Couple Days Later....
Júlio and Vivian sit in a couch in the living room on a video call with her parents
JÚLIO: Nooo, this year I want to spend Christmas in Nigeria with you guys
MR ANTHONY: Hmm, My boy, the weather will deal with you here o (he chuckled)
JÚLIO: Well I'm already dark skinned, what's the worse that could happen?..I want to come to my home town (he whined)
MRS ANTHONY: Ha!, Okay o, we surrender (she smiled with her arms in the air) But don't blame me if you come back to D.C an Orobo
JÚLIO: An Oro what?? (He asked confused)
VIVIAN: Orobo means chubby (she whispered to him)
MRS ANTHONY: Look at her whispering, hmph!, only God knows why you haven't taught your son his mother's tongue
VIVIAN: Oh come on Mummy (she laughed)
Their call is interrupted by a voice call from Julio's class teacher (Miss Alexa)
VIVIAN: Oh mum, I'll have to call you back (she replied hanging up)...Hello? (She said picking up the second call)
Just then a knock is heard on the door
JÚLIO: Who is it??(he asked)
"Special Delivery...", A voice replied from outside and Julio's eyes widen in surprise as he joyfully runs towards the door to open it, knowing that familiar voice anywhere
JÚLIO: Uncle Joshua!!! (He screamed in glee jumping on Joshua who stood by the door with a box in his hands which almost slipped from Julio's tight grip.
Joshua drops the box to lift Júlio up in the air, spinning around playfully, happy to see him as well, With a smile Vivian leaves the two to continue her call in the kitchen
JOSHUA: Is it just me or have you gotten taller the past few weeks (he asked as he dropped him gently back on the ground)
JÚLIO: That's because I'm growing, I'm a big boy! (He replied with a wide grin) You didn't tell me you would be back today
JOSHUA: Well if I had told you, then this visit wouldn't have been a surprise now would it? (He smiled) so..wanna see what I got you?
JÚLIO: Yessss (he screamed happily jumping back and forth)
Vivian shuts the door of the kitchen so she could peacefully continue her call
VIVIAN: Okay I can hear you now, what were you say?
MISS ALEXA: Well I was just calling to encourage you to please let Júlio participate in our upcoming 'Spell Cat' program
VIVIAN: Spell Cat?..What is that?
MIS ALEXA: It's an educational program for kids to delevop and improve their spelling skills, they normally pick participants from almost all elementary schools in the city, and though Júlio is two years younger than the average age range chosen to participate, the headmaster and I agreed Julio should join them regardless, seeing he spells incredibly well. (She said in a gleeful tone)
VIVIAN: Really?..I never noticed that.
MISS ALEXA: Well Ma'am I would say your son is gifted with the amazing skill to spell complicated words, even words bigger than his age and class!, It's a talent that could get him so many opportunities that this program offers
VIVIAN: But how long will it go on for?
MISS ALEXA: It's a two year program. During those years the children are trained to improve their learning and spelling skills, and the best from each school come together for the 'Junior Spelling Bee Contest' .
VIVIAN: I mean that all sounds interesting but wouldn't that be too much pressure on him?
MISS ALEXA: No, Ofcourse not, the classes are usually held during the holidays, so that's like eight to ten months within those two years and if he feel pressured,the Parents are allowed to withdraw their child anytime they'd like.
VIVIAN: Hmm..okay, Tell me more..
BACT AT THE LIVING ROOM
Júlio tries on the superhero costume Joshua got for him, excited he runs around the room pretending he's flying through the air
JOSHUA: Becareful now or you'll fall (he laughs)
JÚLIO: I...am never taking this off (he pants) Super Júlio to the rescue (he exhaled slamming on the couch)
JOSHUA: Well I'm glad you like it (he chuckled)
JÚLIO: Hey Uncle Joshua..
JOSHUA: Yeah?
JÚLIO: Can I ask you for something, and promise you won't say no!
JOSHUA: Sure, anything (he chuckled)
JÚLIO: Okay....Can you be my dad?! (He asked covering his face with his hands)
JOSHUA: What, but.. Júlio, you already have a dad, remember your mom told you he's overseas
JÚLIO: Well yeah, that's what she said but I don't believe her (he replied taking his hands away) My friend's dad works overseas too, but he always calls and sends presents, my dad doesn't do any of that, I have never even seen him before (he said with a slight tone of sadness on his voice)... That's why I think he abandoned us, but I don't know, ny mom will probably tell me the truth when I get older (he shrugged) anyways..so what do you say??! (He asked with a wide grin, completely ridding himself of him somber mood)
JOSHUA: Um, I mean Ofcourse what man in his right mind wouldn't be happy to have you as a son but..
