Chapter 1

Craig Nobela (Flashback)

I still chuckle when I think about how they say a

saint was once a sinner. That's my story in a
nutshell. Growing up, I was the epitome of naivety,
always chasing the next thrill and never worrying
about the consequences. My girlfriend, Yola, was
my world, and when she left me, I shattered into a
million pieces.

I became a mess, a real mess. Alcohol became my

escape, my coping mechanism. Bars and clubs were
my sanctuary, my happy place. I lost myself in the
noise, the music, and the laughter. But deep down, I
was dying, suffocating under the weight of my own
mistakes.

One fateful night, I stumbled out of a club, drunk to

the point of oblivion. I wandered the streets, lost
and alone, until I stumbled upon a church. A kind-
faced man in a black suit took me in, praying for me,
and speaking words of hope into my brokenness.

Man: "Son, are you okay?"

Me: _groaning in pain_ "Aaaa..."

Man: "You need help, son."

Me: _cursing myself_ "F*** this life."

Man: "It's not too late to mend your ways."

Me: "God never forgives people like me."

Man: "God never chooses or discriminates anyone."

Those words struck a chord deep within me. For the

first time in months, I felt a glimmer of hope. The
man dropped me off at my place, but he didn't
leave me there. He visited me regularly, sharing his
faith, and encouraging me to seek help.

He introduced me to his favorite Bible verse, Daniel

[Link] "There is a God in heaven who reveals
secrets..." Those words became my lifeline, my
reminder that I wasn't alone, and that there was a
higher power guiding me.

After my conversion, I began to rebuild my life. I

discovered my passion for music, acting, and
inspiring others. I became a child of Christ, and my
life was forever changed.

Fast-forward to the present, I'm Craig Nobela, a 23-

year-old artist, actor, and online influencer. People
say I'm handsome, but I'm not one to brag. My story
is one of redemption, of finding purpose in the
midst of chaos.
And that's where my story begins...
As I stood in front in front of the mirror adjusting
my tie for what felt like the thousandth time,I
couldn’t help but think about how far I’d come.
from the depth of despair to the heights of
success,my path had been nothing short of
remarkable.
My phone buzzed ,snapping me back to reality.I
glanced at the screen and smiled. It was my
manager,Samantha .
I took a deep breath, feeling a familiar surge of
adrenaline.”Born ready,Sam.”
The interview was a breeze,thanks to Samantha’s
impeccable prep work. I fielded questions about my
music,my acting career, and my latest philanthropic
endeavors. The journalist,a friendly woman named
Zola, seemed genuinely interested in my responses.
As the interview drew to a close, Zola asked the
question I’d been dreading:
“Craig,there’s been a lot of speculation about your
personal life lately. Care to comment on the
rumors?”
I flashed my most charming smile,buying my self a
few seconds to gather my thoughts.
“I think it’s no secret that I’ve been focused on my
career lately,” I began, choosing my words carefully.
“I’m flattered by the attention, but I’m not really
looking forward to setting down right now.
Zola nodded, her expression understanding. “fair
enough, Craig. Thanks for being honest with us.”
As the interview wrapped up and Zola packed up
her gear, l felt a sense of of relief wash over me.
Another hurdle cleared.
But little did I know, my biggest problem was yet to
come …
As l walked out of the interview, Samantha handed
me my phone.
“You’ve got a few messages,” she said raising an
eyebrow. “ Looks loke someone’s been trying to
reach you.”
I scanned the messages, my heart skipping a bit as I
saw a familiar name: Yola. My ex-girlfriend. The one
who’d broken my heart in a million pieces.
I felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with caution. What
could Yola possibly want after all these years?
“Craig, you okay? Samantha asked, noticing my
expression.
I nodded, tucking the phone into my pocket. “Yeah ,
l’m fine. Just an old friend reaching out.”
Samantha’s eyes narrowed .”An old friend, huh?
Well, just be careful, okay?”
I smiled wryly.”always am, Sam”
But as l walked away, l couldn’t shake the feeling
that my past was about to come crashing back into
my present..
I stood there, staring at Yola's message, my mind
racing with possibilities. What could be so urgent
that she needed to see me? Had something
happened to her? To someone we both knew?

I felt a pang of anxiety as I thought about the

possibilities. I hadn't seen or spoken to Yola in
years, and the thought of reconnecting with her
was both exciting and terrifying.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.

I needed to think clearly and figure out what to do
next.
I looked around and realized that I was still standing
outside the studio. I needed to get back to work,
but my mind was elsewhere.
I decided to respond to Yola's message and ask her
what was going on. Maybe she could give me some
more information and help me understand what
was happening.

I typed out a response and sent it to Yola:

"Hey Yola, what's going on? You're being really

mysterious. Can you give me some more
information about what's going on?"

I sent the message and waited for a response. As I

stood there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of
trepidation. What was Yola going to say? And how
was it going to affect my life?
The minutes ticked by, and I finally received a
response from Yola:

"Craig, I'm in town for a few days. Can we meet up

and talk in person?"

My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. Yola

was in town? And she wanted to meet up with me?

I felt a rush of excitement mixed with nerves. What

was I getting myself into?

My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. Yola

was in town? And she wanted to meet up with me?
I felt a rush of excitement mixed with nerves. What
was I getting myself into?

I hesitated for a moment, weighing my options. Part

of me wanted to see Yola, to find out what was
going on and why she needed to talk to me so
urgently. But another part of me was wary,
remembering the pain and heartache that Yola had
caused me in the past.

Despite my reservations, I found myself typing out a

response.

"Okay, Yola. When and where do you want to

meet?"
I sent the message and waited for a response. A few
minutes later, Yola replied.

"How about we meet at the coffee shop on 5th

Street at 2 pm tomorrow?"

I nodded to myself, even though Yola couldn't see

me. Tomorrow at 2 pm it was, then.

As I put my phone away, I couldn't help but feel a

sense of trepidation. What was Yola going to tell
me? And how was it going to affect my life?

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the rest

of my day. I had a meeting with my team to discuss
our next project, and I needed to be focused.
But as I sat in the meeting, I couldn't shake the
feeling that my life was about to change in ways I
couldn't even imagine...

Chapter 2

I arrived at the coffee shop on 5th Street at 1:45

pm, giving myself a few minutes to collect my
thoughts before Yola arrived. As I waited in line to
order, I couldn't help but feel a sense of
nervousness.

What was Yola going to tell me? And why had she
chosen to meet me in person?

I ordered a coffee and sat down at a table by the

window, watching as people walked by outside. A
few minutes later, I saw Yola walking towards the
coffee shop.

She looked different than I remembered. Her hair

was shorter, and she had a more confident air
about her. But as she spotted me and smiled, I felt a
pang of familiarity.

Yola walked over to the table and sat down across

from me. "Craig, it's so good to see you," she said,
her voice warm.

I smiled back at her, trying to play it cool. "Yola, you

look great. What's going on?"

Yola took a deep breath and launched into a story

that would change everything...
Yola's eyes locked onto mine, and I could see a mix
of emotions swirling in their depths. "Craig, I know I
hurt you in the past," she began, her voice barely
above a whisper. "And I'm so sorry for that. I was
young and stupid, and I didn't know how to handle
my feelings."

I felt a pang of surprise at Yola's apology. It was

something I had never expected to hear from her.

