The house was bustling with excitement that afternoon. The kids were running around yelling, "Dr. Hot Chocolate is coming!" at every given opportunity. Emily was trying to get them to sit down and not rearrange the living room she had just cleaned, while I was busy making lunch. A whole feast.
I'd even gotten the kids to put on their fanciest outfits. The ones we saved for only special occasions... but of course, ten minutes into wearing them, they were already stained with ketchup because they'd been playing superheroes. I shook my head and giggled. "This is gonna be a long day."
The menu for the day was my signature fried rice and roasted chicken, with extra boiled ones for the twins. I glanced at the clock. He'd be here soon.
"Don't look so nervous. They'll notice," Em said, suddenly behind me, nodding toward the twins, who were now trying to fly off the chair.
"Zeal, get down from there. How many times do I have to tell you you can't fly?"
"Sorry, Mommy," he mumbled, sliding down with a pout while Zia laughed at him.
"Oh my god, these kids will be the death of me." I pinched my forehead.
"Relax." Em rubbed my shoulder. "It'll be fine."
I nodded and continued cooking, feeling a bit better and less worried.
Once the food was ready, we set the table, and I went to change. Nothing too fancy, just a plain sundress since I was only home. And yet, I found myself putting on a bit of lipstick.
From the mirror, I caught Emily leaning against the doorframe, watching me with a smile.
"It's so I don't look pale," I said defensively, feeling like a kid caught sneaking candy.
"Okay~ if you say so." She smirked. "I think you look beautiful."
She winked at me before slipping out of the room. I stood up, checked myself once more, smoothed my hand over the dress, and stepped out.
It's time.
Just as I whispered those words, the doorbell rang, and my heart skipped a beat. I turned to Emily. "He's here."
The kids stopped in their tracks and beamed. "Dr. Hot Chocolate!" they shouted in unison.
"It'll be fine," Emily reminded me for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Come on, kids. Sit down while Mommy gets the door."
Taking a deep breath, I walked over and opened it.
"Hi." I smiled awkwardly.
Zayne stood there in white trousers and a beige sweater over a white tee. It looked so different from the crisp suits I was used to seeing him in.
"Hi," he replied, just as awkward. "Can I… come in?"
"Of course," I said, stepping aside to let him in.
He had barely taken one step into the house before the kids sprinted toward him.
"Dr. Hot Chocolate!" they yelled as they tackled him, their little arms wrapping around his legs and waist. He froze for a second, caught off guard by the two small bodies clinging to him, but then he softened, crouched down, and smiled.
"Hey, kiddos." He hugged them back.
I watched them, my throat tight and my eyes starting to sting. Something about the way they fit so easily in his arms made my heart ache… and swell.
"You brought mallows!" Zia pointed excitedly, and only then did I notice the bag of marshmallows in his hand.
"Yeah. I thought you'd like it." He smiled, a little shy, watching them go wild over it.
"We'll have chocolate and mallows!" they squealed, dragging the bag and running off with it.
"Thank you," I said, looking at him.
"No worries." He returned the smile.
"Hi, I'm Emily." Em strolled over, offering her hand. "It's nice to finally put a face to the name. Thank you... for the other day. Lia told me everything."
Zayne shook her hand. "I'm just glad you're okay. And it's good to see you too, Emily."
Later, he was on the couch with the kids, their toys spread around him, and Em tugged me by the arm into the kitchen.
"Holy fuck, Lia. You really copy-pasted his face onto the twins. For a moment there, I thought I was seeing two Zeals."
I scratched my back, feeling a little exposed. "It shocks me too, just how similar they look."
We peeked into the living room and watched the kids show him their dolls, action figures, and a completely made-up game that somehow involved flying to space using a laundry basket.
"They seem to like him… a lot," Em chuckled.
"It makes me happy." I smiled without meaning to.
We all sat down to eat, and for a while, the house was filled with clinking cutlery and soft chatter.
"Did you make these?" Zayne asked, surprised.
"I did," I said, a little awkwardly.
"Mommy's a good cook, isn't she?" Zeal beamed.
Zayne ruffled his hair and looked at me with a small grin. "The best."
Zia turned to him. "Dr. Hot Chocolate, can you give me your chicken? It looks yummy."
I'd given them soft boiled pieces so it'd be easy on their teeth, but I didn't want to interrupt the moment. Zayne looked at me, and I gave a small nod.
"Of course." He cut a piece of his chicken and gently fed it to her.
"Me too!" Zeal leaned in, mouth open like a baby bird.
And just like that, Zayne ended up feeding both of them gently, one bite at a time.
Emily and I couldn't stop laughing.
"It's nice to have someone else carry the workload for a change," she giggled between bites.
I nodded, unable to stop smiling as I watched them. My chest ached in the best way.
It felt… right. Comfortable. Like something I'd never let myself imagine too deeply, but had always secretly wanted.
Zayne had just finished helping Zeal wipe the corner of his mouth when the twins suddenly leaned toward him.
"Dr. Hot Chocolate," Zeal whispered, glancing at me like he didn't want me to hear. Zayne leaned in closer.
"Yeah?"
"Are you gonna be here all the time now?" Zia asked quietly, her eyes wide and hopeful.
Zayne paused, caught off guard. Then he smiled softly. He looked between them and whispered back, "Do you want me to be?"
Both of them nodded so fast it made their curls bounce.
"Okay," he said gently. "Then I'll try my best."
I pretended not to notice the exchange, busying myself with the last few grains of rice on my empty plate. But my heart squeezed at the sight of them, at the way they looked at him like he'd always been there. Like they'd been waiting.