THE WAY WE STAY

Chapter 11

JANE'S P.O.V

I wish the twins' mother was like you. The words kept spinning in my head, even when we were outside ready to paint together. I was zoning out multiple times that Calista even had to call me twice to ask something.

"Miss Jane, is this good?" Cassandra, who sat on a little chair, has started her artwork.

"Wonderful, sweetheart! Red is your favorite color, right?" I stroked her hair. "Do you want to do the splash thing?"

"Yes!" Cassandra replied.

"Yes!" Calista raised a hand too.

Riley looked at me with a worried face. All the brothers were slowly giving away the twins for me to handle, while they stepped aside and watched me do the magic.

"Alright," I took a seat on the grass in between the girls. "Watch me."

I took the tip of the brush, held it with my thumb, and splashed the color to the white canvas. I created a messy splatter as it should be. Both of them laughed the loudest, finding the activity exciting.

I glanced at Riley who slowly formed a fond smile at the corner of his lips. I bet he never did any significant outdoor activities with the twins other than going out to the park or beach. Deep down I felt sorry for the struggle he has been facing everyday. Raising two kids was never textbook easy, after all.

Toby sat on the grass next to Cassandra. "Wow, such beautiful colors! Do you know all the colors in here?"

"Uh-hmm!" She nodded excitedly.

"Good job little one." I stroked her hair and checked on twin number two. "Oh! Look who's got more paint on their cheeks than it is on their canvas?"

"Me?" Calista cutely looked at me.

"And a dot on her nose," I giggled. "Carry on baby. We'll just go for a longer bath when we finish."

"Yup, carry on." Connor rolled his eyes because he knew the task he was going to have.

The girls slowly went chaotic as they started to splash the colors onto each other's canvas. It turned war in a quick minute. They giggled happily like an instant mood booster. All four of us stood in admiration of how happy they were in doing such simple thing.

"Thanks for making them laugh again. I'm sure Cassandra's feeling much better." Riley murmured.

"You're welcome." I nodded. "Though we might risk her having sorethroat from screaming too much."

"That, too." Toby chuckled. "Hey, I'm going to grab some cokes. Anyone?"

"Can I have some coffee, please?" Connor raised a hand.

"Okay, and you guys?"

"Make it three of us." Riley knew I would just have anything so he decided it for us.

The whole afternoon well spent with the girls. It took us a whole two hours until they finished the artwork. Connor and Toby helped in cutting origami into shapes of stars, heart, and diamonds, then they glued it to the canvas. The end products were actually much better than their friends did in class, though it was not coming out as a surprise because the twins always excelled in everything.

"I want to ride a bike, Miss Jane." Calista suddenly turned around and asked for a lift.

"Hmm? Why so sudden? Aren't you tired?"

"No?" She tried to answer my question but likely turned back one.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"