"We're not babies anymore; we are big girls now," Miyanna said with a pout.
"Yeah, but for mommy, you will always be my babies."
"But we love to hear that you call us big girls," Dianna said.
"Alright then, but just sometimes because mommy will always love to call you my babies. Is that okay?"
"Hmm, okay," my eldest answered hesitantly.
"Okay, let's eat so we can get ready for our farm visit."
"What's for breakfast, mommy?"
"Mushroom Shanghai and scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and of course, there's also hotdogs."
"Wow, our dishes are really delicious," and they clapped their hands. Children's happiness is indeed simple.
"Mommy, let's bring burgers," Dianna requested.
"Yes, yes, that's a bright idea. Let's ask for coconuts to make coconut juice, mommy, for a picnic," Miyanna added.
"Noted, my big girls." The two giggled at the way I called them.
We ate heartily, especially my children, who were more eager to eat. From a young age, I trained them to eat healthy foods, but occasionally I also let them taste the kids' favorites like candies, ice cream, and others.
"Mommy, do you have a dad?" Here we go again. Miyanna started asking, Where will this questioning lead?
Once they start asking, it almost never ends because they're so persistent.
"Yes, I do," I answered.
"How does it feel if you have a dad by your side, mommy?" This is what I was talking about. I knew the time would come when they would ask about their father, but I didn't think they'd interrogate me about this so early.
"Did he also carry you on his shoulders when you were our age now, like we have seen other fathers do to their children when they visit here at the resort?" They kept exchanging a barrage of questions. Before one finishes asking, the other one already has a question ready.
"Where are your mommy and daddy, mom?"
"Where's our daddy? Is he still abroad? Do you have a picture of him so we can see?" They think their dad is abroad because that's what I told them.
"Yeah, mommy, can we have his picture so we can give it to Aunt Andy and so she can edit it to make us our family picture???" My best friend and I exchanged looks. I really wasn't prepared for this.
"Excuse me, girls, mommy just needs to use the washroom. After that, you can take a bath and get dressed," I said because I really needed to walk out before they saw me explode.
As soon as I entered the washroom, I let out the sobs I had been holding back, trying really hard not to make any sound because they might hear me crying and wonder why.
My chest felt so tight. It was as if I was being stabbed repeatedly by my children's successive questions.
Thankfully, Fatima was there to take care of them.
If their mouths were guns, they would have shot me dead. It felt like an armalite had riddled me with bullets. If I could just disappear, I would have wished for the ground to swallow me whole because I really didn't know which question to answer first or what to say to them.
I might not have noticed it much, but maybe they're starting to feel envious of the families that come here to the resort, especially those with a complete family and children their age, which probably sparked their interest in having a dad.
Additionally, they've started going to school. It's inevitable for them to see their classmates being dropped off by their fathers, and sometimes, if they're lucky, by both parents, so I can't blame my children for wishing to have a father by their side.
My contemplation was interrupted by a series of knocks on the door of my room, followed by the entry of my two playful children.
"Mommy, are you done?" they asked me. Fortunately, I had just finished getting ready.
"Wow, mommy, you're such a pretty cowgirl." I am wearing blue jeans and a white blouse that provide a clean look, with a denim jacket and cowgirl hat and boots that add a touch of Western flair.
"Yeah, mommy, you're so pretty like us." They giggled, which made me smile as well.
"Thank you, girls," I said.
"Mommy, we are ready, too. Look at us, look at me. I am pretty too." Miyanna twirled around, showing off her outfit to me. They are both wearing a denim jacket with inner pink tees and jeans that provide a casual and versatile base for the outfit, as well as the cowgirl hat and boots, which are really the most important part for the perfect finishing touch. They wore identical outfits, even in color. My children are identical twins, mine and Dwayne's, so it would be hard to tell them apart or to distinguish one from the other. Thankfully, Miyanna likes short hair and doesn’t like to grow it out, though not too short, whereas Dianna prefers long hair and dislikes having it cut, even just to trim it, which is okay with me because she's a girl, after all.
"Me too, mom; we wanted to dress up, but since we're going to ride a horse, we'll dress up like cowgirls just like you," Dianna said sweetly, not wanting to be left out. They already know how to dress themselves, and they're good at choosing what to wear for our outings, except for their hair, which Fatima probably handles.
"Of course, you two are both pretty, my precious gems. Whatever you wear, you'll always look beautiful." I kissed them both on the forehead. I'm truly blessed to have them. They are my treasures.
"Mommy, don't forget our camera." They really love taking pictures.
"And a selfie stick too. We need it to capture every moment."
"Sure, for our memories for the future." I showed them the bag I was holding because I prepared the things we're bringing last night, and I knew they would ask about it.
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