Page 65 of One Hot Daddy

Claudia steps forward."Thank you for letting me come into your lovely home, Fletcher.And who is this lovely woman beside you?"

"I'm Jennifer, Fletcher's wife."

She smiles brightly at my husband, then turns her attention back to me.Claudia's words and mannerisms strike me as genuine."I'm Claudia Sullivan, and the man beside me is Marcus Blackwood.I'm so pleased to meet you, Jennifer.My mother let me know that I could find you and Fletcher here.She lives just down the street, doesn't she?"

"A few blocks down.Fletcher's parents live across the street from each other."

Fletcher squints at his ex-wife."What are you doing here?You can't just show up after all these years and demand---"

"I haven't demanded anything.Please, give me a chance to explain."

Fletcher huffs."About what?How you abandoned our children?"

"No, I..."Claudia takes a deep breath, threading her fingers between Marcus's."I've changed since the last time we saw each other, and I've learned a lot about myself.For one thing, I stopped drinking five years ago."

"Am I meant to congratulate you?"

"No, of course not.I-I wanted to explain..."She clings to Marcus as if he's her life preserver."Please, just listen---"

Fletcher scowls at her.

Before this can turn into a battle royal, I should intervene.So, I wrap my arm around Fletcher's biceps and give him a reassuring smile."I think you should listen, honey, for the sake of the children.At least find out what their mother has to say before you go thermonuclear."

Fletcher tenses under my touch, and I can sense him relaxing slightly as he processes my words."You have five minutes."

Claudia exhales, her shoulders dropping slightly."Thank you."

I gesture toward the living room."Why don't we sit down?I can make some tea or coffee."

"That's very kind, but we're fine," Marcus replies.He has kind eyes that crinkle at the corners---the sort of face that puts you instantly at ease, despite the awkward circumstances.

We move to the living room in an uncomfortable procession.Fletcher sits rigid and bolt upright beside me on the sofa, while Claudia and Marcus take the armchairs opposite us.The coffee table between us might as well be the Grand Canyon.

"I should start by saying I'm deeply sorry."Claudia's voice catches slightly."I know those words can't begin to make up for what I did, but they're true.I abandoned my children, and I've regretted it every day since."

I glance at Fletcher, whose jaw is clenched so tight I worry he might crack a tooth.His knuckles have gone white where his hands grip his knees.

"I was a mess back then," Claudia continues."The depression hit me hard.I convinced myself the kids would be better off without me.That Fletcher was the better parent, anyway."

Fletcher grunts."At least That part was true."

I squeeze his hand, trying to keep him grounded.This is clearly excruciating for him.

"Just to be clear," Claudia says, "I was still struggling with depression after I moved to Australia.A great therapist helped me deal with those issues, though it took years to recover.I but Marcus is the hero who saved me with his love and compassion.At his suggestion, I came back to America to confront what I've done and---most importantly---to apologize to my children."

I study Claudia's face, searching for signs of deception, but all I see is genuine remorse.Her perfectly manicured hands tremble slightly as she speaks.Fletcher remains silent beside me, his breathing shallow and controlled.

"I don't expect forgiveness," she continues."I don't deserve it.But I wanted my children to know that my leaving wasn't their fault.It was mine.All mine."

Marcus places a supportive hand on her knee."Claudia has worked incredibly hard on her recovery.She talks about the children often."

"Recovery?"Fletcher's voice is dangerously quiet."Is that what you call it?You deserted your family, ran off to Australia with your yoga instructor, and now you've 'recovered'?It's bollocks."

I lay a hand on his chest."Please, let's all take a deep breath.Claudia, I understand you want to apologize to the children, but you need to understand that your arrival is quite a shock."

Marcus makes a pained face."We should have called first.That was my suggestion, but Claudia was afraid you wouldn't agree to see her."

Fletcher narrows his gaze."She was right."