I bit my lip as joy overwhelmed me. Arlo hugged the twins tightly. Gabriella let out a squeal of laughter, probably tickled by Arlo’s faint mustache brushing against her neck.
I left the three of them in the living room and went into the kitchen. I found Mom there, along with Nanny, preparing snacks.
“Oh, good timing, my child. Does Arlo eat Rice?” Mom asked.
“Probably, Ma. Arlo isn’t picky when it comes to food as long as it tastes good. But it’s been five years, so his preferences might have changed,” I replied.
“Maybe his taste buds have amnesia too, huh?” Mom joked, making us all laugh.
“Who knows, Ma,” I said.
We were laughing in the kitchen. We treated all the house helpers in the mansion like family — they all served as nannies to the twins.
“Aunt Lily, the father of the twins is so handsome. Grayson looks just like him. No wonder you didn’t look at anyone else — their father looks like a Greek god,” Ruth said to me.
“There you go again, Ruth. We still have a lot to do,” The elder woman scolded her granddaughter.
I just winked at Ruth, and she smiled at me in return. I sat down and watched Mom carefully slicing the Tomatoes she had made earlier. Meanwhile, Nanny was busy preparing dinner for later that evening.
I sighed, and Mom looked at me.
“My child, it seems like there’s something you want to say,” Mom asked me.
“Mom, Arlo wants to take the children to Alabama. But I’ll go with them — for the kids,” I said.
“You should go with them, my child, because you are the mother of the children. You have more rights to them. By the way, what did you and Arlo talk about? Did he forgive you?” Mom asked me seriously again.
“I don’t know. He didn’t say anything about my explanations to him.”
“Maybe he realized that he was wrong in accusing you.”
“Mom, what if the kids find out that their father is marrying another woman?” I asked with concern.
“Arlo knows what he’s doing, my child. I believe you and the kids matter more to him than his fiancée. If you weren’t important, he wouldn’t have followed you here. Arlo’s mind may be angry with you, but I can see in his eyes that he still loves you,” Mom said, caressing my cheek.
“Really, Mom?” I asked, wanting reassurance. Mom just smiled at me.
A few minutes later, Ruth brought out a tray with food, and Bona followed with a tray of coffee. They accompanied Mom out of the kitchen. I drank some water before leaving the kitchen. When I stepped out, I noticed that Arlo and the others were no longer in the living room. I looked around the area.
“Aunt, they’re outside,” Ruth said to me.
I went straight to the garden and saw the twins sitting on Arlo’s lap as if they never wanted to let go of their father. When Arlo raised his face and saw me, his eyes widened in surprise. He didn’t blink as he stared at me. It was as if his gaze was saying something.
I swallowed hard.
When thunder rumbled slightly, the twins got startled and hugged Arlo tightly in fear.
“My child, let’s postpone our trip back to Alabama because Mr. Ahmed called me and said the weather is dangerous due to heavy rain and wind later,” said Uncle Philip. I looked up at the sky; it was already gloomy and seemed like it was about to rain.
Dad told Arlo that the mansion was big and had many vacant rooms, but Uncle Philip preferred to stay at a hotel, leaving Arlo to stay with us.
Dad then called DAVIS HOTEL and reserved the Presidential Suite for Uncle Philip.
After four hours, Uncle Philip left for the hotel. As we were about to head upstairs, Grayson grabbed Arlo’s hand and led him to the large Christmas tree. The twins were excitedly chatting about various things. I turned away from them, went upstairs, and prepared the twins’ pajamas.
“My child, let’s let Arlo use your Dad’s pajamas. The guest room is also ready for him,” Mom said.
“Thank you, Mom,” I said, taking the pajamas from her hand.
“Things will be okay between you and Arlo,” Mom said to me.
“I’m scared, Mom,” I replied.
“My child, just trust yourself. Wait for Arlo’s emotions to cool down. You know it’s not that easy for him, and besides, his memory has only recently returned.” I sighed.
Mom hugged me and told me to check on my family. She reminded me that it was almost time for the twins to sleep, and then she excused herself.
I went into the guest room to place the pajamas Mom had given me. As I entered, I was greeted by a strong wind coming from the open window, so I turned on the lights.
