5 Wanted “Father”

“Why not, Mom? Mr. Bennett fulfilled his promise so why won’t you use it?” London asked. The boy was delighted when Mr. Bennett kept his word about making a website for Sierra’s online business but the latter didn’t want to use it. Sierra had no plans to be involved with Mr. Bennett and she wished London feel the same but the boy was more than just interested in the man she doubted he even met in person. “I’ve checked it. It’s really good. He said the themes can be changed whenever you wanted,” he added. “Shall we try it out for a week at least?”

Sierra sighed. “Honey, I don’t think it’s okay. What if he got access to it too and tampered with our business?” Although that wasn’t Sierra’s main concern, she just felt uncomfortable getting help from someone who accused her— her sister rather, of using the child to sponge off him. “You don’t have to worry about the website. I think I can manage to make one on my own. I mean, he wouldn’t do it for free, would he?”

London’s face dropped. “He lose a bet so he’s got to fulfill my wish. I asked him to make a website for your business and something else and he promised he would so it’s only normal to take up his offer, right? It’s not like I’m demanding him to do what I wanted. He has to do it as part of our deal,” he explained.

“Tell me the details,” Sierra said. “And how did you even know him? Tell me, honey. Did you meet him in person before?”

“Nope. I only saw his picture on his social media profile. Paris said he looks like me so I was curious. I talked to him and asked if he was my father but of course I was only joking though he answered me that time thus we became friends,” the boy said. His gray eyes which seemed to be always dull suddenly glows a bit as he was talking about that man.

“What did he say?” Sierra’s heart was thumping hard as she waited for the boy’s response. Of all questions, why would London ask a stranger if he was his father? ‘No wonder that man sounded hostile when he talked to me but how did he know Stella?’ Sierra thought.

Taking a deep breath, London shook his head before he replied. “He said, ‘no’. I didn’t have any hopes for it anyway and as I’ve said, I was only joking to strike up a conversation with him. Besides, you told us before that Daddy died a long time ago, right?”

“It’s sad to have no Daddy around but as long as Mom stays with me, I’m fine with it!” Paris exclaimed. She had been listening in the corner quietly. “But Mom, that man really looks like London. You should check him out. Maybe he’s Daddy in another body? What do you know?” Paris shrugged and put back her lollipop in her mouth. “Hey, London. Why don’t you show her?”

London nodded his head and took out his tablet. He handed it to Sierra after a few seconds, showing a screenshot of the man called Mr. Bennett. “It’s him. I don’t want to believe it at first but Paris was right. He looks like me. Gabby agreed too,” he said and turned to baby Gabby who was sucking on his baby pacifier. “Right, Gabby?”

Sierra rubbed her temples. ‘Why would they even drag the baby on this just to convince me?’ she thought while holding back her laugh. “Alright! Let’s see. I don’t think you guys look that similar but…” Sierra’s eyes widened when she noticed the uncanny resemblance between the man in the photo and London. “Holy shit!”

“Mom, you just said a bad word.” Paris pointed at her with her lollipop.

“I’m sorry. That’s… I just can’t believe it,” Sierra mumbled. ‘Why does he look like London?! Is this man related to their father? Oh, Stella! I need answers right now,’ she thought in frustration. If only her sisters didn’t hide the identity of their children’s father, Sierra wouldn’t have to play guessing games. She was in deep thought while tightly holding the tab when Gabby burst into crying.

“Oh.” Sierra handed the tablet back to London and ran to Gabby. “What’s wrong, baby? Is your diaper full?” She put her hand on the baby’s backside to feel the diaper but it didn’t seem like it was full. “Are you hungry? Honey, please hand me Gabby’s baby bottle. He might be hungry,” Sierra asked Paris who was quick to do what she was told.

“Here.” Paris sat next to her while watching her calm the baby down. “Gabby’s being temperamental these days, isn’t he? He also loves waking up at night. I don’t know what’s your problem, Gabby.” Paris sighed and shook her head.

“It’s okay, honey. Gabby’s fine.” Sierra patted Paris’ head and smiled at her warmly. “Anyways, why don’t you guys wash your hand? It’s already dinner time. Let’s get you something to eat first.”

“Aye!” Paris went to the kitchen to wash her hands but London stayed.

“What it is, honey? Go and wash your hand. I will warm up the leftover soup from lunch so you can eat and go to bed,” Sierra said and gently stroked London’s cheek. “I’d love to make something else but we have quite a lot of leftovers,” she said and laughed.

London nodded his head and followed his twin into the kitchen.

“Alright, Gabby. Why don’t you have your dinner too?” Sierra tried to feed the baby but he kept pushing the baby bottle away and continued crying. “Shh! What’s wrong, hmm?” She stood up and started a slow dance like she always did whenever she helped Gabby sleep. “Are you sleepy instead? Okay, let’s try the usual routine before sleep.”

Sierra knew it wasn’t easy to take care of the kids especially Gabby who was still a baby but it didn’t stop her to take responsibility for them. One day, she would wake up and the children would all be grown up so, while they were still young and needed her, she wanted to be there for them. Sure, mothering wasn’t easy but if her sisters were alive, they wouldn’t let their children suffer and since she was the only one who’s left, Sierra felt responsible for their sake.

After a few minutes, Gabby finally stopped crying and fell asleep. Sierra put him in bed and made sure to place a pillow on both sides before heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Sierra took out the leftover soup from the refrigerator. She took out the pot and put it on the stove, heating it as she sliced a fresh loaf of bread for the twins. After a few minutes, Sierra served them their dinner—hot soup in bowls with a side of bread slices.

The twins ate without saying much, and Sierra couldn't help but smile at how quickly they devoured their food.

"Mom, are you going to check the website that Mr. Bennett made?" London asked Sierra after the meal.

Sierra hesitated for a moment. “Before that, can you tell me why he knows the name 'Stella'? That Mr. Bennett called me with that name earlier,” she said.

London tilted his head to the side. “I told him. He asked what's my mom's name, so I said it. Should I have not done it?”

‘London knew that his mother's name is Stella,’ Sierra thought. When the twins called her ‘Mom’ for the first time, she felt they did so because she looked like exactly her sister who passed away. When she talked about the people who managed the shelter, they told her that the kids didn't know about the fire and that their mother was dead. Sierra couldn’t bring herself to tell them that Stella was dead knowing how hard it would be for the children. It wasn’t her intention to pose as their mother but what she could do? Perhaps one day she would be able to tell them the truth but while they were still young and innocent in mind, Sierra wanted them to live free of worries. And she didn’t mind lying for their sake.

“Did Mr. Bennett say something when he gave the website? I mean, he must be just joking around with you knowing that you’re still a kid,” Sierra stated. If what Stella said about the twin’s father was a lie, there was a chance that Mr. Bennett was related to the twin’s father. She would do anything for the children but at the same, Sierra was afraid that when their biological father suddenly appeared, she would lose them. “London, honey. I don’t think you should keep talking with that man.”

“Mom, is it about what he said earlier when you were talking to him?” London stared right at Sierra’s eyes. “About that, Mr. Bennett said he wanted to apologize so he’s coming here tomorrow to personally meet you.”

Sierra was dumbfounded. “Huh? What did you just say?”