Part two - 02 years later
POV
Benett
The late afternoon sun cast a gentle light through the windows of our seaside home. Sitting on the back porch, I watched my son playing in the garden with his dog, chasing after a ball. His infectious laughter echoed through the tranquil air.
"You're getting fast, Max!" I exclaimed, encouraging him as he ran after the dog.
Max paused for a moment, looking at me with a wide smile. "Daddy, look! Jake is the fastest!"
I smiled proudly at my little boy. "You're right, he's very fast. But you'll catch him next time."
As I played with Max outside, I could hear Tessa and Mason's laughter coming from the living room. They were sharing a moment of closeness, a connection that didn't escape my notice. A pang of jealousy crept in as I watched Max run back inside to show something to Tessa, his face lit up with excitement.
I crossed my arms, battling the uncomfortable feeling rising within me. I wanted to be more present, involved in every important moment of my son's life. However, my job at the multinational demanded a lot from me, and sometimes I felt like I was missing precious moments at home. Two years had passed since we left behind the shadows of the past and settled in this quiet coastal town. Life here was a stark contrast to the turbulent days we had faced. While I was recovering physically and emotionally, I watched Tessa and Mason find their own paths of healing and renewal.
My career had taken a new direction since I started working for the multinational, an environment that challenged me daily with its demands and fast pace. My authoritative and determined nature found a clear purpose here, leading teams and implementing strategies that shaped the company's future. It was a welcome change after years of uncertainty.
"Daddy, Daddy! Look at what Jake can do!" Max appeared at the porch door, his dog beside him, barking excitedly.
I looked at him with a smile, setting aside my thoughts momentarily. "Amazing, Max! Are you teaching him new tricks?"
He nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining. "Yes, and he learns really fast!"
"You're a great trainer," I said, laughing as Jake performed a simple trick, earning a nod of approval from Max.
At that moment, Tessa approached the porch, her warm smile lighting up her face. "Hey, how are things around here?"
"Max is impressing with the tricks he's teaching Jake," I replied, trying to keep my voice light and relaxed.
Tessa came closer, affectionately running her hand through Max's hair. "You're really talented with your dog, Max. I'm sure he loves these moments with you."
Max looked at Tessa proudly, his eyes shining even brighter. "Jake is the best dog in the world!"
I smiled, watching them interact with tenderness. "He has a great teacher."
Tessa looked at me with a slight smile, noticing my admiration for the moment between her and Max. "Did you see his tricks, Bennett? He's amazing!"
I nodded in agreement. "Yes, he's really improving. Max is dedicated to teaching him."
"It's nice to see you so connected," Tessa remarked, her gaze meeting mine softly.
"Yeah, it is," I murmured, struggling to contain the restlessness within me.
Max ran back inside the house, taking Jake with him to show more tricks to Tessa. I stood on the porch for a moment, watching them through the window as they interacted joyfully. A whirlwind of emotions stirred within me. I wanted to be more present, to share these moments with them in a way that my work often didn't allow.
"Are you okay, Bennett?" Tessa asked gently, interrupting my thoughts.
"Yeah, just thinking a bit," I replied, forcing a smile.
She nodded, her eyes conveying understanding. "You've been doing an amazing job, Bennett. We all know how dedicated you are to your work and our family."
A lump formed in my throat, gratitude tinged with a hint of guilt. "I know, but sometimes I feel like I'm missing important moments."
Tessa placed her hand on mine, a gesture of comfort. "We're all here together, Bennett. And Max knows how incredible you are as a father, even in the moments when you can't be there all the time."
I wanted to be the present father that Max deserved, not just in the brief intervals between my demanding work responsibilities.
As I contemplated these thoughts, Mason appeared on the porch, holding two steaming cups of coffee. His friendly smile contrasted with the subtle concern in his eyes. "Looks like I'm missing out on a lively conversation here."
Tessa chuckled lightly. "Max is showing off Jake's tricks. He's getting more skillful."
"That's great," Mason replied, offering me a cup of coffee. "How was your day, Bennett? You seem a bit distracted."
I accepted the cup, grateful for the gesture. "It's been hectic. A lot going on at the company."
Mason nodded, understanding the weight of my words. "Balancing everything is tough, but you're doing a great job, man. Don't let it take away from what really matters."
I knew he was right, but sometimes it was hard not to feel torn between my professional responsibilities and my family. "I know," I murmured, looking at Tessa and Max through the window. "Sometimes, I just wish there was more time."
Tessa placed her hand on my shoulder, silently conveying support. "We'll figure it out, Bennett. We're all in this together."
Those words brought me some comfort as I considered what she said. As challenging as it was, I needed to find a better balance between work and personal life, especially now that Max was growing and learning so quickly.
Before I could respond, the sound of the phone interrupted the quiet moment. I glanced at the screen and saw the company's name flashing. A sense of urgency seized me as I answered the call.
"Hello?" My voice sounded tense.
On the other end of the line, a hurried voice began talking about an emergency situation at the company, demanding my immediate presence. My heart tightened with the familiar urgency and demands that never seemed to allow for a moment of rest.
"I'm on my way," I said quickly, hanging up the phone without hesitation.
Tessa and Mason looked at me with concerned expressions, understanding the seriousness of the situation. I knew I had to go, but the weight of the decision hit me hard as I prepared to leave again.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," I promised them, trying to keep my voice steady.