DEAN POV

I stood in front of the two-story house. It was plain white and grey and you know you can tell it, it's old building. But it felt homey.

Of course Vee attached to this place. I haven't come inside yet and I felt the familiar feeling about when you coming home.

I didn't carry anything in my hands but Allen was all prepared man and he waited for me to give him signal to bring something to the house especially to the kids.

I knocked the door and waited for a second until the door was opened.

You met an old lady wearing nun's outfit. Her wrinkles face showed me happiness. And her smile was brighter when she saw me.

"can I help you? "

" I want to visit the kids and of course I want to know what my wife doing here, " I said to the point made her creased her forehead. " I mean, Valentina. She always visits here, am I right? "

"oh.. Yeah.., " her eyes rounded and her smile wider. "come in! Come in! "

"and before I meet the kids, would you let me have the talk with you about my wife? "

"sure. "

"okay. Wait a minute, " I called Allen to give him signal for bringing bunch of gifts. "okay, done. And I bring my assistant to give the kids and I know it's not that much. "

"what are you talking about? That's enough making my kids here happy. They always happy and I can see my kids' eyes have a glint when Valentina comes even she brings one box cake. "

"sorry, I didn't introduce myself to you, " they stopped in front of the door of her office. " my name is Dean, sister and I already know your name. "

I said smilingly.

"alright Dean, " sister Mariyah smiled back. She opened her door and they sit on the old sofa. "sorry, this place didn't have anything new. "

"don't worry. I can help myself. "

"okay, so? Drink? "

"coffee is fine, sister. "

After she made 2 cups of coffee they had serious chat.

" I know it's start with bad condition about my relationship with my wife. But when I knew the truth and it took months I regret it. "

And I told my situation to her. She listened to me attentively. She could see regret in my eyes and she showed me sympathy.

" it's okay, Dean, " she held my hand. "everything happens for a reason. She is truly angel here. The kids favor her. She brings the best and God sends an angel through her. And the most important is.. She loves my kids here. "

And her eyes started shining. She remembered every time Vee was coming, they greeted her like she was their mom coming home from work. And to make the situation full of happy giggles, she brought some foods or things.

" I see the light and life in her eyes. She can't stop smiling. Sometimes she stayed longer till 10 pm to tuck the kids. I know her apartment is not that close. I always tell her to not go home so late because it's not safe. But she just shrugged off. "

I sipped my coffee listening Sister Mariyah. She made her coffee too but she never touched it.

".. She gives more attention to the baby. Yeah because she was the youngest and the kids help Valentina. I don't know why but they love her as their mom. And I am very happy. I am so grateful to have her here. She helps the kids too much, giving them affection so the kids are saved physically and emotionally. "

"she always like that. She loves kids," I said smiling at her and my voice turning soft.

"we have 6 kids and the youngest is a baby girl, " she coughed quietly then drank her coffee. "so I basically say the boys are fond to their sister. Maybe when she grows, they will wrap around in her little finger. "

I just gave her smile. I was so curious, what do they look like? What if they don't like me? How do they react when I see them?

So I continued telling her how is Vee right now. She deserved to know because she was worried about Vee.

She gasped as her hand close her mouth. But she was relieved when I said Vee was okay and she only had to wake up.

The phone was ringing. Sister Mariyah excused herself. I unconsciously emptied my cup. I heard she was whispering while talking. Maybe something important so I got up and excuse myself out.

I heard the loud voice. There were giggling, laughing, whining, crying and screaming gleefully. They were sure had energy.

My feet moved to the source and I thought it was a living room. I leant on the door frame and I saw them. They sat on the floor and the sofas as Allen gave them some speech. Maybe how to unwrap and tell them to quiet. But he failed.

I saw the small in pink something. The baby was on her moving carrier giving them gummy smile. She was so cute. Then 2 toddlers and little boy around 4 years old were unwrapped the gift and the sound ripped paper was not the best thing right now. The other toddler was crying and the oldest one was calming him down.

What a sight.

"hey kids, " I decided to show myself.

And they stopped at what they did. I walked inside as they looked at me curiously.

"hey there, buddies, " I stood in front of them as I took off my jacket. " my name is Dean and I want to visit you all here. "

Still silence.

"how do you like your presents? "

I could hear the insect sound.

"do you bring these to us, mister? " and here the 4 years old boy asking me.

