He heard silence from the other end of the line for a beat before Mr. Black laughed. "Good," he murmured in a rough yet slightly affectionate voice. "I prefer to hear that.. But remember, son, keeping them safe comes first. Always."

Derrick's heart pounded with a mix of determination and worry. He understood the weight of Mr. Black's words. Protecting Sarah and the boys would be their top priority, even if it meant masking the depth of his feelings for Sarah.


"I know, sir," Derrick replied, his voice filled with respect.

"Now," Mr. Black continued, "let's figure out a way for you to see them more often. Discreetly, of course."

Relief washed over Derrick. He wasn't alone in this. They would find a way. Sarah chimed in, her voice a touch breathless. "Grandpa's right, Derrick. We can figure out a schedule, maybe some pre-arranged visits…"


Suddenly, Mr. Black let out a sigh. "Speaking of visits, I just remembered I have a… meeting scheduled across town. Urgent business, you see."

Derrick and Sarah exchanged a knowing glance. It was obvious Mr. Black was creating an opportunity for them. A silent thank you resonated in Derrick's heart.


"Alright, Grandpa," Sarah said, a playful smile in her voice. "We get it. Have a productive meeting."

"I will," Mr. Black chuckled before hanging up.

Silence settled once more, a different kind this time, charged with unspoken tension and a flicker of something more.

"So," Derrick began, his voice low. "About what we were talking about…"

Sarah coughed softly, a touch of bashfulness tinting her cheeks. "Yeah, regarding that..."

Their discussion started off slowly, but eventually became more fluid as they talked about planning and timing. Nevertheless, hidden beneath the surface, a flow of repressed feelings twirled.

They both knew there were unspoken feelings lingering between them, a connection rekindled by their shared experience.

Derrick drew in a big breath. He realized he could not put it off any longer. "Sarah," he said in a nervous but determined tone.

Sarah met his gaze, a flicker of curiosity dancing in her eyes. "What is it, Derrick?"

He hesitated, then blurted out, "There's a reason I wanted to see the boys so much. It's not only because they are my sons, but also for other reasons.

Sarah stopped breathing, feeling her heart beat rapidly in her chest. She was aware of where this was headed, and a piece of her desired it while also fearing it.

Derrick stopped, trying to find the appropriate words. "It is because I am still..."

He stopped talking suddenly, not completing the sentence. However, his gaze towards her, along with the intense emotion in his eyes, conveyed a significant message. Sarah felt a combination of joy and fear as her heart lifted.

At that moment, the soft sounds of the twins' joyful cooing could be heard coming from upstairs, serving as a gentle reminder of their presence.

Sarah reached out, her hand hovering over his. "We can't talk about this now, Derrick," she whispered, her voice filled with frustration and a touch of sadness. "Not with everything that's going on."

Derrick understood. Their focus couldn't waver. Protecting themselves and their sons had to come first. But the seed was sown. His feelings for Sarah were out in the open, and the knowledge sparked a fire of determination within him.

He closed the distance between them, his hand gently cupping hers. "You're right, Sarah," he said, his voice low and intense. "We can't talk about it now. But when this is all over, when Bobby is dealt with, I'm taking you out. On a proper date."

Sarah hesitantly smiled, a combination of hope and caution shining in her eyes. "We will find out," she responded, gently squeezing his hand.

As he headed home that evening, Derrick couldn't get Sarah's image out of his head. Each moment he spent with her and every look they shared only made his feelings for her grow stronger.

He kept going over their dialogue in his head, every word firmly imprinted in his mind.

As he made himself comfortable in his peaceful apartment, he could strongly feel Sarah's absence. He yearned to listen to her voice and witness her smile again.

However, he was aware that he needed to show patience. Great achievements required patience, and he was committed to succeed, regardless of any challenges that might arise.

Derrick collapsed onto the porch swing, still feeling the day's warmth even after the sun had set. Each time they laughed together, or their hands brushed, it resonated in his thoughts.


He was a goner, hopelessly smitten with Sarah. He couldn't wait till everything was settled before going out on a date again with her.

