CHAPTER 37

Everyone was happy as we all eat lunch, well except for me. I was watching them talking while I sulk at the side of the table.

Their faces were genuinely happy and there I was, feeling sluggish and lazy to even lift my spoon. Zion might have noticed my crumpled face so he squeezed my thigh lightly and it sent a different feeling on my whole body.

Since when was the last time I felt this kind of heat? I can't even remember.

"Why aren't you eating?" Zion's sweet and gentle voice took me out from my deep thinking so when I look at him, I almost fell from my seat because he was too near.

Too near that our faces are just few inches away from each other, his eyes weren't mad as I'm expecting. His brows almost met each other as confusion was drawn on his face. He still looks handsome even after all those years.

I realized I was taking too long staring at him so I awkwardly offered him a smile, guarding his movements if he was angry or not. I don't want to talk if he's angry, I just don't want the kids to see us shouting at each other.

"Allison, why aren't you eating?" He repeated his question and I was startled.

"Ah, yes. Uhm... I am. I am eating."

He didn't give me an answer but I felt his hand detaching from my thigh before facing the kids. I secretly pout at what he does and kept my silence.

I was pretty jealous. Looking at the foods on the table, the food I cooked were barely moved while the foods that Zion bought are almost done. And they are not even letting me join at their conversation so I feel so bad.

Feeling emotional, I stood up from my seat which took their attentions but I didn't look at them because I'm scared that they'll see my teary eyes. I might sound selfish, thinking that I should have their attention instead of giving it to Zion, but I'm not just ready for a change like this.

What if they decided that they love Zion more than me? And what if Zion asked them to choose whom to be with? If they choose to be with Zion hen they'll have a new mother... And they'll forget about me.

I straightly went to our room and lock myself inside. I covered my face with a pillow and cried my heart out. I don't want to lose my babies, they are the only reason why I'm still living. I can't see myself moving on if they weren't here to complete me.

With those in thoughts, I cried even harder, sobbed and weep, not caring if they might hear me outside this door.

~ Zion Moretti's Point Of View ~

My eyes went to Allison when she stood up from her seat. Her food wasn't finished yet and I noticed that she was only eating the food she ate.

I was worried that I was making her uncomfortable earlier so I took my hands off her thigh and continue talking to the triplets but seeing her looking at the other direction but ours, I tried to catch her sight but my forehead instantly furrowed when I saw her tearing up.

I was about to ask her what's wrong when she didn't even bother looking at us and direction entered their room. Their house were pretty small so I can clearly see every corner and room. I also heard her locking it and it made me worry.

"What happened to our mommy?" Zam looked so worried, her eyes are glimmering with tears and worry. Just looking at it made my heart wince in pain.

Even when Allison and I haven't talked about our situation. I know. They were mine. Even the first time I landed my eyes on them, I was already sure. After all those years, I don't know the reason why Allison has to run away from me to keep them, but seeing them healthy and happy take all those pain and anger away.

"Do you want me to talk with your Mommy?" I tried to calm her down because her tears are hurting me. It's like pearls falling down on her cheeks. She's as perfect as her mother.

She nodded and one of the boys, Zaile, went down from his seat to go to their living area. He took a small key under the coffee table and gave it to me, probably heard that Allison locked the door.

"Does mommy always do this?" I want to know the reason why she's feeling like that... Or I'm just fooling myself and want to know if she's been like that for a while. I have been with here and I noticed how her mood always changed when she's pregnant.

I just need to make sure that she and that Aldrich don't have something special in between. It's not that I don't trust Allison, but damn it! I can't help but to feel my anger raising over my body just that thought that another man have seen her temptress body. It's making me feel livid.

"Our mommy don't lock her room." Ziex answered with a cool voice. He looks like a kid who would bully everyone, but I hope he won't. I don't want him to go in trouble.

"Okay then, I'll talk to your mommy. Promise to stay here, okay?" They made me do the pinky finger as they promise to stay here unless I talked to their mom.

I took the key from Zaile and directly went to the room where Allison just entered. I saw her burying her face on the pillow, wiping her tears as she continue to sob and cry. My jaw clenched at the sight but I try to remain calm. I also want to talk to here about the kids and I'm ready to take all my responsibilities as their father. She may not allow us to start over again and I respect that.

Respect? That's bullshit, Zion! You didn't even let other women satisfy you because all you can ever think is Allison!

I shook my head and push the thoughts about sex. It's true though, I've never been laid off and only used my hand for the rest of those years.

"Allison..." No matter how I wanted to lash out, I always come softer when I talk to her. "Hey, what's wrong? Your kids are worried." Our kids.

I combed her hair using my fingers before I heard her muffling her cries. I want to hug and comfort her but I'm afraid that she might get uncomfortable.