"But that's not why I asked you to meet me here

today," Yola continued, her eyes never leaving
mine. "I need to tell you something. Something
important."

My curiosity was piqued. What could Yola possibly

need to tell me that was so important?
"What is it, Yola?" I asked, my voice low and even.

Yola took a deep breath before speaking. "Craig, I

have a daughter. And she's yours."

My world came crashing down around me. A

daughter? Mine? I felt like I had been punched in
the gut...

I sat there, stunned, as Yola's words hung in the air.

A daughter? Mine? It couldn't be true. I would have
known, wouldn't I?
Yola nodded, as if reading my mind. "I know this is a
shock, Craig. But it's true. Her name is Lokhuhle and
she's 5 years old."

I felt like I was living in a dream. This couldn't be

happening. I was a successful musician, not a father.

Yola reached into her purse and pulled out a small

photo album. She flipped through the pages,
stopping at a picture of a little girl with big brown
eyes and curly brown hair.

"This is Lokhuhle," Yola said, her voice filled with

emotion. "She's a beautiful girl, and she deserves to
know her father."
I took the album from Yola, my hands shaking as I
looked at the picture of Lokhuhle. She looked like
me, with my eyes and my smile.

"What do you want me to do, Yola?" I asked, my

voice barely above a whisper.

Yola looked at me, her eyes pleading. "I want you to

meet Lokhuhle, Craig. I want you to be a part of her
life."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at the

picture of Lokhuhle again. I had so many questions,
but one thing was certain: my life was about to
change in ways I never could have imagined...

Chapter 3:
I sat in stunned silence, the photo album still
clutched in my hands. A daughter? Mine? It was too
much to take in.

Yola reached out and gently took the album from

me. "I know this is a lot to process, Craig," she said
softly. "But I need you to understand that Lokhuhle
is a wonderful child. She deserves to know her
father, and I deserve to have some closure."

I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around the

situation. "I...I don't know what to say, Yola. This is
all so sudden."

Yola sighed and rubbed her temples. "I know it's a

shock, Craig. But I've been wanting to tell you for
years. I just didn't know how."
I looked at Yola, really looked at her, and saw the
sincerity in her eyes. She was telling the truth.

"Why now, Yola?" I asked, my voice barely above a

whisper. "Why tell me now, after all these years?"

Yola's eyes dropped, and she fidgeted with her

hands. "Because...because khuhle is starting to ask
questions, Craig. She wants to know about her
father, and I don't know how much longer I can
keep the truth from her."

I felt a pang of guilt and regret. I had been so caught

up in my own life, my own career, that I had never
stopped to think about the consequences of my
actions.
"What do you want me to do, Yola?" I asked again,
feeling a sense of responsibility wash over me.

Yola looked up at me, her eyes shining with tears. "I

want you to meet khuhle, Craig. I want you to be a
part of her life."

I took a deep breath, knowing that my life was

about to change in ways I never could have
imagined...

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash

over me. "Okay, Yola. I'll meet Lokhuhle. When and
where?"

Yola smiled, looking relieved. "How about

tomorrow afternoon? I can bring khuhle to your
place."
I nodded, feeling a sense of nervousness creeping
in. Tomorrow afternoon seemed like a lifetime
away, and yet, it was just a few hours from now.

As Yola stood up to leave, I realized that I had a

million questions for her. "Yola, wait," I said,
standing up and following her out of the coffee
shop. "What's Lokhuhle like? What does she like to
do?"

Yola smiled, looking happy to share information

about our daughter. "Khuhle is a sweet and curious
child," she said. "She loves playing with dolls and
drawing pictures. And she's very smart, just like her
father."
I felt a surge of pride at Yola's words, and I couldn't
wait to meet Lokhuhle and see for myself what she
was like.

As Yola walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense

of excitement and nervousness. Tomorrow
afternoon, I would meet my daughter for the first
time. And nothing would ever be the same again...

I walked back to my apartment, my mind racing

with thoughts of Lokhuhle. What would she be like?
Would she like me? Would I be a good father to
her?

As I opened the door to my apartment, I was

greeted by the familiar sight of my guitar and music
sheets scattered all over the living room. It was a
reminder that my life was about to change in ways I
never could have imagined.

I spent the rest of the day in a daze, unable to focus

on anything except the meeting with Lokhuhle that
was scheduled for the next day. I tried to practice
my guitar, but my fingers kept slipping off the
strings. I tried to watch TV, but I couldn't
concentrate on anything that was happening on
screen.

As the night wore on, I found myself pacing back

and forth in my living room, trying to calm my
nerves. I had so many questions about Lokhuhle ,
and I couldn't wait to meet her and get some
answers.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I heard a
knock at the door. It was the next day, and Yola had
arrived with Lokhuhle.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. This

was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for.

I opened the door, and my heart skipped a beat as I

saw Lokhuhle standing there, looking up at me with
big brown eyes...

Lokhuhle looked up at me with a curious

expression, and I felt my heart melt. She was even
more beautiful than I had imagined.

Yola smiled and nudged Lokhuhle forward.

"Lokhuhle, this is your father, Craig."
Lokhuhle looked up at me again, and this time, she
smiled. "Hi, Daddy," she said, her voice sweet and
innocent.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at

Lokhuhle. I had never felt such a strong sense of
love and connection before.

I knelt down and opened my arms, and Lokhuhle

ran into them, hugging me tightly. I held her close,
feeling a sense of joy and wonder that I had never
experienced before.

As I looked up at Yola, I saw tears in her eyes. "I'm

glad you two are meeting," she said, her voice
choked with emotion.
I nodded, still holding Lokhuhle close. "Me too," I
said, my voice barely above a whisper.

As we stood there, holding each other, I knew that

my life was about to change in ways I never could
have imagined. But I was ready. I was ready to be a
father to Lokhuhle, and to see where this new
chapter in my life would take me...

Chapter 4

As I held Lokhuhle in my arms, I couldn't help but

feel a sense of wonder and awe. This little girl was
my daughter, and I had missed out on so much of
her life already.
Yola smiled and sat down next to us. "I'm glad you
two are hitting it off," she said, her eyes shining
with happiness.

I looked down at Lokhuhle, who was looking up at

me with big brown eyes. "I'm glad too," I said,
smiling back at Yola.

As we sat there, Yola started to tell me more about

Lokhuhle's life. She told me about her favorite toys
and games, her favorite foods and TV shows. I
listened intently, soaking up every detail like a
sponge.

As the afternoon wore on, khuhle started to open

up more and more. She told me about her friends at
school, her favorite subjects, and her favorite things
to do.
I listened to every word, my heart swelling with
pride and love. This little girl was my daughter, and I
was already so proud of her.

As the sun started to set, Yola stood up and smiled.

"I think it's time for us to go," she said, looking
down at khuhle.

I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. I didn't

want the day to end.

But as I looked down at khuhle, I saw that she was

smiling up at me. "Can I come back and see you
again tomorrow, Daddy?" she asked, her eyes
shining with hope.
My heart melted at her words. "Of course, khuhle,"
I said, smiling back at her. "I'd love to see you again
tomorrow."

As Yola and Lokhuhle left, I couldn't help but feel a

sense of excitement and anticipation. I had a feeling
that my life was about to change in ways I never
could have imagined...

