*Genevieve*
I turn around and gasp at my kids. I notice that Ana's expression mirrors mine, and I know she didn't intend for the kids to hear that but.
"You're our daddy?" My daughter Gianna asks.
Lucien and I look at each other then we both nod. There is no escaping it anyway. They already know, and I could tell that Lucien was happy and slightly relieved that they knew.
It's not that I didn't want the kids to know their father, but I didn't feel it was the right way. My kids on the other hand were smarter than their four years of age. I knew they will be confused, and they both withdraw a bit from strangers which is why I wanted Lucien to take it a step at a time before introducing him as their dad, but he wouldn't understand. He will probably think because I didn't tell him about them all these years, that I never wanted him to know about them, which is bullshit, but when Lucien believes something, he is always right.
When he smiled weirdly at the kids, I noticed how they both went behind Ama, and my heart wrenched at the way my kids backed away from their father when I had always known my father's love.
His face sank, and I pitied him. Yes, he had been an asshole, and was still being one, but he had no idea he had kids so, he probably thought they would be more excited. I knew they will be shocked. When he tried to come near them, they held Ama tightly, and he turned to look at me in exasperation, and I shake my head indicating that he should not go further.
He looks at me, and gives a single nod.
Ama looks apologetic, and takes them inside.
"Why?" He asks.
"They get awkward around new people so, it'll take sometime for them to warm up to you which is why I told you that I wouldn't tell them you're their dad immediately, and that is also why I told you that they need a little time to adjust before seeing your mum and sister. I was not saying it to be selfish, I just wanted to get through to them. I do apologize. With time, they will warm up to you. They are just shy, and wonder how you are their father when they never had one. Don't take this the wrong way, but you'll need to exercise patience, and move with caution. They are both kids, and are still quite young so, you will have to be understanding, and present if you really want to be in their lives," I say.
He sighs and rubs his forehead. "Okay. It does suck to see my kids back away from me, but I understand why you didn't want to know I'm their dad first because you wanted them to warm up to me. To be sincere, I had planned that my mother and sister will see them in two days because my mother has been restless seeing as those are her first grandkids. I'll ask them for more time. Maybe, if the kids warm up to me, they'll definitely warm up to them."
I nod at his reasoning. "I never wanted your mother and sister not to know, but knowing how the kids could get, I knew they would need more time. With time, they should soften up towards you which would mean that they are ready to see your mother and sister although, I suspect that they'll take to them quickly," I nod.
"I hope so," he whispers. He looks at me, and I notice the pain in his eyes. My heart tugs at that because I can't imagine my kids backing away from me, their mother. Although he just got introduced to the father role, I can understand why he is in pain even though he has been a grade A asshole.
" I had better get going," he says. I nod, and he leaves and I sigh immediately then, I go straight to my kids who probably have a lot of questions for me.
"We have a daddy?" My daughter, Gianna, asks me hopefully.
I sigh and nod. "Why did he not come and see us mummy?" My son, George, asks curiously.
I rack my brain trying to wrap my head around this, and what to tell them. Immediately, AMA says, "Your daddy was working and trying to make money to make everything easier for you guys and the world."
I smile at her thankful for her addition seeing as I was clueless on what to say. "Is our daddy a superhero?" They both ask at the same time.
"He wishes," Ama mutters.
I glare at Ama and she shrugs laughing a little.
"Where is he now?" George asks.
"He has gone home," I say.
"Why didn't he say goodbye to us?" Gianna asks.
"He had to rush to get something done, but he said he will be back soon," I reply hurriedly wishing I told him to say goodbye first. Knowing the kids, they won't just open to him immediately. I know that he has a great deal of work cut out for him, I only wish the kids will accept him faster.
I'm still talking to the kids when there is a knock on my door. Ama rushes to open the door, and I'm shocked to hear his voice. I am still trying to concentrate, when there is a light knock on the door. "Come in," I say.
His head pokes out, and I see Lucien with icecream, cookies and chocolate, and a sheepish and nervous smile on his face.
"Hey," he tells our kids still in evident awe looking at them.
"Good afternoon sir," my kids say.
He seems shocked and impressed which makes me smile. My mother made it her single mission for the kids to greet and be polite. Their politeness could go on vacations sometimes, but my kids were well behaved.
"I am Lucien," he says looking at me in a desperate attempt to save him. I notice how nervous he is, and I say, "He is your daddy."
"How come he has straight hair, and we don't?" Gianna asks immediately.
"I have extra curly hair baby. That's why," I reply.
She nods still confused as to how. I am surprised Lucien came back. He turns to them, and hands the treats over to them.
"I left to get something for you both. I hope you like sweet things."
My heart squeezes at the nervous look on his face because Lucien has never been nervous in his life. Luckily, the twins share his love for sweets so, he's safe.
The twins both nod at their father, and I feel teary eyed and guilty for robbing them of this.