Xavier and I sat opposite the kids, staring into space and thinking of a solution to our mounting problem. These kids' presence in our lives at this very moment will change a lot of things, and now we are stuck deciding who will take the kids along. We can't leave them alone in this huge house. We dreaded the thought of leaving them alone,because right in front of us, a flower vase has broken, and it was Elizabeth who broke it. Now she is putting the blame on the twins, and they're having a big fight.
"You broke it! Stop lying," Elizabeth exclaimed, running around the sofa like a merry-go-round while the twins tried to catch her to get her to admit she did it.
We just sat there, watching them, disoriented from all of Nicole's drama unfolding before us, more like chaos.
"Stop, Elizabeth! You're going to hurt yourself!" Harper shouted, exasperated.
"I didn't break it! Hayden did!" Elizabeth protested, dodging her sister's grasp.
Hayden's face reddened. "I didn't touch it! You're always breaking things, Elizabeth!"
Xavier and I exchanged a helpless glance.
"This is insane," I whispered and slumped my back on the sofa.
Xavier rubbed his temples, finally coming to a conclusion. "We can't leave them alone, Sarah. They'll destroy the house."
I nodded in agreement. "And what about your conference? You can't miss it."
Xavier sighed and buried his face in his palms. "And after the conference, I am going to the hospital... and you have exams."
The argument escalated, swallowing the sound of our conversation. Elizabeth was now hurling a cushion at Hayden.
"Okay, that's it!" Xavier stood up, his voice firm. "Enough!"
The children froze, startled by Xavier suddenly yelling.
"We need to figure out who's taking care of you three," he announced. Before he could continue, Harper or Hayden spoke up... gosh, I really have to get their names right.
"Mom said you'd take care of us, Daddy."
Xavier's expression softened. "I will, sweetie. That's if you're really my child."
"Xavier, stop being in denial. It's obvious. They look just like you," I interrupted him, flashing him a wry smile.
He nodded and whispered so the children wouldn't hear, "I'll accept them only after the DNA test..." Then he turned to the kids. "I have a conference to attend, and Sarah here..."—he pointed to me—"has an exam to ace, so whoever takes you out, you will promise that person you will behave."
Then he tilted his head, turning to me. "Have we decided? I know they are now my responsibility but I can't take them to the hospital,I have a lot on my plate."
I opened my mouth to protest, but Xavier's pleading gaze silenced me.
"Please, Sarah. I'll owe you one."
I sighed. "Fine. But you owe me big time because these kids..." I trailed off, pointing to the children who had already taken their seats, staring at us.
"I have just one course, and I know who can help me watch over them on campus while I write." I muttered, placing my hand on my head. Great, I get the kids—unlucky me...
Without warning, Xavier grabbed my waist and kissed my lips softly. "Thanks, Sarah. I know this is a lot for you. I'll pay you back tonight, okay?"
I forced a smile and nodded. He returned the smile and kissed my lips again, his eyes filled with gratitude, and it made my heart flutter.
"I love you, and I know this is a lot to take in. Many girls might not accept this and I don't know if you'll..."
"Do I have a choice? You also don't have a choice..." I sighed, hesitating to let the words I dreaded come out of my mouth. "We will take care of them together once we confirm you're their father."
He didn't respond or smile; his gaze slowly dropped to the ground as his expression turned thoughtful. I could guess what he was thinking at the moment and felt a pang of empathy.
My smile grew wider as I pulled him in for a hug. "I won't leave you, Xavier, because of the children, if that's what you're afraid of." I said as my grip around him tightened. "I'll stay, and we will go through this together, no matter how hard this is."
I pulled away and kissed him back. "I'm sorry you had to go through this because of your crazy wife, but look on the bright side." I chuckled and pointed at the kids. "You now have a family... of course after confirming it."
We burst into laughter, and the kids chimed in, laughing. I attempted to roll my eyes at them, but this time I just couldn't help it. They seemed sweet—no, scratch that—they're chaos, but they won't be so bad.... I hope.
******
As Xavier rushed to prepare for his conference, I faced the challenging task of managing three rambunctious children. I had to cook more food because what Xavier prepared wouldn't be enough for the three of them, and I motioned to change their clothes but discovered that Nicole didn't even bother to bring their things along with them. I turned the box upside down and found nothing else apart from a scrabble of papers to prove they were Xavier's children, apart from Elizabeth. It seems Nicole plans on pushing that girl's responsibility over to Xavier too, and it makes my blood boil.
"Okay, pack up kids, we are going out," I announced, clapping my hands, and surprisingly, they obeyed and hurried to the exit. I attempted to hang my purse but noticed it had gone missing, so my eyes trailed to the kids.
"Over here! I just wanted to help you! Oh, you're welcome!" Harper smirked, hanging my purse and cat-walking out the door.
I sighed and tried not to roll my eyes. I had been doing both since this morning, and I'm tired of it.
I followed behind them and carefully ushered all of them into the back seat, struggling to keep Hayden and Elizabeth from fighting over who got to sit by the window while Harper claimed the middle seat and refused to budge.
As if that argument wasn't enough to make my head explode, they began arguing over whose turn it was to control the air conditioning vents.
I almost pummeled my head into the steering wheel in frustration.
What kind of mother would abandon not one but three children just for some personal reasons she refuses to disclose? I was afraid their presence would put a strain on I and Xavier new relationship.
"My head is spinning," I muttered under my breath and started the engine. Little did I know, this was only the beginning of our chaotic adventure.
