Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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The next morning. Natalie was up with the birds, getting breakfast ready. Hack in Yvengard, even with her jampacheri ding she always found time to whip up something tasty and healthy for her two babies.
Once breakfast was a wrap, Sherry was up, and Natalie went to rouse the little ones. “Zayn, Emma, rise and shine! Time for some grub. We’re hitting the road soon. Mom and Sherry have a busy day at the studio, so you two are corning alone Vanessa will be your superhero babysitter today.”
Zayn, still in dreamland, sat up and rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Mom, I can handle Emma”.
“That’s my boy! You can be Vanessa’s right–hand man, looking after your sister, Natalie said.
“Got it Mom. You and Sherry just focus on your work, Zayn said, all fired up.
Feeling her heart swell with pride. Natalie gave Zayn a gentle pat on the head and handed him his clothes. He grabbed them with excitement and started dressing.
As she watched her thoughtful little dude, Natalie was hit with a wave of emotion. Through the years, her two little babies had turned her into a better version of herself. The love and joy her kids brought made every day a treasure.
Natalie turned to her daughter, who was still out like a light, snoring softly like a little piggy. She leaned in and whispered, Emma it’s time to wake up, sweetheart. We’re about to head our
Emma, not quite ready to say goodbye to dreamland, rolled over and mumbled, “Mom, can’t I just catch a few more winks??
“Come on, sleepyhead, get a move on! I’m going to help you get dressed. Mommy made a super yummy breakfast. If you don’t get up quick. I might gobble it all up, Zayn piped up with teasing grin, knowing Emma’s weakness for good eats.
Just as he’d hoped, the mention of food got Emma’s attention. She popped up, eyes wide. “I’m coming! Don’t let him eat it
all. Mom!”
Natalie had to chuckle at the sibling dynamic. “Zayn’s just pulling your leg, honey. I made plenty, and there’s no way he could eat it all by himself,” she said, helping Emma get her clothes on and soothing her pouty face.
“I was just joking.” Zayn said. Emma’s grogginess faded as she listened to the playful banter. With a bounce in her step, she got dressed and joined Zayn to wash up and brush their teeth, both of them eager to dig into the scrumptious breakfast their mom had whipped up.
After they all polished off breakfast, Sherry got behind the wheel and steered the car towards the studio.
Vanessa was already on the scene when they rolled in. Natalie passed the kids off to her, saying, “Vanessa, thanks a ton for watching them today, especially on the weekend.”
“Hi, Vanessa!” both kids sang out together, introducing themselves without any prompting from their mon
Im Zayn, Zayn announced, puffing out his chest a bit.
“And I’m Emma“” Emma piped up, her smile as bright as the sun
Vanessa flashed a bright smile as she said, “No worries, Nat and Sherry. I’m part of the crew, so putting in some extra hours
is okay* Vanessa, a real go–getter, had come on board when the audio first opened its doors.
A fresh college grad back then, she’d been part of the team for two years now and was always spreading good vibes. Sherry
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saw Vanessa like the little sister she never had.
“Nat, are these cuties really yours? I thought you were still flying solo, Vanessa asked, her eyes wide with surprise. At the studio, everyone knew Natalie as a rockstar designer, not as one of the owners.
Since she mostly kept in touch online because she was always away from Janisburg, her personal life was a bit of a mystery. This was the first time Vanessa found out Natalie had a pair of twins, and riot just any twins, but super cute ones.
“They sure are, and I appreciate you looking out for them today Natalie replied with a warm grin. She turned to Zayn and Emma. “Now, you two be good for Vanessa, okay? No funny business”
“Sure thing. Mom,” they echoed.
Not feeling the need to get into the nitty–gritty about her love life. Natalie offered Vanessa a friendly smile before joining Sherry in the office. They were all set to dive into the design drafts and make sure everything was perfect before their client
arrived.
Vanessa took Zayn and Emma to the break room, where she offered them some snacks and poured them each a glass of
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Seeing the adorable siblings, she felt a pang of longing. “So, what are you two in the mood for lunch? I’m taking you out for something tasty
I want fried chicken and strawberry ice cream!” Emma shouted her eyes sparkling with the excitement of a true foodie. “Mom said no fried chicken or ice cream this week,” Zayn reminded her, his face all serious.
“But I’ll just have them today! I promise I won’t ask for them next week, Emma bargained, trying to sweet–talk her way into
“You said that to Sherry yesterday,” Zayn said, being the honest big brother he was.
Emma’s head drooped onto the table, defeated. “Okay, no strawberry ice cream, no happiness.”
“If you promise to be good, I’ll take you to see Dad,” Zayn said.
“Really? But Mom said Dad’s working on the moon and can’t come see us, Emma replied, her excitement tempered by a hint of skepticism.
Come on, Emma! I’d never lie to you. When have I ever done that?” Zayn’s eyes twinkled with a touch of mischief.
“Yay! I’m going to see Dad!” Emma squealed, her heart full of hope as she looked forward to the surprise. Vanessa couldn’t resist chiming in on the cute sibling back–and–forth. “So, what’s your dad’s job?” she asked, curious.
“We’re not exactly sure. Mom says he’s working on the moon and is super swamped, so he cant come home to see us,” Emma explained, her voice all innocent.
Vanessa was a bit puzzled by Emma’s story. Is their dad some kind of lunar scientist?‘ she wondered and looked to Zayn, thinking he might have the straight scoop.
“Mom says Dad’s job is on the moon, and he can’t come back, so we’ve never actually met him,” he explained.
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“Right, we’ve never laid eyes on him, Emma said, nodding her head like a bobblehead as she enjoyed her own snacks.
“But I’m going to find Dad soon! We just need you to lend a hand and take us out, Vanessa. Zayn added.
As Vanessa listened to the twins, her mind started to weave a dramatic story about a dad who’d taken off and left them behind. She guessed that Natalie had told them he was on the moon to shield them from the harsh reality.
It was touching to see how much Natalie cared for her kids, but also hurt Vanessa to think that she was raising them all on her own. Vanessa immediately felt bad for bringing up marriage earlier. Seeing the sweet kids in front of her, her heart went out to their situation.
Feeling a surge of resolve, Vanessa spoke up with confidence. “Don’t you worry! I’m on the case, and we’ll find your dad.”
Zayn’s eyes sparkled when Vanessa offered her help. Without an adult around, getting a taxi might be a lot trickier for him and his little sister. But with Vanessa by their side, their adventure was sure to go a lot more smoothly.
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