CHAPTER 6
Stephanie drove into the children’s school. Today was their annual spots day, she cut the engine after finding a parking spot. They jumped out of the car as soon as she did so.
“Not so fast.” She said as they grudgingly came to a halt.
“Hurry up mum.” Ruth complained as Stephanie locked the doors.
“These two are so impatient.” Kelvin, Stephanie’s cousin said. He was in town and decided to tag along.
“Uncle Kelvin come on. Mum will meet us at the field.” Rheas said as he tried to drag Kelvin with him.
“I’m here already let’s go.” Stephanie said taking Ruth’s hand as they walked towards the school field. They dropped Rheas and Ruth over at their stands, before heading out to the canopy. Stephanie sat as she watched the race progress. A smile lit up her face when Rheas’s name was called for the 50m race.
“He’s already becoming a prodigy, just like his uncle.” Kelvin commented as Steph laughed.
“Sure, considering how many holidays he spends with you, I’m surprised he hasn’t turned my house to a race track.”
They lapsed into silence as the race begun. Rheas came first and had his team members were cheering and jubilating as he returned to the stands. Ruth also came second in the girls 50m, considering the fact that she had fallen during the race.
“I’m definitely treating those two to ice-cream for making me so proud.” Kelvin said as Steph smiled. They definitely had their uncle’s sport streak.
Stephanie’s smile fell, when the parent children race were announced. She walked down to where the twins stood as she smiled at them.
“Rheas, do you want to run with your uncle Kelvin?” she asked as he shook his head.
“Mummy, I want to run with my dad.” He murmured in a small voice as Stephanie felt her heart break.
“Dad’s not here, won’t you run with Uncle Kelvin?”
“No. I want to run with my dad.” He said. “All my friends are running with their dads, but I’ve never even met mine or heard from him. He doesn’t even love me.”
“Sweetheart, you shouldn’t say that. Your dad loves you. That’s why he sends you gifts every birthday and Christmas.”
“I don’t want gifts, I just want my dad. Like Hannah and Lincoln, and Felix and Simon and all my cousins and like you have grandpa.” He murmured as she hugged him.
“I’m going to make sure your papa comes back okay?” she said as she carried him over to the stand.
“You sit here with your uncle while I go help Ruth okay?” she asked as he nodded.
Stephanie felt like she was going to cry as she walked over to where Ruth was.
“Mummy, my shoe laces are untied.” Ruth said as she raised her shoes. Stephanie smiled as she bent and tied it.
“Are you ready?” she asked as Ruth bounced on her feet smiling. Stephanie tied the ribbon tight around their legs as they waited for the race to start. She smiled at her daughter as she chatted continuously.
“Mummy, can we get ice cream after this?” she asked.
“Sure, but we have to win right?”
“Yes.” She responded enthusiastically, the whistle was blown as the duo waddled to the finish line. They barely crossed the finish line before the other team did.
“We won! We won!” She cheered as Stephanie spun her around, their laughter ringing in the air.
******
“Mummy, when is daddy coming back?” Ruth asked as they sat in the back seat of the car. Stephanie felt like she could stick a knife into Femi the next time she saw him.
“Very soon honey.” She replied. Rheas had thankfully fallen asleep.
“My classmates make fun of Rheas and me because daddy’s not with us. And they also say mean things, like he doesn’t love us. Is it true?”
Stephanie was thankful Kevin had offered to drive, otherwise, she may have gotten into an accident, considering how messed up her feelings were.
“Honey, your dad loves you, and he’s coming back very soon.” hopefully. “Also don’t listen to your classmates okay, they don’t know what they’re saying.” She finished as she smiled at her. Ruth nodded quietly as she focused on her ice-cream.
******
“What are you going to do about this? You can’t keep lying to them.” Kelvin said as they sat in her study. The twins were in bed. As Stephanie hadn’t bothered to wake them.
“I’m just as confused as you are. I’ve tried to meet up, but he’s not forth coming.”
“You’ll have to go see him, find out what he wants.”
“It’s not as easy as it seems.” “No one said that.” Kelvin interrupted, “But you have to try. You have to do it for these kids. They’re already asking questions, lodging doubts in their hearts, you have to bring him back even if it’s just for their sake. Do it for them.” He concluded as Stephanie nodded, tears dropping from her eyes as he enveloped her in a warm hug.
“You know I’ll stand by you no matter what right?” he asked as she nodded.
“I know you’ll always be there. You’re my no.1 fan after all.” She said with a smile.
******
On your marks, ready, go
And I’m here.
Decided it will be only reasonable to introduce our twins.
So what do you think of the names. Quick question.
Are you the kind of person to give your kids rhyming names, or names beginning with the same letter or different letters?
I love same letters. Not sure I want a Nicky, Dicky, Ricky situation.
So sports hmmmm, what’s your forte?
Anyway don’t forget to vote, comment and share.
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Strong Attraction
SpiritualAfter his mysterious disappearance, Olufemi decides to return to his old life, bit things gave changed, people has been hurt, and most of all, Stephanie doesn't plan to welcome him with open arms.