Lihle

I sat at the small café, nursing a cup of coffee and

staring out the window. It had been a long day, and
I was looking forward to going home and collapsing
onto my bed.
Just as I was starting to relax, I heard a voice behind
me.

"Lihle?"

I turned to see a woman with a familiar face

standing behind me. It was Yola, my old friend from
high school.

I stood up, surprised, and we exchanged awkward

hugs.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to play it

cool.
Yola smiled and sat down across from me. "I'm in
town for a few days," she said. "I was hoping to
catch up with you."

As we chatted, I couldn't help but notice that Yola

seemed different. She seemed more confident,
more self-assured.

And then, just as we were getting into the

conversation, Yola dropped a bombshell.

"Lihle, I have something to tell you," she said, her

voice serious. "Something that's going to change
everything."

My heart skipped a beat as I wondered what Yola

was going to say next...
Chapter 5

Yola's words hung in the air, leaving me feeling both

curious and apprehensive.

"What is it, Yola?" I asked, my voice barely above a

whisper.

Yola took a deep breath before speaking. "Lihle, I've

been keeping a secret from you for a long time. A
secret that could change everything between us."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered

what Yola's secret could be.
"What is it, Yola?" I asked again, my voice more
urgent this time.

Yola looked at me, her eyes locked on mine. "Lihle,

Craig Nobela... he's not just a friend. He's khuhle's
father."

My eyes widened in shock as I processed Yola's

words. Craig Nobela, the famous musician, was
khuhle's father? And Yola had been keeping this
secret from me for so long?Above all she knew l had
a deep crush on him.

I felt a mix of emotions: shock, anger, and

confusion. Why had Yola kept this secret from me?
And what did it mean for our friendship?
As I sat there, trying to process the bombshell Yola
had just dropped, I couldn't help but feel a mix of
emotions. But one feeling that stood out above the
rest was jealousy.

I had had a crush on Craig Nobela for as long as I

could remember. Who wouldn't? He was charming,
talented, and gorgeous. And now, I found out that
he had a child with my best friend?

I felt a pang of resentment towards Yola. Why

hadn't she told me about this before? Didn't she
know how I felt about Craig?

But as I looked at Yola, I saw the sincerity in her

eyes. She had been trying to protect me, to spare
me the pain of knowing that the man I had a crush
on was already taken.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.
I couldn't blame Yola for this. And I certainly
couldn't blame Craig. He had no idea how I felt.

But as I sat there, trying to process my emotions, I

couldn't help but wonder: what would happen if
Craig found out how I felt?

Chapter 6

As I sat there, trying to process my emotions, I

couldn't help but feel like I was stuck in a
complicated web. Craig, the man I had a crush on,
was now a part of my life in a way I never could
have imagined.
And Yola, my best friend, was caught in the middle
of it all. She had been trying to protect me, but in
doing so, she had also kept a secret from me.

I looked at Yola, who was watching me with a

concerned expression. "I'm sorry, Lihle," she said,
her voice soft. "I know this is a lot to take in."

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "It's

not your fault, Yola," I said. "You were just trying to
protect me."

Yola nodded, looking relieved. "I was," she said.

"But I also know that I should have told you the
truth sooner."

I smiled, trying to reassure her. "It's okay, Yola," I

said. "We'll get through this together."
As we hugged, I couldn't help but wonder what the
future held. Would I be able to navigate my feelings
for Craig, now that I knew he was a part of my life in
a way I never could have imagined?

And what about Yola and Craig? How would their

relationship evolve now that Craig was back in the
picture?

I didn't have the answers to these questions, but I

knew one thing for sure: my life was about to get a
whole lot more complicated...

Chapter 7
I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had
been lingering inside me since Yola's revelation. I
had tried to distract myself with work and other
activities, but my mind kept wandering back to
Craig and the complicated web of emotions that
surrounded him.

As I walked home from the grocery store, lost in

thought, I didn't notice the person standing in front
of me until I almost collided with him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, as I looked up to see

Craig standing in front of me, a charming smile on
his face.

Craig chuckled and held out his hands to steady me.

"No need to apologize, Lihle," he said, his eyes
crinkling at the corners. "I'm just glad I could catch
you before you fell."
I felt a flutter in my chest as I looked up at Craig, his
hands still holding mine. It was as if time had stood
still, and all that existed was the two of us,
suspended in this moment.

And then, just as suddenly, the spell was broken.

Craig dropped my hands, and I felt a rush of
embarrassment at my own reaction.

"I'm so sorry again," I stammered, trying to

compose myself.

Craig smiled and shook his head. "No need to

apologize, Lihle," he said. "I'm just glad I ran into
you. Literally."
I laughed, feeling a little more at ease. "Yeah, me
too," I said.

As we stood there, chatting and laughing, I couldn't

help but feel a spark of attraction between us. And I
wondered, with a sense of trepidation, what this
unexpected encounter might mean for my future...

Chapter 8

As we stood there, chatting and laughing, I couldn't

help but feel a spark of attraction between us. It
was as if the air around us was charged with
electricity, and I could feel the hairs on the back of
my neck standing on end.

Craig, too, seemed to be feeling the attraction. He

was standing closer to me than necessary, his eyes
locked on mine with an intensity that made my
heart skip a beat.

I tried to brush off the feeling, telling myself that I

was being ridiculous. Craig was khuhle's father, and
Yola's ex. He was off-limits.

But as we continued to talk, I found myself feeling

drawn to him more and more. There was something
about him that was impossible to resist, something
that made me feel like I was home.

As the conversation drew to a close, Craig smiled

and touched my arm. "It was great running into
you, Lihle," he said. "Maybe we can catch up again
soon?"
I felt a flutter in my chest as I looked up at him. "I'd
like that," I said, trying to sound casual.

As Craig walked away, I couldn't help but feel a

sense of excitement. What did the future hold for
us? And was I ready to take a chance on a man who
was still tied to my best friend's past?

Chapter 9

Days turned into weeks, and I couldn't help but

think about Craig. Our chance encounter had left
me feeling restless, and I found myself wondering
what would have happened if we had met under
different circumstances.
As I walked home from work one evening, I heard
the sound of music coming from a nearby park. I
followed the sound and found myself standing in
front of a small stage, where Craig was playing his
guitar.

He looked up and saw me standing there, and a

smile spread across his face. "Lihle!" he exclaimed,
setting down his guitar. "What brings you here?"

I felt a flutter in my chest as I walked towards him.

"I was just out for a walk," I said, trying to sound
casual. "I heard the music and followed the sound."

Craig nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm

glad you did," he said. "I was just playing a few
songs. Would you like to hear more?"
I nodded, feeling a sense of excitement. As Craig
began to play again, I felt myself getting lost in the
music. It was as if nothing else mattered, except for
the sound of his guitar and the way he made me
feel.

Chapter 10

As the music came to an end, Craig smiled at me

and began to pack up his guitar. "Thanks for
listening," he said, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
"It means a lot to me."

I felt a sense of gratitude towards him. "It was my

pleasure," I said, smiling back at him. "Your music is
beautiful."
Craig's face lit up with pleasure. "Thanks, Lihle," he
said. "That means a lot coming from you."lm
practising this for the series "Nikiwe"

As we walked out of the park together, I felt a sense

of connection with Craig that I couldn't ignore. It
was as if we had known each other for years, not
just a few weeks.

