Chapter 33
The morning sun had already climbed high in the sky when the three of them finally got up for breakfast, the clock striking past nine.
The twins had played themselves ragged the day before and couldn’t be persuaded to rise any earlier.
The dining area was nearly deserted when they arrived, with the other guests having already ventured out to savor the day. Giselle had prepared a feast for them–risotto, an assortment of side dishes, eggs, and a short stack of pancakes.
Natalie finished her meal first and then went to pack their belongings. The twins stayed back to enjoy their food. As Natalie was hauling the luggage out, James arrived.
Despite their mixed feelings about James as a rival to their father, the twins greeted him with well–mannered politeness, heeding their mother’s advice that good manners would reflect well on one’s upbringing. “Good morning, James,” they said together.
“Morning, Zayn, Emma,” James said to them, stooping to their height before rising and turning to Natalie. “All packed up?”
“Almost,” Natalie responded, giving the luggage a quick once–over. “Just waiting for these two to finish up and say our goodbyes to Giselle, and we’ll be ready to roll.”
“No rush,” James insisted, with a reassuring smile on his face. “Take your time.”
“Yesterday was quite a marathon for them,” Natalie explained with a tinge of apology in her voice for their late start.
James dismissed her concern with a casual wave. “No worries. I’m clear today. We can go at your pace.”
Turning to the twins, who were happily devouring their pancakes, he added, “Enjoy your breakfast, but don’t gobble it down. We don’t want any accidents.”
The twins, their mouths full, nodded in understanding, eliciting a soft chuckle from James.
After heartfelt goodbyes to Giselle, Natalie left a generous sum of 7 thousand dollars in the front desk drawer, knowing Giselle would refuse to take it directly. She left the money discreetly and slipped away.
The car ride back was lively with the twins‘ inquisitive chatter and James’s patient responses to their barrage of questions.
Soon, they arrived at the apartment building. By the time they got out, Emma was nearly won over by James’s gentle demeanor, engaging stories, and light–hearted humor, which rivaled Shawn’s status in her heart.
“James, thanks for the lift, Natalie said, stepping out of the car.
“No need for formalities with me,” James replied, his hand on the car door. “Can I get your new number? I’m in Janisburg for a while. Maybe we can take the kids out sometime.”
“Of course, Natalie said, taking out her phone. “Sorry for not giving it to you sooner. It’s been a whirlwind.”
‘Don’t apologize. Your happiness is all that counts,” James said, getting into his car. “Go on inside now. I’m off.”
“Got it, James. Drive carefully,” Natalie called out as the twins waved.
“Bye, James!” Zayn and Emma said in unison.
‘See you next time, Zayn and Emma, James said, waving back before driving off.
After James left, Natalie guided the twins back into the apartment.
“Isn’t Sherry home?” Zayn asked, scanning the apartment.
“Sherry’s grabbing the dresses. She’ll be back shortly. Zayn, you go ahead and take your bath, and then it’ll be Emma’s turn,” Natalie said, steering
them back into their routine.
Natalie had texted Sherry, who had said the dresses were almost ready. Sherry was out collecting them now. All that was left was for Natalie to add the final touches and make the delivery.
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Chapter 33
Lying in bed at night, Emma let out a deep sigh. “Ugh, this is so tough,” she whispered to herself, her voice heavy with frustration.
Natalie, not often witnessing her daughter in such a state of dejection, came over with a look of concern. “What’s going on, Emma?”
“Mom, it’s all good. She’s just got her head in the clouds about what to eat tomorrow,” Zayn quickly said, trying to hide the fact that they had reached out to their father.
He then leaned over to Emma and whispered urgently, signaling her to keep their secret safe.
With a sly glance at Natalie, Emma quietly took out her smartwatch and sent a hushed voice message to Shawn. “Dad, I almost switched sides today.”
She continued, “James is cool, too. He told us stories, cracked jokes, and even gave us a ride home. Are you free tomorrow? If I don’t get to see you and chow down on some strawberry cupcakes and ice cream, James is going to steal your spot in my heart.”
