Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"I feel like I am feeling things too fast and too deep." Rachael looked at him. "I don't want anything to go wrong between Andrew and me. I want everything to be perfect and healthy between us."

"Is too fast too deep a bad thing?" George questioned her.

"Is it not?"

"Of course not," he exclaimed. "Nothing is wrong as long as you both share a mutual feeling."

Without waiting for her reply, he added, "And what could possibly go wrong? You like him and he definitely likes you. I don't see any problem here."

When she did not say anything, George sighed, "If you are worried that Andrew will turn out to be like that jerky ex of yours then you are completely wrong."

"I know Andrew is not like him," Rachael stated. Ever since she had met him, she never even thought of comparing him with Oliver. Both of them were two completely different individuals.

"Look—" He placed his hand on her shoulders. "Listen to your big brother. Nothing is wrong with things moving too fast and too deep. Even if things are moving fast between you and Andrew, I don't see any problem there. He is your husband, not a stranger. If you develop feelings for your husband, isn't that a good thing?"

Keeping quiet for a while, George awkwardly cleared his throat. "Well, as your brother I shouldn't be asking you this but since we are already having this conversation—"

When Rachael looked at him, he questioned her. "Have you both done it yet?"

"George—" She frowned and slapped his arm.

"What?" He shrugged. "I am just covering all the parts."

She hit him with her elbow and got up. "I am done with this conversation." But before she could get up, he grabbed her hand.

"I am just trying to help here," he stated.

Thinking for a while, Rachael pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Oh—if that's the case then I advise you both to do it first," he remarked.

Rachael: " "

"All your worries will disappear and you will not be scared anymore," he added.

...

[Downstairs]

When Rachael came down with George, Justin was coaxing Edward who had glued himself to Michael's legs.

"Come here Edward, don't behave this way." Justin frowned when the little one did not show any signs of moving. After giving them the gifts he had brought, he wanted to leave but Edward had different plans. He refused to leave Michael and Reeta's side.

"What happened?" Rachael inquired.

Justin pinched the bridge of nose and did not say anything. He kept staring at his son who clearly had no intention of coming home with him.

Sensing that the problem involved Edward, she squatted down and summoned him. "Ed, come here honey."

Without wasting any time, the little one ran towards her and hugged her neck.

She lifted him up and gently pinched his cheeks. "What happened? Why are you troubling your dad?"

"I don't want to go, I have to stay with grandma and grandpa," he said while tears filled his eyes. "One day only."

"Actually, we didn't know you would come to pick him up so early. We had plans of going to the park in the evening in his new bike," Michael sighed.

"A bike?"

Edward enthusiastically nodded. "Yes dada, a bike—" Pointing towards George, he exclaimed, "Uncle George bought."

"Yes." George stepped forward. "And I will take you for a spin later."

"You didn't have to do that," Justin sighed. He didn't know what to say and how to react. He was happy that Edward was finally getting an opportunity to bond with other people apart from the few people who had always been around him. But he was also feeling a little awkward and uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, it wasn't a big deal and besides—" George took Edward from Rachael's arm and placed him on his shoulder. "This little guy is my partner, right champ?"

Edward giggled and nodded.

Contemplating for a while, Reeta told Justin. "If you don't have a problem, let him stay here for today. George will drop home tomorrow before he leaves for office."

Looking at Edward, Justin called him over. "Come here—" And this, the little one obediently listened to him.

Picking him up, he asked, "Do you wanna stay?" When he nodded, Justin said, "Okay but you can't trouble anyone and remember to clean up after you are done playing."

Edward excitedly clapped his hands and kissed his dad on his cheeks. "Thank you dada, I love you."

Justin smiled and patted his head before turning towards Reeta and Michael. "I am sorry for troubling you again."

"Not at all," Reeta exclaimed. "We are more happy to have him here."

"Don't worry Justin, you just found yourself a very nice and free babysitter," Rachael chuckled.

Just then Emma entered the mansion.

"Rach—" she ran towards her and gave her a hug. "Why didn't you tell me you were here?"

"I came with Justin to fetch Edward." Rachael then looked at Justin. "She is my best friend, Emma."

"Emma—" Justin raised his brows. He then glanced at George who was standing right behind Rachael and smiled.

When George had messaged him a few days back to thank him for helping him, out of curiosity he had asked him if he had something to do with Emma but George denied and said she was just his sister's friend.

"That's a very interesting name," Justin remarked with a smile on his lips.

"You find my name interesting?" When he nodded, Emma slightly tilted her head and smiled. "Then you probably haven't heard my phone number yet. It's much more interesting."

After hearing her response, George couldn't help but scoff and rolled his eyes. But unbeknownst to him, he scoffed a little louder than he should have.

When Emma heard it, she turned around only to realize George was there too.

After their awkward interaction the other day, both of them had neither talked to each other or met in person.

...