*Mikayla's POV*

This was my first day with the kids, and I loved it more than anything to be honest. They proved to be the sweetest little kids I have ever been around. Their behavior made me smile because it reflected on how Aris had been raising them. Honestly, I loved seeing my kids act that way; it warmed my heart like hot chocolate does when it runs through your intestines. Feeling that way sent a calming sense of warmth as I watched them contently play by themselves. Watching them play is always very entertaining.

     "Mommy, when will daddy be back home?" Cameron sighed as he dragged his red and white striped truck against the carpet.

     I looked down at my new pair of fuzzy socks and squinted my eyes slightly,"He will be back soon," I responded," are you hungry for some dinner?"

     " Yeah, I am kinda hungry right now." Cameron replied, his voice sounding sad as he spoke.

     "Cam, look at me bud," I ordered, sliding my fingers underneath his little chin, forcing him to look up at me,"please don't be sad, okay? I am here with you, and I will take really good care of you and Rose." I reassured, moving my hand to his petite shoulder.

     Cameron scooted over to the left side of me and repositioned himself again before responding," okay, but I really, really, really miss daddy."

" I know, and I miss him too." I answered as I offered him a small smile before walking over to the kitchen.

~

"Here's some mac n' cheese, and for Rose. . . haha, I forgot she is still in her playpen!" I laughed,  to myself, setting the Cam's dinner on the counter.

    I strolled over to the monkey themed playpen and peered down at Rose. Fortunately, she was tinkering with a loose piece of fabric on the side of the playpen. Once she realized I was there, her face lit up ever so slightly.

"Mommy, please hurry! My tummy is gwoling at me!" He groaned as he rubbed his stomach.

I absolutely love when little kids mispronounce words, it is so damn adorable!

"I'm coming, let me just take your sister out of her crib, okay?" I replied as I slid my hands behind Rose's small head and back, pulling her out of the playpen.

"Okay." He responded with a sigh, slouching in his booster seat as he waited impatiently for me to give him his food.

"Are you ready for some yummy mushed up peas?" I asked Rose as she stared at me blankly, examining my face as I spoke.

" Ew! Mashed peas?" Cameron scowled," that is so gross!" He immediately plugged his nose as if he smelled something horrible.

"Cam, stop." I demanded as I shot him a glare. 

I did not want Rose to complain next. That would be the absolute last thing I need right now.

He looked at me for a quick second and then turned away, feeling quite angry at me and himself.

"There, all good." I finalized, looking at Rose who was slapping her food tray that was attached to her animal printed high chair.

"Alright, let's pray! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy-"

"What are we doin'? Daddy never does this with us!" Cameron interrupted with a look of confusion plastered on his face.

"Well, this can be something that I do with you!" I replied as I showed him how to fold his hands up like I did.

"Okay, go Mommy. I'm ready. . . and listening." He giggled, folding his hands together again.

" -Spirit, Amen. Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive, from they bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen. In the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit, Amen. You may eat now."

        I began to turn the other way, but I felt someone's eyes on me. I turned around and Cameron was staring at me, completely in awe.

"That was fun!" Cameron exclaimed with a mouth full of macaroni that almost spewed out of his mouth.

"Yes, it was, wasn't it? Do you want to do that every single night?" I asked, putting a spoonful of baby food into Rose's mouth.

"Yeah! Yeah!" Cameron shouted as he pumped his small fists in the air with happiness.

"Cool, then we will continue praying before dinner every night, deal?" I asked, taking a spoonful of Mac N' Cheese and eating it.

"Mhm." He nodded with a mouthful of macaroni, most likely thinking about praying tomorrow night.

~

I had already put Rose to bed, and Cameron was currently in the bath tub while I was cleaning up the bathroom sink. As I did so, I could hear Cameron talk to his bath toys every few seconds.

     "Vroom, vroom! Hurry before Mr. Bubbles catches you! Go, go, go!" He shouted making his speedboat race across the water, sending water onto the floor.

