The Sinful Affair

Chapter 5

Anne chewed her lip hard as she sat in her car in her own driveway. It had been a day since the studio visit and she was keeping her word about coming and getting her stuff today. Tristan had even texted her this morning to make sure she was coming, saying that he'd take the day off work just to see her and speak with her and from the looks of his truck in the driveway he had kept good on his word.

Taking a deep breath Anne slipped out of her car and walked to the door. Just as she was about to raise her hand to knock she stopped when the door opened and she was greeted by her husband's face. It was apparent from his still messy hair and the fact that he was only wearing his plaid pajama pants that he had just woken up not too long ago.

"You don't have to knock," Tristan told Anne as he moved aside so she could come in. "This is still your house too babe," he sighed hating the fact that she even thought she had to knock.

"I know," Anne nodded as she stepped inside and gave him a smile. "I just wanted to be polite I guess," she shrugged as she walked farther into the house and went to the couch sitting down. "I'm guessing you'd rather talk before I get clothes together for the boys and I."

Tristan walked to the couch and sat down beside Anne, "I would," he said knowing he'd rather her not get clothes at all. He'd rather she bring the boys back home and come back to where she belonged. "You misunderstood what I said to Natalie," he told her as he reached for her hand.

"Exactly how can I misunderstand you telling her you wonder what if she was your wife and the mother of your kids?" Anne asked as she let Tristan take her hand. She felt she could at least allow him that even in her anger towards him.

"Because you missed me telling her that I wouldn't take back marrying you," Tristan smiled as he squeezed her hand. "That I love you and don't have any regrets. That I knew I was in love with you the moment I saw you holding John in your arms. I don't want to lose you Avie," he said as he tried to keep smiling but it failed, "and right now I feel like I am losing you."

Looking down at his last words Anne shook her head, "You aren't losing me," she reassured him not even sure she sounded convincing to herself. All she kept remembering was her words to Nikki days prior when she had stated she was worrying that she was losing him. Maybe they were both losing each other. "I'm here aren't I?"

"But you aren't really," Tristan shook his head at Anne's words. "You'll be gone in a few hours once you get clothes together and I'll just be here by myself for god knows how long."

Going silent Anne knew he had a point. She was here but she wasn't. She'd be gone once she had the clothes packed. "I may not be here physically but I'm here," she said once she looked back up at him. "I haven't given up on our marriage," she smiled or at least tried to smile. "But I think space is what we both need right now Tay. I said words that hurt you and while I may have missed you telling her you didn't want to take back marrying me I am still hurt that you even told her what you did tell her."

Frowning at her words Tristan let go of Anne's hand, "And what if you decide you want that life you wish you had?" he asked letting his anger about this whole situation come out in his tone. "What happens if during your time needing space that you decide you want to give up?" he asked another question his tone staying angry and bitter.

"That won't happen," Anne said as she shook her head again trying to reassure him and again she almost felt unsure of what she was saying. "I love you," she smiled knowing that she was at least sure of those words. She was in love with him and she hoped that was enough to keep her from deciding to give up on their marriage.

Tristan just rolled his eyes but he didn't see the point in arguing with her anymore. He was afraid they'd just go around in circles if they did so. "I at least want to have the kids some until you decide to come home," he told her knowing he didn't want to go too long without seeing his boys. He had to have some form of his old life.

Anne nodded knowing if he wanted to see the kids she wouldn't keep him from them, "I can bring them over Sunday after church," she told him knowing that her father would at least want them in church. It had been awhile since she had taken the boys. "Though who is going to watch them when you work?"

"My mom," Tristan smirked as he shrugged his shoulders. "You know she always complains she never sees them enough anyway."

Anne laugh knowing that what he said was true. Diana Hanson was known to complain that her parents saw the kids more than she and Walker did. It was something Anne found irritating but she kept it to herself especially when Diana confronted her about it personally. She usually tried to remain calm and just tell the woman it was untrue but deep down it wasn't. Anne knew she had a tendency to let her parents see the kids more than Tristan's did. She just had never been close to her husband's parents even if she was close to her brother-in-law and his wife.

