"So she was spotted in Texas?" Jordan asked.
"Yeah, she was, but she was all alone," Charles replied.
Charles continues "You don't think she'll come back here, do you?" his voice low and nervous."
No, she wouldn't dare," Jordan replied, his face darkening. "She knows I'd never forgive her for leaving without saying goodbye and giving me the chance to see my little girl," Jordan became emotional. "I loved her, the only way she could repay me was to chatter my Life into pieces,"
"I understand," Charles said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "But maybe she had her reason for leaving. Did you try to look for her, to at least ask her why she left?" Charles asked Jordan their eyes gazing at each other.
"I searched for Melinda for months, Sebastian kept asking for his mother and sister."
"I think you should go to Texas and seek things out with her," Charles suggested.
"You don't know how devastated my son was when she left, she's in the past, I think it's best not to open old wounds. I beg you let this be between us, Sebastian should never hear of this." Jordan pleaded his voice firm.
"Okay, it's between us," Charles said as he took a sip of his red wine.
The two men sat in silence for a moment, the tension in the room palpable.
Sebastian's legs would no longer carry the weight of his body, he sought a place to sit, and as tears streamed down his eyes, he couldn't help but mumble. "Mum! is alive all these years. I can't believe this. So she's alive and she didn't look for me. You didn't miss me at all? Did you? He asked his imaginary Mom.
I prayed every single night just for me to see you and Sara again. But you never came. Why!! I hate you, mum, I hate you. He sobs bitterly.
The memories of his childhood with his mum and sister flashed through his eyes as if it was just yesterday.
"Mom, I can't wait to meet our new baby!" he said, his eyes shining with excitement. I take care of my sister when she arrives, I'll be her knight in shining armor and also the best brother in the whole wide world," Sebastian said, swinging a paper sword.
Melinda chuckled. "Who told you it's a girl?"
He stopped for a moment. "I know it's a girl, I prayed to God for a sister, so it will be a girl. He resumed his sword fighting after his reply.
His mother laughed. "We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" she said, her hand resting on her stomach. "I'm sure it'll be a beautiful baby, either way."
"I hope she looks like you," Sebastian said, his voice full of love. "You're the prettiest and best mom in the whole world!"
"Aww, you're so sweet, honey," his mother said, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "But don't forget your father. He's pretty handsome too, you know!"
Sebastian grinned. "Yeah, but he's not as pretty as you!" he said, laughing.
Just then, the front door opened, and Sebastian's father walked in.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.
"No, Dad!" Sebastian said, running to his father and hugging him. "We're just talking about how pretty Mom is.
His father laughed and ruffled his hair. "Well, she certainly is a beautiful woman," he said, giving his wife a wink. "But I think our little man here is pretty cute too!"
Sebastian beamed with pride, and his mother smiled at the two of them, her heart full of love. "You're both my most precious treasures," she said, hugging them both close.
As the family stood together, basking in the warmth of each other's company, they couldn't imagine a happier moment.
A few months after the Smith family welcomed their newest member, Sara Jordan Smith. It was indeed a huge celebration.
"Mom, her legs are too small," Sebastian said touching Sara's legs with a surprising face.
"Honey, that's because she's a baby, yours was the same when you were a baby," Melinda replied.
"Oh no! Mine isn't this tiny, I'm a man, that's why I have big legs."
"Okay, macho man, can you allow Sara to rest now? Come let me read your favorite bedtime story."
He ran to his bed. She opened the novel and began to read.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway land...…..
The family was having a wonderful time together, one sunny afternoon, playing games, and laughing until their sides ached. Sara was running around with a big grin on her face, her eyes sparkling with joy. Her parents watched them in amusement, as Sebastian chased after her, joining in on the fun. It was a perfect moment, a snapshot of happiness.
"Who's ready for a game of hide-and-seek?"Jordan asked, looking around at the eager faces of his children.
"Me!" Sara shouted, jumping up and down.
"I'm in!" Sebastian said.
"All right, you two go hide, and I'll come find you," Jordan said, chuckling. "Ready, set, go!"
The children ran off to find their hiding spots, their excitement bubbling over. The Jordan began his count until he was interrupted by his wife.
"What about me?" Melinda said a playful smile on her face. "Am I not allowed to play?"
"Of course, you can play, Honey! We wouldn't have a game without you!
The game wouldn't be complete without the most important player of all."
"Aww, you're too sweet!" Melinda said, blushing slightly. "But let's get back to the game before the kids get impatient!"
Jordan closed his eyes and began to count. "One... two... three..." he said, the anticipation building with each number. "Nine... ten... ready or not, here we come!"
He opened his eyes and they began to search for the children. He checked under the couch, behind the curtains, and in all the usual hiding spots. There was no giggling, no rustling, no telltale signs of where the children might be hiding.
"They're being too quiet," he said to his wife, a puzzled look on his face. "I think they're up to something," Jordan said. A faint giggle came out from the closets with a hush sound. They heard faint mumblings coming out from the closet as they moved.
"We've caught you guys, they said as they opened the closet. "Mom! Dad! You guys cheated, you cheated, Sebastian said excitedly as they ran around the house. His family was the perfect family ever up until that faithful day.
"Charles, Melinda left a note, telling me she has left with our daughter Sara. She said I won't see her again." Jordan couldn't control his anxiety. Fears were written all over his face.
Looking at how worried his friend is Charles reassures him. "Are you sure that was what she said, maybe she went to her parent's place...."
"Her parents are late, Jordan cuts in. "I'm the only family has. Melinda can't do this to me. Charles, I can't live without her, she's my life and strength, she can't right?" He looked at Charles who at this point didn't know what to say.
"How can she leave just like that, Jordan continues. "If I've done something wrong she should have told me or better still tell where she's going. What will I tell Sebastian, you know how close the both of them are."
"Tell me what Dad?" Sebastian interrupted. "Where's Mom and Sara?"
"Your Mom and Sara went to Uncle Julius' house, just for a few days, they will be back before you know it." Jordan's words betrayed his facial expressions.
Days became months and months years, she never came back. I never heard a word from her, not even a happy birthday.
I hate you a lot, for leaving me without turning back. He muttered to himself. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice his father had been standing at his back, for quite some time.
"What are you doing here alone, are you not supposed to be with your newly wedded bride?
"I need some time alone," Sebastian replied his voice low and quiet.
Surprised by his reply Jordan yelled, "For crying out loud this is your first wedding night. How will produce a male child, if you sit down here and tell me you want to be left alone? You have to start working."
"What work?" Sebastian asked his voice full of surprise.
"That's for you to find out. Get inside," it's an order, Sebastian." Jordan insisted.