The baby project~~

6.

nova~

The song "CO2" is playing on the car stereo, and I'm sitting in the front seat, humming along. Liam and Noah are in the back, their little faces glowing with excitement.

 I start singing a few lines of the song:

"Maybe I was wrong, and you were right, Maybe I was blind, and you had sight."

Liam and Noah giggle, clearly enjoying my impromptu performance.

"Mummy, you sing so good!" they say in their sweet, high-pitched voices

I smile and reply, "Thank you, babies."

Ace, driving with one hand on the wheel, looks at me  "We're almost there," he says.

I nod and turn my attention back to the road, excited for what's coming next. 

When we arrive at the kindergarten, Ace and I get out of the car. He helps me with Emily while I unbuckle Liam and Noah, handing them their backpacks.

I walk into the kindergarten with Liam and Noah, while Ace and Emily follow behind. The place is lively, and I head straight to the front desk.

"Hi, I'd like to register the kids," I say to Natalie, the receptionist.

She nods and hands me some paperwork. I start filling it out, feeling a bit awkward as I write down the names of Liam and Noah. It feels strange to refer to them as "my kids," but I push through and finish the forms.

Once I'm done, I turn around and see Ace talking to Natalie with his usual cold demeanor. It's a bit unsettling, but I walk over to him.

"It's all done," I tell him.

He nods without much emotion. "I'll wait in the car," he says.

I'm a bit taken aback by his act but shrug it off. I walk over to Liam and Noah, who are now playing with cars with other kids. I kneel down and give them each a kiss on the forehead.

"Bye, sweethearts," I say softly. "Mumma will come and get you in the evening, okay? Don't trouble Miss Natalie too much."

Liam and Noah look up at me, their faces a mix of sadness and concentration. They say "Bye" but quickly turn back to their game, clearly engrossed in the fun they're having.

I stand up, giving them one last look before heading towards the exit where Ace is waiting.