As we stood outside the park, Craig turned to me

and smiled. "Would you like to grab some coffee
with me?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with
warmth.

I felt a flutter in my chest as I nodded. "I'd love to," I

said, smiling back at him.
As we walked to the coffee shop together, I couldn't
help but feel a sense of excitement. What would
the future hold for us? And was I ready to take a
chance
on a man who was still tied to my best friend's
past?

Chapter 11

Craig: Hey Lihle, can I talk to you for a minute?

Lihle: Sure, what's up?

Craig: I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a

date with me? Maybe dinner and a movie?
Lihle: (surprised) Oh, um, I didn't expect that.

Craig: (smiling) Is that a good surprise or a bad

surprise?

Lihle: (laughing) It's a good surprise. I'd love to go

out with you.

Craig: (grinning) Great! How about Saturday night?

Lihle: Sounds perfect. What time?

Craig: How about 6 pm? I'll pick you up.

Lihle: Sounds like a plan. I'm looking forward to it!

Lihle decides to wear a stunning red dress that
accentuates her curves. The dress is knee-length,
with a fitted bodice and a flared skirt that falls just
above her knees. The red color complements her
dark skin tone perfectly, making her glow with
confidence.

She pairs the dress with a pair of black heeled ankle

boots that add a touch of sophistication to her
overall look. Her hair is styled in loose waves that
cascade down her back, framing her heart-shaped
face.

To complete her look, Lihle adds a simple yet

elegant silver necklace with a small pendant, and a
pair of chandelier earrings that catch the light as
she moves. She keeps her makeup natural and
understated, with a bold red lip color that matches
her dress.

Overall, Lihle looks and feels amazing, and she can't

wait to see Craig's reaction when he picks her up for
their date!

Craig arrives at Lihle's doorstep, looking dashing in

his navy blue blazer and white shirt. When he sees
Lihle, his eyes widen in admiration.

"Wow, you look stunning," Craig says, his voice

filled with genuine appreciation. "That dress is
incredible on you."

Lihle blushes, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Thank

you, Craig. You don't look so bad yourself."
Craig smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Thanks, I try my best." He offers Lihle his arm.
"Shall we?"

Lihle takes his arm, feeling a spark of electricity as

their skin touches. As they walk to the car, Craig
can't help but steal glances at Lihle, admiring the
way the red dress hugs her curves.

"You really do look amazing tonight," Craig says, as

he opens the car door for Lihle. "I'm a lucky man."

Lihle smiles, feeling a sense of excitement and

anticipation. She has a feeling that this is going to
be a night to remember
Craig and Lihle arrive at the restaurant, a cozy
Italian place with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
They are greeted by the hostess, who shows them
to their table by the window.

As they peruse the menu, Craig asks Lihle about her

day, and she fills him in on her latest projects at
work. Craig listens attentively, asking thoughtful
questions and making Lihle feel like she's the only
person in the world.

When the waiter comes to take their order, Craig

recommends the pasta special, and Lihle agrees.
They also order a bottle of wine to share.

As they wait for their food to arrive, they engage in

easy conversation, laughing and joking like they've
known each other for years. Lihle is surprised by
how comfortable she feels around Craig, and how
much she enjoys his company.

When the food arrives, they dig in, savoring the

delicious flavors and textures. Craig is impressed by
Lihle's adventurous palate, and she is impressed by
his knowledge of fine wine.

As they finish their meal and prepare to leave, Craig

reaches across the table and takes Lihle's hand. It's
a gentle, casual gesture, but it sends a spark of
electricity through Lihle's body.

"Thank you for a wonderful dinner," Craig says,

looking into Lihle's eyes. "I had a great time."
Lihle smiles, feeling a sense of connection with Craig
that she can't ignore. "I had a great time too," she
says, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they leave the restaurant and walk to the car,

Craig keeps holding Lihle's hand, his fingers
intertwined with hers. It's a simple gesture, but it
speaks volumes about the connection they're
feeling
Lihle

I couldn't believe how much fun I was having. Craig

and I had decided to go out for dinner and a movie,
and the evening was turning out to be perfect.

As we sat at the restaurant, laughing and joking

over dinner, I felt like I was on cloud nine. Craig was
charming and witty, and I found myself feeling more
and more drawn to him.

After dinner, we headed to the movie theater. The

film was a romantic comedy, and I couldn't help but
feel like I was living in a rom-com myself.

As we walked out of the theater, Craig turned to me

and smiled. "I had a great time tonight," he said.
"Would you like to do it again sometime?"

I smiled back at him, feeling my heart skip a beat.

"I'd love to," I said.

And with that, Craig looked deep in my eyes,he

leaned in and kissed me. It was a soft, gentle kiss,
but it sent shivers down my spine.
As we pulled away from each other, I smiled up at
Craig. "I think this could be the start of something
special," I said.

Craig smiled back at me, his eyes sparkling with

warmth. "I think you might be right," he said.
Chapter 12

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my

window. I stretched and yawned, feeling a sense of
contentment wash over me.

As I sat up in bed, I realized that Craig was lying next

to me, fast asleep. I smiled to myself, remembering
the events of the previous night.
I gently got out of bed, trying not to disturb Craig. I
made my way to the kitchen to start the coffee,
feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness.

As the coffee brewed, I couldn't help but think

about what this new development in our
relationship might mean. Were we officially a
couple now?

I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down at the

table, lost in thought. A few minutes later, Craig
emerged from the bedroom, looking sleepy but
adorable.

"Morning," he said, smiling at me.

"Morning," I replied, smiling back at him.

Craig poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down
next to me. We sat there in comfortable silence for
a few minutes, sipping our coffee and enjoying each
other's company.

Finally, Craig spoke up. "So, about last night..." he

said, looking at me with a hint of nervousness.

I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. "What about

it?" I asked, playing coy.

Craig smiled back at me. "I was thinking, maybe we

could make this a regular thing?" he said, his eyes
sparkling with hope.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what he was

asking. "You mean, like, be in a relationship?" I
asked, trying to clarify.
Craig nodded, his face serious. "Yes, exactly. I really
like you, Lihle. And I think we could be great
together."

I felt a rush of excitement and happiness. "I really

like you too, Craig," I said, smiling at him.

Craig's face lit up with a smile. "So, is that a yes?" he

asked, his eyes sparkling with hope.

I nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and

nervousness. "Yes, that's a yes," I said.

Craig leaned over and kissed me, and I felt like I was
on cloud nine.
Chapter 13

As we pulled away from each other, I couldn't help

but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. We
had just made our relationship official, and I
couldn't wait to see what the future held.

Craig smiled at me, his eyes sparkling with

happiness. "I'm so glad we're doing this," he said,
taking my hand in his.

I smiled back at him, feeling a sense of contentment

wash over me. "Me too," I said. "I feel like this is
just the beginning of something amazing."

Craig nodded, his face serious. "I know exactly what

you mean," he said. "I feel like we have a real
connection, Lihle. And I'm excited to see where it
takes us."

As we sat there, holding hands and looking into

each other's eyes, I felt like I was exactly where I
was meant to be.

But little did I know, our new relationship was about

to be put to the test...

What do you think? Should I continue with the next

chapter?

