"You look beautiful." Julietta complimented me and kissed my cheek. "I missed you so much." She wiped her tears.
"Mom." Damon greeted her. Her eyes filled with tears once again and she wrapped her arms around him.
Damon didn't hug her back. What's wrong with him? Julietta pulled away from him with disappointment. Starvos approached me.
“Hello, sweetheart.” He said and tears formed in my eyes.
"Mr. Walter."
"How are you?" I asked as I pulled away.
"Good, you?" He smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"I am good too.” I smiled back. "Let's go inside."
We all made our ways inside and Paul brought their luggage inside. I led him to the guest room as Julietta and Starvos made themselves comfortable on the couch.
Paul set the bags in the closet and walked off giving me a slight nod. I left for the kids' room. Emma was writing something in a book while Evan was playing a video game.
"Guys, they are here." I informed them and they both looked up. Their faces lit up with excitement and they both dropped what they were doing and rushed downstairs. I followed them, Damon was talking on the phone while Julietta and Starvos were talking to each other with smiles on their faces. Their eyes turned towards us and their eyebrows furrowed in confusion when they saw the kids.
"Hello." Emma and Evan greeted.
"Hi, sweeties.” Juliette smiled and got off the couch. "Who are these cuties?" She asked. Damon didn't tell them? I looked at Damon in surprise and he ended the call and stood up. Starvos joined us.
"They are your grandchildren." Damon said. Julietta and Starvos' eyes widened as the words left Damon's mouth.
"Y-you w-were -pregnant?" She stuttered. I nodded looking down at Emma and Evan.
"Twins." I said and caressed the kids' heads with my fingers.
"Oh my god!.” She exclaimed and went down on her knees. She placed her hand on Emma's cheek and then the other on Evan's and stared at the both of them in awe. She wrapped her arms around them and pulled them into her warm embrace.
"I can't believe this. Oh my god!." She smiled with tears in her beautiful eyes, before finally pulling away from the kids. "I-" words failed her and she continued to sob.
"Don't cry, grandma." Evan said. The tenderness in his voice caused Julietta to cry even more.
"You left her when she was pregnant? Is that the reason you divorced her?" Starvos asked Damon. Damon shook his head and sighed.
"I didn't know." Damon sighed again. His phone buzzed and he looked at the screen and sighed again. "I need to go. Have some work. I will talk when I come back." He announced and gave me a glance as he walked out of the house.
"I'm sorry he did that." Starvos apologized on Damon's behalf.
"It isn't your fault." I forced a smile
"Hi grandpa." Emma called and Julietta's attention shifted to the kids.
"My grandchildren." He said and hugged the both of them, lifting them into his arms. And the kids squealed with delight.
After dinner I led Julietta and her husband to the guest room. We talked for a bit but they seemed tired after their long flight, so I asked them to take a rest. They refused saying that they wanted to spend time with me and the kids but eventually, they gave up when they couldn't convince me.
I put the kids to bed and read them a story. I kissed their small foreheads, reminding them how much I loved them, before leaving for my room. I checked the notification on my phone and there was a text from Damon.
Damn Ex: I'll be home tonight. Don't wait. Kisses.
Well good thing. And why would I wait for him? And a kiss? He's an idiot. I ignored the text and took a shower before getting on the bed. Slowly and peacefully, I fell asleep.
My alarm woke me up in the morning and I rushed out of the bed and into the shower. I took a quick bath and got dressed in my daily office clothes. I went into the kids's room after that and woke them up.
"Mommy! Please. I don't want to go." Evan whined.
"No, no skipping school." I warned and he groaned again. "Don't be lazy, baby. Get up and get ready. I'll make breakfast." I said and he gave me a pout but still got out of the bed. I made my way to the kitchen to see Julietta cooking.
"Good morning. What are you doing?" I inquired from her. She turned around and gave me a dazzling smile.
"Good morning, honey. I am making breakfast. It's almost ready." She said and carried a cup of coffee to Starvos, who was sitting on the couch, reading a newspaper. I collected my cup from the cabinet and filled it with coffee.
"You didn't have to do that." I muttered when she got back.
"Yes, I did. I wanted to do it." She smiled and I shook my head. "Is Damon up?" She inquired.
"Um... he isn't home." I replied.
"Oh! I thought-" She stopped herself halfway. "Never mind."
"You thought what?" I asked and she sighed heavily.
"I thought he was going to spend some time with us as we haven't seen each other for so long. But, guess I was wrong." She sighed again.
“What are you talking about?" I asked, concerned. But Julietta looked so upset.
“After your… your divorce, he pushed us away. He didn't meet us often. He never called. He ignored my calls and would always say he was busy. We were so upset until recently when he called to let us know that you guys were back together. I was so happy." She wiped a tear and smiled. I nodded in silence.
"Mommy. I am hungry." I heard Evan.
"Come on honey. I made breakfast for you. Do you like pancakes?” Julietta asked Evan as he and Emma entered the kitchen.
"I love pancakes!" They both exclaimed in unison and started to eat as soon as she served their plates while I sipped on my coffee.
Julietta's words played in my mind. Why did he push them away? Why did he hurt them the way he did? What's eating him up?