Way to go?
(Bella)
So, it's one of those boring Saturdays. I'm in the living room, idly flipping from one channel to another. Anne's busy in the kitchen and the twins are in their rooms.
I stare at the television but honestly I'm not really feeling it, my mind's elsewhere.
Judy hasn't tried her crap on me again since I walked out of the restaurant but I'm certain she's still working together with Ashley against me, she's always loathed me that much.
While I probably should be relieved that my past hasn't come back to haunt me but strangely I'm not, because deep down I know that this is just the lull before the chaos lurking around.
Judy isn't the one to just back down without a fuss. I'm sure she's out there plotting on how to get to me.
It's just—. It's hard not to think otherwise.
Plus, my unnerving thoughts hasn't quiet down since my last encounter with her. It feels like she doesn't want Dean to know about the twins, otherwise why didn't she outrightly tell him?
I just don't get it and I really do not care at this point.
All I want, is for them to leave me alone, I'd love to move on and raise my kids peacefully.
Wanting to distract myself from the intrusive thoughts, I decided to take the kids out for a change, I probably should've done this earlier but I keep postponing, wanting to be sure it's safe out there.
But one can never be too careful, and I can't possibly live my life in fear of Judy's next move, that's sickening.
I drop the remote, standing up from the couch. I head to the kitchen to inform Anne she'd be joining us.
Afterwards, I walk over to Jasmine's room first. But when I open the door, she isn't there.
I close back the door and turn towards Javier's door.
I pull it open and there they are, engrossed in their little chitchat, their toys in hand.
But as the door slides open, they both turn to look. "There you both are!" I say, a smile creeping up my face as I make my way over to sit with them on the bed.
I watch their faces light up as they both greeted me with the most adorable smile. "Mommy!" Javier calls in his ever calm voice.
Jasmine has a smile as she holds up her favorite teddy, Coco.
I smile sitting between them. "What are you two up to?" I ask ruffling Javier's hair gently, my smile widening.
"We're playing with Coco," Jasmine says in her ever bubbly energy.
"Sounds like fun?" I quipped, looking between the two of them, my smile still in place.
"Yes, mommy." Javier pipes up, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
I nod. "How about we do something else, go grab ice cream, I promised to take you both, remember?" I say, watching their reaction closely.
I watch their smile widen, their eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yay!" They both squealed in unison.
I sit there, staring at their excited faces. It just manages to calm my nerves down, making my worries go away, at least for now.
I grin. "C'mon munchkins, let's get you both ready. Nanna Anne's coming along,"
It was exactly 3PM. And we're set to leave for the ice cream parlor.
Jasmine is dressed in a black leggings with a polkadot pattern, and a pink top, paired with black ballet flats, her hair neatly tied up in pigtails with a pink ribbon.
Javier is on a white graphic T-shirt that is embroidered on it's chest a SpongeBob SquarePants, one of his favorite cartoons, the T-shirt is paired with a beige shorts and a white sneakers, just perfect for the day.
Anne emerges a few minutes later and we set off.
I push open the door to the ice cream parlor, the bell above the door jingles, and the sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones wafts out, making everyone's mouth water.
Javier excitedly points to the colorful array of ice cream flavors behind the glass counter. "I want Vanilla flavor!" He chimes.
"I want Vanilla too," Jasmine squeals, always eager to have whatever her brother's having, I guess that's a twin behavior.
Anne chuckles at their enthusiasm as she steps in beside us.
We bellied up to the counter, ready to order.
Javier goes for a Vanilla cone with blue sprinkles and chopped nuts while Jasmine opts for a Vanilla cup as well but with pink sprinkles and whipped cream.
I grab a strawberry cup with fresh strawberries and whipped cream while Anne goes for a chocolate flavor with marshmallows chocolate chips.
With these in hand, we find a cozy spot and settle down.
I giggle alongside with Anne as we watch Javier and Jasmine's reaction, their happy faces as they take a spoonful into their mouth.
We take our ice cream quietly, laughing and giggling from time to time whenever Jasmine or Javier says anything risible.
The ambience, the sight of their happy faces soothes my mind, it takes all the worries, the unease, the distress away at that moment, it's like nothing else exists, just us, just this moment.
At a point, Javier tries to lick his cone and ends up with a big drip of vanilla ice cream on his chin. "Careful, sweety." I say softly, using a napkin to wipe his chin clean while he grins from ear to ear.
Once done, we step out of the ice cream parlor to the car park. As we make our way down, my eyes catches sight of someone familiar, almost too familiar.
I blink, my face tightens as he pushes up closer.
It's Dean.
My face falls flat. What the hell is he doing here?
For a moment, I froze, not knowing how to feel or react with the kids here.
I open my mouth, ready to say something but the words hangs at the tip of my tongue as Javier ran up to him, breaking free from my hold.
"Hey mister, it's you again!" he says excitedly, more excited than he's ever been.
It just feels like you know, that moment when one meets a long-lost friend. Jasmine watches on, her eyes filled with little wonder.
I blink, unable to process what's going on.
As if reading my mind, Jav turns and chimes. "Mommy, he's the handsome mister from the mall!" He squeals.
I pause, my eyes wide-open as realization hits me hard.
Dean's been the handsome mister Javier has been longing to see again.
Way to go?