In the meantime, Lucian was driving Roxanne and the kids back to Roxanne’s place. Roxanne. felt uneasy throughout the whole ride, for she assumed the man had something to say because he was driving unusually slowly.
However, as the car slowly came to a stop in front of the mansion, Lucian still remained silent. The woman’s anxiousness was replaced with confusion.
In contrast, the kids were chattering and having fun at the back. When the car stopped, they didn’t cease playing as they hopped off the vehicle and chased each other around in the yard.
As soon as the kids were out of hearing range, Roxanne asked, “Do you have something to say to me?” She thought Lucian felt uncomfortable talking to her in front of the children.
Yet, the man merely smiled at her. “I just wanted to stay with you guys for a little longer, that’s all.”
He gazed at Roxanne and continued with a sigh, “I don’t know when you’ll give me an answer, and I’m worried that you’ll run away again. You won’t run away again, will you?” A glint of guilt flashed across her eyes as her
lips curved into a sheepish smile. “I won’t. I already promised you that I’ll think about it, so I’ll definitely give you an answer.”
Relief flooded Lucian when he heard her words. He slowly rolled the window back up. “Rest early. Good night.” Roxanne waved him goodbye with a smile. “Drive safe.”
After sending Lucian off, she turned to look at the three kids helplessly. The kids were fooling around, huddling closely together as they had fun.
Archie and Benny embraced Estella excitedly. “Yay, we won’t have to be apart anymore! You’re our sister! We’ll treat you a thousand times, no, a million times, better than before!”
Estella’s eyes squinted as a wide smile spread across her face. “I’ll do the same to you both!” After declaring their promises, they ran to Roxanne’s side.
Roxanne bent down and gave the trio a big hug. “All right. It’s getting late. Let’s go to bed.” The kids weren’t done playing but realized it was indeed late, so they obediently followed their mother into the house. “We want to sleep with Mommy and Essie too!”
the boys protested in front of Roxanne’s bedroom. Estella, too, looked up at Roxanne with puppy eyes, hoping Roxanne would let them all sleep together.
That was Roxanne’s first time facing such a situation. Ever since Archie and Benny were old enough, they had always slept in a separate room from her, and Roxanne had gotten used to that.
She didn’t expect the boys to oppose their sleeping arrangements one day. “You’re boys. Boys are different from girls, so you can’t sleep with Essie,” she patiently explained to the kids.
Even though they were still young, Roxanne figured she had to teach them about gender differences as early as possible.
The kids exchanged disappointed glances with each other. Knowing they couldn’t refute their mother, they obediently complied, “Okay, then.”
Roxanne noted their disappointment and comforted, “Essie will always be with us. You can see her anytime you want to, so it isn’t necessary to sleep together.”
The children’s mood brightened again at her reassurance. Roxanne heaved a relieved breath as she watched Archie and Benny return to their room. As she led Estella back to hers, she caught the excitement shining in Estella’s eyes. Estella kept calling her “Mommy” over and over again as though to prove she wasn’t dreaming.
Roxanne patiently acknowledged her each time. “I also have a mommy now!” Estella leaped into Roxanne’s embrace after coming out of the shower, smelling like baby soap.
Roxanne caught the little girl and chuckled. “You have always had a mommy. It’s just that I haven’t found you earlier. Now that I found you, I’ll never let you go.”
