Chapter 3 The Discovery

AVA! OLIVIA! The meal is ready. After Isabelle and Theo insisted that I stay until lunch, which caused me to miss work, Isabelle exclaimed,

"We're here, girls!" Olivia yelled while seated at the table. You neglected to wash your hands. I murmured, crossing my hands and frowning at them.

Before rushing to the bathroom to wash their hands, they both muttered, "I'm sorry," and returned to the kitchen.

The question, "Where is Daddy?" Olivia questioned Isabelle.

Theo appeared at the kitchen door and said, "Daddy just got home from work."

"DADDY!" I noticed Ava watching Theo and Olivia as Olivia ran to her dad as he hugged her.

Theo called out, "Ava, baby, come here," as Ava grinned and rushed to embrace him.

"Have my princesses cleaned their hands?" They both nodded as he questioned

He released the girls from his embrace and said, "Good job, girls; let's go eat."

Theo remarked, "Ava sit here, Olivia," as he took a seat between them, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of how Theo would treat Ava the same way he treated his daughter.

I looked at Isabelle as she placed a hand on my shoulder and gave it a light squeeze, and we both grinned.

Before everyone began to eat, we served the meal.

Whose turn is it now? Theo queried

"Mine!" As Olivia shouted, "Ava's!" Ava said.

Theo said, "Oops, guess I forgot," which made the girls smile.

I actually have a fantastic suggestion: how about getting ice cream later? said Isabelle

"YES!" We four-yelled.

"I didn't mean you, Theo and Lilian; I meant Olivia and Ava!" As we chuckled, Isabelle remarked

"But can't Daddy and Auntie come, right?" Olivia enquired

Yes, baby, whatever you both desire. However, please finish your meal so that we can go to bed later. As we sat and consumed our meals, Isabelle said

Before the doorbell to the house rang, I got up to wash my hands.

I walked over to the door and said, "I'll get it." When I opened it, a familiar pair of eyes greeted mine, sending a surge of shock through me.

How did you get here? I said

Hello to you as well, he added, his face expressionless.

"Babe, who's at the door?" The kitchen was where Isabelle yelled.

How did you discover this home? What brought you here? I remarked, feeling very anxious.

"Lilian?" Theo remarked as he approached the threshold.

"Lilian!" When he noticed who was at the door, he moved in my direction.

Why are you in this place? How did you discover this residence? Theo queried

Dan put on a sneer and stated, "You forgot who I am."

Do you think I care about who you are anyway? No! Just fuck leave, Theo replied, attempting to contain his rage.

"Theo," I said, "it's fine."

Theo halted me and said, "Go inside," before turning to Dan.

She won't be leaving. Dan said, "I'm here to speak with her.

Theo crossed his arms and continued, "But she doesn't want to talk to you."

She has a tongue, right? She's competent to talk for herself, Dan said.

Theo closed the door, saying, "It's not your business; just leave."

I won't be leaving. When Ava rushed to the door, Dan was hunched.

"Ava!" Both of them appeared by the door, and Isabelle yelled.

"Ava, enter," I ordered.

"Ma?" She remarked while perplexedly glancing between Dan and me.

"Dan" "What are you doing here?" she asked, turning to face him.

Dan greeted Ava and asked, "How are you?"

"I'm OK! Why are you in this place? She inquired while grinning.

"Ava, baby, could you please go to Olivia's room?" She shook her head at Theo's comment as he kneeled next to her.

I'm eager to see Dan. Ava added, "He promised me he'd take us sometime to buy presents with all the kids who were in the performance.

"I'm still keeping my word; I'll be picking you guys up soon." I'll simply have to arrange it with your teacher, Dan stated as he continued to watch her as she tried to think of something.

"Ava, enter," I commanded.

Let's go, Ava, Isabelle remarked.

She shook her head. "Nope, I want to see Dannn."

I cried "AVA JUST GO INSIDE" as a shock wave hit her, and she rushed upstairs with tears streaming down her face.

As she followed Ava, Isabelle remarked, "I'll go with her."

"Can you please just leave?" I avoided his sight, I said.

Dan remarked, "You didn't need to yell at her."

It's not your business, I said, so please go.

Theo pushed him out and shut the door, saying, "JUST FUCKING LEAVE," as he grabbed me to his chest.

Holding back my emotions, I continued, "He knows it, Theo; he knows."

"Lilian, I think it's time you talk to him because I don't think he'll stop; you need to talk to him, and if he figures everything out, I'll be here with you, okay?" He remarked, "You upset your baby."

I said, "I'll talk to her," as I entered Olivia's room and discovered Isabelle sobbing while holding Ava.

'Baby girl,' I uttered.

She said, "I don't want to talk to you."

What did I tell Ava, exactly? Isabelle remarked as Ava huffed.

"You talk, guys, and I'll go." We were silent for a few moments after Isabelle announced she was leaving before she looked up, and I continued to look at her.

We both uttered "I'm sorry" at the same time.

"What are you sorry for, baby?" Pulling her to my chest, I spoke as I dried her tears.

She responded quietly, "I'm sorry for not going; I just wanted to see Dan."

Baby, I'm sorry too; I shouldn't have yelled at you. But you should pay attention to me; all I want is for you to feel safe with me. I said

"Is Dan the bad guy?" She inquired as I struggled to swallow a lump in my throat.

"Mommy?" I didn't respond, so she said it while gazing at me.

We should be wary of strangers, I said. "No, baby, he's not; he's just a stranger."

I nodded, and Ava continued, "Then I promise you, mommy, I won't talk to him a lot, but he is kind."

Should we return home? I prompted her

She pouted, "But Auntie Tee said we'd go get ice cream."

She nodded with a smile on her face, and I replied, "We could pass by an ice cream bus, while you could go with them in another time, baby."