireworks already lighting up the night sky in bursts of color, but here in the quiet corner of the restaurant, life felt simple and manageable.

Denzel leaned back in his chair, sipping a glass of wine with the relaxed confidence of a man who had orchestrated the perfect evening.

“Well, this is a rare sight. The Robinson clan all well behaved at once,” he teased, nodding toward the boys.

Oscar, ever the joker, made a face at him. “We’re always good!”

Denzel smirked. “Debatable.”

Oscar giggled, but I couldn’t bring myself to laugh. Something felt off, though I couldn’t quite place a finger on what exactly. A mother’s intuition, perhaps. My eyes scanned the table, settling on Oscar and Oliver as they argued with Denzel about their behavior.

Then it hit me.

“Where’s Owen?”

All three heads turned to me in unison, and a chilling silence fell over the table.

“Owen was just here,” Oscar said, his voice uncertain.

My heart dropped into my stomach. “Owen!” I called, standing abruptly. The noise of the restaurant suddenly felt deafening, drowning out my rising panic. “Owen!”

“I’m sure he’s nearby,” Denzel said, trying to reassure me as he rose from his seat. “Let’s split up and check around.”

I didn’t wait for a plan. I darted between tables, weaving through the crowd as I called my son’s name. Each passing second without seeing his familiar face felt like an eternity, my chest tightening with every breath.

“Excuse me, have you seen a little boy? Curly hair, red sweater?” I asked a waiter, my voice trembling.

He shook his head apologetically, and my stomach sank further.

I reached the entrance of the restaurant, my pulse pounding in my ears. Just as I was about to run out into the street, I froze.

There he was.

Owen was in the arms of a stranger, his small face pressed against the man’s chest, completely at ease. Relief flooded my body, quickly replaced by confusion and a tinge of fear.

The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair falling messily across his forehead. His sharp jawline and striking features stirred something deep within me—something I hadn’t felt in years.

And then he looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine.

My heart skipped a beat as I took in his handsome facial features - Bryan Jones, the same man I had a one night stand with years ago.

The world seemed to tilt on its axis as the recognition hit me. My knees threatened to buckle, and for a moment, I could only stare, my mind racing to reconcile the man standing before me with the memory I had worked so hard to bury.

“Mommy!” Owen’s cheerful voice broke the spell.

I rushed forward, my hands trembling as I took my son from Bryan’s arms. I hugged him tightly, breathing in the familiar scent of his hair as my heart slowly began to calm.

“Where were you?” I asked, my voice choked with emotion.

“I wanted to see the lights,” Owen said innocently. “He helped me.”

I turned to Bryan, my throat dry. “Thank you,” I said stiffly, my words clipped.

His gaze never wavered. “Eight years, Sarah,” he said, his voice low and bitter. “You disappeared for eight years.”

My breath caught in my throat. “You didn't try to find me."

“You didn't leave any notes!” he grunted, stepping closer. "I asked everyone I knew. No one had an idea where you ran off to."

“Mom, is everything okay?” Oscar's voice cut through the tension as he and Denzel approached.

Bryan’s eyes flicked to Denzel, his jaw tightening. Before I could respond, Denzel stepped between us, his protective instincts kicking in.

“Is there a problem here?” Denzel asked, his tone sharp as he placed a hand on Bryan’s chest to push him back.

Bryan’s gaze darkened, but he didn’t retaliate. Instead, he stared at me one last time. Then he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

I released a shaky breath, my knees threatening to give out beneath me and Denzel turned to me, his expression softening.

“You okay?” he asked.

I nodded, but my mind was racing. Before I could process what had just happened, a familiar voice called out my name.

“Sarah? Is that you?”

I spun around to see a petite woman with silver hair and a warm smile approaching.

“Aunt Maurice!”

She pulled me into a tight hug, her familiar perfume wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

“Look at you!” she exclaimed, holding me at arm’s length. “You look as stunning as ever. And who are these handsome young men?”

“These are my sons,” I said, smiling despite the whirlwind of emotions still churning inside me. “Oscar, Oliver, and Owen.”

“They’re adorable,” Aunt Maurice said, ruffling Oscar's hair.

“And this must be your husband,” she added, turning to Denzel with a wide grin.

Denzel and I exchanged a startled glance. “Oh, no—” I began, but she waved me off.

“Don’t be modest. You’ve done well for yourself, Sarah,” she said with a wink.

Denzel chuckled, playing along. “Well, I do try.”

I shot him a glare, but he only smirked in response.

“Anyway,” Aunt Maurice continued, “I’m so glad I ran into you. You have to come to the annual Robinson family dinner tomorrow. Everyone will be there.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off with a stern look.

“No excuses, young lady. I haven’t seen you in years, and I’m not letting you disappear again.”

I sighed, knowing I couldn’t say no to her. Aunt Maurice had always been my favorite relative in a rather complicated family.

“Fine,” I said. “We’ll be there.”

“Wonderful!” she smiled, clapping her hands together. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

She gave me one last hug before disappearing into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As we made our way back to the table, I couldn’t shake the feeling of Bryan’s eyes on me or the weight of Aunt Maurice’s invitation. The past I had worked so hard to escape was crashing down around me, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to face it.