Complete Me

Chapter 2

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                                                                                    Copyright © 2021 Cassey9

RAIN  

“Mommy? Who is she?” one of the twins asks from the backseat. The few minutes I had been in their presence I noticed that he was more reserved and quiet of the two boys. I try to bite back a smile that wants to escape my lips, his question so innocent and heartwarming. Prof. Lakewood’s sons were the true definition of adorable.

I note the softer, unguarded side Prof. Lakewood wore when she was with her children. Watching them approach the car, when we’d gone to get them from school, while holding each of Prof. Lakewood’s hand was a sight worth beholding.

“Hey lady, your car is really cool,” the other one comments loudly. I look at him through the rear view mirror to find him running his hands over the seat in awe. He was yet to get over his fascination for my car. He was the first to run towards it. His look unbelievable at the same time asking if his mother permission to touch the car.

“Thank you,” I speak focusing on the road.

“When I grow up I’ll have a car like this. Twenty cars like this,” I laugh at his overenthusiasm, “I’ll have a green one, then red and white all the colors.”

I never fancied the car that much owing to the fact it drew a lot of attention to me all the time. It was a McLaren model, and for the first time in months I feel happy driving it. I clutch the steering wheel tightly biting my inner cheek as pride swells in my chest.

Prof. Lakewood and I had made it to the kindergarten to pick up her children. At the first sight of the twins I was done for, they stole my breath and heart away. The two boys were beautiful as their mother.

“Mommy…what’s her name,” the one who looks outgoing asks now. Prof. Lakewood sighs making it seem as if introducing us was the last thing on her mind.

“Um…Nillan and Killan this is Ms. Stourton,” Prof. Lakewood introduces her children to me, “Ms. Stourton these are my sons. This one is Nillan and the other one Killan.”

“Nice to meet you guys,”

“Mommy do you work with her,” Nillan the shy one asks.

“Something like that,” Prof. Lakewood replies turning to smile at him. This assures the boy as she settles on the seat playing with the seatbelt that held him. With their little bodies I had to adjust the straps to secure them. My driving pace had also slowed down. I constantly check the lights carefully and also around me. I had two very charming boys in my car that necessitated some care.

“Does she teach big children like you?” Nillan continues to query his eyes glancing at me. It was obvious he was wary of the new face but also determined to know more about me.

“No Nillan. Ms. Stourton doesn’t teach like Mommy…”

“Hey lady…do you have another name…I can’t say Ms. Stroud that well like mommy does,” Killan says smiling adorably.

“Killan,” Prof. Lakewood says warningly.

“It’s fine. My other name is Rain,” I say and turn to look at him. “You can call me Rain. Is that easier?” He nods fast and his face reddens my heart thrums in approval at scene. In that instant I feel my world feel complete.

“Rain? Like the rain that falls down?” he ask hesitantly and I nod looking back to the road. The light turns and I drive on. “That’s a pretty name…and…and you are really pretty too.”

“Thank you Killan.”

“Oh… Killan. You tell that to every girl,” Nillan says joining in on talk.

“No. I do not” the other twin retorts heatedly glaring at his brother. “Rain don’t listen to Nillan. He’s lying.”

“Yes you do…remember during lunch break you told that to Rose too,” Nillan insists folding his tiny arms on his chest “I heard you Killan.”

A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch them continue to argue. Looking over at Prof. Lakewood, she looks more relaxed, calmer her head resting on the seat with her eyes closed.

“Rain? What does your name mean?” Killan asks ignoring his brother.

“Um. It means abundant blessings,” I reply to the boy who nods, “Just like the rain…when it pours down hard.”

“What does abundant mean?” Nillan joins in now.

“A lot. It means a lot of something,” I say and Nillan mouths an ‘oh’ nodding his head. Killan looks at his brother mirroring his expression. Their features were alike like peas in a pod with the same eye color and physic. It would be hard to tell them apart where it not for the difference in clothing, hairstyles and personalities.

Nillan had his hair more on the dapper side. Lying flat on the head and portioned in the middle while wearing grey shorts, with a white blouse tucked in and a grey button up sweater. Killan on the other hand had on a black and red plaid shirt, a white avengers t-shirt inside with blue jeans and some rubbers. His hair long and layered reaching his shoulders. He had the ‘surfer’ vibe going on for him. Those two total opposites of each other.

“How old are you?” I ask.

“Five.” The both answer instantly.

“And you…how old are you Rain,” Killan asks leaning forward to look at me. His hair falls on his face and his tiny hand moves to swat the stray strands.

“I’m 172,” I joke and they both let out a gasps and giggles not buying my age.

“No way…only grandmothers can be that old,” Nillan says making me laugh hard. Prof. Lakewood doesn’t budge, either she was a heavy sleeper or was ignoring us.

“That’s a lot of numbers…” Killan says blowing his hair away.

“You should cut your hair,” Nillan says. “Then it wouldn’t keep…blowing all over your face.”

“No way. I like it like this…” he says rubbing his hand through the hair. It looks so bouncy, soft and thick I secretly want to run my hand through and feel for myself. Prof. Lakewood was really lucky to have them. She probably had a handsome loving husband.

“I think it’s cool.”

“See Rain likes it so do other people in school Nillan,” Killan replies throwing his head back in satisfaction, “Bet you are just jealous you cut yours shorter.”

