Chapter 41

Mikayla's POV
“I need to do more of this!” I said, determined to find more creative activities. Maybe I could make crafts for Emma and Daniel, something we could both enjoy when they got home from school.
When Rudolf came home in the evening, I wanted to show him my work. That way, the house without the kids wouldn’t be so empty and could be filled with stories and love again. Whether it was a drawing or a craft project, I would do my best to fill our hearts and our homes with the same.
I had painted before, although I was not an expert at it. With great hope, I began to draw the flowers that were on the living room table. But as time went by, I grew frustrated. “Ah, this is hard,” I muttered, looking at the results that looked far from what I had hoped.
Despite my disappointment, I tried to persist. But with each stroke, I could feel my enthusiasm fading. But as I looked at the curves and colors of the flowers, I tried to organize my thoughts again and focus on the drawing.
As I entered a calm and focused state, suddenly, the sound of the door opening, and Rudolf entered the house with our twins. Their laughter and cheerfulness flowed into the room, making me smile despite my frustration.
“Mommy!” Emma and Daniel exclaimed in unison, running alongside their father with an excited jump.
“Wow! What are you guys doing here?” Rudolf asked in a cheerful tone, making me feel warm inside. I could see how happy he was to see the kids after a long day of work.
When they entered the living room, Daniel immediately noticed the canvas I had made. “Mommy, what is that?! Such a big, beautiful flower!” he said with a cheerful face, a little surprised at the same time.
Rudolf also approached, smiling at my work. “So creative, Mikayla. I didn’t know you painted!” he said.
Hearing the compliment made me feel better. “I tried to draw the flower on the table, but there are still many things I need to fix,” I said with an embarrassed laugh.
Emma grabbed the paintbrush from the table, “Mommy, let me help! I can paint too!” she exclaimed cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Of course, honey. Let’s paint together!” I replied, feeling even more excited. This moment felt so precious—all of us gathered in a glorious atmosphere.
Rudolf sat beside us, watching with a big smile. The loneliness I had felt earlier slowly disappeared, replaced by the warmth of family. Emma and Daniel began to try drawing on their own, while I gave them tips and taught them how to hold the brush properly.
“This is our path to creation! Doing something with love and pleasure!” I said, guiding them in drawing.
Without realizing it, time flew by so quickly. Reflecting on moments with family while painting was not only fun but also brought a warm and loving feeling. This was a very meaningful time, and I felt lucky to be able to spend it with them.
“This is a good start to enhance our creativity!” Rudolf said, encouraging me. With all the joy and laughter filling the room, I knew that with family, every moment can be an extraordinary moment.
“How about we go shopping for your painting supplies? And I’ll also get you a painting mentor?” Rudolf offered with a genuine smile.
I was surprised to hear his suggestion. “Wow, seriously? That’s so nice of you, Rudolf!” I replied, full of joy. Interest and gratitude filled my heart. I didn’t expect him to offer something so supportive of my hobby.
“Well, I see you’re passionate about painting, even though you’re a little frustrated. I believe that by learning more, you can do great things,” he explained, his eyes shining with conviction.
The offer made my heart tremble. This wasn’t just about painting; this was Rudolf’s real support to pursue what I loved. I instantly felt more motivated.
“You know, I’ve never really thought about taking formal courses or having a mentor,” I said, trying to absorb all this good news.
“Why not? We can find someone who can guide you and help you improve your skills. Plus, shopping for new supplies would be fun!” he winked, brightening the mood.
“Wow, thank you! This means a lot to me,” I said, feeling the sweetness of my husband’s support. “I’m looking forward to learning and developing this skill. With the kids, I’m sure we can create something amazing!”
Rudolf smiled, pleased with my reaction. “We can also make family time out of this. Painting is a great way to come together and share creativity together,” he said.
It wasn’t just about painting, but also about spending quality time as a family. All the plans to shop and learn with a mentor would mean a lot to us.
“Okay, let’s go! I’m ready to shop!” I exclaimed, full of enthusiasm.
“Shh! I want to come too!” Emma and Daniel’s voices answered at the same time as if they knew we were going to do something fun.
We got ready and went shopping right away. When we stepped out, a sense of excitement and togetherness filled our minds. This activity would be more than just buying painting supplies—it was a step towards building beautiful memories in our already close-knit family.
When we were in the stationery store, it wasn’t just me who was excited, but also my two children, Emma and Daniel. They ran from one shelf to another, looking at various types of brushes, paints, and papers. Their enthusiasm made the atmosphere even more cheerful.
Rudolf just looked at the three of us with a proud smile. I could see how much he enjoyed this moment, feeling part of the warmth and happiness of our family. He is not only my husband but also a loving father to our children.
“Look, Mom! There’s a big paintbrush!” Daniel shouted, catching my attention. “I want that one!”
“And here are some colorful paints!” Emma exclaimed, showing me the paint cans that were gleaming under the lamplight.