After Claire left, the air in the car felt heavy, but I was determined not to let it affect the twins. I turned to Collins, who was waiting patiently. "Let's do something really special for the kids to lift their spirits. How about we buy a whole cinema for them? We can watch as many movies as they want without any interruptions."
Collins raised an eyebrow, surprised but quickly nodded. "That sounds like an extraordinary idea, sir. I'll get in touch with the cinema right away."
I could see the twins peering curiously at us, their earlier excitement dimmed but not extinguished. "What's happening?" Jake asked, tilting his head.
"We're going to have our very own movie theater, just for us," I said, trying to keep my voice upbeat. "You'll get to choose any movies you want, and we can snack on whatever we like."
Lily's eyes widened, and she clapped her hands. "Really? A whole cinema just for us?"
"Yes! It'll be a private experience. How does that sound?" I asked, smiling at their enthusiasm.
"Best day ever!" Jake shouted, practically bouncing in his seat.
As Collins made the arrangements, I felt a wave of relief. The twins needed a fun distraction, and I wanted to make sure they had a day filled with joy. Within minutes, Collins confirmed the booking, and we were on our way to the cinema.
Upon arriving, the cinema lights greeted us like a welcoming hug. I led the twins inside, where the staff was already waiting to assist us. "Welcome to your private movie marathon!" one of the attendants announced with a smile.
"Wow!" the twins chorused, their excitement palpable.
"We have five movies ready to go," the attendant continued. "What would you like to start with?"
"Let's begin with 'The Exploration of Dogs and Wolf,'" I suggested, looking down at the twins.
Once we settled into the plush seats, the attendant handed us oversized popcorn buckets and drinks. "Enjoy your show!" they said, dimming the lights.
As the first movie began, I couldn't help but glance at the twins. Their faces lit up with joy, and soon enough, they were lost in the animated world unfolding before them. Laughter erupted as the clumsy puppy stumbled through various misadventures, and I found myself smiling at their reactions.
After the first film, we quickly moved on to 'Icezen II.' The catchy songs filled the theater, and soon, both twins were singing along, their voices mixing with the magical melodies. It was heartwarming to see them so carefree, enjoying the moment.
"Can we do this every week?" Jake asked during the movie, his eyes sparkling.
I hesitated for a moment. "I can't promise that we'll be able to do this every week, but I'll make sure we have outings like this as often as I can."
"Even if it's not every week, we'll still have fun, right?" Lily said, her enthusiasm unwavering.
"Absolutely. I'll make time for our movie marathons. It's important to have these special moments together," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me.
After 'Icezen II,' we moved on to 'Toy's Tale 4.' The twins were utterly captivated by Woodeyn and Buzzer's adventures. I watched as they leaned forward in their seats, completely engrossed. When the emotional scenes came, I noticed Lily wiping a tear from her cheek. I reached over to give her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Hey, it's okay to feel things," I said softly. "These stories can be touching."
"I know," she replied, a small smile breaking through her tears. "I just love them so much."
As the day went on, we watched 'Zoo Paradise' and 'Minuse,' each film eliciting laughter and joy. The atmosphere in our private cinema felt magical. I savored the moments of happiness, knowing how important they were for the twins' well-being.
After the last film, I turned to them, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "How was your movie marathon?"
"Can we do this again?" Jake asked, his face beaming.
"I'd love to do this again," I said, glancing at Collins, who nodded in agreement. "But I want you both to remember that these outings are special, and we'll have to plan them around my work. I can't always guarantee we can do it every week, but I promise I'll make time."
Lily grinned. "Even if it's not every week, I'm okay with that. This was the best day ever!"
As we made our way back to the car, I felt a wave of satisfaction wash over me. We shared laughter, joy, and bonding moments that would last a lifetime.
On the drive home, I glanced in the rearview mirror to see the twins chatting animatedly about their favorite parts of the movies. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow in the car, and I realized how lucky I was to have them in my life.
"Let's listen to the soundtrack from 'Icezen' on the way home!" Jake suggested.
"Great idea!" I said, turning on the music. Their voices filled the car as they sang along, filling the air with happiness.
When we arrived at the estate, I parked the car and turned to them. "What a day! I'm so proud of you both for being such great movie critics."
"I can't wait for our next adventure!" Lily exclaimed, her excitement infectious.
"Me too!" Jake agreed. "Maybe next time we can have a picnic before the movies?"
"Now that's a fantastic idea!" I said, smiling at their creativity. "We'll make a full day out of it next time."
As we walked inside, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Today had turned into a beautiful experience, transforming a potentially negative situation into something positive.
Once we settled into the living room, the twins looked up at me, curiosity in their eyes. "Hey, Dad, how old are you?" Jake asked.
I smiled, appreciating their inquisitiveness. "I'm 29 years old."
"Wait, so you met our mom when you were 22?" Lily's eyes widened with surprise.
"Yes, that's right," I said, thinking back to those days. "It feels like a lifetime ago."
"Did you have fun back then?" Jake asked innocently.
I chuckled softly, realizing how much had changed since then. "We had some good times, yes. But what matters most is that I'm here with you two now."
The twins exchanged glances, and I could see them processing this new information. "We want to hear more stories about when you were younger!" Lily exclaimed.
"Absolutely, I'll share more stories soon," I promised, feeling a swell of affection for them.
I knelt at their level, looking into their eyes. "You both are amazing, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."
"Thanks, Dad," Jake said, his voice filled with sincerity.
Lily nodded, her smile radiant. "We love you!"
"And I love you both," I replied, feeling a wave of warmth.