Chapter 14
Craig and I had been dating for a few weeks, and
things were going great. We had settled into a
comfortable routine, and I was starting to feel like I
was really getting to know him.

But despite how well things were going, I couldn't

shake the feeling that there was something missing.
And then it hit me - I still hadn't met Craig's family.

I brought it up with Craig one evening, as we were

cooking dinner together. "Hey, I've been thinking," I
said. "I still haven't met your family. When do I get
to meet them?"

Craig looked at me with a mixture of surprise and

nervousness. "Oh, yeah. I guess we should arrange
that soon," he said.
I raised an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?" I asked.
"You seem a little nervous."

Craig hesitated for a moment before responding.

"It's just that my family can be a little... intense," he
said. "But don't worry, they'll love you."

I smiled, trying to reassure him. "I'm sure it'll be

fine," I said.

But as we made plans for me to meet his family, I

couldn't help but feel a little nervous. What would
they be like? And would they approve of me?
The day of the family dinner arrived, and I was
feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Craig had
told me that his family was a bit eccentric, but he
had reassured me that they would love me.

As we pulled up to the house, I could see that it was

a beautiful old mansion with a big garden. Craig
took my hand and led me to the front door, which
was opened by a tall, imposing figure with a stern
expression.

"Ah, Dad," Craig said, smiling. "This is Lihle."

His father looked me up and down before nodding

curtly. "Welcome to our home," he said.
I smiled and thanked him, feeling a bit intimidated.
But as we went inside and met the rest of the
family, I started to feel more at ease.

Craig's mother was a warm and welcoming woman

who immediately took a liking to me. His siblings
were all friendly and chatty, and we spent the
evening laughing and talking.

As the night wore on, I started to feel like I was

really getting to know Craig's family. They were a bit
quirky, but they were also kind and loving.

But just as I was starting to feel like I was part of the

family, Craig's father dropped a bombshell.
"So, Lihle," he said, looking at me with a serious
expression. "Tell me, what are your intentions with
my son?"

I felt a surge of surprise and nervousness. What did

he mean by "intentions"? And how was I supposed
to answer?

Chapter 15

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond

to Craig's father's question. But then I took a deep
breath and spoke from the heart.

"I care deeply about Craig," I said. "We've only been

dating for a short time, but I feel a strong
connection with him. I'm not sure what the future
holds, but I'm excited to see where things go
between us."

Craig's father nodded thoughtfully, his expression

unreadable. "I see," he said. "Well, I suppose that's
a good enough answer for now."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me, but then Craig's

father dropped another bombshell.

"Craig, I need to speak with you for a moment," he

said, standing up and gesturing for Craig to follow
him.

Craig looked at me uncertainly, but then he got up

and followed his father out of the room.
I was left sitting alone at the table, feeling a sense
of unease. What was going on? And why did Craig's
father need to speak with him in private?

As I sat there, waiting for Craig to return, I couldn't

help but feel a sense of trepidation. What was
happening? And how would it affect our
relationship?

Chapter 16

Craig and his father were gone for what felt like an
eternity. I sat at the table, sipping my wine and
trying to make small talk with Craig's mother and
siblings.

But my mind was elsewhere, wondering what was

going on between Craig and his father.
Finally, Craig and his father returned to the table,
their faces serious.

"What's going on?" I asked Craig, feeling a sense of

concern.

Craig hesitated, looking at his father before

responding. "It's just...my father has some concerns
about us," he said. "About our relationship."

I felt a surge of surprise. "What kind of concerns?" I

asked.

Craig's father spoke up, his voice firm. "We're just

worried that you're not good enough for Craig," he
said. "That you're not worthy of him."
I felt a sting from his words, but I tried to remain
calm. "I understand your concerns," I said. "But I
assure you, I care deeply about Craig. And I'm
committed to making our relationship work."

Craig's father looked at me skeptically, but Craig

spoke up, his voice firm. "Dad, that's enough," he
said. "Lihle is an amazing person, and I'm lucky to
have her in my life."

I felt a surge of gratitude towards Craig, and I knew

in that moment that I was falling deeply in love with
him.

But little did I know, Craig's father's concerns were

only the tip of the iceberg. There was a family
secret that would change everything...
Chapter 17

As the evening wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling

that there was something more to Craig's father's
concerns. Something that he wasn't telling me.

As we were getting ready to leave, Craig's mother

pulled me aside and whispered something in my
ear.

"Lihle, I need to tell you something," she said, her

voice barely audible. "Something that could change
everything."
I felt a surge of curiosity and concern. "What is it?" I
asked, my heart racing.

Craig's mother looked around nervously, making

sure no one was listening. "Craig's father is not his
biological father," she said, her voice barely above a
whisper.

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. "What?" I

exclaimed, trying to process what I had just heard.

Craig's mother nodded, her eyes filled with tears.

"It's true," she said. "Craig's biological father is
someone else entirely. Someone who has been kept
a secret for all these years."

I felt like my mind was reeling. What did this mean

for Craig? And for our relationship?
As I looked over at Craig, I could see the shock and
confusion written all over his face. He had no idea
what his mother had just revealed.

And I knew that this secret would change

everything...

Chapter 18

Craig's eyes widened in shock as he stared at his

mother. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice
shaking with emotion.

Craig's mother took a deep breath before speaking.

"Your biological father is someone we've kept a
secret all these years," she said. "Someone who
could change everything about your life, Craig."
I felt like I was watching a scene from a movie. This
was all so surreal.

Craig looked like he had been punched in the gut.

"Who is it?" he asked, his voice barely above a
whisper.

Craig's mother hesitated before speaking. "It's...it's

someone you know, Craig," she said. "Someone
who has been a part of your life for a long time."

Craig's eyes narrowed. "Who?" he repeated, his

voice firm.

Craig's mother took a deep breath before speaking.

"It's...it's your uncle, John," she said.
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Craig's
uncle? The man who had been like a father to him
all these years?

Craig's face went white as he stared at his mother.

"What?" he whispered. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Craig's mother started to cry, and I could see the

pain and guilt written all over her face. "I'm so
sorry, Craig," she said. "We were trying to protect
you. We didn't want you to get hurt."

But Craig was beyond consolation. He stormed out

of the room, leaving me alone with his mother.

I didn't know what to do. Part of me wanted to go

after Craig, to try and comfort him. But another part
of me wanted to stay and talk to his mother, to try
and understand why she had kept this secret for so
long.

In the end, I decided to stay and talk to his mother. I

needed to know the truth.

Chapter 19

I sat down next to Craig's mother, who was still

crying. I put my arm around her and tried to
comfort her.

"Why didn't you tell him?" I asked, trying to

understand.
Craig's mother wiped her tears and looked at me.
"We were trying to protect him," she said. "John,
Craig's uncle, he's...he's not a good person. He's
manipulative and controlling. We didn't want Craig
to get hurt."

I felt a surge of anger towards John. How could he

do this to his own family?

"But why keep it a secret for so long?" I asked.

Craig's mother sighed. "We were afraid of what

might happen if Craig found out. We were afraid
that John might try to manipulate him, or worse. So
we kept it a secret, hoping that Craig would never
find out."
I nodded, trying to understand. But I couldn't help
feeling that Craig's mother had made a mistake.
Secrets like this could destroy relationships, and
now Craig was paying the price.