"She'll love it," she said sincerely as she broke the silence before standing from the couch. "I should go pack my clothes and the boys clothes too," she told him before leaving and heading upstairs.

Watching Anne leave Tristan just stayed silent. He wanted to stop her and tell her this was ridiculous but this was what she thought was best and as her husband he was going to support it even if he thought differently. He would just suck this up like the man he was.

Going into the bedroom she shared with Tristan once she had made it upstairs Anne quickly packed a few of her clothes and then she went into the room the boys shared and packed a few clothes for them as well. Once she had everything packed she headed back downstairs seeing Tristan sitting on the couch though he stood up when she came down.

"I think I have everything," she told him before walking to the door as he followed behind her. When she came to a stop with him mere inches from her she reached out with a free hand and touched his cheek softly. "I do love you," she told him again as she leaned in to kiss him on the lips.

Kissing Anne back Tristan reached out and instinctively pulled her closer to him. He wasn't sure when he'd kiss her again and he wanted this one to be one she wouldn't forget so easily.

Anne let herself kiss Tristan a bit longer when he pulled her closer but eventually she broke away from the kiss, "I need to get going. I have to drop the clothes off and pick Zoe up so that we can go to that art class thing. It's the second class and I really don't want to be late."

"Right wouldn't want you to be late," Tristan nodded as he moved away soon watching her leave their house. The moment the door was shut though he picked up a vase off the counter near the front door and sent it hurling towards the nearest wall. The moment it shattered he felt himself start to cry. He hated how things were right now.

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Anne who sat in class at the community college looked up from the drawing that Mr.Coleman or as he liked to be called Kobe, had them doing. She could feel eyes on her and the moment she looked up she blushed as she saw Kobe staring at her. All she could think of were Zoe's words on the first day. She had dismissed them but maybe her sister had been right.

Looking away from him Anne blushed more but continued her drawing glad when the feeling of eyes on her went away. Though that didn't last long because again she soon felt eyes on her and again she looked up to see Kobe watching her. She was sure in that moment that Zoe had been right about Kobe staring at her on the first day. There was no maybe anymore.

Anne looked down again and went back to drawing her picture and for the rest of class that is how she stayed. It was only when class was over and they had to turn in their drawings that she found herself feeling uneasy and blushing especially when she was the one at Kobe's desk. Laying the paper down she turned to leave but stopped when she heard the teacher say her name.

Turning to face Kobe she raised an eyebrow, "Y..yes?" she asked stuttering slightly out of nervous habit.

"It's a shame you're married," Kobe spoke as he looked down at her wedding band. "I'd love to take you out on a date sometime."

At Kobe's words Anne felt her mouth drop open and she was slightly glad he had waited until everyone left the room to say anything to her. "Well you sure you are blunt," she laughed trying to ease her own nerves now.

"Or I just know what I like and want to make it known," Kobe smirked as he locked eyes with the woman. He knew he was overstepping tons of boundaries but he had always went after what he liked and with Anne he had liked what he saw the moment he saw her during the first class.

"And it's known," Anne said as she felt herself blush again knowing her nerves were getting the best of her. "But like you said I am married," she said holding her hand with her wedding band up.

Kobe just nodded, "Doesn't mean that won't stop me from looking," he said honestly. "And hoping something happens to make you stop wearing it."

Again Anne blushed, "Aren't you nice. Wishing my marriage trouble just so you can take me out on a date," she teased him without even thinking. "I have kids. Two sons."

"I love kids," Kobe replied after hearing her saying she had kids. "My ex and I even talked about having our own but she left me before that could happen."

Just shaking her head Anne turned to leave without another word. Making it where her sisters were waiting for her in the hall she avoided their glances and questions though she figured eventually she'd tell them even if it meant Zoe rubbing it in her face that she was right.