CHAPTER ELEVEN
HIDE AND SEEK
After Dinner
"Alright, cuties, now let's play a little game to help digest our meal. What do you think about hide-and-seek?"
"Yay!" they shouted happily.
"Okay, when I count to ten, you all have to hide."
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Here I come!"
Sienna tiptoed upstairs, checking each room. She started with her own room, looking under the bed, inside the closet, and in the bathroom. Next, she checked her parents' room. There, she caught a glimpse of a little figure hiding inside the closet.
"Caught you!"
She lifted Mia up, making the little girl giggle.
About ten minutes later, everyone had been found. The children smiled happily, their faces slightly sweaty from all the running around.
Sienna walked over and gently wiped their faces.
"Mine! Mine! I'm next!" the children shouted.
Mr. Blake chuckled.
"Kiddo, you seem to be having fun with the kids."
"Good evening, Mr. Blake," Mia and Lyla greeted politely.
"We already had dinner," Sienna said. "Should I serve your meal?"
"No need. I'm waiting for your mom so we can eat together. Take the kids to Ava's room and let them rest."
"Alright. Let's go."
Holding their hands, Sienna led them upstairs.
Opening the door to Ava's room, she guided them into the bathroom. One by one, she bathed them and changed them into their pajamas.
"Tell us a story, Auntie Sienna!"
"Alright."
After tucking them into bed, Sienna sat beside them.
"This is the story of the Tortoise and the Rat."
"Once upon a time in the animal kingdom, there was a race between a tortoise and a rat. The tortoise was very slow, but he remained focused on the race. The rat, however, was arrogant and easily distracted.
"He would run far ahead, then turn back to see how far behind the tortoise was. Every time he saw the tortoise moving slowly, he would laugh and mock him before running off again.
"He did this many times, but the tortoise never lost focus.
"Eventually, the rat became bored. Forgetting he was in a race, he went off to play with a cat. He thought the tortoise would still be far behind when he returned.
"But after playing for a long while, the rat came back only to discover that the race had already ended. The tortoise, who had remained steady and determined, had crossed the finish line and won the prize."
Looking down, Sienna found that all three children had fallen asleep.
A loving smile appeared on her face.
She quietly walked to the nightstand and switched off the lamp before leaving for her own room.
After taking a bath, she changed into her bunny-print pajamas, looking adorable and comfortable.
Click.
The bedside lamp went off, and the room fell into silence.
---
The Next Morning
"Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Mia, Lyla, and Ava."
"Good morning, Sienna," they chorused.
"Have a seat," Mr. Blake said. "Breakfast is ready."
"Mmm."
Ava looked around.
"Dad, where's Momma?"
"Your mother made breakfast and had to leave a little earlier today."
Ava's lips pouted.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"I miss Momma."
Big pearl-like tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Oh, sweetheart, it's okay. Don't cry. Isn't Dad here?"
He pulled her into a hug and gently comforted her.
Sienna watched the little girl in her father's arms, her expression softening.
"Baby, guess who's taking us on an outing trip?"
Ava blinked her watery eyes.
"I don't know, Daddy."
Mr. Blake gently tapped her head.
"Your mom has some free time next Saturday, so we're all going camping."
"Camping?"
"Yes. We'll go mountain climbing, sightseeing, and enjoy lots of food. There's a hotel at the foot of the mountain where we'll stay from Friday night until Sunday morning. We'll attend church there before driving back home."
"Yay! Camping! Camping!"
Ava cheered excitedly.
Mia and Lyla exchanged envious glances. They wanted to go too, but they doubted their parents would allow it.
Sienna noticed their expressions.
"Do you want to come along?"
The girls stared at her in surprise.
"Can we?"
"How about we ask your parents? If they agree, you can come with us."
"Okay!"
Sienna looked meaningfully at her father, silently asking him to handle it.
"Alright, children. No more talking. Finish your breakfast."
He walked into the living room and made a phone call. Although Sienna could hear him talking, she couldn't make out the conversation.
Five minutes later, Mr. Blake returned.
"I called your parents. They agreed to let both of you come."
"Yay!"
The girls smiled brightly.
Soon, car horns sounded outside.
"Kids, your drivers are here."
"Bye-bye, Mr. Blake!"
"Bye, Auntie Sienna!"
"Bye, Ava! See you on Monday!"
The girls hurried outside.
Sienna noticed her father chatting warmly with their parents as if they had known each other for years.
Dad has always been very social. Ava definitely got that trait from him. I'm more reserved—not exactly an introvert, but not particularly outgoing either.
She spent the rest of the day browsing online stores, chatting with friends, making phone calls, and reading.
Ring!
The alarm clock sounded.
It was already 6 p.m.
She needed to get ready for the sleepover.
She had informed her parents about it the previous day, and they had given their permission. Although her mother had been reluctant at first, her father had smoothed things over.
Dressed in a white tank top and fitted black pants, Sienna looked effortlessly beautiful.
Her long hair was styled into two ponytails adorned with elegant hair clips. Her face was free of makeup, highlighting her natural beauty.
A white handbag and a red travel bag sat beside her, packed with clothes, toiletries, and pajamas.
Silver star-shaped earrings sparkled from her ears, while a simple white necklace rested around her neck. On her wrist was a delicate red bracelet.
After eating dinner, she called her father.
Ring. Ring.
"Good evening, Daddy," she said sweetly.
"Good evening, Kiddo."
"Dad, I'm leaving for my friend's place now. When are you coming back?"
"Since you'll be busy, I was thinking of sending Ava to your aunt's place for the night."
"Of course not, Dad. You know how Aunt treats us. Besides, Ava doesn't like staying there."
She paused before continuing.
"How about this? I'll call my friends first, and if they agree, I'll bring Ava along with me."