Chapter 0022
“Maybe another time, Ella.” My heart breaks when Ella frowns. She tugs on my shirt.
“Pleeeeease? It’ll help Noah feel better, too!” Ella counters I chuckle and look away. Ella jumps up and down, whining some more.
“Oh…okay! Why not? We have to be careful so we-” My sentence goes unfinished as Ella sprints away and up the stairs. She yells Noah’s name and I can’t help but chuckle.
I move into the kitchen and take out all of the things needed to make a cake: a bowl, plenty of rubber scrapers, flour, eggs, sugar, milk, and even cocoa powder since chocolate is his favorite flavor.
I quickly set everything up and pulled up two chairs for Noah and Ella to stand on. They throw the ingredients into the bowl.
Our laughter bounces off the wall and the kitchen soon becomes a big mess. I look at Noah, who was hesitant to join at first but quickly joined in. He attaches himself to my hip and whines whenever Ella misses the mixing bowl. Ella pokes her tongue out at him and her hand brushes against a bowl filled with whipped cream. She gets it on her cheek. Noah and I laugh. I grab a towel and reach over, helping wipe it off her cheek.
“Let me help you, little kitten,” I coo. Ella smiles and Noah bursts into laughter, pointing at her.
I take a step back and watch as my children bicker. My eyes settle on Noah and my chest warms. He’s come out of his shell today and for that, I am proud.
Later that night, when things have settled down and the cake we made has been devoured, I find myself in my study. I go over the printed sheets of paper with possible solutions and sigh.
The door creaks open. I turn in my chair to see Noah, wrapped in his blanket, slowly inching towards me. “Noah? Come here,” I open my arms. He slides himself into them. I put the back of my hand against his forehead, murmuring. “Are you feeling worse? Do you need some medicine?”
Noah shakes his head. I nod and sigh, rubbing his back. He looks up at me and gulps. I tilt my head to the side and smile.
“Can you…sing me to sleep?” Noah quietly asks. I blink at him, surprised by his question. Noah has always been so fiercely independent. He’s always managed to comfort himself. This isn’t like him…
Oh well. He’s not feeling good. That’s probably why. After all, he is just a kid and every kid seeks comfort when they aren’t feeling well.
I nod and stand from my chair. I take his hand and we walk out of the study, down the hall, and up the stairs to his bedroom. Noah climbs into bed and 1 tuck him in under the sheets, making sure I do it just the way he likes it.
I sit on the edge of the edge of the bed and smile down at him. Noah tiredly smiles back, his eyes already droopy from sleep. I begin to sing him a lullaby, one that my mother sang to me, and gently stroke his hair.
“Mommy?” Noah yawns. I hum in response, wondering what he has to say. “Why don’t you live with Daddy?” My hand stops mid–stroke and T quietly stammer. My eyes focus on a nearby toy. I shake my head, unable to come up with an answer for him.
How can I explain to him that the way his father and I met was less than satisfactory? That it was all a big ploy that Lily conjured to torture me? He didn’t even bother to try and find us, nor has he been here for them since they were born.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0022
I turn back to Noah, ready to explain, but am met with closed eyes. He quietly snores and I can’t help but smile despite the weight I feel in my chest. He looks so peaceful.
I wish I could find peace in my sleep, and life, like he does.
Today’s Bonus Offer
X
GET IT NOW
+25 BONUS
Chapter CO23