Chapter 434 Sending the Kids to Kindergarten
Ashley woke up early, prepared breakfast and warmed fresh milk. Just as she was about to call the boys for school, Andy and Nate emerged from their bedroom.
"Good morning, boys," Ashley said with a warm smile. "Go wash up, and after breakfast, I'll take you to kindergarten."
"I've already washed up, Mommy," Andy reported. "Nate wanted to keep sleeping, but I got him out of bed."
Nate pouted in protest. "Andy ruined my dream!"
"Let me guess," Andy scoffed. "Were you dreaming about eating giant drumsticks again?"
"No!" Nate objected. "I dreamed about this tall, handsome man who said he was our daddy. We were just about to have our father-son reunion when you woke me up! Give me back my daddy!"
When the boys were younger, they often asked about their father. Though Ashley had amnesia, questions about him always triggered memories of Ethan, causing a sharp pain in her heart. Her sadness was impossible to hide.
The children, sensitive despite their young age, noticed her distress and gradually stopped bringing up the subject.
Ashley felt a pang of guilt for letting her emotions affect them and for possibly giving them a negative impression of their father. Fathers should be admired in their children's eyes, not associated with sadness.
Andy tugged at Nate's hand, giving him a warning glance.
Realizing his mistake, Nate quickly covered his mouth. "I'm sorry, Mommy. I didn't mean to bring up Daddy... We won't talk about that mean daddy anymore."
Ashley felt both touched by their consideration and ashamed of her own inadequacy as a parent.
She gently stroked their heads. "Andy, Nate, your daddy isn't a bad person. You're free to think about him and talk about him. Don't worry about how I feel, okay?"
Ashley had never spoken ill of Ethan to the children, and she wasn't sure why they seemed to think of him as the villain.
Andy and Nate exchanged confused glances. "Mom, I thought you hated Dad, so we didn't dare mention him," Andy explained.
"I don't hate him," Ashley shook her head. "And he's not a bad person."
Andy's face lit up with hope.
"Then why doesn't Daddy live with us?" Nate asked eagerly. "What does he look like? If he doesn't come find us, does that mean he doesn't like us?"
The barrage of questions caught Ashley off guard. She knew her husband's name was Ethan, but she had no memory of his character or personality. She didn't know how to answer.
She couldn't possibly tell her precious boys that their father didn't even know they existed—that would hurt them too much.
As Ashley struggled to find the right words, Andy seemed to sense her dilemma. "Nate, stop asking so many questions! Go wash up and eat breakfast, or we'll be late for kindergarten."
Nate recognized his brother's attempt to change the subject and reluctantly complied with an unhappy "Okay," heading to the bathroom.
Ashley tenderly stroked Andy's hair. "Andy, am I not being a good enough mother to you both?"
Andy shook his head firmly. "You're the best mommy ever. We love you so much."
Ashley sighed with relief. "Thank you, sweethearts. When you get home from school today, I'll show you pictures of your daddy."
Andy's eyes widened with excitement. Nate, still brushing his teeth with a mouth full of toothpaste, exclaimed, "Really, Mommy? Do you promise?"
Ashley smiled warmly. "Of course! I would never lie to you."
"Awesome!" Nate cheered. "I can't wait to see what Daddy looks like!"
After washing up, the boys sat down for breakfast.
Atticus came downstairs and greeted them. "Good morning, little ones!"
"Good morning, Godfather!" the boys replied in unison.
Atticus affectionately patted their heads before looking at Ashley.
She smiled at him. "I've prepared breakfast for you too, Atticus."
Atticus gazed at her with barely concealed longing. After six years together, he had fallen for her but felt unworthy of her love, so he kept his feelings hidden.
"Pearl, thank you," he said. "I need your help with something."
"What is it?" she asked.
"A customer specifically requested that you deliver fresh milk to her. I checked—she's an elderly woman living alone. Would you be able to go?"
Ashley nodded. "Sure, but the milk needs to be delivered early. Could you take the boys to kindergarten for me?"
"Of course," Atticus agreed.
The boys, who adored Atticus, were delighted by this arrangement.
Ashley removed her apron. "Andy, Nate, be good for your godfather. I'm off to deliver the milk."
"Yes, Mommy! Be careful," they called after her.
As she was about to leave, Atticus hurried after her. "Pearl, I've sent you the address. It's quite far, so take my car." He pressed his keys into her hand.
"Thank you," she said, accepting them with a smile.
Atticus loaded the milk bottles into the trunk while Ashley watched him thoughtfully.
Over the past six years, Atticus had consistently shown kindness, gentlemanly behavior, and consideration. Ashley often wondered what kind of woman would be fortunate enough to marry such a man someday.
For Ashley, her feelings toward Atticus were those of deep friendship and profound gratitude.
"All set," he said. "Drive safely."
"I will," she nodded before getting into the car and driving away.
Atticus returned to find the boys finished with breakfast. After quickly eating a few bites himself, he announced, "Ready to go, boys? Time for kindergarten!"
"Yes, Godfather!" they responded enthusiastically.
In the car, Nate said, "Godfather, Mommy promised to show us pictures of our daddy after school today. I'm so curious what he looks like!"
Atticus's hands tightened momentarily on the steering wheel, his heart aching. He thought about Ethan's "abandonment" of his wife but refrained from saying anything negative.
"Just be good at school today," he said with a forced smile. "When you get home, your mommy will show you those photos, and then you'll see what he looks like."
Nate's lower lip protruded slightly. "I don't like the kids at kindergarten. They're mean to Andy and me. They say we're children without a father!"
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