He is their Father

Yvonne felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment as she recalled the scene of her frantically packing up spilt food from the floor in front of one of the most extravagant companies in town. She vividly remembered the man who had helped her, witnessing her most shameful moment.

“Is he their father?” she wondered, glancing at the two sleeping children nearby. Their nanny usually picked them up ever since she started teaching at the school, so she was surprised to see him here.

Michael struggled to break from his trance. Thoughts roamed his mind, including an understanding of how Yvonne could carry such a pleasant aura around her. She deals with children. He recalled his kids adoring a certain teacher in their kindergarten, and he didn't need confirmation to know this was the woman they liked so much.

Suddenly, Yvonne frowned at him, causing Michael's heart to skip a beat, wondering what she found unpleasant about him.

“You're their father, correct?” she inquired.

Michael walked further in and replied, “Yes.”

“You are late. They are the only kids left here,” she berated, and Michael's ears flushed in embarrassment.

“I will work on my punctuality from now on,” he said matter-of-factly.

Seemingly satisfied with his response, a soft smile bloomed on her face. She reached out to gently wake up Lily. Cupping the little girl's face in her palms, she softly asked, “Lillian dear, wake up and tell me if this is your daddy.”

Lily blinked her eyes open and stared at her father before nodding. Seeing that the girl still wished to continue her nap, Yvonne offered to help carry her while the dazed Michael picked up Jack. They headed to his car.

Before Yvonne could let go of Lily onto the back seat, the little girl held onto the sleeve of her shirt and said adorably, “Don't forget your promise. Become our mommy, okay?”

Yvonne froze. The situation became awkward, but the little darling still awaited her reply. Yvonne's eyes met Michael’s equally stunned gaze. He had been gently strapping Jack into his seat and heard what his daughter had said.

“Go home now, dear. Daddy is here,” Yvonne tried to coax the girl, but she seemed to desire a verbal agreement before letting her leave.

“Please…” Lily pleaded, her round brown eyes and flustered cheeks tugging at Yvonne’s heart.

Yvonne looked up at Michael for help, but he just stared back at her, expressionless. Stammering an “okay,” she gently pulled away from Lily and shut the door, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.

Later, as Yvonne arranged her desk and planned the next day's activities, she couldn't stop thinking about the children's request. They had touched a part of her heart that longed for family and belonging. She had always dreamed of being a mother, but her past had stolen that dream from her. If her child had been alive, they would be about the same age as Lily and Jack. This fact made their request tug at her heart even more, especially the helpless look she glimpsed from their father.

She imagined how it would feel to wake up to take care of her own kids and pick them up from school. After the news that she might be barren for life, the latter prospect would be a dream come true for Yvonne.

Meanwhile, Michael was lost in thought as well. His children's innocent wish to their teacher had planted a seed in his mind. He had seen how Yvonne cared for his children, her kindness and patience evident in every interaction. He wondered if fate had brought her into their lives for a reason.

Equally, Michael's thoughts couldn't help but stray from logic. What if Yvonne had talked his children into making the request? Children are very easy to sway, after all. His doubts lingered, but his children's desperation for their chosen candidate mattered. Although it was upsetting to imagine his children being manipulated, the way she had cared for them seemed genuine. Maybe he could overlook a deceit for the greater good of his family?

Michael tried to convince himself, but the desire to see through Yvonne's plan lingered. He soon drove into his mansion, ready to face another challenge. Since the nanny had resigned, he had to juggle his responsibilities as a CEO with being a single parent. He couldn't let his children suffer and was determined to find a solution.

He took them in, bathed them, and let them work on their assignments while he worked. As Michael was getting immersed in the documents he was reviewing, the door to his study creaked open, and the angels in his life poked their little heads in.

“Daddy, we have good news. You are going to get married,” Lily announced, walking in with a meaningful stride that looked too cute to be taken seriously, especially dressed in pink Barbie pyjamas with fluffy slippers. Jack trailed behind her, equally dashing in his Spider-Man pyjamas, his demeanour matching Michael's, albeit the cute version.

It looked like his prince and princess had something important to say.