Babies' Secret: My Ex Wants Me Back!
Chapter 33: Uncle Piano Forever

Chapter 33: Uncle Piano Forever

Chapter 33

The car ride was quiet—yet exhilarating, the kind that comes after victory. Jasmine finally relaxed, her bubbly energy back, while Hanith leaned back into the seat, quiet as usual but the corner of his eyes twinkled with happiness. While Katherine... she had her arms crossed, body relaxed yet her eyes darting occasionally toward the back seat, staring at the kids.

Then Jasmine, never to be the one to be quiet, suddenly sat upright, her voice was high, dramatic and animated as she reiterated what happened.

"He said we didn’t have a dad..." she scrunched her nose in displeasure, throwing a glance at her brother like she needed him to confirm the tale.

Aaron’s eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror, looking at the kids while nodding at Jasmine’s words.

"...so I hit him with a pencil!" she said with excitement, her hand raised as she demonstrated.

A playful snort escaped Aaron before he could stop it. "That’s my little tiger," he chuckled heartfully, clearly proud as he glanced back at the twins through the mirror again as Katherine gave him a slow glare from the passenger seat, her brow arched.

His grin got wider. "Both of you did great today. I’m proud of you," he praised, his voice laced with sincerity. He really meant it.

Hanith ducked his head shyly, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth, while Jasmine, on the other hand, raised her tiny fist in the air like a champion.

"Next time, I’ll hit harder," she boasted, grinning cheekily.

"Yes, little tiger. Hit harder," he cheered, smiling. "If you can’t hit harder, you can bite also. I’m here for the consequences." he pipped in, tapping on the wheel.

Katherine turned fully to him now, her voice lined with that typical mother tone. "You’re not supposed to be encouraging her," she said, admonished softly, yet the edge of her mouth was already twitching.

Aaron shrugged, one hand casually draped over the steering wheel. "I’m encouraging backbone," he said smoothly. "Nobody messes with my kids." And God bless anyone who thinks otherwise. And he had it at the back of his mind to get back to that lousy woman. She would pay for it.

He looked into the mirror again, locking eyes with Jasmine who was now glowing from the praise. "And my daughter isn’t a weakling," he stated proudly.

Jasmine grinned mischievously, nodding her head eagerly at the praise.

Katherine sighed, shaking her head. "You’re going to raise a warrior at this rate."

Aaron smirked, making a U-turn on the familiar road. "Isn’t that the point?" and Katherine huffed. There was no talking to him. Though she liked it. Even if Hanith couldn’t defend himself, Jasmine was there for him.

The sun filtered through the windshield as the car rolled past familiar streets. Katherine’s fingers brushed along her knee slowly, thoughtful, but she didn’t say anything.

Gonna make their favourite meal as a reward.

Aaron cleared his throat, glancing again at the mirror, his eyes flickered nervously.

"Hey... little pumpkins," he called out softly, his voice trembled again. "Can you please say it again?" he asked. Earlier when the kids called him father, he was shocked. His knees nearly buckled, and knocked air from his lung when the word rang in his head repeatedly—echoed. He had to stop himself from crumbling weakly earlier and focus on the woman tormenting his Katherine.

But now, he wanted to hear it again.

Katherine looked at him, unsure what he was saying, glancing at the kids as they shrugged, dumbfounded. "Say what?"

He licked his lower lips, a small smile on his lips sheepishly, "What you called me in the headmaster’s office."

Hanith immediately ducked his head shyly while Jasmine started giggling into her hands.

"Come on," Aaron groaned. "Say it again—just once," he begged. He wanted to hear it again, he wanted to feel the exhilarating rush like earlier.

"Nooo," Hanith whispered, his ears were red.

Jasmine burst into a fit of giggles. "Uncle Piano!"

"Uncle Piano forever!" Hanith followed shyly.

Aaron’s eyes flickered in disappointment but quickly masked his hurt, slow and steady. They’ll call him daddy when they are comfortable. He dramatically groaned loudly, throwing his head against the steering wheel as they reached a red light.

"I should’ve recorded it..." he mumbled to himself, but the kids heard as they erupted in laughter. Jasmine snorted.

"You are our Uncle Piano!" she squealed.

"Well, that’s good. I’m your favourite uncle," Aaron muttered playfully, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel with exaggerated sulking.

Katherine, who watched Aaron’s gaze shift before he turned it to playful banter with the kids, laughed. She covered her mouth, but it came through anyway—soft, real.

"You’re ridiculous," she said, shaking her head.

Aaron turned his head toward her slightly, voice softer now. "But I’m trying."

She looked over at him with a raised brow, smiling softly.

"I’m trying," he repeated with conviction, maybe to assure himself. "And I’ll earn it," he muttered.

The traffic light turned green and he pulled the gear.

Katherine’s eyes lingered on his face for a moment longer. Her voice was quiet yet laced with the truth.

"You already are," she said. The twins were already comfortable with him, took him as their father. And loved him.

Something flickered in Aaron’s eyes. He didn’t say anything, but the smile he gave her wasn’t his usual teasing grin—a genuine smile. It was gentler and more vulnerable.

The car turned the corner toward Katherine’s neighborhood.

From the back seat—maybe they noticed his sadness—Jasmine yelled again, "Uncle Pianoooo!" stretching the word like a chant.

Hanith joined in, "Uncle Piano forever!"

Aaron shook his head, feeling his vulnerability vanishing away and laughing under his breath.

"I swear," he muttered to himself, "that name better not stick." He would be contented with that. Well, the name was actually beautiful.

Uncle Piano.

He listened to the sound of their laughter—the soft sibling chaos, the joy—and he let it wash over him.

Because this... this sounded like family.

And for the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like he was on the outside of it.

It felt like he belonged.

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