"yes, I do," I gave him smile. "do you like it? "

"yeah, I love trucks and cars, " he gave me the best smile because his cheeks were stretching.

"good. I'm happy to hear that. "

I sat beside Allen on the floor near the baby. He was sitting and collecting the paper which the kids tore.

" I love this, mister, " with a little misspell the toddler gave me his best smile too. He showed me his sketch book and crayons.

"you are very welcome, buddy, " I said to him. He then started to move his crayon on the sketch book.

" I.. I want that, " the boy who was hiccupping pointed at the other boy beside the boy with crayon. " I want.. The book. He takes two. "

"Dan! Give him the book, " the oldest was giving the toddler a look. "you have to pick only one, buddy. "

The boy called Dan slowly gave in. He grabbed the book and stood up. He walked carefully as he hugged the big book.

"what do you say, Dan?" the oldest boy asked.

"sowwy, Dextew, " Dan pouted as he gripped his hands.

The boy named Dexter sniffed and wiped his eyes. He stood in front of Dan gave him smile.

" I fogive you, " the Dexter boy said as he smiled. He misspoke the word too.

Dan beamed at Dexter, then walked back to his spot and played with his robot, as Dexter opened the drawing book. The oldest started story telling him.

It's okay. They were cute tough.

I looked at the kids playing what they had today. They didn't make a sound as they focus at what they do.

Okay, so Dan was the loudest one because he was so excited playing his robot. The boy with the cars was making some route to move his toys. I was surprised he was not as loud as Dan.

The other toddler was painting something I didn't know as he lied down on his tummy and leant on his palm. What an artist.

Dexter was listening the oldest to tell him what was in the book attentively. And I just remember, the oldest was not yet taking his present. I looked at Allen as he looked at me then shrugged. I thought the oldest wanted to please Dexter first because Dexter looked like attached to him.

I heard weird sound following the cry. Oh oh.. The baby was crying. Allen got up and walked out from the living room and here I thought he wanted to escape from the baby.

I came near her and cooed her but she just screamed. Okay. I didn't know what's going on here. So I picked her up and put her head on my shoulder. I patted her back and suddenly she farted.

You know. Fart. And the hell! This smell was.. Uh..

Well because her screaming was intense I stood up. Before making a step, the 4 years old boy looked up at me.

"she have to change her nappy, mister, " then he continued playing.

" follow me, " Sister Mariyah called from the door frame.

I whipped my head to stare her. I almost cracked my neck.

We went upstairs and we silently walking. She turned on the second door and opened it.

It was the baby's room. No girly paint. No toys. Only crib, her little outfit and diapers. Oh, and one doll. Rabbit doll.

"it is from Valentina, " Sister Mariyah grabbed the doll and showed it at her face. She calmed down a bit.

"can you change her, Dean? I want to make her milk. "

"yeah, I can manage. "

"thank you. She is hungry too at this hour. "

Then sister Mariyah was out from the room.

" I can manage, my ass, " I cursed and this brought the baby smile. I thought she heard it funny.

I put her on the changing table and gathering the wipes, new diaper and talc.

"what? You mocked me, baby? " I playfully angry at her with weird voice.

It made her giggle and she was giving me gummy smile. Her fists was up as her feet made running gesture.

"let's change this smelly nappy before you eat, sweety," I made failed girly voice making her giggle.

Okay. She understood what I said.. Right?

I once watched how to change the diaper on the tv and other source. So when I practised it, I could manage. Seriously. My first time changing diaper was this baby girl. She was my first patient.

"okay, done," I cooed at her and tapped her little nose. Her onesie made me easy to change her nappy.

She scrunched her face and grabbed my index finger. She started to insert it in her mouth but I let go before she ate my finger. It's not healthy.

" I know you're hungry, baby, " I carried her in my arms as she put her head on my shoulder.

She was facing me and giving me the cutest toothless smile. I fell in love with this baby girl. Her blueish grey eyes staring back at me as she put her index finger in her mouth. Her drool was on her lips as she opened her mouth.

" I'm sorry you grow up here, baby. You are so small and your parents are crazy for leaving you. But don't worry, you have me now because my wife loves you and the boys, so am I. "

I gave her kissed on her head. As if she understood she gave me pat on my neck then hugged it. She cooed at me like she gave me her answer.

My.. My.. I loved this bond.

___

February update..
Sorry guys I'm late
So here I slowly write the draft and my mind is working and finding the inspiration
Enjoy💛