The Billionaire's Five

Chapter 12

"Caring is a gift no one can buy. It's made up of love that roots in our hearts and creates memories not just for a while... but for a lifetime."

"No eat this one." Natalie mumbles, pushing away the bell pepper that was on her table. The twins were seated on their high chairs having their afternoon snack.

"Okay, sweetheart." Maui smiles at her, knowing that she doesn't have any tolerance for bell peppers. She ate all the other vegetables that were given to her, so the exception for bell pepper is no big deal.

Besides, they can try eating it again next time.

"Do you want to go down?" she asked, wiping Nikki's mouth with a tissue. 

"Yes, down. Down now." she replied, pointing towards the floor and her toys. Her twin was mumbling the same thing as her, pointing towards their toys and books by the carpet.

"Alright, alright." Maureen chuckled, getting both of them from their high chairs and easily setting them down by the carpet next to their toys. 

They immediately started playing, while Maureen wiped their tables clean and kept their leftover vegetables in the fridge. 

There was still an hour to go before she picks up the three kids from school, and she was still waiting for the twins to fall asleep for their nap before she leaves. 

After a few minutes of playing by the living room, Maureen carried the twins in her arms as she walked up the stairs and into their room. They were slowly getting drowsy, and she had already prepared their cribs and milk for their nap.

"Do you want this one, or this one?" she asked Nikki, comparing two picture books on her hands and seeing which one he'd want to read.

"This one." he replied in his small voice, pushing the book on her right. Red Riding Hood. Maureen smiled, placing the other book, Three Little Pigs, back on the shelf.

"Ma-wee... this one." he repeated, his chubby little hand patting continuously on the book cover. He was particularly captivated by the color red, as well as the wolf who had it's mouth wide open.

 The way he called her name made her giggle.

"Okay, sweetheart." she agreed.

She quickly laid a thick mat on the floor, removing any toys underneath and placing the twins in the middle. Grabbing their bottles, they were ready for story time as Maureen laid down in the middle with the two in her arms.

"Little Red Riding Hood. Once upon a time..." she started, slowly but clearly saying the words as the story progressed.

"'Don't worry, mommy," said Little Red Riding Hood, "I'll be careful.'" she narrated with a small voice, imitating Red Riding Hood as they reached the page where she was about to leave for her grandmother's house. 

Along with the story, the twins continued to drink from their bottle while pointing and mumbling. The two were completely immersed. 

"Poor Granny did not have time to say another word, before the wolf gobbled her up!" she exclaimed, even shaking the twins slightly as she deepened her voice. The cute startle from the two made her chuckle, but coo once they hid their faces by her chest. "Oh no!"

"But Grandma, what big eyes you have!" Maureen continued, tapping Nikki's eyebrow with her index, and doing the same to Natalie. "The better... to eat you with my dear!"

With a simultaneous squeal from the twins, a bit muffled from the bottles, the story was almost to an end. As Maureen continued, the twins slowly closed their eyes, dozing off before she could reach the last page.