Her Keeper

Chapter 120

Five years later...

--Julliet Morrison-Parris--

"Hey Mom." The girls chorused as they entered my house with their brother trailing behind them.

"Hey Mom." Krystopher greeted as well, adding a kiss to my cheek.

"Hello, my babies." I replied as I opened my arms toward them for a hug.

They all walked into me, sandwiching me in a group hug.

When they all released me, I was still giggling to myself.

"Where's your Dad?" I asked them.

"He's at home." Guilia replied. Lia was now sixteen years old and a junior in high school. I feel like yesterday she was just breastfeeding and next year, she's alreadt about to graduate high school.

"So, how did you guys get here?" I asked as we all sat at my dining room table.

"Took an Uber." Krystopher quickly replied. He was now fourteen and in his freshman year of high school. I swear, my babies are growing up too quickly.

"Didn't Arianne drop us off?" Gen asked in confusion, causing my brows to furrow as her siblings huffed and shot daggers of warning looks at her.

"Who's Arianne?" I asked.

"Daddy's girlfriend." She replied, causing my breath to hitch at the back of my throat.

Gen was now twelve and obviously not hip to the lying thing as well as her other siblings are.

"She's not his girlfriend." Krystopher intervened as he shot her another quick warning look, which she obviously missed by her following response.

"Well, not yet." She innocently stated.

"Genovia, shut up." Guilia interrupted.

"It's fine guys." I tried to assure them. "Your father is free to date." I shrugged.

"We know that Mom. It's just—" Lia trailed off.

"It's just that we know you still love him a whole lot." Krystopher finished for her. "So we didn't want you to find out so soon."

"Or at least, not until he told you himself." Lia added.

"I guess." I shrugged.

"Daddy loves Mommy too though." Gen butted in.

"Gen, please, even though you're right, be quiet." Krystopher begged.

"It's fine guys. Let her be." I told Krys' and Lia. "Are you all hungry?" I asked.

"No." They all replied together.

"Dad cooked, so we ate before we came over." Guilia explained.

"Cool." I nodded.

"It's ok if you feel some type of way about Daddy dating you know." Guilia assured me. "We don't appreciate it either."

"Yeah, I know." I sighed.

"You miss him?" Krystopher asked.

"Everyday." I admitted.

"Sometimes, I feel like it's my fault." He confided.

"Oh baby, no." I assured him. "It was never your fault.

"I know that, but you wanted a son and all—"

"I was too busy being selfish and stuck in my ways to be grateful for the one I already had." I corrected. "You're my son, Krys'." I shrugged. "Always will be."