"We're home, " informed Zayn softly.
Carla didn't react.
Zayn tapped her face lightly to prompt her to open her eyes slowly. She asked groggily,
"Are we there yet? Where are the kids?"
"They're waiting for you, " replied Zayn as he helped Carla out of the car.
"Mommy!" called out Venus. Her short legs ran over. She was so excited that she almost
knocked Carla to the ground.
Fortunately, Zayn was there to steady Carla.
She crouched down immediately to pick up Venus's chubby figure and kiss the girl's soft
cheeks.
"Mommy, where have you been? I miss you so much, " said Venus. Her voice turned thick with
tears as soon as her lips parted, and crystal clear teardrops swirled in her eyes.
However, Venus never let her tears roll down her cheeks because the kids had agreed that
they would not cry.
"Mommy missed you too, " said Carla while hugging Venus. The former's heart was heavy
with guilt when she apologized, "I'm so sorry. I didn't take care of you."
"Mommy, " said Randy. He had run over as well, and his tiny, new boots stomped on the
puddle as he hurried over. That caused water from the puddle to splash everywhere.
"Randy!" called out Carla, who opened her arms immediately to hold him.
"Mommy, are you okay?"
Randy's eyes were reddened with tears. He was quite mature, so he had always presented
himself in a tough and calm manner. Yet, he couldn't conceal his weaker side when he saw
his mommy there.
"Mommy is fine, " promised Carla while hugging Randy. She kissed his hair and asked,
"Randy, I heard that you had an allergic reaction. How are you feeling?"
"I'm all better now, " replied Randy. His tiny hand wiped the rain off of Carla's face, and
he seemed heartbroken to see how pale she looked. He asked, "Mommy, are you sick?"
"It's just a minor issue. I'll be fine, " answered Carla.
As she spoke, the nurse pushed Josh over to them.
"Mommy, mommy!" called out Josh excitedly from a distance.
"Josh!" said Carla. She rushed over to hug Josh and ask, "How is your leg? Are you
feeling better? When did they take the cast off?"
"They took the cast off yesterday, and the doctor said that I am recovering well, " answered
Josh. He hugged Carla tightly and added coquettishly, "I miss you so much, mommy. I
had a dream about you this afternoon, and I was so scared that you won't come back
anymore."
"Silly boy. Mommy is back now, and I will never leave again, " said Carla. She pinched his
cute cheek a little and added lovingly, "Alright, let's go in. It's pouring out here."
"Okay, " said the kids. All three stuck to Carla's side. Randy held her skirt, Venus held one
hand, and Josh held Carla's other hand.
"Don't pester your mommy now. She needs to rest, too, " reminded Zayn.
Without saying another word, Zayn picked Venus and Randy up and put them on his
shoulders.
"Gah!" shouted Randy, who almost fell down.
"Randy, do this, " shared Venus. Her tiny, plump hand was gripping Zayn's hair. She even
demonstrated how she steadied herself while sitting on Zayn's shoulder.
Randy saw that and copied her instantly. He grabbed onto Zayn's hair as well.
"See? You won't fall this way, " bragged Venus, with her tiny head held high.
"You're right. It's so much safer this way, " replied Randy, who then sighed a breath of relief.
Zayn was utterly speechless.
If he were in a comic, a series of sweat drops would be drawn on his head. He felt as if he
had turned into an actual tree with two monkeys hanging off him.
"Mommy, mommy…"
Dori flew over at that moment and sat on Zayn's head. The little parrot scanned around
like it was looking for its territory.
"I wanna hang on after my legs recover, " complained Josh. It sounded like he thought that
he was missing out on a lot of fun because he couldn't join his siblings who were on
Zayn's shoulders at that moment.
Carla giggled aloud. Her eyes exuded warmth and love when she turned to Zayn.
"It's not funny!" grumbled Zayn before he pinched her cheek. He held her hand with one
hand and pushed Josh's wheelchair with the other. He was leading everyone into the
house. "Let's go home, " suggested Zayn.
"Yay, home!"
The three kids cheered with happiness echoing in their voices.
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