5: Her Life

Willow's POV

“Give it to me Daniel! I was the one with it first!” 

“No, I don’t want to watch Barbie. I want something else!” 

“You are so mean!” Ella burst into tears and continued screaming. “Give it to me Daniel! Don’t be so mean, I was watching the TV first you could have waited let me finish!” 

I sighed, trying to brush my teeth in peace, but the twins were at it again. Daniel and Ella were fighting over the remote control, their shrill voices echoing through the bathroom. I spit out the foamy liquid in my mouth before speaking.

"Stop fighting, you two!" I exclaimed, coming out of the bathroom. "Daniel, give Ella the remote control."

But Daniel crossed his arms, his face set in a stubborn expression. "No, I want to watch my show!"

I knelt down beside him, looking him straight in the eye. "Daniel, you're the big brother. You need to protect and take care of Ella always. That means sharing and being kind to her. You promise to always protect your sister, is this how you are going to protect her?”I asked 

Daniel's face broke into a smile, and he nodded enthusiastically. "I was wrong mummy. I'll always protect my sister!"

He handed the remote control to Ella, and they hugged, making my heart melt. Daniel has always been a protective big brother, it is only a few times they do fight.

Just when I decided to return to the bathroom and continue brushing my teeth, Ruby rushed out of her room, looking frantic. "Willow, you won't believe it!"

I felt a surge of fear in her panicked expression. "What's wrong?"

Ruby showed me her phone, and my eyes widened in shock. "Triple A Corporation just sent us an email. They've accepted our request for a meeting!"

I couldn't believe it. Ruby and I had started our start-up right after university, and I never thought that a big shot like Triple A would consider a meeting with us.

After going through the shock phase, the realization settled in, and I screamed, excitement taking over. Ruby and I hugged each other tightly, bouncing up and down.

"We did it, Ruby! We actually did it!"

Ruby grinned, her eyes shining with excitement. "We need to go shopping. We need new clothes for the meeting."

I nodded immediately, still in shock. "Yes, let's go. We need to look professional and confident."

We hugged again, it was still hard to believe, that I had sent them an email and our portfolio without the thought of having feedback from them. It was really a risk that was worth it. 

*

I couldn't believe it. We were actually going on a shopping spree with the twins! Ruby and I had been working non-stop on our start-up, and this was just the break we needed.

"Okay, kids! Let's get ready for a fun day out!" I exclaimed, trying to contain my excitement.

Daniel and Ella cheered, bouncing up and down. "Yay! Shopping!" they chimed in unison.

We headed to the mall, the twins bubbling with energy. As soon as we walked in, they made a beeline for the toy store.

"Can we get a toy, please?" Daniel asked, his eyes wide with hope.

I smiled, knowing I couldn't resist those puppy dog eyes. "Let's see what we can find."

We spent the next hour in the toy store, the twins trying out different toys and games. Ruby and I exchanged amused glances, enjoying the chaos.

After the toy store, we headed to the clothing section. Ruby and I needed new outfits for our meeting with Triple-A, and the twins needed new clothes for school.

"Ooh! Look, Mommy! A princess dress!" Ella squealed, holding up a sparkly dress.

I chuckled, knowing she'd love it. "Try it on, sweetie."

Daniel, on the other hand, was fascinated by the superhero shirts. "Can I get this one, Mommy? Pleeease?"

I smiled, ruffling his hair. "Of course, buddy."

As we shopped, the twins kept us entertained, trying on different outfits and striking poses in front of the mirror.

After a few hours of shopping, we took a break at the food court. The twins devoured their pizza and fries, while Ruby and I sipped on coffee and laughed about our day.

"This has been so much fun," Ruby said, smiling at the twins. "We needed this break."

I nodded, feeling grateful for my little family. "Definitely. Let's do it again soon."

The rest of the day flew by in a whirlwind of shopping and laughter.

"That was the best day ever!" Daniel exclaimed, yawning.

Ella nodded, already half-asleep. "Can we do it again tomorrow?"

I smiled, hugging them tight. "Soon, my loves. Soon." I mumbled and the chauffeur stopped the car before us, we got inside the car with the twins clutching our bags. 

Ella clutched on Ruby, who has always been her favorite while Daniel laid on my lap and I slowly played with his hair while the car drove us home, I couldn’t help but think about the life I had lived for the past eight years. 

The shock when I realized that I was carrying twins, I wondered how I was going to survive alone but twins? It was hard but Ruby and Jason's constant support kept me going. 

Over the years I had shredded off a lot of skin that one can hardly know I was the plumpy pig they all bullied me with. I wasn’t slim either, I was thick but not enough to be bullied. 

I yawned and we finally got home late, exhausted from our shopping spree. I decided to take the twins to bed, knowing they needed their rest.

As I tucked Daniel in, he was fast asleep in seconds. Ella, on the other hand, was yawning, but still awake.

"Goodnight, sweetie," I whispered, laying her down on the bed.

I kissed the top of her head, just about to leave the room, when her little hand held me back.

"Mommy, wait," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I turned around, concern etched on my face. "What's the matter, baby?"

Ella looked up at me, her eyes welling up with tears. "People made fun of me in school again.” 

“I told you not to listen to them, they are only mean people saying things to piss you off,” I replied and she shook her head, I hate the fact that they always get to her. I see myself in Ella, it wasn’t easy getting bullied and now my child has to go through it. 

“They said I don't have a daddy." She whispered, it seemed as if it was painful for her to speak up. 

My heart shattered into a million pieces, but I kept smiling, trying to reassure her. "You don't need a daddy, sweetie. You have me."

But Ella shook her head, her lower lip trembling. "No, Mommy. A daddy is a daddy, and a mummy is a mummy. I want to meet my daddy."

I was short of words, unsure of how to respond. I didn't want to lie to her, but I couldn't tell her the truth either. Not yet.

I kissed her forehead, trying to hold back my own tears. "We'll talk about this later, okay?"

I left the room, feeling like I'd been punched in the gut. How was I ever going to tell my kids that their father rejected me? That I wasn't worthy of being their mate?

I returned to my room, bursting into tears as soon as I closed the door. I cried until I fell asleep, my heart heavy with sorrow.

*

I look at myself in the mirror, satisfied with the way I look before walking out of my room. I stood outside Ruby's room, taking a deep breath before entering. "Ruby, are you ready?" I asked, opening the door.

But instead of seeing Ruby dressed and ready, I found her clutching her stomach, looking pale and in pain.

"Ruby, what's wrong?" I asked, rushing to her side.

"I woke up with period pain," she said, wincing. "I don't know if I can make it to the meeting."

I couldn't believe it. The day we had anticipated for so long, and now Ruby might not be able to attend. “I know you are angry at me right now” she mumbled and I smiled faintly. 

"Rest, Ruby. I'll ask the twins to stay with you while I go to the meeting alone," I said, trying to reassure her.

Ruby held my hand, her eyes filled with concern. "You'll do great, Willow. I know you will."

I nodded, trying to hide my own doubts. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

I left the house, taking a cab to the company. As I arrived, I was greeted by the secretary, who led me to the boardroom.

"The CEO will be here soon," she said, smiling. "Please, make yourself comfortable."

I sat down, trying to calm my nerves. I had prepared for this moment for so long, but now that it was here, I felt uncertain.

Just as I was starting to relax, the door opened, and I tilted my head to see who it was. And then I forgot how to breathe.

They walked in, their eyes fixed on me. I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my mind racing with memories and several emotions.

What the hell are they doing here?