Methis Delis POV
I felt a pang of guilt and sadness. They looked so grown up, and yet so vulnerable. I wished I could hug them and tell them how much I loved them, but I knew they might not welcome my touch. I had to earn their trust first, and show them that she cared.
I decided to start with the boy, who seemed more willing to talk. I noticed that he had a book on the coffee table, and picked it up.
"Are you reading this?" I asked, holding up the book. It was a science fiction novel, with a picture of a spaceship on the cover.
He nodded, and his eyes lit up a bit.
"Do you like it?"
He nodded again, more enthusiastically now, a wide smile forming on his face. Finally, I was starting to get to him.
"What is it about?" I asked, brushing a lone lock of hair behind my ears.
"It's about a boy who travels to different planets and meets aliens. It's very interesting."
I smiled, and felt a spark of connection. I had always loved science fiction, and had read many books of the genre when I was younger, it appeared the kids had a little bit of me in them after all. It wasn't all Jamal in there.
"I used to read a lot of science fiction too, when I was your age. Do you have a favorite author?" I asked.
He hesitated, and then said, "I like Isaac Asimov. He writes very smart stories."
I nodded, impressed. Isaac Asimov was one of my favorite authors too, and I had read all of his books.
"I like him too. He was a genius. Do you know that he wrote over 500 books, on different topics, not just science fiction?" I asked.
He shook his head, and said, "Wow, that's amazing. How did he do that?"
I shrugged, "He was very curious, and very disciplined. He loved to learn new things, and to share his knowledge with others. He also had a great imagination, and couple that with a sense of humor, he was unstoppable."
I saw him smile, and felt a surge of hope. He was opening up to me, and she could see that he was a smart and curious boy, just like I used to be, before all of this.
I decided to ask him another question, to keep the conversation going.
"What's your name, by the way?"
He looked at me with a hint of surprise, "Autumn. Autumn James."
I smiled, "That's a beautiful name. Does it have a meaning?"
He nodded, and said, "It means the season of harvest, and change. My dad said he named me after his favorite time of the year."
I nodded, and felt a twinge of pain. I wondered if it was true, if Autumn was indeed his favorite time of the year, or if he just said that to silence the clearly inquisitive boy.
I pushed the thought away, and focused on my son. I wanted to know more about him, and what he liked.
"What do you like to do, besides reading?" I asked.
He shrugged, and said, "I like to play chess, and video games. And I like to watch documentaries, and learn new things."
I nodded, and said, "You sound like a very smart and talented boy. I'm proud of you."
He looked at me, ignition me with with a mix of emotions, and said, "Thank you."
I felt a warm feeling in her chest, and reached out to touch his hand. He did not pull away, but let her hold it. I felt a tear roll down her cheek, and wiped it away.
I turned to the girl, who had been watching them quietly. She smiled at her, and said, "And you, sweetie, what's your name?"
The girl looked at her with big eyes, and said, in a soft voice, "Summer. Summer Rose."
Methis smiled, and said, "That's a lovely name. Does it have a meaning?"
The girl nodded, and said, "It means the season of sunshine, and flowers. My dad said he named me after his favorite thing in the world."
I nodded, and felt another twinge of pain. Jamal was good at naming kids, I had to give him that. These were beautiful names.
I pushed the thought away, and focused on my daughter. I wanted to know more about her, and what she liked.
"What do you like to do, besides playing with your bunny?" I asked.
The girl shrugged, and said, "I like to draw, and sing. And I like to watch cartoons... "
"Oh really?" I leaned in closer, lowering my voice as if I has passing a secret, "Can I tell you a secret?"
She looked up at me, her eyes shining with eagerness, "Yes?" Her voice was soft and soothing, sending tremors into my heart
I nodded, and said, "You sound like a very creative and happy girl. I'm proud of you."
The girl smiled, and said, "Thank you."
I felt another warm feeling in my chest, and reached out to touch her hand. The girl did not pull away, but let me hold it. I felt another tear roll down my cheek, and wiped it away.
She looked at both of them, and said, "You are both wonderful children, and I love you very much. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you, but I want to change that. I want to be a part of your lives, and to make up for the lost time. Will you let me do that?"
They looked at each other, and then at her. They nodded, and said, in unison, "Yes."
I smiled, and felt a wave of relief and joy. I pulled them closer, and hugged them. They hugged me back, and I felt their warmth and love. I felt like I had found my home, and my purpose.
I kissed them on their heads, and said, "Thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance. I promise I won't let you down. I'll be here for you, always."
They smiled, and said, "We love you, mom."
I smiled, and said, "I love you too, my children. My Autumn, and my Summer."