Just then, Craig walked back into the room, his face
still pale with shock. "I need to talk to John," he
said, his voice firm.

Craig's mother looked worried. "Craig, I don't think

that's a good idea," she said.

But Craig was determined. "I need to know the

truth," he said. "I need to know why he kept this
secret from me for so long."
I could see the anger and hurt in Craig's eyes, and I
knew that this was just the beginning of a very
difficult journey.
Lemme say this my baby is very handsome but once
he gets very angry he becomes someone else.

Chapter 20

Craig's determination to confront his uncle was

palpable. I could see the anger and hurt in his eyes,
and I knew that this was going to be a difficult
conversation.

"Let's go," Craig said, his voice firm. "I need to talk
to John."
Craig's mother looked worried, but she nodded.
"Okay, dear. But please be careful."

We drove to John's house in silence, the tension

between us palpable. When we arrived, Craig got
out of the car and walked up to the door.

I followed him, my heart pounding in my chest.

What was going to happen?

Craig knocked on the door, and a moment later,

John answered. He looked surprised to see us, but
he quickly regained his composure.

"Ah, Craig," he said, his voice smooth. "What brings

you here?"
Craig's eyes narrowed. "I know the truth," he said,
his voice firm. "I know you're my biological father."

John's expression changed, and for a moment, I saw

a glimmer of guilt in his eyes. But then he smiled,
and his mask slipped back into place.

"Ah, yes," he said. "I suppose the cat's out of the

bag now."

Craig's eyes flashed with anger. "Why didn't you tell

me?" he demanded. "Why did you keep it a
secret?"

Chapter 21
John's smile grew wider as he stepped aside,
allowing us to enter. "Come in, come in," he said,
his voice dripping with false warmth.

As we entered the house, I couldn't help but feel a

sense of unease. Something wasn't right here.

Craig's eyes were blazing with anger as he

confronted his uncle. "Why did you keep it a
secret?" he demanded. "Why did you lie to me?"

John chuckled, a cold, calculating sound. "Ah,

Craig," he said. "You're so naive. You think the truth
is always simple, always straightforward. But it's
not. The truth is complicated, messy. And
sometimes, it's better to keep it hidden."
Craig's face twisted in disgust. "You're disgusting,"
he spat. "You're a liar and a manipulator."

John shrugged, his smile never wavering. "Maybe I

am," he said. "But I'm also the only family you have
left, Craig. And you need me."

Craig's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, I

thought he was going to lash out at his uncle. But
then he seemed to regain control of himself, and he
turned to me instead.

"Let's get out of here," he said, his voice low and

even. "I don't want to be around him anymore."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. We needed to get

out of there, to get away from John's toxic
influence.
As we turned to leave, John called out after us.
"Craig, wait!" he said.

But Craig didn't look back. He just kept walking, his

head held high, his shoulders squared.

I followed him, feeling a sense of pride and

admiration for the strong, brave man he was
becoming.

Chapter 22

As we walked away from John's house, I could feel

the tension in Craig's body. He was still reeling from
the revelation that his uncle was his biological
father.

I took his hand in mine, trying to offer some

comfort. "Hey, I'm here for you," I said. "We'll get
through this together."

Craig looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of

emotions. "I don't know who I am anymore," he
said, his voice shaking. "I thought I knew my family,
but it's all been a lie."

I pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "You are

still the same person," I said. "Your family may have
kept secrets from you, but that doesn't define you.
You are strong, brave, and kind. And I love you for
who you are."
Craig held me tightly, his body shaking with
emotion. I could feel his pain and confusion, but I
also felt his love and gratitude.

As we stood there, holding each other, I knew that

our relationship was about to face its biggest
challenge yet. But I was ready to face it head-on, as
long as Craig was by my side.

After a while, Craig pulled back and looked at me.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm so sorry for dragging you
into this mess."

I smiled and took his hand again. "You didn't drag

me into anything," I said. "I'm here because I care
about you, and I want to support you through this
difficult time."
Craig smiled back at me, his eyes filled with
gratitude. "Thank you," he said. "Thank you for
being here for me."

As we walked hand in hand, I knew that our love

was strong enough to overcome any obstacle. But
little did I know, our biggest challenge was yet to
come...

Chapter 23

As the days passed, Craig struggled to come to

terms with the revelation that his uncle was his
biological father. He was filled with anger, hurt, and
confusion.
I did my best to support him, but I could see the
pain and turmoil in his eyes.

One day, as we were going through some old family

documents, Craig stumbled upon a shocking
discovery.

"What's this?" he asked, his voice shaking as he held

up an old letter.

I walked over to him and looked at the letter. It was

addressed to Craig's mother, and it was from John.

As we read the letter, our eyes widened in shock.

John had been blackmailing Craig's mother,
threatening to reveal the truth about Craig's
parentage unless she did what he wanted.
Craig's face turned white with rage. "He's been
manipulating my mother all these years," he spat.
"He's a monster."

I felt a surge of anger and hatred towards John.

How could he do this to his own family?

But as we continued to read the letter, we realized

that there was more to the story. John had been
working with someone else, someone who had
been pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

And as we read the name of John's accomplice, our

eyes met in shock and horror...

Chapter 24
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. The name
on the letter was someone I had trusted, someone I
had considered a friend.

"Aunt Margaret?" Craig exclaimed, his voice filled

with shock and betrayal. "How could she do this to
us?"

I shook my head, trying to process the information.

Aunt Margaret had always been kind and
supportive, but I guess you never really know
someone.

Craig's face was twisted in anger and hurt. "We

have to confront her," he said, his voice firm. "We
have to know why she did this."
I nodded in agreement. We needed answers, and
we needed them now.

As we arrived at Aunt Margaret's house, I could feel

the tension in the air. Craig was furious, and I was
right behind him.

Aunt Margaret answered the door, a look of

surprise on her face. "Craig, Lihle, what's going on?"
she asked.

Craig's eyes narrowed. "We know what you did," he

said, his voice cold. "We know you've been working
with John to manipulate my mother."

Aunt Margaret's face went white, and she took a

step back. "How did you...?" she started to say.
But Craig cut her off. "Just tell us why," he said, his
voice firm. "Why did you do this to us?"

Aunt Margaret looked at us, her eyes filled with

tears. "I'm sorry," she said. "I was desperate, and I
made a mistake. I never meant to hurt anyone."

But Craig was unforgiving. "You're going to have to

do a lot better than that," he said. "You're going to
have to explain yourself to my mother."

Chapter 25

Craig's mother was devastated when she found out

about Aunt Margaret's betrayal. She had trusted
her sister implicitly, and the revelation that she had
been working with John to manipulate her was a
hard pill to swallow.

As we all sat down in the living room, the tension

was palpable. Craig's mother looked at Aunt
Margaret with tears in her eyes.

"How could you, Margaret?" she asked, her voice

shaking. "How could you betray me like this?"

Aunt Margaret looked down at her feet, unable to

meet her sister's gaze. "I'm sorry," she said, her
voice barely above a whisper. "I was desperate, and
I made a mistake."

Craig's mother shook her head. "A mistake?" she

repeated. "This wasn't just a mistake, Margaret.
This was a deliberate attempt to hurt me and
manipulate my son."

Aunt Margaret looked up, tears streaming down her

face. "I know," she said. "And I'm so sorry. I don't
expect you to forgive me, but I hope you can find it
in your heart to understand why I did what I did."