JÚLIO: it's Settled then! (He yells in glee cutting Joshua off) I have a new dad!, I have a new dad! (He danced)
VIVIAN: New dad? (Vivian asked confused as she walked in)
JÚLIO: uh, nothing (he replied started by his mom's sudden entrance) It's..a secret...(he smiled) hey Mommy look what Da..Uncle Joshua got me! (He said joyfully walking up to his mom)
VIVIAN: Wowww, a real life superhero (she joked)
JÚLIO: You can gaze upon my awesomeness later, right now, I'm off to save the world!! (He bellowed running outside with his cape flying through the air)
JOSHUA: Heh, Kids, I don't know where they get their energy from (he said as he greeted Vivian with a kiss)
VIVIAN: Welcome back..How was the trip?
JOSHUA: It was okay, thanks
VIVIAN: So what was Julio talking about?, What did he mean new dad?..did you tell him we were engaged?
JOSHUA: Ofcourse not, he doesn't know anything about that, but you said we were gonna tell him so..what happened?
VIVIAN: I know, I know, it's just (sighs) I don't know how to tell him, I don't know how he's gonna take it, I've always told him his dad was overseas since the past two years, I can't just.. change the story
JOSHUA: Okay but, h already knows that was a lie, that's what he was telling me just now
VIVIAN: What!..but how??
JOSHUA: (Shrugs) You know Júlio's smarter than his age
VIVIAN: (scoffs) If he's so clever at five, imagine when he's twelve
JOSHUA: Heh...yeah...and he was..also asking me to be his dad
VIVIAN: ...Really?
JOSHUA: (Nods) You're gonna have to tell him something Vivi, he needs..some form of closure
VIVIAN: He's five Joshua!...I mean I can't tell him that I had to cut ties with his father because he was a bastard that manipulated and raped me?..I'm sorry, but he's just too young to know the truth...
"Dad raped you?" asked Júlio as he came in slowly, Vivi shocked to see him at the door gets up from the couch
JÚLIO: What's rape? (He asked with a confused look on his face)
Joshua and Vivian shared worried looks as Julio stood before them, awaiting an answer
*. *. *. *. *. *. *.
2 YEARS LATER
Júlia in her apartment sits on the sofa chair with her toddler fiddling with some toys happily on the ground, beside her sat Júlio, they are both sat waiting anxiously for a call as they stared at the phone on the table in front of them.
JÚLIO: I don't think they're gonna call me (he sighed)
JÚLIA: Pfft!, Weak!, Is that how easily you loose faith?
JÚLIO: I do have faith but..it's almost 5pm, if they wanted to call me, it should have been hours ago
JÚLIA: They WILL call you okay?.. You've worked really hard on this 'Spell Cat' whatever, Ofcourse you'll be chosen to enter the contest, the call will come in soon..let's just be hopeful.
JÚLIO: Ahhh, so much pressure (he groaned
Just then a call comes in and Julio rushes down to see who it was
JÚLIO: Oh, it's just my mom (he said disappointedly) Hello mommy, Good evening ma (he greeted picking up the phone)
VIVIAN: Evening my love, Have they called your aunt yet?
JÚLIO: No they haven't...I'm not sure they're gonna call
VIVIAN: wow, such positivity...
JÚLIO: But Mummy, it almost 5pmnna, When will they call me?
VIVIAN: They will call you, just be positive, and even if they don't, what do I always tell you?
JÚLIO: Hmm...if life knocks you down, just get back up
VIVIAN: Exactly, just know you did your best and I'm very proud of you
JÚLIO: Okay,Thank you mommy (he smiled) Are you back home yet??
VIVIAN: No not yet, but I'm on my way, and don't worry, I'll buy you some snacks on my way back okay?
JÚLIO: Thank you mummy!,I love you
VIVIAN: I love you too Hun, send my greetings to Júlia for me
JÚLIO: I will, bye bye (he hanged up)
Júlio drops the phone back in the table, turning back around to sit down before the long awaited call finally came in, he nervously but joyfully grabs the phone and gives it to Júlia who is just as excited.
