Sweet Twins Indulge in Daddy's Love

With a serious face, Bobby asked, "Mommy, if a kid hits me or Nadia, how can I protect myself and her if I don't fight back?"

Nancy had a hard time answering Bobby's question because what he said was reasonable.

"What mommy meant was you can reason out with the other kid, and explain to him why what he did was wrong. But he if still tries to hit you, defend yourself but don't fight back. For example, if you see Nadia caught up in a fight with other children, pull her away to stop the fight. Also make sure that Nadia doesn't hurt other kids as well. We don't want anyone getting hurt. It's as simple as that," said Nancy who had a hard time explaining.

"Okay, I understand, mommy," Bobby answered with a tone that didn't seem convinced.

Nancy sighed helplessly. She still needed to learn to deal with the children especially with regards to sensitive matters like this. She decided that she should spend more time with them to learn how to handle tough questions like this one.

It was funny how people say that losing weight was a woman's utmost concern. Learning how to educate her children was a more important duty of a woman.

Soon enough, dinner was ready.

"Where is daddy? Hasn't he come home yet to join us for dinner?" Nadia was wondering about her father's whereabouts.

Nancy glanced at the clock in the dining room. It was already eight in the evening.

Charles said he would be home late tonight. That meant he was having dinner somewhere else.

"Daddy won't be back in time for dinner. We should start eating now." As she took off her apron, Nancy ordered, "Get the bowls and chopsticks and place them on the table."

"I'll do it! I'm a good child who likes to help around the house." Nadia ran into the kitchen with glee.

"Daddy is not yet home. I'm not used to having dinner without him," Bobby grumbled. He seemed very upset.

Nancy sat next to Bobby. She had been so busy with work lately that she barely had time to take care of the kids. Charles took over all the household responsibilities like cooking and even washing clothes. To be able to do it all, he had to cancel his social engagements and other personal activities. Nancy gained a new perspective and appreciated Charles efforts.

She was not an inconsiderate and unappreciative person. A pang of guilt washed over her.

He had been so busy attending to the kids' needs lately. She was glad that he got to spend some time out tonight.

Men also needed to have a life beyond their wives and children. They also had careers and other personal interests.

Nancy was a very work-oriented person. She needed a partner who also valued his career.

If a man didn't have a career of his own, he would feel like there was something missing in his life.

"Kids, take a shower after dinner. Daddy will be home later," Nancy instructed their children, pretending to be relaxed, as she poured porridge over their bowls.

"Okay, mommy," Nadia answered after swallowing a spoonful of porridge.

Bobby, on the other hand, did not say word. He still seemed gloomy.

Nancy washed the dishes after dinner. She then spent some quality time building blocks with their two children.

By ten o'clock, Nadia began to feel sluggish and sleepy.

She rubbed her eyes and said, "Mommy, it's already late. Why hasn't daddy come home yet?"

"He would arrive anytime soon," Nancy tried to reassure her children.

"Where did daddy go? Why won't you tell us? Is there anything more important to daddy than we are?" Since Nadia revealed Bobby's secret, the little boy had been upset.

"Mommy is with you. Why do you keep on looking for daddy?" Nancy asked curiously.

"Because I am used to having daddy around unlike you who is always busy with work," Nadia said in a somber voice.

Nancy's heart sank.

She didn't expect to hear those kind of words from the kids. But they only revealed what was in their hearts.

They had been so accustomed to having only Charles around.

She had been too busy to spend enough time with her children. Another wave of guilt came over her.

Her eyes were full of regret. She didn't want them to feel shunned by their own mother. "My children, I am so sorry. I will try to come home sooner from work so I can spend more time with you. Okay?"

"I would love that, mommy. Having both mommy and daddy by my side is the best feeling in the world!" Nadia happily wrapped her arms around Nancy's neck and kissed her on the cheek. Bobby, meanwhile, remained sullen.

Nancy turned to Bobby, and brushed her fingers on his hair. "Aren't you glad that mommy is here with you?"

Bobby looked up at her and said, "Mommy, you've already told us that before. I don't know if I should still believe you."

With a helpless smile, Nancy tried to sound more convincing. "Mommy is telling the truth this time."

"That's what you will say again next time. Am I right, mommy?" Bobby asked.

"I promise I will come home early so that I can to spend more time with you. You have to trust mommy. There are many professions, but it's difficult to be a doctor. The working hours are unpredictable. Mommy doesn't like it, but it is my duty. I face different kinds of problems every day. I am responsible for my patients' wellbeing that sometimes it makes it difficult for me to take care of my own family. It's a difficult decision to make, but I hope you can support mommy's work." Nancy tried her best to explain to the children.

"I didn't mean to reproach you, mommy. I just can't believe you anymore. You have kept us waiting before, and it didn't happen just once or twice. Please understand how it makes us feel every time you don't show up as you promised. It makes us very sad," Bobby said with grievance.

Nancy held Bobby in her arms. She tried not to make too many promises to the children. She was afraid that she would be unable to fulfill her promise and let the children down again and again. "Reducing patients' pain and restoring their health is mommy's lifelong wish and purpose. I am deeply sorry, my dear children." Nancy's tears fell uncontrollably as she spoke.

"Bobby, look at what you've done. You made mommy cry." Nadia wiped away tears from her mommy's face. She didn't like seeing her that way.

Seeing Nancy cry, Bobby hurried to his mommy and hugged her. "I understand that you have a lot of responsibilities, mommy. You love your patients but I know that you love us very much too. I shouldn't have said those things. I'm sorry, mommy. Please don't cry anymore," Bobby said with a sense of remorse.

"Don't worry about me, Bobby. It's not because of what you said. I just feel so guilty about neglecting you, my good children. It's mommy's fault," Nancy assured them.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. We are a family and we should just focus on supporting and caring for each other. Bobby, mommy is tired. Let's go to bed now, okay? Let mommy rest early tonight. She has to go to work tomorrow to treat all her sick patients," Nadia implored.

"Okay, you're right." Bobby let go of Nancy and said, "Good night, mommy. We're going to bed."

Wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Nancy smiled. "Good night, kids."

The kids then walked to their own rooms.

Nancy was alone for a while. It was already half past ten in the evening, and Charles still wasn't home.

She wanted to talk to Charles about Jessie's temporary suspension. But it was already late. She was starting to feel indignant.

She took out her phone and thought about calling him, but she felt inexplicably uncomfortable. Why didn't he tell her that he had asked Hiram to pick up the kids and that he would come home late? What was he up to?

Why didn't he just call her?

What was so difficult about that?

Did he feel guilty about stealing the notebook? Was he embarrassed to face her? Even if she didn't see him tonight, she would still see him tomorrow, wouldn't she? What was going on with him?