“Say chichi.”“Mama.”Nikolaus was incredibly difficult.“Chi.”“Ti.”“Chichi.”“Mama.”I groaned in frustration and wiped my hand down my face. He was finding this hilarious.“What am I doing?” I asked.The knock on the baby’s door distracted me.“Am I interrupting something?” Leslie asked and sat on the arm of the chair. “He won’t call you if you persist. It’s a gradual process.”“He calls Bennett something other than mama.”“Because of Lennon calls him that and Ben is his dad. You don’t have to compete with Ben. I think you should be proud to share that name with me while he’s small. He doesn’t know what it means. He’s a baby.”Leslie ran his fingers through Nikolaus’ hair.“He sees you a lot often than he sees Ben. When he was a newborn, you were always the one carrying him around and feeding him because I needed rest and babies learn from observation. He must have learnt the people who are always around should be called mama, so don’t force it, be proud. It’s not like I’d want to

I dropped the cake on the table as the toddlers scampered around, wailing, and screaming and the others at the fun section or their parents.Lucas sat on my dad’s thighs with a glass of alcohol. I joined my family to make barbeques and Ancel handed me a can of soda.“I can’t believe Azrael let you host a banging toddler party on his property. He also arranged guest transportation. Why aren’t you married yet?” Ancel asked as I nudged him.“Because your dumb brother keeps setting standards for my son with that idiot.” Lucas said.“Oh God, not this again.” I mumbled as I opened the can.“No drama in with my first albino grandson’s birthday. Leslie isn’t dumb, and it isn’t right to meddle or drink much in their relationship when we have ours.” Dad collected the wine glass from his lover’s hand.I should have listened to Azrael and distracted them with a date.“Ew, dad! No PDA! Rub in my face that I’m single.” Ancel whined and everyone laughed.“Maybe if you stopped hiding, you’d find a lo

102LeslieKeystone Kindergarten was a beautiful building with welcoming graffiti and bright scenery. It was the beginning of a session. The school was full of parents, kids, and teachers.Azrael and I held Niko as we stared at the building before we saw a familiar toddler run towards us.“Remy!” Lennon screamed, and Niko broke loose from our hold.They hugged each other, laughing and giggling, then held hands. Lennon was a beautiful boy with a messy mop of brown hair, green eyes, and the brightest smile on his lovely face.“Leslie! Bethan!” Ben jogged towards us and stopped.“He’s so fast.” Ben said and hugged me. “It’s been a while.”Azrael frowned, and I wrapped Azrael’s arm around my shoulder. “You should keep a closer eye on him.”“Or a leash.” Azrael added, and we laughed.Ben checked his wristwatch and stared in shock. “I need to head for the office soon. I have a meeting in less than two hours.” Ben said.“It’s your second son’s first day of school. Be supportive.” I said and

AzraelI took pictures as Leslie excitedly stuck out his head from the train; the breeze blowing against his hair and his eyes excited with the nature scenery around Japan.Leslie was my kid, but travelling brought out that soul in him more. No sleep for me if he was awake, talking my ears out on all the places he wanted to go.I never want him to cry or feel lonely when I’m around.“I can’t wait to take a lot of pictures.” Leslie said, and I sighed.“I’ve missed hot spring baths.”The train stopped, and we headed for one of the popular temples in Kyoto – Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.We took a lot of pictures with a temple guide giving the history of the temple. I didn’t believe in any gods, unlike my parents and Leslie is Christian, so I couldn’t understand his fascination with temples.“Should we buy a charm or two? Maybe a souvenir?” Leslie asked.“Kid, these god statures aren’t for decorations and children touch things they shouldn’t. Let’s stick with the papers that won’t leave t

The doorbell rang, and I opened it. Kaiyo stood there with a pout on his face and glared at me. I spread my arms across the door and leaned back a little.“You’re not here to dump tomato juice on me again, are you?” I asked, and he blushed.I smiled and lowered my arms.“I came to apologise, so listen closely, because I won’t say it again.” He puffed his chest and placed his hand on his hip. “I’m sorry for splashing juice on you and saying embarrassing things.”“Stay away from Mitsuki. You don’t deserve him. He’s mine.” I teased, and he turned red.“S-stop teasing me. Y-you be kissing my feet. I came here today.”I patted his head and smiled. “Do you want ice-cream? Sundae?”“What flavour?” He shook his head and wiped his mouth. “I’m not a dog.”He acted like Becca’s, one of Isaac’s twins in her teenage stage that doesn’t want to be smouldered by adults. It’s difficult to find innocence and pure naivety at his age these days.Everything I wouldn’t describe Lucas, me or Oliver as.“Com