Shawn, listening to Emma’s endearing voice on the other end, replied swiftly, “I’ll have someone swing by and pick you up for a cupcake and ice cream date tomorrow.”
“Dad, can I bring Zayn along? Mom always says we should share,” Emma asked, always keen on including her brother in the fun.
“Of course,” Shawn agreed.
“Yay! Dad, give me a ring tomorrow before you come, okay? We can slip out when Mom’s not around. So, hit me up early,” Emma instructed.
“Got it, but maybe you should let your mom know you’re going out. She’d worry otherwise. Do you want me to talk to her?” Shawn wasn’t keen on the idea of them going behind their mother’s back and offered to help them tell her.
“Alright, alright, Dad, I’ll tell her. Don’t fret. See you tomorrow,” Emma said, wrapping up the call.
Emma was petrified at the thought of Natalie finding out she and Zayn had gone to see their father without permission. Then they’d be in deep trouble. She crawled over to Zayn and gently nudged him awake to fill him in on the plan.
The next morning, Natalie and Sherry had to leave early for the studio to finish up the dresses, so they entrusted the twins to Vanessa’s care once again.
As Vanessa walked into the apartment, Natalie gave the twins some last–minute advice before heading out with Sherry.
As soon as the door closed behind Natalie and Sherry, Emma whipped out her smartwatch to call Shawn. “Dad, are you here to pick us up?” Emma asked, her voice bubbling with excitement.
“I’m just pulling out now. Did you tell your mom? Do you want me to come in and say hello?” Shawn replied, his voice brimming with eagerness.
“Yeah, we got the thumbs up from Mom. Hurry, Dad. Zayn and I will be waiting for you downstairs,” Emma assured him, her words coming out in a rush.
Emma felt a pang of guilt for keeping the truth from Natalie, but Zayn had convinced her they’d tell their mom later. She figured if she was going to get in trouble for lying, Zayn would be right there with her, sharing the blame.
After the call, Emma called for Zayn, and they hurried to get ready, rushing to the bathroom to wash up.
Vanessa, having overheard the call, knew the twins were off to see their father again; it was becoming a common occurrence.
As they headed downstairs, Shawn’s black Rolls–Royce pulled up smoothly. He’d planned to send a driver, but the sound of Emma’s sweet voice had changed his mind.
“Dad, is this your new car? It’s really cool, isn’t it, Zayn?” Emma asked, looking to her brother for confirmation.
Zayn thought it was cool, too, but he kept his excitement under wraps, simply nodding and saying, “Yeah.”
Shawn noticed Zayn’s attempt to play it cool and was intrigued by the boy’s composure.
After opening the car door for them, Shawn said, “Let’s grab some breakfast first. What’s the plan for today?”
“The zoo! Sherry took us to the amusement park before, but we’d never been to the zoo. Can we go, Dad?” Emma pleaded, her eyes wide with hope.
“Sure, let’s fat the zoo, Shawn agreed, still adjusting to his role as a father and the boundless energy of kids.
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Chapter 33
From the moment they left, Emma was on the move, skipping and bouncing around, always snacking and never still.
Zayn, usually quiet around Shawn, couldn’t hide his excitement at the zoo, happily following Emma around.
By the afternoon, as they sat on a bench to rest, Shawn felt the fatigue setting in.
Right then, Vanessa called to check when the twins would be back, mentioning that Natalie and Sherry would be returning soon. Reluctantly, they asked Shawn to take them home.
“Dad, I had a lot of fun today. Thanks for the strawberry ice cream and cupcakes,” Emma said, giving Shawn a kiss on the cheek.
Zayn, who was still observing Shawn, felt his approval growing after their day at the zoo.
“Thanks,” Zayn said concisely.
Shawn, finding Zayn’s personality quite charming, waited until Vanessa arrived to take the twins upstairs before driving away.
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