Page 14 of Manny for the Alien
“Do you miss Justine?”
“I liked her and she just left.”
“It was only meant to be a temporary job for her for the summer, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t like you. She loved you three and promised to visit when she’s on break.”
“I know,” Azalea said quietly.
I didn’t know how to keep the conversation going. Clearly she was worried about getting attached. I understood that. We had left everyone she knew back home just over a year ago and then her second most constant person had left and a new guy had moved in like it was nothing.
“Marco was nice today,” she said. “He helped me with my homework.”
“He’s a nice guy,” I said, relieved that she had gone on. “You can still miss Justine, of course, and Marco might not stay forever, but let’s just see what happens...”
She nodded, sniffling and swiping at her eyes just as we reached her school grounds.
“Come here,” I said, crouching down and pulling her into a tight hug. “I love you.”
“I love you too, daddy,” she mumbled, her small arms tight around my neck.
When she finally released me, it was because one of her friends shouted her name.
“Okay bye!” she shouted and skipped off excitedly.
I stood, shaking my head and watching her go for a minute.
This parenting journey was filled with so many ups and downs. I had wanted them desperately, the cuddles and the sweet little faces. I had wanted to have this family, that was why I had fertilized those eggs and I didn’t regret it in the least. They were my pride. But goodness was it overwhelming at times.
I hoped I was doing the right things for them...
Chapter Five
MARCO
When Hyacinth returned from his walk with Azalea, he looked thoughtful and a bit distracted.
That didn’t stop him from writing me out a detailed explanation of the routines and rules that the kids needed in order to be ‘happier and healthier’.
I managed to take it in stride this time. There was no point in beating myself up over things that I hadn’t known.
He took the kids to the living room after that, letting me know that I was welcome to join, but I was still a bit tired and knew I would have to take over soon, so I went to my room instead and watched videos on my phone.
Eventually, when I knew I would have to get back to work, I stood, stretching and went back down to face the demanding toddlers and their far too gorgeous father.
He was sitting on one of the couches, a child on each knee, reading them a story book. There was already a pile of them spread out around him.
For a while, I stood there, watching them, smiling.
Hyacinth was a good storyteller. He didn’t hold back from doing all the character voices and read each word with fullengagement. I couldn’t blame the kids for being enraptured, he was hard not to look at or listen to in general.
Sensing me, he glanced over his shoulder and paused at once, smiling warmly.
“Come sit with us,” he said.
I didn’t know why, but I was instantly nervous. Still, I came over and sat next to them.
Hyacinth continued the story but I could tell that his attention had shifted onto me rather than the words he was reading.
He kept glancing at me and I feared I was going to get the wrong idea if he did it one more time.