"They don't love me anymore." She sobbed and I was confused for a minute. What did she mean by that?

"What do you mean? Of course they love you. Zam is crying because you're sad." That finally took her attention and she jolted up worried. When I came eye to eye with here, my heart beats erratically faster and my eyes instantly drop at his puffy eyes and reddish full lips. She diverted her eyes away from me and was about to stand up and leave when I firstly held her hand.

I pulled her softly but she accidentally fell on my lap. I cursed inwardly, worried that she might fell my boner. I won't touch her unless she give me her consent and I want to prove her that it's not the physical touch that I only want from her.

"Sorry," she hastily stood up, surprised at what happened.

I want to chuckle at her reaction and how her face blush. "It's fine. Can we talk first?" The look in her eyes seems reluctant to answer my question. I also got the hunch that she isn't ready to talk to me yet, so instead of forcing her. I let go of her hand and let her go out of the room to check the Triplets.

As she went out, I remain seated at the edge of the bed, absentmindedly smiling while looking at the baby pictures pinned on the wall. There were also some pictures when Allison was pregnant. Her stomach looks so huge.

I stopped at the photo album at the side table, hesitant if I should borrow if even if I know I'll just get hurt. I wasn't there when all of this happened. And I'm not blaming Allison but myself.

"You can take it." My head snapped at the owner of the voice and saw her, she was now carrying Zam on her arms and both of them are looking at me.

I gave her a nod, totally speechless, nervous and joyful. I took the photo album with me and went to their living area. The triplets and Allison are also there. They look innocent and naive, I hope they accept me if ever Allison decided to tell them the truth.

That's all I'd ever ask and I'm ready to trade everything I have.

"That's ours! We're babies here, right mommy?" Ziex took the album from my hand, the three of them sat on the floor with Allison so I also did the same. "Wow, mommy. Your tummy is going to burst out." He said in amusement when the first photos of pregnant Allison was shown.

I glance at Allison and saw her being shy and timid. I don't see any reasons for her to do so, she still looks pretty even after gaining a lot of weigh. Her cheeks are too chubby and her eyes are too swollen.

"Let's escape mommy's picture." She turned the pages to when she gabe birth to the Triplets. There were two old women helping her for bathing them and she turns to another page, my eyes stopped at the pictures of two little boys.

My lips gape open and my eyes widened, it was my baby picture that only Allison have. The picture next to it was Ziex with the exact clothes I was wearing.

Allison immediately closed the album and laugh awkwardly to the kids. "Uhm, let's go to sleep already?"

I was still out of myself because of what I saw. "Mommy, who was that baby?" Zaile asked and that's when I look back to them. Allison bit her lower lip before glancing at my direction.

She didn't give them an answer and asked them to have their afternoon nap. But the kids were still energetic and don't want to follow their mom.

"Mommy, I want to play outside."

"I'm not yet sleepy!"

"Mommy, I want to watch barbie!"

I was piqued out from my reverie. Zaile was the only calm one and the two always have a high voice. They were hurdling there mother and seeing Allison heaving a deep breath, I think this scene wasn't new to her and I'm not sure if she liked it or not.

Think, Zion! Fucking think of a way to let them sleep and give Allison a break!

I can't think of anything at all. "Uhm.. do you want to go to the mall?" That was the first thing that came out of my mouth. Four pair of eyes are staring at me so I tried my best to stay firm and serious. "I'll buy you whatever you want. You can also play games there. But we'll go if you listen to your mom and take a nap."

I hope it works.

"Okay!" Zam was the first to answer and snatched her stuff toy at the couch before entering the room.

"But we don't have money." Zaile innocently scrunched his nose and it pains me.

I playfully ruffled his and Ziex hair, "I'll pay for it then. All of it." I promised but he don't look like he believed, he raised his head to look at his mother.

"But we should ask our mommy first. Is it alright, mommy?"

I sniffed and was afraid that any of them would see the tear that suddenly build up at the side of my eyes. Dang! No one could ever make me cry aside from Allison. Maybe I should make our children as an exemption.

"Yeah, you can go with him." She replied softly.

Their eyes light up and both of them raced to go to their room, telling their mom that they can sleep on their own and don't have to be tapped.

Allison and I was left alone again at the same time as my phone vibrated. It was Cooper Anderson. He was a friend of mine who invited.. or forced, me to supply the feeding program for the kids in this place. The reason why I also came here.

"You should go. Someone might be looking for you." Allison's cold voice sent shiver on my whole body. She picked the album on the floor and didn't bother giving me a glimpse as she directly enter the room.

I let out a sigh and read another message, saying that they need me at the meeting. But instead of going there, I texted Ryan to come and attend as my representative.

I am not going to waste this chance to fix everything with Allison.