Suddenly, a mischievous glint sparked in his eyes.

He drove to Mr Black's house, running inside, the screen door slamming shut with a bang. Sarah's face flashed in his grandfather's knowing gaze as Derrick burst into the living room.

"Mr Black, I need your help," Derrick blurted, barely allowing himself to breathe between words. "I have to see Sarah again, soon. Like, tomorrow soon."

Mr Black chuckled, a low rumble that danced in his wrinkles. "Sounds serious, son. What did you have in mind?"

Derrick explained the predicament, his cheeks warming at the thought of a secret date. "But it has to be somewhere hidden, somewhere no one will see us."

Mr Black, a retired fisherman with a twinkle in his eye, grinned. "There's a secluded cove a few miles down the coast, perfect for a picnic under the moonlight."

'What about the little ones?" Derrick thought. He felt like a teenager again planning dates and surprises.

'those little ones are getting restless. How about I take them fishing tomorrow afternoon, give you two some space?" Mr Black suggested.

A wave of relief washed over Derrick. "Perfect! You're a lifesaver, Mr Black. Now, the hard part – convincing Sarah."

The next day unfolded with an agonizing slowness.

Finally, as dusk painted the sky in fiery hues, Derrick found himself standing nervously at Sarah's doorstep, red roses and gifts in his hand.

He knocked on the door and waited patiently for Sarah to come outside.

After few seconds, the door opened.

"Hey," Sarah greeted. "Everything okay?" She asked, surprised that he was back the next day.

"Yeah, well…" He took a deep breath. "I know this is crazy, but I was wondering… would you want to go on a date with me? Tonight?"

Sarah blinked, surprised by the suddenness. "A date? Derrick, we just…"

"I know, I know," he interjected, his voice dropping to a low pleading. Why should I believe this is more than just a diversion after all that has taken place?

Derrick inhaled deeply, making eye contact with Sarah and silently asking for her comprehension.

"Sarah, I can't ignore the bond we share. Each second shared with you feels like a gust of fresh wind in the middle of disorder. You bring back my zest for life, making me believe in endless possibilities. I understand that the current situation is complex, but I am not willing to delay. I desire to capture this instant, to make memories with you that we will treasure always. I beg you to let me demonstrate the depth of my feelings for you.

Sarah was torn, listening, torn between giving in to her feelings and being cautious. Having experienced pain previously, the idea of exposing herself once more filled her with fear.

He reached out slowly, gently moving a loose strand of hair away from her cheek. The sensation of his touch caused a shiver to run down her back, which was in stark contrast to the inner turmoil she was feeling.

"I understand that things are intricate," he continued, his eyes locking with hers. "Even if just for a brief moment, do you not wish to break free from it all? To just be Sarah and Derrick, for an evening?"

Sarah sighed, her gaze flickering to the ground. The truth was, the thought of escaping the constant tension, of simply enjoying his company without the weight of their situation, was incredibly tempting. But the risk, the potential for further complications, gnawed at her.

"What about the boys, Derrick?" she finally asked, her voice barely a whisper. "What if something happens?"

"Mr. Black's taking them fishing tomorrow afternoon," Derrick explained. "He offered to give us some space. It'll be a few hours, just us, at a secluded cove down the coast. A chance to talk, to reconnect, without anyone else around."

He offered the red roses, their soft petals standing out against the dimming light. Consider it an opportunity to determine if there's still a connection between us, Sarah. A chance for us to figure things out, away from the chaos."

Sarah hesitated, the roses a silent question mark in her hand. The idea of a secret date, a brief stolen moment of normality, was certainly attractive. However, there was still a portion of her that was hesitant, being careful not to let her emotions take control and potentially result in heartbreak.

After inhaling deeply, she finally locked eyes with him, a hint of defiance shining in her gaze.. "Alright, Derrick," she conceded. "You've convinced me. But this is just one date. No promises, no expectations. Just a chance to see where we stand."

Derrick's face lit up with a smile, feeling relieved. "That's the only thing I'm requesting," he responded, reclaiming the roses and delicately placing them behind her ear.