SECOND CHANCES....a love story with a happy ending ,.....by Jude kyrie

The list totaled twelve.
Not bad she rationalised.
For a forty year old woman
divorced.and still good looking.

she had watched tv dramas
women in her position
had barhopped to fifty lovers
in a year.
but not her.

The list ranged from
lovers she needed.
lovers she wanted.
to lovers who
could not pass from
one night to the next..

But the new neighbor
was different.
He had three young children and
no wife he looked doomed
to be a single dad forever.
Who on earth would take on
that baggage,

The eldest was a daughter twelve or so.
She had dropped a big bag of groceries the
eggs splattered milk burst open fruit bruised.
She wept sobbing,
saying she was sorry.

He just held her close
saying shushhh honey
its ok.
Worse things happen at sea
he whispered.
kissing her hair
Keeping her safe
and comforted.

Her rat bastard ex of hers  never did that.
He would have yelled her out.
Then used it as an excuse
to go out and get laid.
An hour later he appeared
with two more
bags of grocery.
Replenishing the accidental breakage.

She felt him watching
her slip into her pool.
She felt his eyes on her.
She knew she looked good.
And she guessed
he needed a woman.

He appeared quietly with
a bottle of wine.
May I join you he asked?
As he took his clothes off
and sat in the pool.
Only if you don't take this
the wrong way she smiled.
But He slipped naked
in the blue water of her pool.
He looked fit and tanned.
And she hated herself for thinking it.
He was damned handsome.
As she slipped out of the water
he looked directly into her eyes
Her robe had gaped open,
and he said you have
beautiful breast.

Blushing she closed her robe.
Do you ever get lonely he asked.?
Yes sometimes.She whispered.
I do too he said.
Are you lonely now?
Yes she said.

Five years later

They laughed as
their new baby girl
joined the other children
in the pool.

Swimming for the first time
She heard her new baby laughing.
She looked at him holding
the child safe,
He was so safe so warm.
So much what she needed.

He reached for her hand.
she felt his solid grip.
It warmed her heart.
I love you my sweetheart
he said.
As he picked up her little girl
But I love you too
daddy she whispered.