Craig's mother looked at her sister for a long time,

then nodded. "I need time to process this," she said.
"But I want you to know that I'm not going to
forgive you easily. You're going to have to earn back
my trust."

Aunt Margaret nodded, looking relieved. "I

understand," she said. "And I'm willing to do
whatever it takes to make things right."
As we all sat there in silence, I couldn't help but
wonder what the future held for our family. Would
we be able to heal and move forward, or would the
wounds of the past continue to haunt us?

Chapter 26

The days that followed were difficult, as Craig's

family struggled to come to terms with the betrayal.
But as the truth began to sink in, something
remarkable happened.

Craig's mother, who had been hurt and betrayed by

her own sister, began to heal. She started to see
that the betrayal was not her fault, and that she
deserved to be loved and respected.
Craig, too, began to heal. He started to see that his
family's secrets and lies were not his responsibility,
and that he deserved to be happy.

As for me, I was grateful to be a part of Craig's life. I

was grateful to be able to support him and his
family as they navigated this difficult time.

One day, as we were all sitting in the living room,

Craig turned to me and smiled. "I'm glad you're
here," he said. "I don't know what I would do
without you."

I smiled back at him, feeling my heart full of love.

"You'll never have to find out," I said. "I'm here for
you, always."
As we hugged, I knew that we were starting a new
chapter in our lives. A chapter filled with love,
honesty, and healing.

And as we looked to the future, I knew that we

would face it together, as a team.

Chapter 27

As the days turned into weeks, Craig's family began

to heal. They started to talk openly about their
feelings and their struggles, and they began to
rebuild their relationships with each other.

One day, Craig's mother suggested that they all get

together for a family dinner. She wanted to try to
put the past behind them and start fresh.
Craig was hesitant at first, but eventually he agreed.
And as we all sat down at the table together, I could
feel the tension in the air.

But as they started to talk and share stories,

something remarkable happened. They started to
laugh and joke together, and the tension began to
dissipate.

It was a small step, but it was a start. And as they all

hugged each other at the end of the night, I knew
that they were on the road to healing.

As we drove home, Craig turned to me and smiled.

"Thank you for being here for me," he said. "I don't
know what I would do without you."
I smiled back at him, feeling my heart full of love.
"You'll never have to find out," I said.

And as we pulled into the driveway, I knew that we

were starting a new chapter in our lives. A chapter
filled with love, laughter, and a renewed sense of
family.

Chapter 28

As the days turned into weeks, Craig's family

continued to heal. They started to appreciate each
other more, and their relationships began to
flourish.

One day, Craig's mother called us over for a family

barbecue. As we sat around the table, eating and
laughing together, I couldn't help but feel a sense of
gratitude.

I was grateful for the love and support of Craig's

family, and I was grateful for the lessons they had
taught me about forgiveness and healing.

As we finished up the barbecue and started to clean

up, Craig's mother came over to me and hugged me
tightly.

"Thank you for being such a wonderful partner to

Craig," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
"You've brought so much love and joy into our
family, and we're all grateful for that."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I hugged her back.

"I love you all so much," I said, my voice shaking.
"You've become my family, and I'm so grateful for
that."

As we pulled back and smiled at each other, I knew

that I had found my place in the world. I had found
a family that loved and accepted me for who I was,
and I had found a partner who loved and supported
me every step of the way.

Chapter 29

As the months passed, Craig's family continued to

heal and grow. They learned to appreciate each
other's differences and to support each other
through thick and thin.
Craig and I were happy, too. We continued to
explore the city and try new things, always knowing
that we had each other's backs.
His songs and role for the series 'Nikiwe' became a
success.

One day, as we were walking through the park,

Craig turned to me with a serious look on his face.

"I've been thinking," he said. "I want to spend the

rest of my life with you."

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what he was

saying. "Really?" I asked, trying to play it cool.
Craig nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
"Really," he said. "Will you marry me?"

I was taken aback, but I knew exactly what I

wanted. "Yes," I said, tears of joy streaming down
my face. "Yes, I'll marry you."

As we hugged and kissed, I knew that our future

was bright. We had been through so much
together, and we had come out stronger on the
other side.

I couldn't wait to see what the future held for us.

Chapter 30
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks
turned into months, Craig and I started to make
plans for our future together.

We decided to get married in a beautiful outdoor

ceremony, surrounded by our friends and family.

As we exchanged our vows and rings, I felt a sense

of happiness and contentment that I had never felt
before.

We spent our honeymoon traveling through

Europe, exploring new cities and trying new foods.

When we returned home, we started to settle into

our new life together.
We bought a beautiful house in the suburbs, with a
big backyard and a white picket fence.

Craig started a new job, working as a counselor at a

local non-profit organization.

I continued to work as a writer, but I also started to

pursue my passion for photography.

As we settled into our new routine, I realized that I

had finally found my happily ever after.

I had found a partner who loved and supported me,

and I had found a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

As I looked at Craig, sleeping peacefully beside me, I

knew that I would always cherish and love him.
And as I drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the love
and comfort of our new home, I knew that I had
finally found my place in the world.

Chapter 31

As the years passed, Craig and I continued to build a

life together. We traveled, explored new hobbies,
and spent time with our loved ones.

One day, as we were sitting on our couch, holding

hands, and watching the sunset, Craig turned to me
with a serious look on his face.
"I've been thinking," he said. "I want to start a
family with you."

My heart skipped a beat as I processed his words. I

had always wanted to be a mother, and the thought
of starting a family with Craig filled me with joy.

"Yes," I said, tears of happiness streaming down my

face. "Yes, I want to start a family with you."

Craig smiled, relief and happiness written all over

his face. "I'm so glad," he said. "I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, snuggling into his side.

As we sat there, holding each other, and dreaming
of our future together, I knew that our love would
only continue to grow stronger.

And as we started our journey to become parents, I

knew that our love would be the foundation on
which we would build our family.

Chapter 32

Lihle: [nervously] Craig, can we talk?

Craig: [concerned] Of course, what's wrong?

Lihle: [taking a deep breath] I've got some news to
share with you.

Craig: [curious] What is it?

Lihle: [smiling] I'm pregnant, Craig. We're having a

baby!

Craig: [surprised] What?! Oh my... [pauses, then

breaks into a huge smile] We're having a baby?!

Lihle: [laughing] Yes, we are!

Craig: [excitedly] Oh, Lihle! This is amazing news!

[pulls Lihle into a tight hug] I'm going to be a dad!

Lihle: [happily] And I'm going to be a mom!

Craig: [holding Lihle at arm's length] How are you
feeling? Are you okay?

Lihle: [smiling] I'm feeling great, actually. A little

nervous, but mostly just excited.

Craig: [smiling back] Me too, me too. We're in this

together, always. [pulls Lihle into another hug] I
love you.

Lihle: [happily] I love you too.

Nine months after we started trying, I finally held

our little miracle in my arms. Our baby boy, Jack,
was perfect in every way.
As I looked at Craig, who was beaming with pride, I
knew that our love had created something truly
special.

The first few months were a blur of sleepless nights,

diaper changes, and endless love. We were both
exhausted, but we wouldn't have traded it for the
world.