Chapter 82
An hour later, we arrived on campus, and I was grateful to have survived the drive without any major incidents. Now, I faced the daunting task of finding childcare before I wrote my last paper. I had my hand on my waist as I stood in the middle of the parking lot, staring into space.
"Why the hell did I lie that I had someone who could help me watch the kids! Now I'm stuck with three tiny terrors and a looming deadline," I muttered to myself as I glanced around, hoping to spot a miracle solution, perhaps Helen, who I had called earlier and somewhat explained my situation. I hoped she would come to my aid.
I watched as students rushed to class, some studying in groups. Lucky them.
Meanwhile, the kids, sensing my frustration, began to get restless.
"Sarah, I'm hungry!" Elizabeth complained, tugging on my hand.
"Me too!" Hayden and Harper chimed in, their voices rising in unison.
Now my sanity was hanging by a thread!
My face turned beet red as I turned to the three of them. "YOU ALL JUST ATE!" I yelled, earning the attention of all the students around us. They'll be wondering how I got all these children or if I was their mother or any naughty thoughts.
As we walked, I mentally calculated the costs of hiring a last-minute babysitter versus begging a friend for help. Neither option seemed viable.
Just then, as if seeking a way to suppress their sudden hunger, Elizabeth started singing "Let It Go" from *Frozen* at the top of her lungs, Hayden began doing an impromptu breakdance, and Harper shouted, "I'm bored!"
I massaged my temples and leaned against the car momentarily, letting my mind settle from all the stress and tension.
As I stood there, feeling like I was losing control, a gentle voice interrupted my chaos.
"Need a hand?"
I turned to see a very familiar student, Lucy, a friend of Helen's and mine. She had a wide smile on her face, which I could tell was a mocking one, although I was too thankful to be bothered by it.
"Please, be my guest," I replied, exasperated. "I'm desperate." But before I could say anything else, an exuberant voice cut through from behind.
"Sarah, let's go study for a while before the exam starts..." It was Helen, just stepping out of her car. She winked at me and quickly understood the hint she must have talked Lucy into it.
Thank goodness!
"Thanks, Lucy, Helen. You guys are my saving grace." I said and sighed.
Helen's eyes sparkled with amusement as she took in the chaotic scene before her. "Whoa, Sarah, you've got your hands full," she chuckled, and I rolled my eyes, relieved.
"You have no idea."
Lucy chuckled, stepping forward and crouching down for the children. "Hey kids, let me be your nanny for two hours. Do you like that?"
I gruffed, "You don't have to ask them for permission. Just get this over with."
****
"You might want to start telling me what's going on," Helen said as we walked toward the exam hall. "Who are those kids? 'Cause I never saw you pregnant." She teased, and I exhaled deeply, knowing there was no escaping this. I hadn't really been sincere about my relationship with Mr. Clinton, although I had briefly told her the whole story.
"The sugar daddy I told you about—his wife dumped those kids at our doorstep in a massive box," I replied, and Helen stopped in her tracks, staring at me with wide eyes.
"You can't be serious," she mused, and I shook my head.
"Oh, well, I am dead serious." I went on and explained in detail, of course skipping some irrelevant parts. Helen was intrigued and at the same time empathizing with me. Thankfully, she didn't talk me out of my relationship with Mr. Clinton, which I didn't expect.
"You should stay with him if he really loves you," Helen said, her tone gentle. "However, ask yourself: Are you happy? Truly happy? Or are you settling out of fear, obligation, or convenience? Especially with the kids."
"I love him, Helen, and I have no choice. I have to stick with him." I replied, a soft smile spreading across my face. "Anyways, I can't leave him alone to watch those kids. They are chaos."
Helen and I burst into laughter as we finally entered the exam hall and took our seats, still chuckling. "Thanks for saving me, Helen."
Helen grinned. "Anytime, Sarah. Now, let's focus on acing this exam." She said, handing me a water bottle. "You're going to need this."
I smiled, feeling grateful for my friend. "You have no idea."
The exam began, and I dove into the questions, determined to finish in time and get back to those kids so Lucy could prepare for her exams, which was the next paper.
After finishing, we met up with Lucy, who had taken the kids to the campus playground.
"How were they?" I asked, bracing myself.
Lucy laughed. "They're adorable, but handfuls! I see why you call them chaos."
I crossed my arms and frowned at the kids, but they just flashed me fake smiles instead. The twins, to be exact, they are the chaos—not even Elizabeth.
Helen chuckled as she noticed the looks the kids and I exchanged. "We hope you survive this, Sarah."
Lucy burst out laughing, and the twins chimed in, their eyes sparkling with mischief.
Yeah, they never miss the chance to ridicule me.
We parted ways with Lucy, and Helen whispered, "Keep evaluating your situation with Mr. Clinton and prioritize your happiness."
I nodded, knowing she was right. Come to think of it, it seemed Helen was getting more mature; she even gave me relationship advice.
"Thanks," I smiled, and we waved our goodbyes.
The drive home was quieter; the kids were exhausted from their little adventure, which gave me enough peace and quiet to reflect on my situation with Mr. Clinton and the unexpected turn my life had taken.
The reality of being a temporary mother to three energetic kids was overwhelming yet strangely rewarding in a way. If I stayed with Xavier and the kids, it kind of made our relationship feel more authentic, like a real family.
It would take on a new level, transforming from a convenient arrangement to a true partnership.
Yeah, maybe I shouldn't think that way, but I couldn't help it. Whether I liked it or not, I needed to accept the situation if I truly loved him the way I claimed to.