When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Michael was an introvert. He gripped his father’s hand tightly as he stared at Summer and nodded. “Mhm. Thank you, Ms. Stovall!”

“Let’s go, then!”

At home, Summer and Michael busied themselves with picking produce in the backyard while Colin left to purchase fish.

Meanwhile, I started washing vegetables in the kitchen.

For the past four years, I had made a habit of personally cooking for Summer so as to ensure she had a balanced diet. As a result, my cooking skills had improved greatly.

After I’d washed the vegetables, the two kids came stumbling into the kitchen, each carrying a small basket.

Michael’s basket was filled to the brim—some of the vegetables inside threatening to spill over.

Summer’s basket only had several miscellaneous vegetables. It looked like she had been walking behind Michael and carefully picking up anything that had actually fallen out of his basket.

“We’re back, Mommy!” Summer proudly held her basket high up in the air, her face streaked with dirt.

I took the basket from Michael, hurriedly wiping away the sweat on his face. “You should share some with Summer next time. It’s too heavy for you to carry yourself!”

The boy grinned, his eyes soft and full of affection as he looked at Summer. “She’s too small to carry this!”

“That’s right, Mommy! I asked Michael to help me carry these because I’m not strong enough!” Summer giggled. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had learned this shamelessness from Jackson.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I scolded, “If you bully Michael like this again, I’ll make you water all the vegetables in the backyard by yourself.”

don’t care. I won’t be by myself, anyway.” She

This little…

had always rushed to help her whenever she was receiving punishment. It would seem that she had gotten used to his company, and there

back, having bought some carp fish

and started chasing poor

of produce from me, Colin said, “I’ll wash these. The

I nodded.

and gathered around the stove,

table, you little wolves!” Colin ordered them, putting down

like I’d expected, Michael went off to take out the plates and utensils while

and setting her aside. “Be a good girl and take the fruits by the sink and place them on the dinner table. We’ll start eating soon, I

my direction, “Hurry

up the dishes and Colin

escaped me when I spotted the kids were already waiting eagerly in their seats. “You guys go

wait for you, Mommy!” Summer suggested, grinning in

washed the dishes while Summer and I went to the yard to pick some

first moved to

peaches from the ground, asking, “Mommy, do you like Mr.

up with laughter, pinching her tiny nose. “What are

in thought. “I was thinking

you want a Daddy that badly?” I did