MARRIED TO MY KIDS FATHER

chapter1

It has been almost six years since I left the country to go look for greener pastures abroad. I left when my two kids had turned one year old. I moved to Albania, Germany, where I worked as a waitress before making my way into a firm and making a way till I became a finance manager for that company. Today was my last day here in this country. I was packing our bags when I got a call from my little sister Ivy that my dad was sick and had been admitted to the hospital. I told her not to worry since I would be back in the country tomorrow. She was so happy. I hated to see or hear her stressed over stuff.

In the evening, we went for a walk on the beach before heading to Emilia's place where she stayed with her husband Noah and their two kids. I bought some gifts and fruits to bring to her house. We found her when she was almost done making dinner. Noah was helping her and when we arrived and said hi to one another, Noah left with the kids to the living room to watch a cartoon as they waited for their dinner to be ready. Emilia was not happy that I was leaving the country.

'Have you introduced him to them,'she asked. She was talking about Johnson, who was my boyfriend. I met him when I attended a business gala that our company was hosting in Hotel Villa Pascucci` in Durre`s, Albania. He was a business executive from South Africa. We exchanged contact, and before I knew, he was already in love with me. Every time he visited the country, we would go for a date. 'No, he was mad at me when he found out I had two kids,' I replied. Emilia looked at me filled with pity. 'You don't have to worry, he was just shocked that I had kids and didn't expect me to have two. He apologized, and I will meet him in the country and I will introduce the kids to him. He is willing to take care of me and the kids. Soon he will introduce me to his family. 'I said. Emilia just looked at me. 'I hope he treats you well, be careful though.'she said.

I helped her set the table and had our dinner. It was lively and fun as we laughed at the jokes shared till my daughter Ava asked if she would see her dad when we went back to the country. Every adult at the table was shocked by Ava's question, which took us as a surprise. Emilia eyed me and I almost choked on my food. 'Are you okay mama,' my son Aiden asked . ' Yes baby am okay, you will soon meet your father. She was so happy, you can tell by how her face glowed. We said goodbye before we left.

After dinner, Noah offered to drop us at home. That night I didn’t sleep. I kept thinking about Ava's question. I hated it when they brought up that question. If their father knew he had kids he would take them away and would never let me see them. They also made me think that I didn't raise them well or never enough for me to be a good parent.

In the morning, I was tired and took a cab to the airport. We had our breakfast at the airport . The kids had a milkshake with some sausage and eggs, while I had coffee and some cupcakes. While we were having our breakfast, Ava asked me again about her father if he would see her when he arrived, since he got him a gift. 'Can we not talk about him now and let us enjoy our meal.' I said. 'But mama you don't like talking about papa, everytime we ask about him, you always divert the question or assume us, why, Aiden asked.I was shocked I just stared at them'. Am I a bad mother or parent to you?' I asked . 'Am sorry mama, I didn't mean to hurt or offend you.' Ava said. 'Am sorry too my babies, but there is something you should know and forgive me.'I replied . The kids just stared at me. 'What is it mama,' Aiden asked. I just stared at them holding my tears with my lashes. ' If your dad finds out that I have kids with him, he might take you away from me and I will never see you again. ' I said. 'Does that mean he doesn't know about us.' he asked. I just nodded my head. Sadness swept over my face. They went silent . I was hurt. I hated to see them sad and had killed their expectations.

The trip back home was silent. The kids fell asleep as soon as we boarded the plane. On arrival, my siblings were waiting for us. We were happy to see each other and ran to hug one another. It was like a little family reunion. They later drove to my apartment which I had bought. Since we were tired, we just went to bed and my siblings left.

I was woken up by a knock on the door. It was my sister Ivy. She brought us breakfast.' Good morning, are you going to see dad today? 'She asked.' Morning too. Yes, I will go see him after breakfast with the kids.' I replied.' Hope they don't know I am in the country, especially mama.' I said. ' I didn't tell them, maybe Peter did, but I doubt that. You guys should forgive each other. It happened a long time ago, and you know mama will always be sorry for that. Why can't you forgive her?'

'It is not as easy as you think. I already forgave her but those words that she said to me that day, that I was good for nothing daughter who brought shame to the family. A home wrecker since I got pregnant with a man who was married, yet when everything happened he was never married, a p********e and, worst of it, she wanted me to abort my kids while I was eight months pregnant. It was as easy as telling me, she wished me death. Just because I got pregnant out of wedlock. She cared about her reputation more than her child's life. All I needed was for her to be kind to me. I was already going through tough stuff, but her words were like a two-sided sword cutting through my soul.' I said. I could no longer hold back those tears.' I let the tears take away the sadness. I almost committed suicide that moment.' I said. 'It's okay,' she said. I could tell she was shocked at how I was brutally honest with her while I was very secretive.

I was always secretive from a young age and my parents hated that, especially my dad. No one knew about my father's kids. They all have their own theory about the kind of man who got me pregnant. I left to go freshen up while Ivy helped me prepare the kids. We had our breakfast then left to see my dad.

The journey was not that long, it was a thirty-minute drive from where I lived. On arrival, I found out that my mum was in the room where my dad had been admitted. The room was filled with tension. The kids were happy to see their grandparents. They always talked to one another via video call on the phone. I excused myself from the room and went outside to get some fresh air. I went and sat at the bench that was under a tree near the car park