Z's POV :
I was now sat on the couch in a lavish living room with a cup of hot steaming coffee, facing the woman who was like a mother to me. I had decided to meet my kids again today and luckily I had gotten the address from Gemma, who was actually happy that I could also meet Anne, since she had been wanting to meet me for a long time.
I had come here in the morning, wanting to spend a day with my little ones, who were now sleeping after a long playtime and lunch time tantrums. Someone had rightly said terrible two are really terrible to handle and the cherry on top was they were creepy twins, who made me shudder a lot at their behaviour and talks. I haven't still gotten used to their 'we're twins who have the same minds' episodes and Anne was just enjoying my horrified expressions.
"So, I heard you're a famous model now, son. How's it going for you?", she asked sipping on her own cup of green tea.
"Yeah. It's good, seeing the past struggles but I would say I fairly had some good opportunities early on which helped me go up. It's hectic, seeing we don't exactly have a fixed hours of work. That's the only downside, I think. Along with the shxtty media, prying into your personal life", I chuckled, explaining her with patience.
"I know how the paps can be. That was the reason I opted to move into a private mansion here when the kids were barely a week old. I couldn't even imagine what would have happened if they had gotten a whiff", she said with widened eyes, probably thinking about the scary hawks.
"Yes. I'm glad I finally got the chance to see them. Too late for my liking but better than never, I guess", I said with a sad smile.
"I know, son. I'm not a fan of what Harry did because whatever the reason had been, it was never the right choice. He was always been kind of impulsive; forgetting the fact that every action has a consequence. I'm still wondering how did he even manage to bring up his company to the number one spot", she talks, shaking her head at his attitude.
"He's a ruthless one for the starters. He's just too good at being the boss. And the narcissist in him wouldn't let him to settle for anything less. So, you have your answer, I believe", I listed out as she laughed, making my lips curve up in a genuine smile.
"It's good to have my sensible son back, yeah", she said with a genuine smile, but I felt a tug at my heart. I plastered a fake smile with just a nod.
"Couldn't stay away long without my favourite banana bread. Now can I?", I replied, trying to lighten the mood.
"Of course, I'm the best chef in the entire world", she said with a proud grin. "I made an extra batch for you to take back home".
"Thanks, mom. You're the best", I said with a grateful smile. It had been her rule years ago that I call her mom and not Anne or Mrs. Styles and I couldn't just control my habit.
"Anything for my son", she replied before changing the topic. "How did Harry even tell you about the kids?", she questioned me after a few minutes of silence.
"Technically, I got it out of him. He took me to St. Lucia on an impromptu and uninformed vacation, by the way", I said as she just shook her head. "Then I saw him going into a kids shop and buying things worth ten grands, which in a way shocked me and he said it was for his friends kids. But he didn't tell the truth until some time ago", I explained everything as her face turn into disappointment.
"He is definitely an idioh. I didn't let him have it the easy way too. He let you go because he was afraid you'll hate him. Can you believe that? You loved him and he loved you too. So why did he even think that?", she paused as I remembered that she still didn't know the truth of our marriage. She just knew we divorced because he didn't want to tell me the truth but she didn't know it was because our contract was over. "I tried to repeatedly warn him to get back to you, even after the divorce but he was just stubborn. He didn't listen to me. That was the day I found out that he wasn't my son but a business tycoon who doesn't like to be told things. The way he argued back hit me differently and I still couldn't come to terms if he was my sweet, little momma's boy or the bigshot of the fashion industry", her face showed sadness and remorse that somewhere along the race against time, she had lost her caring son.
"I'm sure he's still your little boy, mom. He might not say it out loud but his heart is still crying and yearning for you to accept him again. He wants you to embrace him with love and warmth that you once had. You still love him the same, I know but he just believes you hate him now. Don't let him think that. You're the only one who can bring back the smile on his face. Please forgive him, mom", I requested her while she just looked at me with teary eyes. She wiped the tear that escaped her eye before talking to me.
"I can tell you the same, Zayn. Am I right? You know what you mean to him and I know that you love him too. But, you both are hurting each other. I know it's selfish of me to even ask you to forgive him but like you said, you have the power and hold over him too. You are the only one who can love him the way he wants. You're the only one who has the power to change his heart. I don't know what happened between you again but he proposed to her two days back and they are deciding a wedding date in the near future", she said as my eyes widened at the new found information. "Why are you letting him go this time, knowing it's going to hurt you both in the end? I know you're angry and upset but this isn't the way to solve everything. This is y'all letting your childishness play in between", she said as my mind was elsewhere. He was doing what?
"He got engaged? Ohhh", I asked rhetorically.
"That's what you got out of the whole speech I gave? I'm so done with you", she acted disappointed as I chuckled at her expression.
"Oh sorry, mom. I was just soaking up everything, I believe", I excused but my mind was still stuck on the news I received.
"Zeeee?", I heard a little voice, before Amias ran towards me. I quickly put my empty cup on the coffee table and picked him up in my arms, placing him on my lap.
"Had a nice nap, kiddo?", I asked, placing a kiss on his forehead, as he still rubbed his eyes with his tiny fingers.
"Yes. I want to play in the park", he said referring the park in the backyard. I was happy that they had everything they wanted right here. I had brought them some chocolates earlier to which Amy said Dadda was going to be angry as he doesn't let them have much. I understood his concern but they were just kids and I wanted them to eat as much as they wished. I told her I'll take care of it which brought a genuine smile on her face.
"We'll go, champ. Is your sister up yet?", I asked him as he yawned still visibly tired.
"No. She sleep", he said in his adorable voice, making me coo at him.
"Ok, how about you go and pick up your coloring kit and we'll do it together until Amy wakes up?", I said as he nodded repeatedly, excited by the idea.
He got off my lap, running down the hallway excitedly, as a fond smile came up on my face.
"When are you going to tell them the truth? You know they have the right to know the truth, yeah?", Anne asked me as I just nodded, unsure of what to say. "Do the right thing for once. You're my sensible one for a reason", she said, taking up the cups to the kitchen as Amias brought his coloring book, crayons and pencils.
"Zee, come", he called to me before sitting down on the ground with a thud. I smiled at the way his face turned for a second at the impact but he immediately laughed looking at me.
"You are one adorable baby, my little champ", I said, kneeling down next to him on the ground.
"Amias loves you", he said nonchalantly, turning the pages of his book, picking up a picture to colour.
"Love you too, my sunshine", I kissed the crown of his head, as we started coloring while I taught him the names which he didn't know. He was so happy and excited to do it and I felt like I was seeing myself when I saw the happiness on his face.
Thirty minutes later, a tired looking Amy walked into the living room, tripping thrice on her way here. I just laughed remember the other clumsy kid who was away, doing God knows what. We three went to the backyard where I joined them in playing whatever they wanted. Their laughter resonated across the mansion, making my heart soar with love and adoration for the two tiny beings.
I just couldn't believe how I can love them so much just in a month of knowing them, before which I wasn't even aware of their existence. I just wish I would have known about them when they were born. I felt tears in my eyes when I realised I wouldn't be able to relive those past moments. Those milestones of when they opened their eyes, when they crawled or stood up or walked or when they first said their first word. I can't believe I missed them all, just because of our stupid issues and decisions. I blinked my eyes to stop those years, instead I decided to enjoy my time with them. I chased them, trying to get a hold on them as they ran quickly with their tiny feet around the backyard, giggling and laughing the whole time.
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"Start praying to God before I get to you".
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To be continued... 💚💛
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