       "Cameron, please be cautious!" I warned as I scampered to find a towel to clean up the water on the floor.

     I knew that he was being too loud, so I decided it was probably time to scold him and tell him to be a little quieter so he would not wake up Rose from her slumber.

     I slid the glass door open further, revealing Cameron, who had stuck his head out immediately in order to flaunt his lovely bubble-beard and his bubble covered face.

     "Wow, you look so handsome, you little goofball." I laughed as I pulled out my phone, preparing to take a picture,"smile for me!"

     "Cheeeeeeeeese!" He held out as he flashed me a large toothy smile, looking directly at my phone.

     "Is it okay if I send this to daddy?" I asked, showing him the picture I had taken of him.

     "Sure, I'm gonna shut this door now so I can go play with my toys!" He concluded as he slammed the glass sliding door shut.

    "Cam!" I whisper-shouted, slapping my hand against my forehead in anger.

     "Sorry!" He squealed, quickly resuming to playing with his toys as he slid the glass door slowly shut.

     Me:

I guess I will be dealing with this for a long time😂

     Aris:
     My little boy looks bigger already and it has only been six hours😩. Haha, get used to it now, it has only just begun, sweetheart.

    The way my heart fluttered when I read that text was indescribable. I felt like I was on a whole other planet.

     Me:
     Great, I'm excited. . .

     Aris:
     Don't worry, he's a good kid, I promise.

     Me:
      I know he is, thankfully. How's college going?:)

     Aris:
It's going good, thanks for asking. Mom just left and she was practically on the verge of tears. I guess it must be pretty hard to see the baby of the family already in college.

     Me:
     Awe, poor Mrs. Collins. I feel so bad for her. I love your mom, she is so sweet! I am sure she will get over it sooner or later. lol.

     Aris:
     Wow, that makes me feel good.☹️😂
    
     Me:
     You know that I'm just messing with you.😉

     Aris:
     I know because I'm messing with you too.

     Me:
I probably should get Cameron out of the tub before he gets all bubbly and crazy again. I just want to let you know that we all miss you and I hope we will see you soon. <3

     Aris:
     Bye, and don't worry, we'll find a time;)

     I smiled as I set my phone on the bathroom counter, turning to Cameron, "You ready to get out of the tub?"

    "Yeah, I am ready to get out. I had a lot of fun in there!" He giggled as I wrapped his alligator towel around him.

     " I'm sure you did, you sure acted like you were." I replied rubbing his head with the towel to try and dry it some more.

     He looked up at me and smiled, a real smile which made me smile as well. I really hope he will get more comfortable around me because I despised seeing him all depressed like this. I cannot imagine how it feels to have your father away, after all, he grew up mostly around his father. He is Cameron's role model. He will be in kindergarten by the time his father his back home from college.

     He needs to understand that his father won't be here for awhile. He needs to know that I am here now and I am the boss of this house. I am Mikayla Marie Waters and I plan on becoming a part of the Collins family. . . permanently.

     I want to be wearing a gold ring on my ring finger from Aris, and I don't care how the hell I get him to propose to me, but I will find away. I still had an immense amount of love for Aris, and I was convinced that he felt the same way.

     Cameron and Rose are mine. . . they are my kids and I definitely plan on keeping them mine for a long time.

     _______________________________________________________________________

     Aye, how's everyone's day?:)

     I managed to upload this chapter since I don't have too much homework today ( yay!) Do you guys like it how Mikayla sounds so evil at the end? What do you guys think Mikayla is going to do when Aris comes back from college in a few years?

     Well, you will most likely have to wait several chapters for that but I just wanted to get your mind rolling a bit😏.

     New chapter should be up next Tuesday or Wednesday! I promise this next chapter will be Aris's POV so I can end the cliff hanger.

~SDS

Question: Do you like Mac N Cheese? (lol)