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Irene stared at the bowl with doubt and mistrust.
“Just try one bite,” I coaxed.
She let out a dramatic huff likeIwas the one being childish.
The whole table watched as she took her first bite.
“So?” I asked.
“It’s awful but you’re my mommy now, so I’ll eat it.”
“Did she just call you ‘mommy’?” Caleb asked, staring at Irene.
“She’s decided to call me ‘mom’ now,” I said, feeling another rush of emotions. I could feel the tears coming into my eyes even when I was smiling.
I looked toward Brian.
“You had a great mom,” he said with a warm smile. “I’m sure you’ll be one too, kiddo.”
“What about us?” Corey asked. “Will she call us ‘daddy’?”
“I don’t think she’s there yet,” I said, gently caressing Irene’s back.
She was obediently eating her fruit, not paying any mind to what we were saying.
I got started on a bowl of oatmeal. Brian hated it too, but it was one of the highly recommended breakfast meals for him. This was my feeble attempt at showing him some solidarity.
“Is everything packed for the trip?” I asked Hubert.
“I’ve put everything into the car,” he replied. “Master Noah will be very pleased with all the dishes you cooked for him.”
“What did you cook?” Caleb asked at once.
“Pasta in chicken alfredo sauce, some herbed beef tenderloins, bacon-wrapped sausage rolls, chocolate-chip brownies, and a green salad so his doctor doesn’t ban me from the hospital,” I said with a chuckle.
“I made him cookies too,” said Irene.
“He’ll love them,” I told her.
She beamed from the praise.
“Sounds like some kind of picnic,” said Corey. “Hope you’ve made enough for us all.”
“Yep,” I replied.
Corey glanced at Caleb. Identical grins lit up their handsome faces at once.
After breakfast, I took Irene upstairs to get her dressed.
“What are you wearing?” she asked me as I brushed her hair.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe a pullover and jeans.”
I caught sight of the frown on her face in the mirror. “Wear something pretty.”
I mused, wondering what could qualify as “pretty” in my wardrobe. Most of my clothes were for office wear. They were stylish and chic, perfect for boardroom meetings but they didn’t seem too appropriate to wear to a hospital.
“I’ll choose something for you,” Irene said in a serious tone. She sat before a vanity mirror, putting on her tiara. “I want my mommy to be the prettiest.”
