Always Been You

~Dante’s POV~

I can’t believe her. Sorry! Sorry, that’s all she had to say after taking my children away from me. I got into my car and drove off from her place and headed to school to see the only three people who matter in my life right now. I don’t want children to believe Dad isn’t involved. I want them to know that I love them and that I will lay down my life for them. I arrived at their school and took them with me. We took a drive around town. I’m not even sure where I’m taking them. I don’t even know what my children like. Thanks to Lola.

“Do you want something to eat?”

“Daddy, can we have some ice cream?” Mia spoke up.

“What about you boys? Do you want ice cream as well?” I watched as they exchanged glances and screamed for pizza at the same time. I laughed at how cute they were. So, I first went to a pizza place, and there was an ice cream shop just outside the shop, so it was easy for me not to run around with them.

“Daddy, are you going to leave us again?” Mia inquired.

“No way, princess. Daddy loves you both so much and I will never leave you. I will never leave you guys. You hear me?” They all nodded, and I gave them each a peck on the cheek.

My thoughts wandered to their mother as they ate. She might be worried if she didn’t find them in school. But I don’t have her phone number. Then I thought of calling the doctor to ask for her number, but that would raise suspicions. I took my phone off the table and phoned the school, who promptly sent me my children’s profiles. I scoffed as I looked at her phone number. She doesn’t even deserve me telling her that I took them. She should suffer, but then again, that would be like hurting my children. When I called her, she answered right away.

Lola: Dante.

So she still has my number and lets me suffer like that.

Me: I took the kids. I…

She wouldn’t let me finish.

Lola: Dante, you said you’d give me two days. It’s not even three hours. Why are you doing this?

She irritates the shit out of me.

Me: Listen, don’t push me. I called you because I thought you’d be worried. I wanted to spend some time with them before I left, and now you’re making a huge issue about it. You know, I could have decided not to call you.

Lola: I’m sorry. I thought you took them without letting me talk to them.

Every time, all she says to me is, “I’m so sorry.” There is nothing else. All she says is “I’m sorry.” Fucking fantastic! I went back to the kids, and they seemed to be having fun. I need to take them back. When we arrived at Lola’s house, she was waiting on the porch and raced to hug them as they got out of the car. When I called out to them, they all glanced at me. I knelt down to their level.

“Listen, Daddy is going back to New York, but..” Kai refused to let me finish.

“You lied to us. You said you would never leave us. You’re leaving now. You don’t want us?” I froze and glanced at the person who had caused all of this chaos. I want to strangle her, but that would be too simple. Mai began to cry and ran inside, followed by her brothers.

“Are you happy, Lola? My children think that I was there all the time, but never cared about them. Now my little trip to New York seems like I’m abandoning them. You must be enjoying this.”

“How many times do I have to say sorry?” She screamed.

“Are you raising your voice at me, Bunny?” I said as I slowly got up, and she took a few steps back.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”

“Sorry, seems like the only thing you are good at, Bunny,” I said as I walked up to her while she took a few steps back till her back was pressed against the wall. “You fucking make me look like I have no idea what I’m doing with my kids.”

“Why are you putting all the blame on me, as though you wanted any of this?”

“Look at that, my Bunny has turned into a Flemish Giant rabbit. She can talk back.”

“I expressed my regret. What else do you expect from me? Can’t you imagine for a second that this could be your fault as well? Why should I bear the brunt of the blame? You said that shouldn’t have happened, that it was a mistake! Should I have told you that our little mistake created babies? You wanted Candice, so I left for you to have the life you wanted with the woman you love.”

“Sorry. I’m sorry as well. Since you made me look like an inept father to my children, it seems that I’ll be staying for a while. I need to explain to them that I’m returning to take them permanently. It seems like the best opportunity to take them now. I mean, do you even deserve to say goodbye? Well, I didn’t get to say goodbye to you and them those years ago.” She started to tremble. But I’m too mad to care. Nothing hurts more than seeing your children cry over something over which you have no control. I walked inside and stared at her.

“Show me their rooms.”NôvelDrama.Org © content.

“I will take you to them.”

“Well, then, lead the way.” She looked at me with her teary eyes, but I didn’t care. Does she even know how badly I want to cry right now? She fucking has no clue because she thinks my children don’t matter to me. I walked into the boys’ room and saw them trying to make Mia stop crying.

“Daddy, you said you would never leave me. Can you take me with you?” I went completely still. They wanted to go with me. “They will bully us if you leave. Daddy, please. I want to be with you. I promise to be a good girl.” I couldn’t help myself this time. My eyes welled up with tears. I knelt down and hugged her.

“Mia, daddy wasn’t leaving you. I made a promise, and promises are meant to be kept. I wanted to go home and prepare a room for you and your brothers. But you know what? The three of you can be sleeping with daddy while your rooms are being renovated, is that okay?” Lola caught my eye. She was on the verge of collapsing. “Could you please help me pack their clothes, Mommy?” She seemed to be strong, but I knew she was shattered inside to hear them wanting to come with me. She nodded and went out to pack their clothes.

****

I watched the three of them sleeping in my bed, and I smiled. I was exhausted, but I needed my mother’s help with them. I know she will be excited to know she has grandchildren, especially with her favorite daughter, Lola, and not to mention that our fight will finally end. She has refused to see me since Lola left. I hopped into my car and drove to our family’s house. I parked my car outside and headed inside. I greeted some of the housekeepers as I walked my way into her room. Her door was slightly ajar. I walked closer as I was about to go inside her room; I heard her voice. She seemed to be on the phone.

“Come down, Lola. What do you mean, Dante found you? Where are my grandchildren? Are they with you?” I froze. She knew…