Agora Hills

fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

October 29, 2924

Jacob settled into his favorite armchair, a well-worn leather seat that had molded itself to his form over the years. The sunlight filtered through the window, casting warm rays across the room and highlighting the vibrant chaos that was his life with seven kids.

They were gathered around him, a lively mix of laughter, teasing, and boundless energy that filled the air with a unique kind of joy.

"Dad, did you see what they wrote about you and Reeva?" his eldest, Lenai, piped up, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

The others leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Jacob sighed, a mixture of pride and exasperation swelling within him. "I've seen a few things," he admitted, his voice steady despite the wave of attention that had suddenly washed over him and Reeva since their relationship became public.

Articles had exploded on social media, turning them into a topic of conversation among friends, family, and strangers alike.

"You're famous, Dad!" Jamar, the second youngest, chimed in, barely able to contain his giggles. "All the kids are talking about you. They think it's so cool!"

Jacob chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm not sure 'famous' is the right word. I just happen to be dating someone who also happens to be interesting to a lot of people."

"But you're not just dating her; you're practically a celebrity now!" Jinnie, the middle child, added, her eyes wide with excitement. "Can we get autographs or something?"

Jacob laughed at the thought. The kids were clearly reveling in the newfound attention, and he couldn't help but admire how they were embracing it. "Autographs? I don't think I'll be signing anything anytime soon. It's all a bit silly, really."

"Come on, Dad! It's like a fairy tale!" Lenai insisted, her voice rising. "You and Reeva! We saw her in all those photos, and she looked so pretty. You should marry her!"

"Yeah, then she can be our stepmom!" Jalonii jumped in, enthusiasm bubbling over as he nudged his siblings, egging them on. The idea seemed to take root in the group, and soon they were all chiming in with playful suggestions about their future family dynamics.

"Can we have a dog if she becomes our stepmom?" Ennio, the youngest, asked, his big brown eyes shining with hope.

"And a cat!" piped up Danica, another of Jacob's daughters, who had always dreamed of having a furry friend.

Jacob listened, his heart swelling with warmth as they continued to joke. Their laughter echoed in the room, a symphony of youthful exuberance. But beneath the laughter, he felt a twinge of responsibility. How to navigate this new chapter in their lives?

"Okay, everyone, slow down for a minute," he said, raising his hands slightly to gather their attention. "I know this is all exciting, but I want to make sure you understand something important."

The room quieted, and the kids turned their eager faces towards him, all semblance of joking halted for the moment. "Reeva and I are taking things slow," he continued, choosing his words carefully. "We're still getting to know each other, and that's how it should be."

"But we've already met her a little, right? Like, online?" Jinnie pointed out, her brow furrowing in thought.

"Yes, but meeting someone online and meeting them in person is very different," Jacob explained. "I want to make sure that when the time is right, you all get to know her properly. It's important that you all feel comfortable with each other."

"But what if she's as cool as we think she is?" Jamar asked, bouncing slightly in his seat. "Can't we just jump to that part?"

Jacob smiled at his son's eagerness. "I hope she is as cool as you think, but it's still a process. I want to introduce you all to her when we're ready. That way, we can have a proper family meeting instead of a rushed introduction."