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“Can I get a hug too?” I asked as Naseer put them down and they raced to me. I’ve missed them so much. Once we are seated. They preferred to sit next to Naseer.

“How did you guys know, this is Daddy,” I ask pointing to Naseer.

“Aunty Mani showed us pictures,” Mira said.

“It was a secret,” Micah said, reminding her she wasn’t supposed to tell.

“Okay.” I nod, though a little ticked, Taimani showed them pictures of Naseer, something I’d avoided doing because of how things were. Naseer had told me how she plotted with Ken to get us together. A lovely gesture but what if things hadn’t worked out? I would have been seriously screwed. She and I are going to talk. Naseer signals to me to be calm, he can see that I’m upset.

The children talked a mile a minute, telling Naseer everything. I watched in awe, at how delighted the twins are with him. Naseer stayed with them till they fell asleep, they didn’t want to let him go.

Once they slept he came to the room. “I know you are upset with Mani, let me talk to her.”

“How can I not be upset, first she set us up and now I find out she’s been telling my children about you. What if things didn’t work out, my children would have been disappointed.”

“I agree her method wasn’t conventional, but things worked out. Let me talk to her.”

“You can talk to her, but I’ll still have a word with her.”

“How about we go to sleep, and we can talk in the morning.”

“Fine,” I say before getting into bed.

“Why are you wearing that, Jade,” he says to his shirt that I always wear to bed.

“Life as you know it is about to change, Gent. Put your pants on because Micah and Mira will be up before you and they will jump into bed with us, you don’t want to be in your birthday suit, trust me.” He laughs and puts on lounge pants. Tired from the long flight and evening, we fell asleep.

When I wake, Naseer isn’t in bed which has never happened. I get to the living room to find him playing with the children. He had showered and changed. I watch as Mira sniffs him before saying.

“Daddy, you smell like mommy’s PJ. I like it.” He turns to me confused.

“I sleep in your shirt and perfume, and she likes it.” I shrug. “She didn’t like my lavender perfume is why I changed it.” He nods and winks at me.

We spend the day indoors, with Naseer getting to know the children. The next day my family arrived. Naseer had insisted I put my wedding ring. I wanted to argue but he had that serious look, so I did.

My dad, brothers, Aunty Lara, and my uncle all arrived together. Which was weird but I could tell Aunty Lara was pulling some strings.

The children got lots of attention as always. Everyone was okay with Naseer except Aunty Lara who was still skeptical. Can’t blame her, Naseer’s dad did that to us. Taimani called on Skype with their mom and they got to talk to the children. Mrs Darabi was teary to see them.

It was a lovely day, with everyone talking, eating, and laughing. The children were burnt out by nighttime, my dad tucked them in and read a story to them. I watch Naseer as he watches them.

The next day, we made it to soccer practice. It was weird having bodyguards at a soccer practice. Naseer and Knox shook hands and talked for a few minutes. I stayed close to Ril since I didn’t want to answer questions or explain the bodyguards. They didn’t need to ask who Naseer was he and Micah were senior and junior clones. That’s what Brian called them when Naseer video-chatted with him. Telling the children to say hello to Pastor Brian.

I waved to several Moms as they called out to me but refused to leave the position next to Rilwan and knowing him, he already perceived the environment and stayed close to me. With his look, no one came close.

A few brave dads went to talk to Naseer. Didn’t take long for them to realize, Who Naseer is then tongue-wagging began. I decided to head home since the house was just ten minutes away. Naseer can stay with the children, the moment, I headed towards the parking lot, Naseer came running.

“Jade, where are you going to?”

“Home to make dinner, you can bring the children after practice.”

“Okay,” he says kissing my lips, turning to Rilwan “Go with her.” He looks surprised.

“Naseer, I’m fine. It’s just a ten-minute drive.” He turns to Rilwan and gives him a look that has Rilwan swiftly next to me. He leaves to clap for Mira.

“What did say to you?” I asked Rilwan.

“You heard him, he told me to go with you.” I should have known; he wouldn’t tell me.