JÚLIA: Yes Hello..(she cleared her throat before answering)
MAN: Yes Good evening, Is this Mrs Júlia McKenzie?,the authorized guardian of Master Júlio
JÚLIA: Yes it is, Good evening
MAN: Good evening, We were giventhis number to contact and inform you that Young Júlio has been chosen to be a participant for the spelling bee contest being held in two weeks time..we wish him all the best on that day, Congratulations (he said before hanging up)
JÚLIA: Wow, he doesn't talk much does he (Júlia said with a somber expression on her face)
JÚLIO:But what did he say?, What happened?, Why that face?? (He asked worriedly)
JÚLIA:I'm sorry Júlio but... YOU GOT IN!, Gotcha! Haha
Júlio screams in excitement as they both go crazy jubilating on hearing the good news.
COUPLE DAYS LATER
Júlio is at the backyard with his friend Benson as he practices for the upcoming competition
JÚLIO: Okay now, harder words this time
BENSON: We've been practicing for almost an hour,I'm tired (he groaned)
JÚLIO: But I'm the one doing all the work so why are you complaining (he said throwing his hands in the air)
BENSON: I think we should get ourselves a little snack before we continue
JÚLIO: ...well I can't argue with that (he shrugged) let's go before my parents get back home (he said getting up from the grass)
Both boys run inside the apartment and goes to grab some cookies at the kitchen cabinet,they munch on it loudly as they played around the living room, some time after Vivian and Joshua arrives and Júlio goes to greet them with a hug
VIVIAN: oh my goodness (she gasps as she came in) I left this house spotless just minutes ago,how did you both make such a mess??
JOSHUA: They're kids sweetie, It's a skill (he chuckled dropping his bag on a chair)
JÚLIO: Exactly Mom.. we're kids (he shrugged)
BENSON: Yeah, kids (he replied standing beside Júlio with a grin)
VIVIAN: (Sighs)... You know it's times like this, that I'm very grateful that you both have hands (she smiled grabbing a broom from behind the door) Now clean this up! (She ordered)
JÚLIO: Aww,come on mom (he groaned)
VIVIAN: I won't repeat myself o(she replied going upstairs)
BENSON: You heard her,get to it(he said nudging Júlio on the arm)
JOSHUA: You know she meant the both of you right (he asked with a brow raised)
BENSON: But..But I'm a guest
JOSHUA: Pfft, don't make me laugh, (he chuckled as he turned to take some things from his bag)
BENSON: But...I don't wanna clean (he whispered to himself) um.. okay then, I'll just go get my own broom, I'll be right back (he said running out the door heading home)
JÚLIO: Nice try Benson! (He yelled out rolling his eyes)
JOSHUA: So...he's gone (he chuckled) Come on..We wanna tell you something
JÚLIO: But..
JOSHUA: Don't worry, leave that there let's go! (he laughed happily carrying Júlio on his arms and they both go upstairs to the bedroom)
Getting to the bedroom Vivian sits on the bed smiling at a paper she held in her hand, Joshua swings Júlio back and forth before bringing him to cheerfully to the ground
VIVIAN: You couldn't control yourself could you (she said with a smile)
JOSHUA: I really couldn't (he replied taking Júlio by the hand as they both sit by the bed next to Vivian)
JÚLIO: Dad said you guys wanted to tell me something..
JOSHUA: Heh..you know I love it when you call me Dad (he smiled kissing Júlio on his head) I love you so much you know that?
JÚLIO: I love you much more (he said with a smile kissing Joshua back)And I love my mum too (he said smooching over to Vivian to give her a peck on her cheek), I love both of you together!, That's why I'm happy you both got married (he said with a wide grin)
VIVIAN: (laughs) Well then... how do you feel about this (She replied giving him the paper she has in her hand)
Júlio stares at the paper puzzled for a while, tilting it up and down trying to figure out what he was looking at,then suddenly he lets out a wide gasp looking over at his mom wide eyed
JÚLIO: Th..Th..This, This is a baby!, This is a baby that is still in the stomach...Oh my God,mom!, are you pregnant??!
VIVIAN: Yes (she giggles) You're having a baby sister (she replied breaking the good news)
Júlio screams in joy embracing his mother as he danced happily at the news, Joshua and Vivian are in tears with his reaction as they watched him jubilate in the room, picking up the paper once more Júlio realized that he was looking at the baby's MRI...A tear escapes his eyes as he looks at the picture,and with a warm smile he leans in to hug his parents
NEXT: Story Finale
And the Winner is...