ROWAN
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
What?
Why… what is… why would he tell her that?!
Jhenelle, since she had been able to understand that a kid normally has two parents, has been trying to get me shacked up with people she deems acceptable.
None of them ever gave in to her whims, but now…
She is going to be unbelievable.
“Mummy!” she calls in excitement as she catches sight of me and runs towards me.
I watch as Louis flashes bright red as he sees me, probably figuring out that I heard him and Lisa has a cheeky smile on her face.
Yeah, I am not going to hear the last of it tonight.
“Mummy” Jhenelle cries as she crashes into my legs. “Did you hear what Louis said? He likes you mummy!”
Sure, scream it out loud. Why don’t you?
“Did I not ground you today, lady? Why are you not in bed?* I demand
“Uh oh,” she whispers as she instantly calms down before flicking her eyes to the people behind her. They don’t make a move to help her so she turns to me with a puppy dog face, her lips protruding in a down turned pout. “I forgot?” she asks in a tiny voice.
“Nice try, your lady. We are going to your room now,” I say as I grab her hand.
“But mummy…”
“It is late and you should be in bed. Do you want me to extend your punishment?”
“No, no. I am sorry. I will go to bed now,” she readily accepts.
Thankfully, the other two don’t say anything as we walk away, I really don’t know how I would have reacted or what I would even say.
If luck remains with me, they will not even bring it up.
With those two… what are the chances of that even happening?
Zero, that is what.
We arrive at Jhenelle’s princess decorated room, decked with different hues of pink and purple and clouds and stars, you would never believe that it was Lisa that did most of it.
I help her out of her clothes and head to the bathroom where she is surprisingly well behaved, with her eyes fixed contemplatively on me.
What would a five year old be thinking about with that look?
Even as I dress her up in her pajamas and tuck her into bed, she is still quiet and watching me.
“Okay, what is it?” I ask, finally giving in.
“Mummy,” she calls quietly.
“Hmm?”
“Do you like Louis?”
Oh come on.
Give me a break.
“Louis?” I ask, trying to buy time to get my thoughts in order.
“Hmm. I think you do.”
“Why would you say that?”I ask in curiosity.
“Because you let him hang out with you,” she replies. “You don’t let men hang around you.”
Very astute… for a five year old.
“I let a lot of men hang around me,” I answer.
“No, you don’t.”
“Of course, I do. Alden stay-”
“Alden works for you. You don’t joke around with him, or, or, walk with him, or spar with him and, and uh…”
“Okay. I get it.”
She does have a point there.
“So?” she asks after a beat of silence. “Do you like him?”
I really, really, don’t want to answer this question.
“What about you?” I ask, turning the tables on her. “Do you like him?”
“Yes, I do,” she answers with a bright smile. “He is funny, and kind, and he makes deli… duli… decicous…”
“Delicious,” I supply.
“Yes that,” she agrees. “He makes de- li- couis food,” she powers through it. “And he is big, so he can protect you. And, and he makes you laugh, and he likes me too. He makes me laugh. He carries me on his shoulders and he doest get tired at all!”
When did all these happen?
“Oh really, what else does he do?”
“He makes aunty Lisa and Rina laugh. Not in his front, but I know they like him.”
“I see. Seems like everybody likes him, so why do you want me to?”
“Because he likes you, mummy!” she says as she grabs my hand. “And if you like him too, then we can be a family. Daddy, mummy, and baby, me!”
Oh.
“You sweet, beautiful child,” I say as I strike her hair. “It is not that easy,” I say.
“Well, why not?!” she demands with a frustrated huff and a little frown on her adorable face.
“Well, there are so many things involved,” I begin. “We adults have to think about what is best for the situation. And sometimes just because we want something, doesn’t mean we can have it,” I explain.
“Hmph!” she huffs as she looks away from me.
“Jhenelle,” I call with a smile.
“You adults complicate everything,” she says. “Why is that?”
“I guess… it is because we are a mess.”
“Hmm.”
I smile at her attempt to sound mature, it just makes even more adorable and childish.
“Now go to bed, you have class tomorrow,” I say as I straighten out her blanket.
“Mummy.”
“Yes, Jhenelle. Baby, go to sleep,” I beg.
“But you didn’t answer my question,” she retorts.
“What question?”
“Do you like him? Do you like Louis?”
Goddess above, when did she become so fixated on this man.
“Jhenelle-”
“Well, do you?”
I look down at her and I see her green eyes open wide in desperation and want.
She really wants this.
Wants a dad.
And if Louis is willing to give her that, who am I to get in her way.
“Yes, Jhnelle,” I reply finally. “Yes, I like Louis too. Happy?”
“Yes mummy,” she says with a bright smile before she relaxes into her bed. “Good night.”
“Good night,” I reply as I put on her lamp light and switch off the overhead light. “Sweet dreams,” I whisper before walking out.
I gently close the door behind me and turn inky to stop dead in my tracks.
Louis is standing there, waiting.
Oh, please goddess.
Don’t tell me gee heard me.