We were still gathered in the living room after lunch, laughter floating through the space like the scent of warm food. Zayne was sitting on the floor with the twins, a colorful pile of toys scattered around them, while Emily and I lingered by the doorway watching them.
"This is gonna take some getting used to," Emily whispered beside me, her arms crossed loosely, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
"It sure will," I murmured, my chest bursting with warmth.
She turned toward me, "I'm gonna step out for some fresh air," she said casually, brushing her hand on my arm. "You four should have some time."
I gave her a grateful glance. "Thanks."
And just like that, it was just us.
Zayne glanced up as I approached, his sleeves were rolled up from helping clear the table earlier. "Want to join the chaos?"
"I live in it," I said, sitting on the floor beside them.
"Dr. Hot Chocolate," Zia announced as she tugged on Zayne's hand, "come with us!"
Zeal joined in, already climbing to his feet. "Y
eah! You too, Mommy. We're having a tea party in our room."
Zayne looked mildly alarmed. "Your room? Am I even allowed?"
Zia paused, considering. Then, very seriously, she said, "We don't let people come into our room unless they're special."
"Or if they buy us mallows," Zeal added helpfully.
Zayne laughed. "So, am I special, then?"
"Very," Zia declared, as if it were obvious, and with that, she grabbed both our hands and led us down the hallway.
Their room was a whirlwind of color and softness. Pillows and plushies in every corner, little glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling, shelves stacked with books and handmade crafts. In the corner was their "tea party" table, a round setup with four tiny chairs. The table was already set with their little plastic tea set and some snacks they'd snuck from the kitchen. On the wall, I spotted framed photos of me, Emily, the twins, and snapshots of birthdays and bedtime giggles. One corner had a slightly faded drawing: two kids holding hands with their mom and a blank figure beside them, labeled daddy in crayon.
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat.
We sat at the table. Zayne barely fit into one of the tiny chairs, and I passed around the mugs I'd filled with hot chocolate, topped with little marshmallows.
Zayne raised a brow. "I thought this was a tea party?"
I smirked and turned to the twins. "Why are we drinking hot chocolate again?"
Zeal grinned. "Then it's a chocolate party!"
"No, Zeal," Zia whined, adjusting her tiny crown. "Don't change the rules!"
Zayne laughed, watching them bicker fondly. I caught the look on his face. Joy and pure bliss. His eyes followed every movement, every word they spoke, like he was memorizing them.
It made my heart ache in the best way.
"Your cup is different," Zeal said suddenly, pointing to Zayne's plain white mug.
Zia gasped. "You're right! Ours have bears. Why doesn't Dr. Hot Chocolate have one?"
"I didn't get the memo?" Zayne offered, clearly amused.
"I know!" Zia sat up straighter, eyes shining. "Why don't we buy new cups for all of us? Matching ones."
She turned to me, eyes pleading. "Can we, Mommy? Please?"
They both started saying "please" over and over, buzzing like bees.
I chuckled and looked at Zayne, who looked as overwhelmed as I felt. "Okay, okay. We'll get matching ones for Dr. Hot Chocolate too."
The kids cheered, clinking their cups together in celebration. They soon got distracted showing Zayne their newest toys, from plastic dinosaurs to a magic coloring book that didn't really work.
After a while, I knew it was time.
"Kids," I said gently. "There's something we need to talk to you about."
They paused instantly, those big, round eyes turning toward me. I glanced at Zayne, gave a small nod. We'd agreed he would tell them. It felt important that he did.
"It's very important," I added. "So listen, okay?"
They nodded together, serious now.
"Well," Zayne began, rubbing his palms on his knees. "You know how a mama bear and a papa bear make a baby bear?"
I blinked.
That was his opener?
I nearly laughed, but the way his hands were trembling a little and the sweat starting to gather on his brow made me hold back.
Then Zeal tilted his head.
"Are you our daddy?"
Everything stopped.
I stared at him, stunned. Zayne looked equally shocked, his mouth slightly open.
Zia nodded like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What?…" Zayne turned to me, his voice cracking. "How did… how did you know?" he asked the kids.
Zeal shrugged. "You look like us. Mommy said we look like Daddy."
Zia pointed at Zayne. "She said Daddy has eyes like ours."
I felt my eyes sting. These two... so observant, so quietly aware.
"Did she?" Zayne turned to me, and for the first time since I'd known him, his expression softened into something warm and teary. "Thank you," he whispered.
The shimmer in his eyes wasn't from light. It was from the emotions he felt.
Turning back to the twins, he asked, "Are you happy? That I'm your daddy?"
Zia nodded eagerly. "Very happy."
But Zeal stayed quiet.
I leaned forward, concerned. "Zeal, is everything okay?"
He burst into tears.
"Why did you take so long?" he cried.
My heart broke. I moved forward, instinctively, but Zayne was faster.
"Hey," he said, pulling Zeal into a gentle hug. "I'm sorry for taking so long. I wish I hadn't."
Zeal sobbed against his chest. Zayne tilted his chin up gently. "Look at me," he said softly. "I'm not going anywhere, okay? I promise."
"Pinky promise?" Zeal sniffled.
Zayne held up his hand. "Double pinky promise."
Zeal threw his arms around his neck, holding him tight. That's when we noticed Zia wiping her eyes too, her lip trembling.
Zayne reached out and pulled her into the hug, kissing both their foreheads. "I'm sorry, okay? Will you forgive me?"
Zeal sniffed. "Only if you buy us mallows."
Zia added, "And chocolate!"
He chuckled. "I'll buy lots of it. I promise... I'm here now."
I stood there, crying silently with my hand over my mouth. This moment... this image... was one I'd carry with me forever.
Then I felt a tug on my dress.
"Join us too Mommy," Zia said, her voice small.
I blinked. "What?"
"Yes, Mommy," Zeal said. "Join us. Let's hug like a big happy family."
I knelt down, scooting closer until I was wrapped in their arms too, tucked between the people I loved most. Warmth surrounded me.
"You were right," Zayne whispered into my ear. "They're way too smart for their age."
I giggled, whispering back. "Told you so."