Call Me Daddy

"Huh?" Everleigh looked at him confused.

"You arrived unannounced; our rooms were not prepared for visitors." As a gracious host, I gave up my room to make you feel more comfortable. Don't worry; you'll be moved to the next room, which is next to the nursery," he said with a wink.

"Do you happen to be our uncle?" Raidan inquired. The man smirked but nodded.

"I am Rafael, the eldest. What can we call you, sir?"

"You can call me Daddy since you called Rujan Papa," he replied, smiling at Rafael.

Is this Rufus Griswold, her husband's twin brother? She knew they were non-identical twins and that they weren't identical, but she hadn't expected such a stark difference between them. Rujan was charming and boyish. Brown hair and fair skin. Rufus, on the other hand, was mysterious and dangerous. It was shown on his thick brows, full lips, dark hair, bronze skin and his eyes were also dark. Deep, penetrating dark with his thick eyelashes

"I think it's a little much." "I... we... will be here for days, and..." she stammered as Rufus scowled at her. Rafael turned to look at Rufus, as if he wanted to protect his mother from him.

"They’re my flesh and blood too, baby; let me indulge them," he said and softly touched her cheek. "Let me indulge you too," he added. Everleigh flushed, and the electrifying sensation from his touch returned.

He began eating and inquired about their favorite sports. In a matter of moments, the boys and Rufus were conversing with good humor. The boys were always wary of strangers. She believed that they should not trust strangers. She made certain that they remembered their names—hers, Rujan's, their phone numbers, and their address. It's encouraging to see them engaging in such lively conversation with adults.

Rufus surprised her by putting food on her plate. "You must eat; I don't like women who look like sticks," he explained. "You need energy to keep up with my boys," he added. She wanted to tell him that they were her boys, not his, but the food he put on her plate was her favorite. She had a feeling that he knew her well. Did she stay with her before?

"Okay, boys, Daddy has a meeting today, but when I get back, let's play." I have a play station in the playroom. Now hug Daddy!" he said, opening his arms.

"Don't cheat; don't play without me," he added, ruffling each of their hair. "Now finish your food, so Mama will be happy, and if Mama is happy, Daddy is happy too. And if Daddy is happy, I might bring gifts," he said.

"We will wait for you, Daddy," Raidan said as he hugged his legs. Rufus blinked and scooped Raidan into his arms. When Raidan called him Daddy, Everleigh noticed a mix of emotions on his face, but Rufus hid his face against Raidan's neck as he smelled the boys' scents.

"You smelled like Daddy," he commented.

"Dad, we used your shampoo and bath gel," Radzim stated.

"We are now smelling like men," Rafael added. Rafael was the most hesitant of the three, as if he was reading Rufus' actions. He still has some reservations about trusting people.

Rufus gave Rafael a thoughtful look. "You're a man, son; thank you for looking after your mother and siblings," he said, patting his shoulder. Rufus proudly smiled.

Then Rufus turned to her and smiled at her devilishly. "Come here, Mommy, and give Daddy a goodbye kiss," he said. All the boys were looking at her.

She shook her head, embarrassed. "No, I mean, I am okay," she said, blushing. It is not appropriate to hug a brother-in-law, she said to herself.

Rufus raised his eyebrows. "Did Mommy use my shampoo too?" he asked the boys.

"Yes, he smelled like you, dad, and she also used your shower gel." Radzim said.

"But I can never know if she won’t give me a goodbye hug," he smiled as he saw her frown at him.

"Aren’t you going to give us gifts if Mama won’t hug you, Dad?" Raidan asked.

"Oh, yes, maybe," he grinned, as if Raiden had given him an idea.

"Come on, Ma, it won’t hurt you to give Dad a hug," Rafael said, to Everleigh’s surprise. Her eldest child was also taken from her by this man in a matter of minutes.

She sighed and went close to Rufus, but he didn’t move. He was challenging her to make the first move. This won’t end if she just stands there. Rafael was right. A hug wouldn’t hurt her, she told herself.

She opened her arms, and she was pulled into his warm embrace. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down, so they were close. She rested her forehead against the hollow of his throat and closed her eyes.

Then she wanted to move away, but he wouldn’t let her. She tried again, but he was strong, and he was holding her tightly. "Let me hold you for a few moments, baby," he whispered, and she felt that he was kissing her hair.

He hugged her fiercely, so tightly that she couldn’t breathe. His body shook against her. She could feel his rapid pulse jumping against his skin.

She let him hug her, but she was perplexed. She could feel something from him, as if he were in sorrow during this period of uncertainty. It spun off him in surges. His misery and anguish. His remorse. His guilt. There was so much emotion churning inside him that it was tangible and thick in the air.

"You’re holding Mama too tight, Dad, and you’ve been holding her for too long. You can hold her again tomorrow," Rafael said as he stared at them. Everleigh flushed and wiggled, trying to be freed from Rufu’s embrace. Rufus grinned, but still he was holding her. "Are you saying I could hug her again tomorrow, son?"

"Of course, it’s just a goodbye hug." Papa Rujan hugged and kissed Mama goodbye every time. We are family, right, dad?"

Then Rufus let go of her so suddenly that she almost lost her balance when he heard the name of Rujan and his expression changed. He didn’t look at her; his jaw was clenched. "I need to go, son. You help your Mama in the garden. She likes the garden," he said as he patted the shoulders of the boys and left and didn’t give her a glance.

Everleigh felt the strong animosity between the brothers. She also didn’t understand her body's reactions towards her husband’s elder brother. It appeared that he knew her well, but she didn’t remember anything about him. Too bad, she had never been this confused before, even after she woke up without her memories of the past.