Chapter 28

Mikayla's POV
He smiled softly, as if he understood my fears. “I understand. This isn’t an easy decision, and no one is forcing you. We can take our time to think about this. But I want you to know that I want to be present in your life and your children in a more complete way,” he replied, his tone showing sincerity.
Hearing his words, my heart trembled. It wasn’t just about the love he was offering, but also his sense of responsibility and commitment to our family. Once again, I felt cornered in a mix of emotions—interested yet afraid to take the plunge.
“And you don’t have to feel pressured by all of this. We can do this our own way,” he continued, trying to make room for more clarity.
I looked toward my humble little home, where we had made memories together. Rudolf’s presence filled me with new hope, but could we really build a life together despite all the challenges?
“So, would you consider my offer? Living together and starting a family is not easy, but I believe we can do it,” Rudolf asked, his tone full of seriousness.
With determination, I tried to listen to my heart. This decision would bring about a big change, and though my doubts lingered, perhaps it was time to turn over a new leaf.
“Okay, Rudolf. I will consider your offer seriously,” I finally said, forming a more solid sentence. In the meantime, I would continue to pray for guidance so that I would not get stuck, but instead walk this journey with love.
“Thank you, Mikayla. No matter what happens, I will always be here to support you,” he replied, and in that voice, I felt a burning hope. This was the first step toward building something better—not just for us, but for Emma and Daniel as well.
I had decided to consider Rudolf’s offer to be my husband. However, I also realized that this would take time. I wanted to take it slow, making sure I was ready for the changes that were coming.
In the meantime, I decided to keep working until the end of this month so I could get my salary. My job provided stability and helped provide for my two children. If there was anything I could do to help them, I would do my best.
Rudolf gladly offered to babysit Emma and Daniel while they were at home. He seemed eager and ready to help, affirming my every move. “Don’t worry, Mikayla. I’ll take good care of them. You can focus on your work,” he said, a big smile on his face.
Seeing his enthusiasm, my heart felt more at ease. Letting Rudolf take care of the kids gave me a little more freedom and allowed me to work well.
The days that followed took on a new rhythm. Rudolf really proved to be a great babysitter. In the midst of my busy schedule, he was able to keep the kids entertained and safe, while I was able to complete my tasks with more focus. We started to establish a routine, and even though our house was small, laughter and happiness replaced the silence before.
Every night after work, I felt proud to see Rudolf interacting with Emma and Daniel. They seemed comfortable with him, and it opened my heart even more to the idea that maybe he was the right person to be with me on this journey.
“How are they doing while you’re working?” I asked one night as we sat on the couch.
“Great! Emma is very creative, and Daniel loves to play. He’s even started walking faster!” Rudolf replied with enthusiasm.
I smiled, feeling happiness welling up inside me. Even though big decisions awaited us ahead, seeing how he was taking care of the kids made me feel at ease. We still had time to talk about marriage, and in the meantime, strengthen our relationship and raise our children together.
“What kind of wedding do you want, Mikayla?” Rudolf asked one night, as we sat on the couch together, watching our children sleep soundly.
“I don’t want a fancy wedding. I want a simple wedding. Only you and I will know that we’re married,” I answered firmly, but gently.
I’ve never had the desire to have a fancy wedding in the first place. For me, marriage isn’t about a big party and an expensive dress. It’s more about a deep commitment between two people and how we support each other, especially when we have children. A simple wedding would give us the opportunity to focus on love and family.
“So, you prefer an intimate wedding,” I said, trying to explain further. “I want it to be a special time for us, without the pressure of other people or a big crowd. We can focus on the promises we made to each other.”
Rudolf nodded, paying attention to every word that came out of my mouth. “That makes sense, Mikayla. I can understand your reasoning. Sometimes, it’s the deeper meaning that matters more than the flashy extravagance,” he replied, his voice soft and empathetic.
“You know, my life is complicated enough, especially with the kids. I want to make sure that our wedding is a happy occasion, without too much stress,” I continued.
He smiled at that. “Then I agree. We can celebrate it our own way—just say it to each other, maybe on the beach at sunset,” he said, and the idea made me smile.
The image of this simple wedding day began to radiate with beauty in my mind. It would be sacred, creating lasting memories without the tiring hustle and bustle.
“Rudolf, I promise to love you and support each other no matter what. We can build a happy family together,” I said, conveying my feelings that he wanted to know.
“And I promise to do the same for you, Mikayla,” he replied. At that moment, I knew that whatever we decided, we would face it all together—in love and strength.