*Please don't go, don't leave me and the babies alone. How do you want them to grow up without a mother?" Caden begged, his voice filled with desperation as his girlfriend walked out of the hospital just after giving birth to their twins*. Caden was a loving and devoted man, but everything changed when his girlfriend discovered she was pregnant and realized she wasn't ready for motherhood. After giving birth, she abandoned Caden and their newborn twins, leaving him heartbroken and alone. Years later, Caden hires Melody, a wild and unpredictable woman, to be a babysitter for his children. Melody isn't your average babysitter-she's trouble with a capital T. Loud, impulsive, and full of chaos, she brings an energy to Caden's life that he never expected. Despite her unpredictable nature, she seems to connect with the twins in ways no one else can. But as Melody antics continue to stir up trouble in Caden's life, an unexpected attraction grows between them. Caden finds himself torn between his vow never to trust another woman and the wild, crazy woman who's slowly worming her way into his heart. Can Melody tame her reckless side and become the woman Caden needs, or will her unpredictable behavior tear them apart before they have a chance to be something more?
Chapter 1 Breaking point
Caden's POV
I woke up to the noise coming from downstairs. Another day, another mess involving my kids.
With a groan, I dragged myself out of bed and headed downstairs. It was the weekend, which meant no office, but plenty of chaos at home.
"What happened now, Erica? Emily?" I called out as I descended the stairs.
The sight that greeted me made my jaw tighten: food scattered all over the floor, and the nanny crouched down, trying to clean it up.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration bubbling up. "I'm getting tired of this," I muttered under my breath. The situation was becoming routine-changing nannies every week. If the girls didn't scare them away, the nannies quit out of sheer exhaustion. Erica and Emily were as stubborn as they came.
"I don't want her, Dad!" Erica's voice was firm, crossing her arms in defiance.
"Why not?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
"We don't want a nanny!" Emily chimed in. "We want a mommy. We want our mommy!"
The words hit a nerve, and I clenched my fists. My voice was sharp when I responded. "I don't ever want to hear that word-mommy-in this house again. Do you hear me?"
Their faces fell, but I couldn't let their wishes dig up the past I worked so hard to bury.
The room fell silent after my outburst. The nanny glanced at me nervously, as if debating whether to stay or bolt. Erica and Emily just stared, their big brown eyes filled with confusion and defiance.
"Dad," Erica started, her voice smaller now, "why can't we have a mommy? Everyone else at school has one."
I sighed heavily and ran a hand through my hair. I didn't have the energy for this conversation-not again. "Go to your room. Both of you."
"But-" Emily began.
"Now," I snapped, cutting her off.
They huffed in unison but turned and stomped up the stairs. Their small feet banged loudly on each step, making sure I knew how annoyed they were.
I looked at the nanny, who was still crouched over the mess on the floor. "I'll clean this up," I said, trying to keep my tone level.
She hesitated, then stood, clutching the rag in her hands. "Sir, I think... maybe I should go."
Here we go again. "You don't have to leave. They're just kids."
She shook her head, a weak smile on her lips. "They're not just kids. They're... determined. I've never met children like them. I'm sorry, Mr. Blackwell, but I don't think I'm the right fit for this job."
And just like that, another nanny was gone.
After she left, I sat on the couch, rubbing my temples. Erica and Emily's voices echoed in my head. We want our mommy.
I stared at the framed photo on the mantel. It was turned face down, as it always was. But I didn't need to see it to remember. I never forgot.
"Mia," I muttered to myself. Her name felt like a ghost on my tongue, haunting and heavy.
I swore to never let her back into our lives. Yet, no matter how far I tried to run from the memories, she lingered-especially in the defiant stares of our daughters.
I sat there for a long while, staring at nothing, trying to gather my thoughts. The house was too quiet now, the kind of quiet that made you think too much. I hated it.
Finally, I forced myself to get up and started cleaning the mess on the floor. The nanny had left her rag behind, so I picked it up, scrubbing the sticky stains with a kind of mechanical detachment. It wasn't the first time I'd cleaned up after my kids, and it wouldn't be the last.
By the time I was done, my back ached, and my patience was wearing thin. I poured myself a cup of coffee and stood at the kitchen counter, staring out the window. The sunlight was too cheerful for how I felt inside.
The sound of footsteps broke my thoughts. I turned to see Erica standing in the doorway, her arms crossed. Behind her, Emily peeked out, her expression unsure.
"What is it now?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.
"We're sorry," Erica said, though the defiance in her voice told me she wasn't completely genuine.
I raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
"For the mess," Emily chimed in, stepping forward. She hesitated, then added, "And for yelling about... her."
The mention of her made something tighten in my chest. I placed the coffee cup down, trying to keep my emotions in check.
"Look," I said, crouching to their level, "I know it's hard. I know you miss... things being different. But we don't always get what we want in life. You understand that, don't you?"
Emily nodded slowly, but Erica's jaw tightened. "But it's not fair," she muttered.
"It's not," I agreed, my voice softening despite myself. "But we have each other. That has to be enough, okay?"
They didn't look convinced, but they nodded. I pulled them both into a hug, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.
As I held them, I made a silent promise: I'd figure this out. Somehow, I'd give them the life they deserved. Even if it meant facing the one person I'd vowed to keep out of my life forever.
I'll find someone else to take care of you, but if you make her leave again, I promise I'll send you both to Granny," I said, my voice cold and firm.
They need to learn to accept how things are. I've had enough of this nonsense.
The two of them exchanged glances before storming off angrily.
I have no idea where they picked up this attitude. Neither of them is gentle, but Erica is the worst of the two. They really hate the ideas of nanny, and I know why but they can't get what they want.
Honestly, I wonder if I'll ever find another nanny willing to put up with them.
Other books by Teesha
More