Kingsley's POV
Three years later.
"Kingsley, these two totes contain bedding and pillows for our kids in kindergarten. I've labeled their names on the outside of the bags with a grease pencil. When you take them to kindergarten, please inform their teacher to ensure they don't get mixed up," Freya said, going through the luggage she had packed a few days earlier.
"This is the kindergarten uniform issued," she added.
I nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, it's a small matter, no problem."
"And, when you drop them off at kindergarten, make sure to instruct their teacher to seat them at separate tables. Leo needs to drink more water and eat more."
"This is an important issue, I won't forget. No problem, don't worry!" I assured her.
"What else? Oh, it's cold now. You must clearly explain to the teacher that when the two of them go out to play, they should wear thick jackets. I've packed bags with thick clothes for both of them, along with tissues for wiping their noses. Make sure the teacher helps with that," Freya said with a furrowed brow, worried about something she forgot to mention.
I agreed to every little detail with a reassuring smile.
At the end of the day, I asked, "Honey, do you have everything you need for your business trip tomorrow?"
Freya gave me a stare, "I don't need you to remind me; I've already packed everything in advance."
I stopped talking immediately.
That night, Freya and I brainstormed ways to coax our kids into falling asleep early. In the dark bedroom, Freya leaned on my chest, silent and contemplative.
"Freya, don't think about anything, just go to sleep quickly," I said softly.
"Don't worry about packing or our kids; you can leave them in my care. I'll make sure to take care of everything," I reassured her, gently patting her back as I spoke.
The next day was Monday.
It wasn't even six in the morning when Freya woke up. Freya had just placed her breakfast on the coffee table in the living room when I approached, catching a whiff of the aroma.
As we enjoyed our breakfast, Freya remarked, "Kingsley, I'm full. You can wash the dishes later when you're finished."
"Uh-huh!" I responded.
"Kingsley, I have to leave now. When you drop the two of them off at kindergarten, remember to give the teacher a clear explanation of what I've told you."
"Okay, just hurry up and go. I promise there's no problem," I reassured her repeatedly.
After Freya left, the two brothers, Leo and Charles, emerged slowly. When they finished breakfast, I lifted both of their duffel bags with both hands, stood in the bedroom doorway, and called out, "Leo, Charles, it's time to go. Daddy's taking you to kindergarten."
Charles, with a calm disposition, asked, "Daddy, where's Mommy? I want Mommy to take me to kindergarten."
Just after he did, Leo followed and shouted, "I want Mommy to take me to kindergarten too. Mommy..."
I felt a bit panicked. I had never encountered this situation before. How should I handle it? I tried to steady myself and looked at them with a smile on my face.
"Leo, Charles, Mom is away on a business trip. I'll take you to kindergarten first, and when your mom comes back, she'll pick you up."
When Leo heard me finish, he pouted, a row of neat little white teeth showing, biting his lip tightly, his little eyes full of aggression, tears seeming to fall at any moment.
Charles, being slightly better, remained composed, shouted a few times, and not seeing his mother, his patience ran out. He began to yell, "Daddy, then you buy me beans, and I will go."
"What beans?" I froze. I didn't know, and Freya hadn't informed me about it.
Charles said anxiously, "There are red and yellow ones. They are sweet and delicious."
I listened to Charles' description with a dumbfounded look on my face. I was tempted to call Freya right away and ask her what the heck it was.
But I couldn't fight now because I needed to coax and send the two little ones, Leo and Charles, to kindergarten first.
"Leo, Charles, I'll send you two to kindergarten first. You two have to go to kindergarten, and I promise to buy you some snacks to enjoy in the afternoon, okay?"
I thought they would agree, but apparently, I underestimated these two little ones.
Leo shook his head directly, saying, "Daddy, I don't want to eat snacks; I want Mommy!"
"I want Mommy too!" Charles chimed in.
I instantly got a big headache. It was really not easy to raise a child!
I coaxed them at home for more than twenty minutes. When I saw that it was almost eight o'clock, I realized that if I didn't leave soon, Leo and Charles would be late for their first day of kindergarten.
At this time, the cellphone in my pants pocket rang. It was Freya calling.
"Hey Kingsley, are you guys at kindergarten yet?" Freya's voice came through.
I looked at Leo, who seemed on the verge of tears, and Charles, who was already sitting on the floor, twisting back and forth. For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
After hanging up the phone, I reached down, picked up the duffel bag on the floor, and called out, "Leo, Charles, your mom said you need to go to kindergarten first. Let's go."
"I don't want to; I want to eat something else!" Leo was still fooling around, kicking his chubby little legs back and forth, almost lying down on the ground to start rolling.
I was so speechless that I considered putting down what I was holding to go discipline him.
At this time, Charles walked over. "Leo, Mommy wants you to go to kindergarten."
"Okay!" When Leo heard that, he hurriedly propped himself up with his little hands, stood up, and put on a nonchalant expression.
Coming out of the house, the moment I opened the door, the chilly wind rushed in. Subconsciously, I blocked the door cross-body. Like this, Leo and Charles were hit by the cold wind. The two little ones immediately started complaining about the cold.
I quickly put down the duffel bag, turned back, and checked again, tucking the cuffs that were visible on Leo and Charles.
"Leo, Charles, hold hands and follow daddy. Charles, grab onto daddy's coat and stick close, okay?"
"Okay!" Charles shouted.
Leo, not willing to fall behind, shouted, "Okay, Daddy!"
"Alright, let's go!"