Chapter 80: Chapter 80

Smiling a small contented smile, Hope visibly relaxed for a moment, but then the nervousness seemed to take over her small body again, as Missy led them to the large counter, where the old man greeted them warmly.

-We… Hmmm… – Hope stammered nervously, hugging Missy with more and more desperation – We wanted an ice cream… Huh… – Her little daughter was getting more and more insecure, looking at her as if she was begging for help.

- I would like a strawberry ice cream, please. – Missy asked softly, as she remembered saying when she was a little girl so terribly shy that she could barely ask anything from people she didn't know – And you, my love? she asked Hope, with a smile full of encouragement, for her to keep talking.

- I want chocolate... Please. – Hope whispered, completely blushing, before burying her face in her mother's shoulder quickly.

- Well, what a polite little girl... – the gentleman smiled, while picking up some glass bowls – You must be very proud to have such a kind daughter, ma'am.

- I'm always proud of her. - Missy returned the smile, placing a kiss on Hope's hair, while feeling her smile shyly against her shoulder, clearly happy with the compliment she had received.

- Why don't you sit down for a while? - the gentleman offered - I'll bring the ice creams in a minute.

- Thanks. – Missy smiled, thanking him for much more than just that courtesy, before following her daughter to one of the tables, having to bite her cheek to keep from laughing when she realized that Hope's expression was completely shocked and excited.

- We did it, Mom! – Hope exclaimed innocently.

- Did you see? – Missy smiled, extending her hand so that the two could clap – We are both capable of doing anything!

Clapping the small hand in hers, Hope bounced a little in her chair excitedly before she seemed to remember something important and her smile dropped a little.

- Mom, I... Will I be able to tell my little story tomorrow? she asked her mother slowly, uncertainly.

- Do you want to tell? – Missy returned his question, happy to see her immediately nod her head, making it clear how much she really wanted that – So I'm sure you'll get it, my love. – Missy encouraged her, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear – Just make sure you're having fun doing it. And if by chance you end getting nervous, just close your eyes and pretend you're telling your little story just for me. – Missy brushed her nose over hers, in a little Eskimo kiss that made her little girl laugh sweetly – And that I'm loving it, just like I love everything about you.

- I love you too, Mommy! – Hope kissed her cheek with the softness of the touch of a butterfly's wings, making her heart warm with the depth of love she felt for her little girl – Much, much, much!

- Oh, my little angel... Mommy will always love you. – She pulled her onto her lap, hugging her affectionately – Just like daddy will always love you. And your brothers will love you. And your grandparents. And your uncles. And your cousins...

-I got it, Mom... - Hope laughed, while Missy tickled her neck.

- Did you see? There are so many people who love you and will always be by your side, that I can't even finish counting. – she joked, making her daughter's eyes shine with emotion – So, always remember all of us when something happens that makes you feel sad, like today. Because we will always be here to make you smile again, my sweetheart... - Missy caressed her baby's pretty face, looking at her with all the love in the world - Make you smile and remind you how beautiful you are , and sweet, and wonderful and special... - she gave Hope a wet and cracked kiss with each new compliment, making her laugh happily - The whole universe was made just for you and your brothers, my love. Never forget that. Missy leaned her forehead against her daughter's as they smiled at each other.

- I love you so much, mommy! – Hope exclaimed, hugging her with all the strength she had in her little arms, finally happy and excited as she truly was.

Overjoyed to see her little girl happy again, Missy spent the rest of that hour playing with Hope and making her smile and forget about everything that had happened that day, until they both realized that it was time for the lunch and that probably Logan, Jonathan, Tristan and Gwyneth should be home soon. Taking the hand of her little girl, more bouncy and fluffy than ever, Missy helped her pay the bill to the nice old man, before the two went to her house, having only a minute to get out of the car completely before the huge and luxurious car family SUV pulled up beside them.

"So..." She smiled as she saw Logan get out of the driver's door, followed by Tristan in the backseat, who was showing her something on his newest cell phone, which she knew he had been having some trouble with ever since. who had bought it, weeks ago – Do I press here? – Her husband questioned his son, clearly confused.

