Where is their dad?

Lee’s pov

I stood in front of my mum’s house, holding a bunch of her favourite flowers in one hand after coming down from my car. I was ready to knock, then surprise her by bringing the flowers out from behind me. But as I stood there, old memories filled my head.

My mum, my first love, the one who always stood by me. I remembered asking about my dad when I was little. She looked me in the eye and simply said he left. If she had said he died, maybe it would’ve been easier. Maybe it wouldn’t still hurt like this. What kind of man walks away from his own child? I could never do that. I hate the idea that anyone could.

Still caught up in my thoughts, I knocked. The black door opened. I was so deep in my head, I didn’t realise she had been watching me.

“What are you thinking?” she asked immediately. Her voice didn’t have its usual warmth.

Trying to lift her mood, I brought out the flowers with a small smile.

“I got these for you on my way home.”

She looked at me, longer than I expected. Without saying a word, she turned around and walked back into the house.

Curious and a little worried, I followed her inside. That look on her face, something was off. Something serious.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked, speeding up to catch her. The door had taken a few seconds to close behind me, and she was already ahead.

In the living room, I caught up and faced her. What she said next wasn’t what I was expecting.

“How long will you keep that woman as a wife? No children. Do you call that a real marriage? How long do you want me to wait? Tell me!”

She stood up, eyes challenging me. I nearly dropped the flowers but tightened my grip. I breathed in deeply, just as she sat again, arms crossed.

“I know you don’t love her,” she said. “You married her out of pity. But your life, your future, deserves better.”

“Mum, why would you say something like that? Stop,” I said, feeling my anger rise.

“This is what I get for being honest with you?” she shot back.

“Be careful with your words,” I warned.

“I won’t stay quiet when I’m speaking the truth.”

“What truth?” I asked.

“Don’t act like you don’t know,” she snapped. “When will you give me a grandchild?”

She paused, letting her words sink in. Then she added, “You won’t believe who I saw today. Lana!”

“Lana? So what?” I said with a shrug. “She left town years ago. She was my wife’s best friend…”

“She’s back, with twins. A boy and a girl. That’s the kind of blessing I dream of. A boy and a girl at once.”

“She came back with kids? Hmm… She must be married. A woman like Lana, she’s too beautiful to stay single. Her ex-boyfriend must be insensitive to break up with her by cheating on her.”

“She was alone,” Mum replied. “Just her and the kids. When I asked about their dad, the kids looked at her. She didn’t say a word.”

The room went quiet for a moment. I found myself thinking about those children. Had their father disappeared the same way mine did? It made my chest feel heavy.

“I’m not bothered about where their dad is,” she continued. “What matters to me is that if Lana, your wife’s own friend, can have children, then what is stopping your wife? I need grandkids, Lee.”

She glanced down at the flowers still in my hand. Her voice softened. “I know you care. You’re a good son. If not for you, I wouldn’t be living in this lovely home. You’ve always tried to make me happy.”

“Then why won’t you take these flowers from me first…?”

“You know what I really want. My room is full of flowers already, all from you. But just one grandchild… that would mean more than every single bouquet.”

Her words stung. I tried not to show it, but I think she noticed the change in my face. She stepped closer and gently took my hand.

“Sorry if I sounded harsh,” she said. “But I truly want to see you become a father. In fact, I was going to call you today, I’m glad you came.”

She gave me a look that said she was up to something.

“Lana’s twins are having a birthday party today,” she went on. “The kids invited me, sweet little things. I would have loved to go, but my knees are acting up again. So I need a favour.”

“What kind of favour?”

Her eyes lit up with hope. “I don’t know if it’s true or just something old folks say, but I want you to do it for me.”

“What is it?” I asked, wanting her to get to the point.

She took a deep breath. “My grandmother used to say that birthday wishes from children have special power. If you give them gifts on their birthday, it brings blessings. Sometimes even twins.”

I blinked. “And how exactly does that work?”

“There’s no science behind it,” she admitted. “But just believe. Please go. Buy some gifts for those twins. Present them on my behalf. Who knows? Maybe your own twins will come soon after.”

I was about to question it, but before I could say anything, she pulled me into a hug. Her voice came low near my ear.

“It won’t cost you anything. Just do it for me. Tell them I couldn’t make it, and you helped me.”

I sighed. “Alright. Fine.”

“Go now before the party ends,” she said quickly, already pushing me toward the door.

I checked the time, 6:30 p.m. Lana’s place was about half an hour away. She didn’t care about the drive. To her, this was about something bigger.

I left the house and got into my car. The sky had started to dim as the sun dipped lower. On my way, I stopped at a nearby supermarket.

Inside, I stood in front of the children’s gift section, not knowing what to choose. A young woman from the staff walked up with a polite smile.

“Sir, do you need help? Looking for a birthday gift for your child?”

Before I could answer, she added, “Boy or girl?”

“Twins,” I said. “A boy and a girl.”

Just from those two statements, something inside me stirred. I felt the strong, aching need to have my own child. Seven years of marriage, and no one had ever called me “Daddy.” No tiny footsteps around the house. No giggles. No cries. Nothing.

I looked at the wrapped gifts and caught myself thinking, I wish those twins were mine. Lana was lucky, twins on her first go. But where was their father?

“The items are ready!” the attendant called out, snapping me out of my thoughts.

She handed me a large box filled with colourful toys, picture books, and a soft pink teddy bear.

“This teddy bear is specially for the girl,” she said with a warm smile.

I thanked her, paid, and walked back to the car. But as I drove off, my mind kept going back to what my mum had said earlier…

“Maybe the father of Lana’s kids was like your daddy…”

Those words haunted me. I felt empathy, not just for Lana, but for her children too. How could a man walk away from his own kids? What kind of father chooses absence?

The drive felt longer than usual. My thoughts refused to rest. Lana… her kids… the missing father… I couldn’t shake it off.

It was already dark when I pulled up outside her house. If not for the love I already felt for those children, children I hadn’t even met, I wouldn’t be out this late. I took the box from the boot and walked to the front door. Pressed the doorbell and waited.

Just as I had hoped, the boy opened the door. He looked up at me, eyes wide with excitement, and then at the box in my hands.

“Are these for us?” he asked, bouncing where he stood.

Before I could answer, he yelled at the top of his lungs, “Daisy! Come and see!”

I smiled and knelt a little to meet his eyes. “What’s your name?”

“Brian,” he said proudly, then paused. His next question caught me completely off guard.

“Are you my dad?”

My breath hitched. Goosebumps spread across my skin. His big, curious eyes stared into mine, searching and hoping. The question hit deeper than anything else could. Before I could respond, Lana appeared at the doorway, holding a little girl’s hand. Her daughter looked just like her, a small, delicate replica. I stared at Lana for a moment and I was speechless. She blinked rapidly, holding back something I wasn’t sure I was ready to see.

Brian turned to her and asked again, “Is he my daddy? You said my daddy would show up.”

I saw it then, clear as day, the pain behind Lana’s eyes. I’ve never been great at reading women, but this was different. Her grief was visible and alive. She didn’t need to say a word; it was all there in her face. My voice came out gentle, softer than I expected. 

“Where is their dad?” I asked, careful not to push too hard, not wanting to add to her pain.