A Surrogate Mother for the Triplets

Chapter 7

BREAKFAST AND CHILD SERVICES

“Are you sure you can't stay for breakfast?”

Sophia sat on the bed with her legs crossed as she watched her cousin get ready to leave. For the past thrity minutes, she had been nagging her to stay a little longer, but Parsley refused.

“You know I didn't have plans to stay long girl, besides this breakfast is your chance to bond better with the kids, it seems they're your only shot at getting anywhere near our Father of Three.”

Sophia sighed. She wasn't worried. She and Lucas had only known each other for three days. It wasn't even up to a week since she moved back in, but she wasn't going to use the kids as a leverage to get to their father. That's just how much she loved them.

As the sun rose that morning, Sophia walked Parsley out the house and down the street until she got a cab.

“Wear something sexy,” Parsley said scowling at her cousin's appearance.

Sophia wore a blue summer gown. It felt appropriate for the weather and the occasion, but Parsley didn't approve of it. She waved as the taxi drove off and made way to Lucas’ home.

She was about to knock when Lucas flung the door. The kitchen was fire, and the kids were choking.

“What the hell happened?” Sophia screamed, running into the kitchen and quickly putting off the fire. She turned of the cooker and opened the windows to let the smoke out of the room.

Lucas was wearing a trouser and an apron over his bare skin. “I was trying to deep fry a turkey for breakfast,” he answered, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Sophia laughed, but it was sweet. She went to check on the kids in the dining room and found them frowning at their father.

“He's a terrible cook,” said Logan.

“We told him to order take outs, but he wanted to impress you with his awful cooking.” Ethan added fuel to the fire of his younger brothers words.

Sophia turned to Lucas and smiled. “You could have called me,” she said.

“Well, I invited you for breakfast. It would be a shame to still have you make it.” He responded.

Sophia walked into the kitchen and picked up the second apron. She flicked her hair back and slowly packed it into a ponytail while Lucas watched, slightly impressed.

She went to the fridge, and there was basically nothing in it. They had left over ice cream, a slice of pizza left on a plate, and a bottle of bear which was clearly not for the children.

Sophia turned around and crossed her hands beneath her breast as she stared at Lucas, waiting for an explanation.

“They usually take cereals for breakfast on school days.”

“And what do you give them on weekends?” She questioned him.

Lucas was silent for a while. He didn't have to answer her, but he couldn't resist. Sophia had a frown on her lips as she waited for him to respond.

“We order Pizza!” An excited Mikel yelled.

Sophia turned, stunned. It was her first time hearing the little one say something. His smile was contagious, his lips spread from ear to ear as she watched his father and Sophia go back and forth about what they would have for breakfast.

“You know what, why don't we move breakfast to my place?” Sophia suggested.

Lucas was against the idea. He ran his fingers through his hair as he gave the suggestion a second thought. He sighed and turned to the kids waiting for his response and turned back to Sophia.

“I don't know if that's such a good idea,” he said. “I wanted this to be a formal thank you for taking care of kids.”

Sophia smiled. “In that case, we're going shopping.”

“What? Now?”

“Yes.”

Sophia took off her apron and dragged Lucas by the arm.

“Shouldn't I get dressed first?” He asked holding the apron over his bare skin with his hand.

Sophia stood and chuckled. She leaned in closer and slowly helped him out of the apron. Lucas watched her put back the apron on the wall and his thoughts raced back to Gabrielle.

She barely did any cooking when they were together, but when she did; they made sure to have as much fun as possible. Watching Sophia play with the kids made he wish his ex was still around, deep down his heart yawned for her, but he knew she could never be a good mother.

Lucas shook his head to disperse his thoughts and went up to his bedroom to put on a shirt. They left the kids at home and hurriedly went to the grocery store to buy some foodstuff.

Hoping to make their shopoing swift, Sophia and Lucas were stopped by a middled age woman who after taking a glance at Sophia, didn't fail to ask.

“Is he the father of the kids?”

Lucas was puzzlesd, but Sophia immediately remembered this lady telling her how she could make money off the kids. Before the lady could ask further questions, she grabbed Lucas by the arm and quickly walked out of the store.

“What was that all about?” Lucas asked as they walked back to the house.

“Remember the day you collapsed and I had to look after the kids?”

“Yeah… I do. What happened?”

Thinking about that moment in the grocery store made he laugh and she told Lucas what happened.

“Well… everyone kept saying the kids were mine and telling me how adorable the triplets were. But that woman, she told me I could make money off the kids, and I shouldn't be ashamed that I gave birth at such a young age.”

Lucas luaghed, and for the first time, Sophia saw him truly delighted. His smile was radiant, just like that of Mikel. He was amused by what Sophia said to him, but then he stopped when they got to the gate and asked.

“Do you enjoy their company?”

“I do. Ethan takes after you, it's cute. I think I wouldn't mind spending my life with them.” Sophia muttered and quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

Lucas didn't say anything. He opened the door for her and the kids rushed to welcome them in.

Lucas didn't say a word to Sophia while she prepared breakfast. They had decided to keep things moderate and bought enough ingredients for rice and soup. Since their turkey had been burnt to crisps in the oven, Sophia also suggested that they get deep fried chicken and simply warm it up for the kids.

Finally breakfast was served, and asides the hungry children happily clattering over their plates of food, there was a stinging quietness between Lucas and Sophia. Ethan noticed, and asked.

“Whose idea was it to make soup?”

His father and Sophia looked at each other, but before they could answer his question, they had a knock on the door.

Not expecting any guests, Lucas stood and walked to the door. Standing outside was a woman with two men behind her. They looked like social service workers and Lucas had wild guess about what brought them to his home.

“Mr. Lucas Fernando? We're looking for your wife, Gabrielle.”