- No, father. - Tristan laughed - You press here and here. – he explained quickly, running his fingers over the screen of his father's cell phone.

- Whenever I pick this thing up, I feel like I'm 92 instead of 42. - Logan sighed, putting his cell phone in his pocket as he watched the other two children safely jump out of the car, before turning to Missy, flashing a smile. as soon as he saw her with Hope.

- Daddy! – Her little daughter celebrated, just like she did every day whenever Logan came home, jumping out of Missy's arms so she could run to him, while Jonathan, Tristan and Gwyneth approached her.

- Mommy! – Jonathan was the first to reach her, looking euphoric – My music teacher praised me today, after I played Debussy for him! Do you want to hear me play too later? – His son asked, hopefully.

- I'm so proud of you, darling! – Missy kissed her forehead, ecstatic – And of course I want to hear from you! Let's go to the piano after lunch, okay?

- Mom, will you help me take my dolls to the moon again? – Gwyneth hugged her waist slyly – It's been a long time since you've had a tea party with me there...

- Of course, dear… – Missy kissed the tip of her nose – As soon as your brother has enchanted me with his music, I'll run to your room. – she promised dramatically, making little Gwyneth laugh, delighted – But, before we do all that, we have to eat, right? – she stroked Tristan's hair, before nodding towards the door of the house, encouraging her children to enter, being intercepted immediately by Luke, Leia and Han, the three fuzzy and effusive mutts who never left the house One of the Knights remained silent, while Rey followed slowly behind them, the many tufts of snow-white fur amidst the light gray, betraying her very advanced age, but which still allowed her to stand with great effort in order to receive some affection from your beloved children.

Missy was still watching her children run into the bathroom, dogs in hot pursuit, to wash their hands, when Logan and Hope appeared beside her, hugging tightly, he placed her on the ground, allowing her to go after the brothers, as his controlledly calm countenance turned to annoyance, letting Missy know that Hope had certainly told her father. because he left school early that day.

- You're not going to threaten four-year-olds with death, Logan. – Missy raised an eyebrow at him playfully – You can get that idea out of your head.

- But I can threaten the parents, for not having educated them, which, technically, comes to the same thing. - Logan muttered, irritated - All I know is that nobody makes my children feel as sad as Hope seemed, when she told me they laughed at her.

- You know how children are... - Missy rested her head on his shoulder, feeling those strong arms wrap around her immediately - The important thing is that she looks better now. She even agreed to speak again to the class about the story she created tomorrow, can you believe it? – Missy smiled proudly – It took me days just to stop crying when I was her age.

- That's because you didn't have such a wonderful mother, who did for you what Hope told me you two did today. - Logan purred, staring at her with fascination.

- But I had my father... And that's exactly what he always did for me: he supported and cared for me, no matter what happened... - Missy sighed heavily, letting herself relax against his father's chest. the man she loved, as her children appeared in the hall again, laughing and playing as they made their way to the kitchen, ready for lunch.

- Are you OK love? Logan asked, a touch of concern in his deep voice as he tucked his chin into the curve of her shoulder so he could get a better look at her.

Watching her older children each give Hope a hand, while Gwyneth gestured and talked excitedly in front of them as the four of them disappeared into the kitchen doorway with the dogs, Missy felt her heart warm in the knowledge that Hope had never really would have a mother like Victoria. Not just her, but none of her brothers either. They would always have that big, loud family to hug and support them at the end of the day, no matter how good or bad it was. And, tomorrow, she was sure her daughter would speak to her peers, no matter how nervous she was or if some other child insisted on laughing at her again. Because Hope knew she could be anything she wanted to be, just as Jonathan, Tristan and Gwyneth knew too.

Because they all knew they were loved just the way they were. And they would always know.

Because she would always be there to tell them.

And so, with an emotional smile and tears of joy, Missy looked into the face of the man who made her love him more every day and with whom she had built that beautiful family, - that whole little private and perfect universe - unbelievably, from of a revenge plan, and answered him calmly.

- I couldn't be better.