05 Memories

Becca.

As if Cindy and the kids understood what the moment meant to me, they suddenly went silent. And I was not surprised when I felt a comforting tiny hand slipping into my right hand at the other side of the car.

Eric has always been a sensitive boy and of my two adorable children, sometimes I feel closer to him than any other person; more for his show of empathy and maturity at odd hours.

Which of course is dangerous for my emotions because every damn time he does that, I can’t help but wonder. 

‘Who was that man I slept with that night? Is this his face I’m seeing on my kids? This unique beauty people would not stop telling me can only be from a Greek gene?

But one thing is sure, even though the little thing I know about the man stinks, I will never regret the existence of my children. It’s not even strange to say I’m a little glad their father, whoever he is, has a good gene.

It would not have helped my situation at all if at the hospital, I was congratulated with less than adorable babies. Not that it would matter a lot, a mother’s love is unconditional but it helps to know that I have it all.

Yes, I have it all and neither my children nor me needs a man in our lives to make it complete. No matter what the kids might say now or how they feel, with time they will outgrow it and understand that I’m all they need.

“Are you okay mum?” My daughter’s voice brought me out of retrospection and I turned my head to encompass them all in an assuring smile.

“Yes baby, mummy is perfectly alright.” I don’t want anything to taint their coming home.

“Then why do you have watery eyes?” Always alert and smart, my daughter would not allow me to escape.

“It’s because mummy is glad to be home, Princess.” Cindy came to my rescue and I was glad for her support.

“Is that the truth, Mum?” My son asked quietly and this time, my smile was more genuine.

“Yes son, your aunt Cindy is right. I am glad we are home.” I assured them.

“Why? I mean why are you happy when it was Eric and I who forced you to come back?” Erica asked bluntly with some guilt and it finally occurred to me they thought I’m only home under duress.

What balderdash?

“What? Is that what you think?” I asked in a loud voice and the shame on my son’s face was enough as an answer, and the tears I had been managing to control finally dropped.

“Oh you poor babies, of course not. You should know mummy does not do anything she does not want to do. No Sweeties, we are home because this is also what I wanted. London is all cool and nice but hey, Canada will always be my home, your home, our home.” I told them even as I wiped tears from the corner of my eyes.

“Oh mummy, we love you so much.” My kids cried as they moved closer to me for a much needed hug.

And at that moment, I knew everything would be fine. Despite the uncertainty about the future and my parents, I knew at that moment, that together, we will overcome all troubles.

“Oh please, stop the lovey dovey, else, any moment now I will find myself getting hooked to the nearest man just to have beautiful cuties like you two.” Bless Cindy’s heart, she lightened the heavy atmosphere with her customary jokes and we all laughed.

“Oh Cindy aunt, you are a clown just as Mummy said.” Erica said with a roll of her eyes and the adult laughed.

“Don’t you forget it Princess.” Moving the car down the private road that leads to the Summer's new home, Cindy accepted the title proudly and the kids giggled.

After getting down from the car to bring down the luggage, Cindy walked to the door with the key and the twins followed behind.

Few minutes later, I joined them in the hall of the big house and I must say I was impressed. Indeed, pictures cannot be compared to the real thing.

This house is everything I have always dreamed of for my kids and even more and once again, I’m glad I never joked with my education, even during my trial period. It’s what paved the way for me in the world that’s dominated by wizards.

And luckily for me, a new company here in Canada was happy to employ me as their new head of Design, and with the salary they are paying for my skills, I will never regret I left London for anything. Not financially anyways.

As if Cindy could read my mind, she took a glance at me. 

“Do you know that your new company is considered to be one of the top companies in the country? As a matter of fact, from what I read after you told me about your new job, I would go so far as to say it’s probably the number one according to Forex.” It was obvious my friend was all happy to share this fact.

Well, the look on my face was enough to show my surprise. Oh sure, I read all about the company, I had to do my homework of course to be hired and while I know they were a big company, I never went as far as checking their rating in the business world.

They are one of the top in the country? Hmm, that explains the boldness in which they offered me a six digit salary even without a physical interview. Their salary offer and remunerations after submitting my documents with cover letter was almost double what I was getting in London and even that had been considered to be more than a good pay.

‘Hmmm! Seems coming home is going to be the best decision for us!’ A part of me screamed excitedly.

********

It took me and my kids all weekend to settle into our new home, but yea, we did it. Successfully and it seems everyone is enjoying the new atmosphere judging by the beaming face I see around in the morning.

Thanks to my friend, Cindy’s help with groceries, we have not had to go out much, except for a few walks in the new private neighborhood, so I am pretty sure nobody from my past knew I was back in town. 

Which means, my parents are not aware they are now sharing the same air with me. Probably they will leave the town for me once they realise their ‘corrupted’ daughter is back to stay.’ I thought sardonically.

‘Hmm, nice thoughts for a Monday morning, Becca.’ Another part of me applauded wryly knowing that’s the last thing I should be thinking about right now as I drive myself and the twins to work.

Well, only one person is going to be working among us but since I’m yet to find them a good school, and I don’t care to keep my kids with strangers, at least not yet, I have no choice than to bring them to work with me. I only hope the HR and whoever is in charge of this power company will not mind.