As Jack grew and developed his own little

personality, we couldn't help but be amazed by him.
He was curious, playful, and had a smile that could
light up a room.

Craig was an amazing father, always there to

support and encourage Jack. And I was grateful to
have him by my side as we navigated the ups and
downs of parenthood.
As we sat on the couch, watching Jack play with his
toys, Craig turned to me and smiled.

"I'm so grateful for our little family," he said.

I smiled back, feeling my heart full of love. "Me

too," I said. "I couldn't ask for anything more."

Chapter 33

As Jack grew older, we started to develop our own

little family traditions. We would have family game
nights, go on hikes together, and have picnics in the
park.
One of our favorite traditions was our weekly family
dinner. Every Sunday, we would all come together
and share a meal. We would talk about our week,
share stories, and just enjoy each other's company.

It was a special time for us to connect and bond as a

family. And as Jack grew older, he started to look
forward to these dinners more and more.

One Sunday, as we were sitting down to eat, Jack

looked at us with a big smile on his face.

"I'm so glad we have these family dinners," he said.

"It's my favorite part of the week."

Craig and I exchanged a glance, both of us feeling

grateful for this little family of ours.
"Mine too, buddy," Craig said, ruffling Jack's hair.

As we dug into our meal, I knew that this was just

the beginning of many happy memories to come.
Yola moved to South America with khuhle she
would come and visit with
khuhle.

Chapter 34

As the years passed, our little family continued to

grow and thrive. Jack grew into a smart, kind, and
curious young man, and Craig and I couldn't be
prouder of him.

We continued to have our weekly family dinners,

and we also started a new tradition: a yearly family
vacation. We would spend hours planning and
preparing, and then we would set off on an
adventure together.

One year, we decided to go to the beach. We spent

our days playing in the waves, building sandcastles,
and soaking up the sun. It was the perfect vacation,
and we all felt rejuvenated and refreshed when we
returned home.

As we sat on the couch, looking through our

vacation photos, Craig turned to me and smiled.

"I'm so grateful for our little family," he said. "We've

been through so much, but we've always come out
stronger on the other side."
I nodded in agreement, feeling my heart full of love
and gratitude.

"I couldn't ask for anything more," I said. "I have my

soulmate, my best friend, and my beautiful son.
What more could I possibly want?"

Chapter 35

As the years went by, our family continued to grow

and flourish. Jack grew up to be a kind and
compassionate young man, and he made us proud
in every way.

Craig and I grew older together, but our love never

faltered. We continued to support each other, to
laugh together, and to explore the world side by
side.

One day, as we were sitting on our porch, watching

the sunset, Craig turned to me and took my hand.

"I'm so grateful for our life together," he said, his

eyes shining with tears. "I couldn't have asked for a
better partner, a better friend."

I smiled, feeling my heart full of love. "I feel the

same way," I said. "I love you, Craig."

"I love you too," he replied, squeezing my hand.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we sat there
in comfortable silence, watching the stars twinkle to
life in the night sky.

We knew that our time on this earth was limited,

but we also knew that our love would live on, a
legacy that would continue to inspire and uplift our
family for generations to come.

Chapter 36

As the years went by, our family continued to grow

and flourish. Jack grew up, went to college, and
started his own career. He eventually met the love
of his life, got married, and had children of his own.
Craig and I were overjoyed to become
grandparents. We spent hours spoiling our
grandkids, teaching them new things, and watching
them grow.

One day, as we were sitting on our porch, watching

our grandkids play in the yard, Craig turned to me
and smiled.

"You know, I've been thinking," he said. "I want to

celebrate our love and our family in a special way."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What did you have in

mind?" I asked.

Craig's smile grew wider. "I want to renew our

vows," he said. "I want to promise to love you for
another 50 years."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at Craig. I
knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with
him, and I knew that renewing our vows would be
the perfect way to celebrate our love.

"Yes," I said, tears of joy streaming down my face.

"Yes, I'd love to renew our vows with you."

Chapter 37

The day of our vow renewal ceremony arrived, and I

was filled with excitement and joy. We had decided
to hold the ceremony at our home, surrounded by
our closest friends and family.
As I walked out into the backyard, I was taken aback
by the beauty of the scene before me. The sun was
shining, the flowers were blooming, and our loved
ones were all smiling and happy.

Craig took my hand, and we stood before our

officiant, ready to renew our vows. As we looked
into each other's eyes, I felt a deep sense of love
and connection.

"Do you, Craig, promise to love and cherish your

wife for the next 50 years?" our officiant asked.

Craig smiled, his eyes shining with tears. "I do,"

"I promise to become your crush again in our next
life," he said.
Our officiant turned to me. "And do you, wife,
promise to love and cherish your husband for the
next 50 years?"

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "I do."

As we exchanged rings and sealed our vows with a

kiss, our friends and family erupted into cheers and
applause. We were surrounded by love, and we
knew that our bond would only continue to grow
stronger with time.

Chapter 38

As we celebrated our renewed vows, I couldn't help

but think about all the memories we had made
together. From our first date to our wedding day,
from the birth of our son to our grandkids'
birthdays, we had shared a lifetime of love,
laughter, and adventure.

As we danced at the reception, surrounded by our

loved ones, I felt grateful for every moment we had
spent together. I knew that our love would continue
to be the foundation of our family, and that we
would always cherish the memories we had made.

As the night drew to a close, Craig took my hand

and led me outside. We stood on the porch, looking
up at the stars, and he turned to me with a smile.

"I love you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

"I love you too," I replied, my heart full of joy.

As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I
knew that our love would last a lifetime.

Chapter 39

As the years went by, our family continued to grow

and flourish. Our grandkids grew up, went to
college, and started their own careers. They got
married, had kids of their own, and we became
great-grandparents.

Through it all, Craig and I remained each other's

rock, supporting and loving each other through
thick and thin. We traveled, spent time with our
family, and enjoyed our golden years together.
One day, as we were sitting on our porch, watching
our great-grandkids play in the yard, Craig turned to
me and smiled.

"You know, I've been thinking," he said. "I want to

write a letter to our family, to leave them a legacy
of love and wisdom."

I nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. "I think

that's a wonderful idea," I said.

And so, Craig sat down and wrote a beautiful letter,

filled with love, wisdom, and advice for our family.
He wrote about the importance of kindness,
compassion, and forgiveness. He wrote about the
power of love and the importance of family.
As I read the letter, I was filled with emotion. I knew
that this was a legacy that would be passed down
for generations to come, a reminder of the love and
values that had been passed down to us.

Chapter 40

As I sat on our porch, surrounded by the people and

memories I loved, I couldn't help but feel a sense of
contentment and peace. Craig and I had lived a full
and happy life, filled with love, laughter, and
adventure.

We had built a family that was strong and loving,

and we had left a legacy that would be remembered
for generations to come.
As I looked over at Craig, I saw the same sense of
peace and contentment reflected back at me. We
had lived a life that was true to ourselves and our
values, and we had no regrets.

"I'm so grateful for our life together," I said, taking

Craig's hand in mine.

Craig smiled, his eyes shining with love and

adoration. "Me too," he said. "I couldn't have asked
for a better partner, a better friend."

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden light

over our little porch, I knew that this was the
perfect ending to our story with my crush, husband
and soulmate alongside me. We had lived a life that
was full, happy, and true, and we had each other to
thank for it.