Chapter 84 Mommy, Did You Miss Us?

Charlotte turned to see her children, backpacks slung over their shoulders, running toward her. Andy and Lilya were the first to be led out by their teacher. Upon seeing their parents in this unfamiliar place, the children's faces clearly expressed joy. "Mommy, did you miss us?" They both plunged into Charlotte's arms and hugged her tightly. Charlotte nodded, her smile warm. "Of course, I missed you all day." The three of them clung closely together, and it was then that Luke truly understood how unpleasant it felt to be ignored. "Did you have fun here today?" he asked. Andy and Lilya's heads tilted back to look up at Luke. "Yes, we had fun. We made a lot of friends here too. And the other kids really liked playing with us when they found out we were twins." Luke immediately scooped them both into his arms. "As long as you're happy, that's what matters. Let's go home." As the family of four was still basking in the joy of the children's affection, the classmates emerging from the classroom called out to Andy and Lilya by name. "See you tomorrow, Andy, Lilya." "Andy, Lilya, let's play together tomorrow." Charlotte gently brushed her fingers across the noses of her two children. "I never imagined you'd be so popular. Now I don't have to worry about you not making friends here." Lilya, nestled in Luke's arms, shook her head. "No need to worry, Mommy. We get along very well with the other kids here." Charlotte had been concerned all day about whether her children would adapt to this new environment; now, seeing them make so many friends, she felt relieved. Throughout the journey home, Charlotte chatted with the children, and Lilya excitedly shared the events of her day with Charlotte. At home, Denise was waiting at the door. "Sir, Madam, welcome back. Dinner is ready. Would you like to eat now or rest a bit first?" Luke, having heard the children's stomachs rumbling on the way, said, "Let's eat first." Denise nodded and went ahead to serve the prepared meal on the dining table. Charlotte asked tenderly, "Did you like the preschool food today?" Andy replied succinctly, "It was good." Lilya, animatedly, described to Charlotte the meal they had at the preschool. "I really liked the creamed vegetable soup today. I hope we have it again tomorrow." Charlotte pondered for a moment. "I think they might not serve it again so soon, as the school likely avoids repeating dishes within a short period. But if you really like it, I can ask the headmaster about the recipe, so you can enjoy it at home tomorrow evening." Lilya's face lit up with joy as she stood up from her chair. "Really? Mommy, I love you so much for this! I really adored the creamed vegetable soup today." Andy, who had been quietly eating his meal, couldn't help but chime in. "She really did like it. She drank two full bowls. If she hadn't been worried about what the other kids might say about her appetite, I bet she would have had a third." Charlotte chuckled, finding her daughter's enthusiasm utterly endearing. "In the future, make sure you eat your fill at school without worrying about what others think. You're both still growing, so it's perfectly fine to eat a bit more." Lilya nodded, her mouth still full of food, her words slightly muffled as she replied, "Got it, Mommy." Luke, his phone usually silent during meals, said, "I need to attend to some work. Can you look after them?" He usually reserved his work calls for after mealtime, when he was alone, methodically returning each call. Luke's intention was to keep work from encroaching on their family life, ensuring that these precious moments remained undisturbed. "You go ahead, I'll be fine on my own," Charlotte said. Luke nodded and made his way upstairs to his study. Lilya said, "Daddy seems really busy these days." "He is indeed," Charlotte agreed. While Charlotte was playing with the children on the swing in the front yard, their neighbor Mileen Stewart came over with her child. Charlotte didn't often interact with their neighbors, so she was somewhat surprised to see Mileen approaching for a visit. "We've just finished dinner and thought of taking a walk. I saw you in the yard with the kids. I hope I'm not intruding," Mileen said. Charlotte welcomed them with a smile. "Not at all. I actually hope my children can make more friends." Seeing that Charlotte was receptive, Mileen smiled and let her daughter down. "Emily, go play with your new friends for a bit." Emily Kemmler, Mileen's daughter, didn't immediately run off to play but instead tilted her head and asked her mother, "Why isn't Titus playing with me? Does he not like me?" Mileen knelt down, a touch of sorrow in her eyes. "Of course, Titus likes you. He's just spending time with your grandma and grandpa since they've come to visit." Emily nodded obediently. "Then I'll go play with them now, Mommy." "Go ahead, sweetheart." Charlotte watched the three children play together harmoniously, content to let them be. She noticed a flower she had planted leaning a bit and squatted down to straighten it. "So, you have two children as well?" she asked. "Yes," Mileen replied, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "You mentioned your children's grandparents are visiting. Why didn't you let Emily stay home with them?" Charlotte asked. Mileen sighed. "I wish I hadn't mentioned it. My in-laws only show affection for my son and never bother to interact with Emily. It's better for her to be out here playing than staying home feeling neglected." Charlotte nodded with understanding. "I see. That does sound difficult. Maybe your husband could talk to them?" "My husband?" Mileen let out a bitter laugh. "Forget it. I've tried getting him to speak to his parents about it. But when he did, they accused me of influencing their son to talk back to them. Even my husband sides with them. He's no help at all." Mileen sighed again. "Whenever they visit, they bring gifts only for my son. They don't even spare a single lollipop for my daughter."