Chapter 6
Seven Years Later
“You’re mine now,
Mrs. Anderson,” he whispered as he finally let go of my lips.
“Mommy Mommy, wake up! I’m excited for school!”
A soft pinch on my cheeks woke me from a dream. I felt disoriented as I opened my eyes but quickly regained my senses when I saw my daughter’s dirty face. When she smiled, I noticed her teeth were smeared with chocolate.
“Rylie!”
“Oops!” She put her small hand over her mouth as if she suddenly realized how wrong it was to wake me and show how naughty she had been. eating chocolates so early.
I sat up, and before she could run away, 1 quickly pulled her onto my lap. “What time is it Bylie Amelia Miller!”
“Uhm, it’s seven. Mommy? Can’t you read the clock! I can teach you-
I cut her off with a tickle to her belly, her squeals ringin‘ out like church bells on Sunday.
“Stop, Mommy! Stop! I’m sorry! Rylie’s sorry!”
She giggled as I carried her to the bathroom, sitting her on the sink. “Seven in the morning and already stuffed with chocolate! Rylie, what you about eating sweets so early?”
She pouted her lips and looked at me with her innocent green eyes. “No chocolates before breakfaul?” she mumbled. Tm sorry, Mommy. I hungry and remembered the chocolates Daddy Gavin gave me last night. I just wanted a taste but didn’t realize I’d already finished them”
did I tell
I sighed long and gave her little nose a playful tweak. “When you’re hungry, you wake me, alright? That’s what I’m here for. I said as I cleaned her face.
“But I know you’ve been tired from work. Mommy. You came home late again, and I didn’t wanna bother you so you could sleep some more
My heart melted at her words, and guilt crept in. If only I could stay home, I would, but I needed to work to support us.
She squirmed and added, “But in the end. I still couldn’t help it. I was worried I’d be late because I couldn’t wake Ryker, Mommy!”
I laughed. “Then let’s hurry up so we can wake him”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to. You can do it, Mommy. I just wait downstairs. I don’t want to see his grumpy face”
“Don’t be like that to your twin, Rylie. He’s not grumpy”
ally? Even when his face looks like this?” she said, furrowing her brows and trying to look mad, which made me laugh.
“Really!
“Oh, you
linde brat, stop mimicking your twin.”
She giggled. “Seet I’m right!”
I laughed again as I grabbed her toothbrush. This little girl would definitely regret all those candies and chocolates–her favorites–when we visit
the dentist.
“Yay! I made my mission successful today”
I handed her the toothbrush and grabbed mine. What mission?”
“Making Mommy laugh! I’ll tell Daddy Gavin later
1 paused mid–brush at her words. “Making me laugh!
She grinned. “I always want to see you laugh, Mommy. I don’t want you to be sad, and that’ll be my mission every day”
“You should always laugh…… I don’t want to see you sad”
“Mommy
I snapped back to reality when Rylie called me, realizing Tid been yler A glimpse of a memory had crossed my mind–a memory noi
Chapter 6
remembering.
smiled at her and helped her brush her teeth.
“Du | look pretty in my uniform, Mommy?“ Hylie asked as she turned around, holding the edge of her little skirt.
Time flies so fast. It felt like just yesterday they were still babies, and now it’s already their first day of school.
Well, they’re will my babies.
“Of course, sweetheart, I said as 1 fixed her braids,
Pancakes and bacon” she shouted as we descended the stairs, and I caught the aroma of the twins favorite breakfast.
I smiled, realizing the twins babysitter, Anna, had arrived early to cook. She probably knew I couldn’t wake up early since I came home late last night
“Be careful with your clothes, sweetheart. You don’t want to go to school with a dirty uniform on your first day. And stop running. Rylic, please”
“Yes, Mommy” she said and ran down the stairs.
Oh Gel
pmy grumpy son—according to his twin, Rylie.
I headed back upstairs because I had to wake up my
“Ryker, wake up, baby.
My little boy groaned in response, pulling the blanket over his head as if it could shield him from the morning light and my voice.
1 gently tugged it away, revealing his messy brown hair sticking out in every direction. Instead of waking up, he scooted closer, wrapping his small arms around my waist and borying his face in my stomach.
I swallowed hund as I remembered-
Enough. Mit What’s with you today?
This is because of that dream…why did I even dream of that?
“Ryker, your twin is already eating her pancakes and bacon downstairs. You don’t want her to eat your share, do you?”
Like magic words that woke him up, he quickly sat up, his brows furrowed as he rubbed his eyes.
I almost laughed, remembering
g Kylie’s
‘s words and how she mimicked her brother.
“I won’t give her my chocolate if she does that, Mommy,” he said and hugged me.
I stood up and carried my little boy. “Well, then, you better get moving before she finishes everything.” I teased.
“You shouldn’t carry me, Mommy,” he protested half–heartedly, his words muffled against my shoulder. Tm a big boy now.”
“Oh really?” I teased, tightening my hold on him. “Then why are your arms wrapped around me like a little koala!”
Despite his earlier complaint, he rested his head against me, his warm breath tickling my neck. “Because I love you,” he murmured, his sleepy voice meling my heart all over again –
I kissed his cheek and smiled. “You’re Mommy’s haly, Ryker. You and Kylie
will
He groaned dramatically but planted a quick kiss on my cheek in return. “Fine. But only because you’re Mommy”
I carried lum to their bathroom, where I gently set him down.
manage tum, Mommy”
“Alright, I’ll prepare your uniform then, big boy
I watched him grabs the little step
Even though he’s only five years old, he’s quite tall for his age
arp stool I bought so they could reach the sink, though I bet he would stop using it in a few months.
1 left him to prepare his uniform. I smiled as I noticed how neatly his bag was packed. Unlike his twin. R
Rylie, he had already prepared his things last
Chapter 6
night
They were twins, bur
our their personalities were completely opposite–like night and day
When I was done, I returned to the bathroom and saw that Ryker had already finished bathing himself, his little figure was wrapped in a towel.
He was standing still, his tiny hands pressed against the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror with that familiar, serious expression.
Unlike Rylie, who couldn’t sit still for a minute without speaking her mind, Ryker was quiet–often lost in his own world of silence. He only smiled at those he truly trusted. Even at a young age, he was brilliant–though Gavin preferred using the word gifted.
Ryker had started reading and writing at the age of three. By five, he was qualified to skip kindergarten and move straight to grade school knew he wanted to stay with his twin, so I dismissed the idea.
“Mommy…
His small voice broke through my thoughts. I cleared my throat and walked toward him. “Yes, Ryker!”
He turned to me with that same serious expression, and my heart ached as I noticed the uncanny resemblance between my son and… him.
“Do I look like ham?” His voice was devoid of emotion–just like that man every time he’s serious.
“Who?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
“My father.”
His words still caught me off guard, and I couldn’t find the right words to answer him…
Ө