“No way Killan,” he replies and runs his hand through his and sticks his tongue out at his brother. We continue with the small chitchat as we drive back to the university. Once we get there I pack next to Prof. Lakewood’s car. She doesn’t move or notice we’d arrive.

I go to lightly shake her but stop remembering her earlier request. She did not appreciate the contact. Owing the angry glares I had received it was best not to test my luck again.

“Where are we Rain?” Nillan asks craning to look around.

“At the university…where your mommy works,” I explain, “Would one of you wake up your mommy?”

“Mommy! Wake up!” I jerk at the abrupt screams so does Prof. Lakewood as she ends up hitting her head against the glass window.

“Oh! Boys…what did I say about yelling,” she murmurs rubbing her eyes. She takes in the surrounding too before turning to face me.

“Where are here,” smiling apologetically I turn off the car.

“Thank you Ms. Stourton.”

“No problem,” I reply pressing a button, the doors open and I grin hearing the boy’s excited reactions. She exits the car and I follow suit. We both get to unstrap the children who become hesitant to leave the car. Especially Killan. I take out my backpack too and stand beside the car watching the trio.

“We’ll be leaving. I’m already running late for the meeting. Thank you again Ms. Stourton,” she says formally slinging their school bags in her hand and I nod in acceptance. My holiday had come to an end.

“Mommy can’t we stay with Rain a little longer…please,” Killan begs.

“We can’t Killan. Come on I still need to find someone to watch you…”

“Professor!” I call as she tries to drag the unwilling child away. Remembering her earlier rant I can’t help but offer myself. It’d help the both of us anyway. “I could stay with them.”

“No. Ms. Stourton,” she says turning to look at me. I see the defeat and exhaustion mirroring her face. “You’ve done more than enough already. I’m sure you have somewhere important to be. I can’t ask that of you.”

“I want to. I insist. You still have to meet with the Dean. I’ll stay with them till you get back,” my voice feels odd in my ears. Pleading with to let me take of her children, “I’ll take great care of them.”

“Are you sure? They can be a handful,” she asks hesitantly but I nod firmly trying to reduce her anguish.

“Yes. I have a place nearby. You could come see…”

“No my office is just fine,” she says and I nod. Killan squeals excitedly and runs towards me. I squat down and pick him up.

“You’ll stay with us?” he asks and I nod smiling. His tiny arm go around my neck to embrace me. “That’s good Rain. I want that.”

“Come on let’s go then,” Prof. Lakewood says and I follow suit holding Killan in my hands. The walk to her office is short. She opens the door and welcomes us in. Her office was like the other in the School of Journalism and media studies, located on the fifth floor with creamy high walls.

The left side of the room holds a dark walnut shelf that covered the entire wall packed to the brim with books. The other wall had a rectangular table that held several accolades. Above it hung an antique clock. Besides it a water dispenser with plastics cups on top of it.

Two one seater couches are positioned at the middle of the room with a small round glass table placed between them. The rest of the room is taken up by Prof. Lakewood’s desk. A lovely brown mahogany table with that held several items on it. A mac desktop, keyboard, name plate, books, pens in a pen holder, pieces of paper. The table also held picture frames of what I assumed was her family. The table was fully occupied but not in a cluttered way.

“I’ll try not to take long Ms. Stourton,” Prof. Lakewood says taking a pen and a notebook from the table in a hurry. Glancing at her wall clock she curses in a low voice. Nillan and Killan are everywhere in the room touching and discovering as much as they can. Prof. Lakewood approaches each of them and gives them kisses and hugs before disappearing out the door.

I pull my phone out of my bag removing the flight mode setting. As obvious I had missed calls from my friends. Smiling at the curses from Vanessa and Bella. I was supposed to meet them after handing in my assignment but my plans changed for the best.

“So what do we do now guys?” I ask excitedly shoving my phone back into my backpack. I walk towards the glass table kneel on the brown rug. Killan approaches me fast and stands beside me.

“Can we….Rain can we play hide and seek?” Killan asks.

“No. That’s dumb,” Nillan says moving from the bookcase towards us. Killan shoves his tongue at him.

“Nillan that’s not a nice thing to tell your brother,” I say in a soft reproachful voice.

“I’m sorry…but there is no where we can hide in here.  Rain…can we do our homework instead,” Nillan asks and I nod my head.

“How about that Killan?” I turn to face him, “Homework first and then we’ll find something to do”

“Yes. Can we eat after homework? I’m kinda hungry Rain and then we’ll do something fun after that?” he asks hopefully and I nod my head. Realization dawns on me Prof. Lakewood hadn’t mentioned anything about their meal. We all settle down at the small coffee table kneeling between the two boys I watch as they pull out their homework exercise books.

“Do you need any help with that?”

“No. Marissa usually helps us even if it’s so easy,” Nillan says while sharpening his pencil.

“It’s really easy Rain,” Killan says showing his book to me, “We are just joining dots and then we have to color the fruit. It’s an apple right Rain?”

Looking at the book I see the fruit, “Yeah it is an apple. You are super smart,” I say tickling his sides eliciting cute giggle from him. “Who is Marissa?”

“Our Nanny,” Nillan says deeply concentrated on his work.

I nod my head and watch in awe as they work on their homework. Pulling out my laptop I start my own research. If I was to be with them till Prof. Lakewood came back. She had trusted me with her children and I’d do her right by taking great care of them until she returns.  

Now to find them something appropriate to munch on before their mommy came and I’d make the most of this time to know the twins with the time together.