Episode 6

Somewhere else...

Three years have passed, and I know nothing of my little troublemaker. My mother is nagging about a wedding—she wants to be a grandmother. Luckily, this project came up, and I'm off with Jasmine, she's the leading architect.

In the village...

I drop my kids off at the kindergarten before heading to the hospital. Today, my mom will pick them up since I'm on call at the hospital.

Teacher

Today we’re taking a trip to the park. Did everyone remember to bring everything? - Yes, teacher.

All the kids are excited to go to the park by the lake—it'll be their last visit before construction begins.

Peter

We've arrived at the village; it’s a lovely spot. The complex will be near the lake, a beautiful location. We see a group of children playing.

Suddenly, a small girl bumps into me. "Oops, sorry sir." - "It's okay, little one." I crouch to her height; her eyes are just like mine. - "Noha, don't stray." Another little one, just like her, catches my attention. - "Excuse me, sir, Noha, Joshua, please stay with the group."

I watch them - if I didn't know for sure you've never been to this village, I’d think they’re your kids, - "What are you saying, Jasmine?" - "Well, I've never seen anyone else with those eye colors except you and your father."

We continue to explore, but Jasmine's words linger in my mind.

We'll be staying in the village hotel a few days; it's quaint.

"Hello, teacher. How were they?" - "Good, Mrs. Miriam."

"Tonight we're dining with your aunt and grandfather at the hotel." - "Grandmother, I love that!" - "Can I wear my new dress?" - "Of course, my dear."

At the hotel…

We're dining with Jasmine when I see two adults and four kids entering. The little ones are triplets; they're identical, and their unique sky-blue eyes catch my eye. - "What are you looking at?" - "Oh, the children? There are three?" - "They're adorable."

At the children's table...

"Grandma, I need to use the restroom." She runs off. - "This little one... Noha, be careful!" She trips over a waiter. - "Hey, Noha, did you come with your dad?" - "Sorry, Charly." - "It's nothing, Mrs. Miriam. Is Nick here?" - "No, dad's on call at the hospital." - "Okay Charly, I will take her to the restroom." - "Bye Noha, later I'll bring you your chocolate-dipped orange cookies."

I smile, hearing the conversation - "Those cookies brought back memories?" - "Something like that."

I watch the family enjoy their dinner.

Before leaving, Noha, with a cookie in her hand - "Sir, take this as my apology for bumping into you today." I take the cookie. - "Thank you, little one."

"Noha, let's go." - "Bye," she waves her little hand. - "The girl took a liking to you." - "Seems so."

Meanwhile, at the hospital…

It's a quiet shift. - "Nick, have you thought about which specialty to pursue?" - "Not yet, I must consider the kids and the schedule." - "Yes, it's tough being a single dad." - "But I love my kids."

For some reason, today I've been thinking of Peter, can't forget his eyes, the same color as my children's.

The next day, leaving the hospital, I meet Joshua and Luis. - "Hey Nick, thought about which specialty?" - "Not yet, I need to think about the kids."

While walking through the town, I reach a kindergarten. I see kids fighting and a little girl crying; it’s Noha and her brothers. They're hitting two other boys, and the little girl is in tears. I can't stand it and intervene.

"What's going on here?" - (Crying) "They're mocking us because we don't have a mom," the teacher arrives with another woman. - "My son, these are troublemakers." - "He mocked and pushed my sister." - "Peter, please calm down, let's head to the office." Joshua, Peter, and Noha. I'll call your father." - "Excuse me teacher, why only the three? What about the other kid?" - "Ha, I'm the governor's wife." - "These motherless children shouldn't even be here." That statement infuriates me. I watch as they go to the office, but decide to wait. After 15 minutes, I see a young man running towards us—my little demon?

I keep watching as he leaves with the children, the little one in his arms, looking unwell.

Concerned, I follow them to the hospital.

"Nick, what's happening?" - "It's Noha, her asthma." - "Alright, bring her in." - "Wait a sec, Joshua, Peter, stay here. I called grandma; she's on her way." - "Nick, can I watch them?" - "Thanks."

Approaching the nurse, I introduce myself. - "Hello, young ones." - "We can't talk to strangers." - "We met at the park. You guys are serious." - "But we still don't know you." - "I'm Peter Sanders." - "Hey, you have the same name as I do, Peter Miller." - "Funny, that." Can I ask something?" - "Hmm, I don't know." - "Ask." - "Your mother?" - "We only have dad, and that woman who wants to be our mom." - "But we've already told dad no."

Just then, grandma arrives. - "Joshua, Peter." - "Grandma, it's Noha, her asthma." - "Let's go home and then call your father." - "Mrs. Miriam, I’ve arrived." - "Thank you, Miranda, for watching them." - "It's nothing, I enjoy it." Then Nick comes out with Noha in his arms. - "Mom, can we leave?" - "How's Noha?" - "It was a mild attack." - "Fortunately, son."

I watch them leave, and for some reason, I want to be close to them so I follow their path to a pretty house.

Back at the hotel, Jasmine and Lorenzo are waiting.

"Hello, Peter, I have the blueprints ready." - "Let's check them out." - "They're good. You guys take it from here."

I call Francisco to find out everything about Nick Miller, having learned his last name from the kids.

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