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“Thankfully, this last job interview went well,” I share, feeling a spark of excitement. “I think I got it, and the pay is wonderful. I’ll just have to find a daycare for the girls to go to.”
“Annalise, that’s fantastic news!” Sienna exclaims, her eyes lighting up with genuine happiness for me. “But don’t rush into finding a daycare for the girls too quickly, okay? I’m still working from home and honestly, I’m more than happy to help out when I can. They’re fun.”
My heart swells with gratitude at her words, and I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. “You’re a lifesaver, Sienna. Thank you.” The knowledge that my daughters will be in good hands brings me a newfound sense of calm.
“Mommy, look!” Gina exclaims, her curls bouncing around her face as she waves a piece of paper triumphantly.
“Me too, Mommy!” Franny chimes in, her own artwork clutched tightly in her tiny hands.
“Let me see,” I say, holding out my arms to receive their masterpieces. The girls proudly hand them over, beaming with pride at their colorful creations. I admire the vibrant swirls and scribbles with the accentuation of the cotton balls that they’ve colored and glued.
“Absolutely beautiful,” I praise, placing their art on the counter for all to see. “Why don’t you two help me make dinner?”
“Yay! We love cooking with Mommy!” they squeal in unison.
“Wash your hands and then you can come into the kitchen.”
“Auntie Sienna will help.” Sienna guides them to the bathroom.
I move to the kitchen and grab their silicone cutting trays along with the knives and forks. They’re strong enough to cut through, but not enough to slice a finger or anything if the girls drop them. I set them up on either side of me, and it doesn’t take long for the girls to come and take their places.
I slice vegetables as my daughters mimic my movements, small fingers gripping plastic knives with determined precision. My heart thrums with happiness at their enthusiasm.
Sienna is right. Being a mother does suit me.
“Mommy, what’s your favorite vegetable?” Franny asks, her brow furrowed in concentration as she attempts to cut a carrot.
“Hmm, that’s a tough one,” I muse, glancing at the array of veggies in front of us. “But I think I’d have to say red bell peppers. They’re so sweet and delicious.”
“Ooh, I like those too!” Gina chimes in, her eyes lighting up as she spots a pepper among the pile. “Can we add some to the salad, Mommy?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” I reply, handing her one to chop.
“Mommy,” Franny says suddenly, her voice soft and serious. “I just want you to know…I love you so much.”
“Me too!” Gina echoes, looking up from her task to meet my gaze with unwavering sincerity.
“Oh, my silly girls.” I give them both a kiss on the head. “You’ll never know just how much I love you.”
We gather around the table, my daughters’ eyes sparkling as they look at the food they helped prepare.
“Mommy, this is so good!” Gina exclaims between bites, her blue eyes wide with delight.
“Yummy!” Franny agrees, mirroring her sister’s enthusiasm.
“Thank you, sweethearts. You both did an amazing job helping me with everything,” I tell them, taking a satisfying bite of the salad adorned with red bell peppers.
“Everything smells so good,” Sienna says softly, sitting down beside me. “So, what delicious masterpiece did you two create tonight?”
Gina beams, launching into a detailed description of our cooking adventure. Franny giggles as Sienna playfully pretends to steal a bite from her plate, her laughter melding with theirs.
As the girls talk, Sienna turns her attention back to me. “Nothing weird has happened since you’ve been here, right? No strange text messages or letters.”
To anyone else, it might seem like a weird question, but Sienna knows the exact reason I’d been hesitant to return here.
I look at the twins, making sure they don’t overhear. “No, nothing.”
Sienna and I haven’t talked much about what happened that night three years ago when we snuck into the masquerade ball. She hadn’t known the full extent of what was going on because she’d been escorted out, but when I got back, I told her everything. To say that Sienna had been shocked was an understatement. I’d left the state, and she’d moved apartments, thinking they may come for her.
