Jamal's POV
Autumn thinks for a moment. “Maybe you could write her a letter. Or send him an email. Or a text from a different number. Or a message on social media. Or a note in his locker. Or a gift. Or a song. Or a poem. Or a…”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” I said, smiling at her and carefully raising her to sit on my lap before looking into her eyes. She was so innocent, even her smile made me think everything was going to be instantly better, and more importantly, she reminded me of Methis. The same warm glow emanated from the both of them.
For that, I was glad she didn't resemble me that much. “There are many ways to communicate sweet heart, But your mother is a strong willed woman, the main question is, will she even read them? Will she even care?”
She nods. “Of course he will. She loves you, Dad. She’s just afraid to admit it. I am sure she will realize it somehow, if you two get to talk.”
I smiled the kid was sweet. “Thanks, Autumn. You’re the best. You always know what to say.”
She smiled back. “Now, come on. Let’s go to the kitchen. We made some cookies. They’ll make you feel better.”
I got up and followed her, wondering what she and her brother had cooked up. “Cookies? What kind of cookies?”
“Chocolate chip. Your favorite.”
I grinned back. “You’re awesome, kid." I said, leaning over to plant a kiss on her cheek which she received with a giggle, "You know that?”
She laughed. “I know. Now, come on. Let’s go eat some cookies.”
We walked to the kitchen, chatting and laughing. I feel a bit lighter, a bit happier, a bit hopeful. Maybe Autumn is right. Maybe Methis does love me. Maybe she will come back to me. Maybe we will be together. Maybe everything will be okay.
But as we reached the kitchen, I saw Summer sitting at the table, reading a magazine.
"Having fun kid?" I ask, understanding now. Autumn had been a decoy, and whether they had just attempted to bake a chocolate chip cookie and failed or whether it was really supposed to be a surprise for me was irrelevant. In fact, part of me hoped it was the former I couldn't help but smile at their mischief.
He looked up and saw me, his eyes shooting towards her sister who shrugged before he looked back at me.
“Hey, Dad,” he said, smiling widely, "Back already? How did it go?"
I stopped and stare at him. He was a nice little mess, covered from top to bottom in cookie dough and flour, a pair mittens hurriedly stuffed away behind the cutlery and cooking utensils.
“Hi, Summer,” I said casually. “I’m just…here.”
He interrupted. “Yeah, I can see that. But why? Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like, I don’t know, with your wife?”
I threw back my head laughing at his cute attempt to get me out of the house. “She is not my wife, not yet. But she is definitely your mother.”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, right. She's not your wife, but she is our mother and you are our father, how does that work?"
It suddenly dawned on me that he wasn't trying to get me anywhere, he was just angry.
"Son?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "Are you okay?"
“Summer, stop it!” Autumn interrupted, “That’s not nice. That’s not fair. That’s not true.”
Summer glared at him. “Oh, please. Don’t tell me you’re still defending him. What do you know?"
I could see the fury on his face and it took me by surprise. Somehow, along the road, my son had come to the conclusion that this was all my fault and was blaming me for it. It didn't make sense at all.
Autumn immediately flared up, "Daddy needs our support. He needs our help."
Summer scoffs. “He doesn’t need anything from us. He doesn’t deserve anything from us. He doesn’t care about us. He only cares about himself. And that jerk. That jerk who hurt him. That jerk who used him. That jerk who…”
“Summer, enough!” I said firmly. “Just stop it. You can't talk to you sister like that, is that clear?
Summer stood up and faced me, an angry look on his face like he was hurt. I sighed, running my hand over my hair. Kids could be difficult sometimes.
"I understand kid, you want your mother back."
I said softly, walking over to him slowly.
His frowned, breathing heavily, "Why doesn't want to come back Dad? Why must it be this difficult?" His voice cracked and slowly, tears started flowing from his eyes as he broke down into a sob. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a deep hug, "It's okay kid, it's okay."
He buried his face in neck, trying to hide his tears from his sister as I patted his head. I had been so absorbed with trying to get Methis back, I had almost completely neglected the kids and forgotten that the situation was probably taking a toll on them too.
That, was going to have to change.
"We will get your mother back, okay?" I whispered softly into his ear, "I promise."
He nodded, wiping his eyes as he pulled away. I felt Autumns little hands wrap around me from behind before I laughed, standing up and lifting her gently.
"We made cookies." Summer said softly.
I looked on the kitchen table and for the first time, noticed the burnt out balls of dough haphazardly arranged on a tray. I wanted to tell them off but in this situation, that didn't seem appropriate.
I smiled, "How about we go out for some Pizza?"