Can love happen twice?

Joey hadn’t seen her since the day they left High School. They hadn’t kept in touch. He was nervous about his meeting his first love after such a long time. It was their 20 year reunion at school. He was getting ready, so nervous that his hands were shaking. “Relax dad, it’s just a reunion.” Said Aryan, Joey’s 7 year old son “Yes son, but I’ll be seeing her after years.” “Dad, she will love you, you look great” said Aryan. “I just hope I’m able to talk to her” said a hopeful Joey. “You will dad, don’t worry. Now go and have fun.” “Ok son, see you later. And don’t trouble grandma while I’m gone.” The room was decorated beautifully, subtle and sweet. It was swarming with excited students, happy to meet each other and eager to know what everybody was up to. As a nervous Joey entered the hall, he quickly scanned the room for Angie. She was looking as beautiful as she used to 20 years ago. His eyes were fixed o her. He gently approached her. She was talking to a fellow classmate and smiling. “Hi” said Joey. “Hey Joe, how are you buddy?” said the fellow classmate. “Hi Joey” said Angie. Joey’s heart melted at the sound of her lovable voice. He just kept looking at her pretty face for some time and suddenly realized he was making her uncomfortable. He quickly said – “How are you, Angie? You look very beautiful tonight.” “Thanks Joey. You look quite nice yourself.” She said adjusting her hair. “So, what are you up to these days?” she asked. “I have my own travel agency and I have a 7 year old son, who is the center of my life.” Said Joey “Wow, you finally managed to build your own business, you always talked about having one someday.” She said. “Where is your wife? Is she here?” she asked. “Unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago. Since then, it’s just me and my son.” “Oh, sorry to hear about your wife; How do you manage alone with a little kid?” “Well, I have my office in my house so that I can be with my son. I don’t like to keep him with nannies and let him grow further away from me. He’s the only one I have.” “That’s admirable, what you do for your kid.” She said “What do you do these days, Angie?” he asked “I am an interior designer, and I, too have an office at my house. I have a daughter and I can’t leave her alone.” She said. As the night passed, both of them were engrossed in each other. Joey wanted to ask her out. The whole night he was thinking if he should do it or not. When the night was about to end and he thought he would never see her again, he mustered up the courage to ask her out. “Angie, can we meet tomorrow evening for dinner?” he asked hesitating. “Sure, we can. Text me the time and place” She said. In his mind, he was dancing, but in reality he gave a sweet smile. The next evening, he went to Angie’s house to pick her up. She was looking stunning as always. “Hello” said a little girl. “Hi, what’s your name?” Joey asked “My name is Maanya” “Hello Maanya, it’s lovely to meet you” Joey said “My pleasure sir” She said “I see you’ve already met my daughter” Angie said. “Yes, she’s an adorable kid” he said “Now Maanya, be nice to your babysitter. Don’t trouble her” Angie told her daughter “Yes mom.” After that they left her house for the restaurant. They were having their dinner when Joey’s mom entered the restaurant with both the kids. “Mom, what are you doing here with the kids?” Joey asked surprised. “The kids wanted to come here and say something” said his mom. “How did you two meet?” asked a curious Joey. “Well dad, we, me and Maanya, have something to tell you both. We want you two to get married. That ways I will get a mom and maanya will get a dad, which we both always wanted” Said Aryan. “Oh, you two are so adorable” said Angie taking them both in her arms and hugging them. “I am speechless. I don’t know what to say” said Joey. “Don’t think dad, just ask her to marry you” said Aryan. “What do you think?” Joey asked Angie “I think we should listen to the kids. They were able to say it before neither of us had the courage to say it out loud” said Angie. “Angie, the love of my life, will you please marry me?” asked Joey on his knees. “I have thought of this moment for a long time, but I did not think it would come this way. I will keep you happy, never let tears in your eyes. And I promise from the bottom of my heart that I will raise Maanya as my own. She is also my kid from now on.” “Yes, yes and yes” said a tearful Angie. She was overwhelmed with joy. She did not think that this day would come again in her life and most importantly that Maanya would get a dad again. All of them hugged, crying and happy and screaming with joy. “By the way, how did you two meet? Angie asked the kids “Well mom, I found Aryan’s number from your phone. I wrote it down on a piece of paper when you were not looking” said a mischievous Maanya. All of them laughed and wished for a happy ever after.