CHAPTER 40
LILY’S POV
“We need to get going,” I said as I quickly took their hands and started making our way to our house. I didn’t want any other person to start giving us a suspicious look like that lady. “We don’t want to be out here for too long and I know you two must be very hungry.”
“Yeah, we are,” Lila answered, nodding.
“Okay, let’s do this. If we can walk very fast and reach the house in less than two minutes then I will make whatever you want for dinner.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened as she looked up at me.
“Yes. Anything.”
“I want Pizza!” She exclaimed excitedly. “It’s been long since we had one.”
“Pizza it is then,” I said while smiling.
“Yay!!” Leaving my hand, she started running, as far as her little feet could take her. She didn’t stop until she reached the front of our house. There she waited for us, grinning as she waved her hands and urging us to walk faster. But Liam wasn’t so enthusiastic. I could tell he was still thinking about what I said earlier about his father being away on Mars.
“Are you okay there, buddy?” I asked, looking at him.
“Since you said daddy is far away and won’t be coming back any time soon, why can’t he at least give us a call or video chat to know how we were doing and for us to see his face? That is something every daddy who is away from their family should do.” He asked, puzzled as he wanted to put all the pieces together.
I sighed a little in exhaustion as I looked at him and my lips spread to an empathetic smile. I expected this from him because he found it hard to believe what I said earlier. It was as if he could sense I was lying and hiding something from them. He was just a little kid worried about seeing his daddy. If Robert hadn’t been such a huge jerk, this wouldn’t be happening. We might have just been one small happy family. But there wasn’t the slightest chance that could be possible because he ruined it.
“He can’t call or video chat us because phones or the internet don’t work over there,” I answered as reasonably as I could manage. “Even if they did, he’ll be too busy saving people and fighting off the bad guys he won’t get the chance to use it.”
He sighed and looked away, feeling defeated and discouraged. I had succeeded in convincing him but it came at a cost. Pretty sure he’ll be feeling this sad for the rest of the day. I hated doing this but it was necessary and for their good. I wished there was something I could do to make him feel better. I wished it would have been different. Just a little different but it wasn’t.
“Honey,” I said as I cradled his chin and lifted his gaze to mine. “Don’t feel sad okay? I promise you, your daddy will be back very soon .” I made a fake promise. I had no plans at all to tell them about Robert or take them to see him and his family in New York. They’ll just learn how to live their lives without a father figure.
“I just want to see him, even if it’s a glimpse.”
“And you will,” I said softly, hoping to soothe his worry.
He sighed. “I know he doesn’t have superpowers like Superman. I just hope he’s safe up there and come back to us once he’s finished so we can all be together and those kids at school will stop making fun of us.” He gazed up at the sky and back at me.
“Your father is the strongest man I know. Trust me, he’ll be fine and I will be coming to school tomorrow morning with you guys to make sure those stupid kids don’t make fun of you and your sister ever again,” I reassured him, putting on a protective look.
He nodded, his expression brightening as he started smiling again.
“Now we have to run. Your sister is waiting for us. The first to get to the house wins!” I screamed and took off running.
He followed swiftly behind me, giggling loudly as he did. I let him run past me and get to the house before me just so he could remain happy and not overthink again.
“I win!” He rubbed it on my face, laughing boisterously as I approached.
“Yeah, you did…” I said, panting exaggeratingly. “I’m just too old and slow to keep up with you.”
“Yeah you are,” he mocked as I took out the house key from my purse, unlocked the door and we got in.
I decided to make homemade pizza. I had nothing else to do and it was a healthier option. Hopefully, it’ll turn out better than the ones we usually order online. Furthermore, I needed to spend quality time with them so they wouldn’t think too much about the absence of their father.
I was almost done when they came laughing and racing down the stairs.
“Are you two done taking your shower and doing your homework?”
“Yep,” Lila drawled and nodded. She seemed excited as she inhaled the enticing aroma in the air deeply and looked at me with keen interest. “It smells so good. I can’t wait to have it inside my mouth.”
“Me too,” Liam said as he trudged to his chair in the dining. He looked weary and tired or maybe it was just the hunger.
I laughed heartily as I watched them. “It will be ready soon. Just give me a minute to get it out of the oven.”
After I took the pizza out of the oven, I let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving it along with some apple juice.
“Can I ask you something mummy?” Lila said as I kept her plate in front of her on the dining table.
“Yes, my love. What is it?”
“Since Daddy is away saving people and fighting off the bad guys on Planet Mars, can Uncle Noah fill in for him and be our daddy until he gets back?”