We were all seated. Envelopes, grand and small, laid on the table as we all stared.I couldn’t relax and I had no way of escaping the tension, the confused glares, and the mean stares exchanged among everyone. I couldn’t even ask for a cup of water or heads would be rolling.“Welcome to our home, Campbells. I’m grateful for accepting our invitation to discuss a sensitive matter, likewise, to the Adams and the Dietrich family.” Kioko started.Thank God. I thought as she eased the tension.“Should we have dinner first or you’d like to get down to business?” Kioko asked.“We’re not relinquishing our adoption to Isaac as his parents. He’s my son.” Carson, Isaac’s dad, spoke up. “We raised him with our sweat and blood and we won’t be giving him back.”Lucas stared at Kioko, and he frowned. He folded his arms and crossed his legs.“I mentioned nothing about parental claims. I have no interest in reclaiming Isaac. We just wanted to talk and further note, Isaac is also my son.”“A son that yo
Azrael came home with a sour look on his face. I knew that look.“I’m guessing things didn’t end well.” I said as I fed Lennon.“Good news is Lucas is very forgiving to my mom, though this is a record, or your dad has good negotiating skills. The bad news—my parents are getting a divorce.” Azrael replied.I was dumbfounded.“They are getting a divorce?” I asked, and Azrael nodded.“It was bound to happen. They lasted longer than announced. When I graduated from university, they were going to divorce but they kept dragging on. They built their relationship on pain, an unhealthy dependence and an unrequited love that never had hope, it what’s they need, especially Kioko. I’m glad they made this decision together.”“How do you feel about everything?”Azrael heaved. “So much as happened in such a short time, it’s difficult to explain. Finding out Isaac is my brother; Valentin is Lucas’ mate, Kioko faking documents for Isaac to stay dead and my parents’ divorce. I’m stressed.”I burped Len
AzraelKioko signed the papers and passed it to the lawyer. The lawyer scanned through the papers once again and stacked it neatly.“I’ll send this to the court to complete the divorce.” The lawyer said and smiled at dad. “Congratulations I suppose.”It felt like an insensitive remark, but he knew a lot of things behind that smile he held most of the times.He bowed to my parents and left the room with the butler trailing behind him.We all sat down quietly for a while, staring at each other. Kioko and Lucas tapped the table awkwardly until I broke the silence.“What happens now?” I asked.Kioko stretched her hand to Lucas. “We go our separate ways. Lucas gets some of my property and we have the same relationship we’ve always had, but divorced. Your dad is leaving the house to go stay with your boyfriend’s father.”Lucas smirked. “It’s for a while. Do we have a problem?”“Leslie will be glad to hear that.” I replied, and Lucas smiled.“So, when are you going to propose?” Lucas asked.
“Say chichi.”“Mama.”Nikolaus was incredibly difficult.“Chi.”“Ti.”“Chichi.”“Mama.”I groaned in frustration and wiped my hand down my face. He was finding this hilarious.“What am I doing?” I asked.The knock on the baby’s door distracted me.“Am I interrupting something?” Leslie asked and sat on the arm of the chair. “He won’t call you if you persist. It’s a gradual process.”“He calls Bennett something other than mama.”“Because of Lennon calls him that and Ben is his dad. You don’t have to compete with Ben. I think you should be proud to share that name with me while he’s small. He doesn’t know what it means. He’s a baby.”Leslie ran his fingers through Nikolaus’ hair.“He sees you a lot often than he sees Ben. When he was a newborn, you were always the one carrying him around and feeding him because I needed rest and babies learn from observation. He must have learnt the people who are always around should be called mama, so don’t force it, be proud. It’s not like I’d want to
Leslie Move in with him? Azrael was asking me to move in with him. “…e, Leslie, Kid.” Azrael snapped his fingers in my face, and I blinked. “What?” I asked and he frowned. “You zoned out.” I touched my forehead. “Either I was hallucinating, or you asked me to move in with you.” “I did.” Azrael stated. Azrael gazed into my eyes and folded his arms. I averted my gaze, sighed, and stared back at him. “Don’t you think it’s soon?” I asked. “How? We’ve been dating for more than a year Leslie; we’re starting our life together as lovers and a fated pair. We’re raising Nikolaus together and there’s nothing I’d love more than coming home to have dinner with you and Nikolaus.” I chuckled. “We work in the same company.” “Yes. Living together will be no different from our lifestyle now except you’ll wake and sleep to my face seven days a week instead of four or five days. Won’t it be wonderful if Nikolaus saw our property as his childhood home?” “It would but Azrael. It takes a lot to
I dropped the cake on the table as the toddlers scampered around, wailing, and screaming and the others at the fun section or their parents.Lucas sat on my dad’s thighs with a glass of alcohol. I joined my family to make barbeques and Ancel handed me a can of soda.“I can’t believe Azrael let you host a banging toddler party on his property. He also arranged guest transportation. Why aren’t you married yet?” Ancel asked as I nudged him.“Because your dumb brother keeps setting standards for my son with that idiot.” Lucas said.“Oh God, not this again.” I mumbled as I opened the can.“No drama in with my first albino grandson’s birthday. Leslie isn’t dumb, and it isn’t right to meddle or drink much in their relationship when we have ours.” Dad collected the wine glass from his lover’s hand.I should have listened to Azrael and distracted them with a date.“Ew, dad! No PDA! Rub in my face that I’m single.” Ancel whined and everyone laughed.“Maybe if you stopped hiding, you’d find a lo
Azrael I climbed downstairs with my car keys jingling with each step. Leslie sat on the couch, papers littered everywhere, and Niko was asleep an arm away while he placed a phone to his ear. “Your dad will pick him up tomorrow morning.” Leslie said and glanced at me. I kissed his forehead and pointed at the door. “Hold on Isaac, I’ll call you back.” Leslie said and ended the call. “Where are you going?” “Out with the men.” “The men, huh?” Leslie raised a brow and folded his arm. “Am I forgetting something?” “My heat starts next week and I haven’t made preparations because of work and the baby. I need help Azrael, help me before the men.” Leslie demanded and sighed. It was the mood swings again. “Do you have a list apart from what I must always bring?” Leslie pointed at the list and picked a highlighter. I grabbed it and read. “Anything else?” I asked and Leslie nodded. Leslie dropped the paper and gazed at me. He exhaled and poked his cheek with his tongue. “Will the men
102LeslieKeystone Kindergarten was a beautiful building with welcoming graffiti and bright scenery. It was the beginning of a session. The school was full of parents, kids, and teachers.Azrael and I held Niko as we stared at the building before we saw a familiar toddler run towards us.“Remy!” Lennon screamed, and Niko broke loose from our hold.They hugged each other, laughing and giggling, then held hands. Lennon was a beautiful boy with a messy mop of brown hair, green eyes, and the brightest smile on his lovely face.“Leslie! Bethan!” Ben jogged towards us and stopped.“He’s so fast.” Ben said and hugged me. “It’s been a while.”Azrael frowned, and I wrapped Azrael’s arm around my shoulder. “You should keep a closer eye on him.”“Or a leash.” Azrael added, and we laughed.Ben checked his wristwatch and stared in shock. “I need to head for the office soon. I have a meeting in less than two hours.” Ben said.“It’s your second son’s first day of school. Be supportive.” I said and