Leblouche's diary

27. Babysitting Mission

Today, Félix is going on a business trip to Barcelona for a week, so he entrusted his two children to me: Lucia and Emiliu.

"So here are their clothes, their books, and... the first aid kit," Felix said, handing me the items from his bag, looking concerned.

"A first aid kit? But I already have one in the bathroom, Felix..." I replied, puzzled.

"You never know, you know. What if the kids get hurt and you run out of... bandages, for example? What would you do, huh?" he said, sounding genuinely worried.

"Oh gosh... Calma ti (calm down) , Felix. Tell me, why did you entrust your twins to me, exactly?"

"Because I trust you, obviously..."

"There you go! So don't panic. You can go with peace of mind, I'll take care of everything. If you want, I'll call you every day, even by video, just to make sure everything's okay." I placed my hand on his shoulder, a reassuring smile on my lips.

"You're right... I'm worrying a little too much, sorry." Felix breathed, looking relieved.

"Don't worry, this is only your first business trip. Everything will be fine."

According to him, the animation studio where he worked as a scriptwriter was sponsoring the International Animation Fair taking place in the Catalan capital, and he, along with several other employees, was to represent the company at a round table on the evolution of storytelling in modern animation.

"Guys ! Your father is leaving !" I announced aloud.

After saying that, the picculi diavoli ("Little devils" in Corsican, and yes, I'm the one who named them that) come out of my living room to give their father a last hug.

"I'm going to miss you so much, you know... Even though it's only a week," Felix said to his children, hugging them.

"It must be great for you to go to Barcelona, you'll be able to eat lots of paellas!" exclaimed Lucia.

"Hey! Hey! Could you bring me a signed FC Barcelona jersey, please? I want to show off to my friends!" asked Emiliu, holding his father's right arm.

"I'll see, but I won't be able to get you a signed one. I'd have to go to the stadium for that, and it's not on my itinerary."

"Okay, let your father go, or he'll miss his plane," I said.

"I love you children, have a good week with Uncle Thierry, and be good!" said Felix, getting ready to leave.

"Yes, Dad, and have a good trip!" the children said.

I smiled at this cute scene for a moment. It warmed my heart to see Felix getting along so well with his children; they have so much of their father's personality when he was little. Like father, like twins.

I closed the door after saying goodbye. At that moment, I was thus shouldering the responsibility of temporarily being their father for a week. As I turned around, I was greeted by the mischievous smiles of the two little monsters. I know them all too well. That kind of smile is the one that announces impending mischief.

"So, where do we start, Uncle Thierry?" Lucia asks, arms crossed and a mischievous look on her face.

"Yeah, we can do whatever we want now!" Emiliu added, his eyes shining with excitement.

I stare at them for a moment, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah? And since when have you been deciding here?"

They exchange a knowing look, and Lucia, more strategic than her brother, attempts a diplomatic approach:

"But uncle, if we get bored, we might do something stupid..." she said with a false angelic air.