1 Wanted “Mommy”

“I’m sorry, Sierra. Let’s end it all here,” he said, looking at the young woman sitting in front of him. He watched as her face turned pale and her brown eyes got watery. “I had fun. It’s just that… We can’t. I’m afraid I can’t continue this relationship with you,” he added.

“You’re kidding, right?” She tried to brush it off but he shook his head as a response. “No way. Stop it. This isn’t a funny joke.”

Sierra held back her sobs. She thought he was the one for her. They were fine so why all of a sudden he was saying those things to her? They just even finished making love for Pete's sake and he wanted to break up with her?

“All this time… What am I to you?” Sierra blurted out, pursing her lips. “How could you discard me like this when I trusted you? I gave you my all!” She cried, failing to keep the tears to herself. “You always made me feel safe until now,” she mumbled in between sobs. “Can you at least tell me why?”

He cupped her face and looked at her face with the same gentle eyes. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. It will be better for you not to know. I want to protect you, Sierra.”

“You don’t say that to your ex!” Sierra yelled in frustration. “You don’t break up with someone and tell her you’re doing it because you want to protect her! That’s just foul play,” she added and cried harder. “Leave. If you can’t tell me the reason you’re throwing me like garbage now after you got everything I had, just leave. I don’t want to hear anything more from you.

Sierra’s legs felt weak beneath her as she stumbled towards the door, desperate for some fresh air, but also knowing that this would be the last time she would ever see him again. Her vision blurred with tears as she reached out a trembling hand to turn the knob, a sob escaping from deep within her chest. Looking back at the room they had shared so many times before, Sierra allowed herself to let go of everything they had once been before pushing open the door for him. “Leave,” she repeated.

“Sierra…” he halted but did what he was told. The sound of the door closing behind him echoed through the silence of the room like a death knell that signified an end to their relationship.

The room suddenly seemed to close in around her as Sierra watched him turn and walk away, the sound of his footsteps gradually fading into nothingness. Tears streamed down her face and she felt like the walls were caving in on her. She was numb with shock and disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He had been the one person who understood her, who accepted her for all her faults and flaws, and yet here he was, leaving without even attempting to explain why.

Sierra sank onto the floor against the door frame, tears flowing freely now as she realized that he was truly gone forever this time. All of their conversations and moments together, all of their plans for a future together—all were gone now in an instant because of his decision not to tell her why he was doing this after taking so much from her already. Overwhelmed with emotion, Sierra buried her head in her hands and cried until there were no more tears left in her body.

Three Years Later

Sierra groaned as she surveyed the apartment door. She had just moved in today with the three kids, and this small and cramped place was the best she could find—for now. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and recoiled at the musty air that greeted her. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling, and every surface was covered in a thick layer of dust and dirt as if it hadn't been cleaned for years.

“We can make this work,” Sierra muttered to herself, determined to face the challenge in front of her. After ensuring the baby was still asleep, she called out to the twins. “Let's get started on cleaning up this place!”

They started by wiping down all the windows and furniture while Sierra swept the floors and mopped them afterward.

“This is going to take us forever,” Sierra said between gritted teeth as she scrubbed away at dirt and grime.

The twins chimed in with agreement, but dutifully got to work, following Sierra's instructions carefully. It took them hours of hard work before they finally finished their chores. Sierra's arms ached from scrubbing away at dirt and grime, but there was no denying how much better everything looked after they finished up.

The results were astonishing - every surface sparkled clean, free from germs or bacteria that might endanger her children's health.

“Wow, look at what we did!” Sierra exclaimed in satisfaction despite her fatigue - gone were all traces of dankness and gloominess - this apartment now had a real homey feel about it which made them all beam with joy.

“Ah! I’m so tired,” Paris, one of the twins complained. “Mom, are we not going to have lunch yet? My tummy keeps kicking me from the inside,” she said, looking straight at Sierra’s eyes while rubbing her aching stomach.

“I almost forgot about the lunch! Pizza?” Sierra hoped the kids would agree with her suggestion, not only she couldn’t cook, but even if she tried, the twins would always make funny faces when eating her food. Of course, they never complained but she could tell they weren’t pleased with her cooking skill.

“That’s fine for me. Pizza sounds decent,” London commented. “Paris will eat anything so Pizza it is,” he added, talking like a grown man trapped in a small body.

“Alright! I’ll order a Pizza so go wash your hands for now,” Sierra said as she fetched her phone from her pocket. She watched the twin rush to the sink and washed their hands. “Pepperoni sounds good. Any other suggestion?”

The twins looked back and shook their heads.

“Good.” Sierra was relieved that the twins were excellent kids. She had no issues with them. London was a quiet youngster, but once he opened his lips, the words of an elderly man spilled out, which was why Sierra liked him to keep quiet. Paris, in contrast to her sibling, spoke a lot. She could chat for hours and still not grow tired of it. Sierra, on the other hand, was unconcerned. She adored the young child and relished hearing her ideas. And the youngest Gabby, who was approaching his first birthday, was just being a baby. Sierra couldn’t help but adore the little ones all together.

Sierra heaved a deep sigh when she recalled what happened. If only she wasn't too late, perhaps she wouldn't have to worry about the children's future... Well, it wouldn't be necessary if they all had no future waiting.

She recalled the conversation between her relatives like it was yesterday. She was already exhausted from taking care of the children alone, but when she heard her relatives say that she couldn't do a good job at it and suggested sending the children to foster care, Sierra felt a wave of anger bubbling up inside of her.

Maybe it would have been a peaceful life without any worry if there were no children to be considered. But then why did they have to suggest such an idea? She was still alive and well to take care of them. It wasn't like she was complaining to them or anyone. It made Sierra so frustrated that tears started welling up in her eyes.

Amidst the argument, her throat tightened, and it was hard for words to come out at first. But eventually, Sierra managed to find her voice to tell them off - ‘I can take care of the children perfectly fine by myself!’. The room was silenced as everyone stared at Sierra with disbelief and awe at that moment.

She remembered feeling their gazes on her body as if they were mocking her efforts in trying to take care of the children all by herself. At first, Sierra felt a little embarrassed for standing up for herself that way, but gradually, confidence began dripping into her veins and replacing fear and doubt until she believed in herself and what she could do for the children's future.

Sierra knew now that despite all odds, she could raise the kids properly and give them a bright future ahead where they wouldn't need anyone else's help or assistance - not even from foster care.

The sound of the doorbell ringing brought her back to reality. Sierra immediately snapped out of her reverie.

“That must be our pizza!” She exclaimed with a laugh. Smiling, Sierra got up from her seat and went to the door to pay for the food. Upon opening it, the tantalizing smell of pizza filled the house. Everyone's faces lightened up with joy as they ran towards the kitchen table. With every bite, the conversation began to flow freely as everyone discussed their day. For a moment, Sierra allowed herself to forget her worries and just enjoy this peaceful moment with her family.