Chapter 80

Nan’s POV

It was parent-teacher conference day.

An event I was not previously invited to last time. This time Lionel personally informed me. Another positive change to our routine.

“Mom, mom! You have to hurry up.” Vera half asked, half commanded.

We are walking toward the school. Both girls walk at either side of me and hold my hands. Patti lightly swings our hands back and forth.

“Yeah! Mrs. Gorgan said that I’m really good at drawing!” Patti announces proudly.

“That’s your art teacher, right?” I check.

“Yup! We were learning how to draw new shapes.”

But Vera was not one to be outdone. “Mrs. Lily said I make ob-zer-ations.” Vera mispronounces.

I hold back a smile. “Observations?”

“Uh-huh.” Vera lifts her chin haughtily. But I see the faint blush around her ears.

I lightly tug at my slightly shrunk jacket. Another laundry ‘mishap.’ Hoping the teachers will pay no mind to my slightly unkept appearance.

The bond between me and my daughters was as strong as ever. Lionel and I were slowly rebuilding our fragile relationship under a new foundation of trust and respect. But the damage had been done to my other relationships.

Things were still strained between the staff and me. I had not forgotten the way no one stood up for me. Or warned me of what was coming.

I knew some of them felt guilty. Things had thawed between me and a few of my previous acquaintances. A few maids and cooks had apologized and began interacting with me.

But the other half of the staff still despised me. I could see it from their frosty gazes. I had been having little ‘accidents’ here and there since I returned.

I knew Lionel would want me to tell him. But it felt petty to do so. Especially because I knew it was mostly his fault that they looked at me differently.

All of the respect I had earned through my own merit was tainted. Ruined by the knowledge that Lionel and I slept together. Some of those good opinions were lost forever.

The notion stung. But I accepted it. Still…I could have done without the little pranks.

“Well, let’s not keep them waiting.” Lionel’s smooth voice called from the other side of Vera.

“Not when we get to hear all about our smart girls.” I add.

“It’s my favorite part of the day.” Lionel eggs on when he notices the happy flush on our daughters’ faces at the compliment.

The hallways are filled with eager young faces. Some not so happy ones too. I tried not to grin when I noticed that.

The meetings went well for the most part. Most of them nearly tripped over themselves to properly greet Lionel. All of them lavish ridiculous amounts of praise on Vera and Patti when they realizes whose children they are.

Words like “prodigies” and “genius in the making” kept coming up. I resisted the urge to snort. Their claims becoming more outlandish by the second.

‘I love my girls but I wouldn’t call them that.’ I muse. ‘They’re six years old…’

I could see from his blank expression how bored that made him.

I feel a spark of mischief. I resolve to let him enter from there on. Determined to keep myself entertained by his reactions.

But I am not the only one feeling mischievous.

We finally meet the famous Mrs. Gorgan.

She is an older woman in her late 40’s. Small streaks of grey in her strawberry blonde hair. A kind, warm expression.

I understand why this is Patti’s favorite teacher at first glance. I could imagine with ease how young children would gravitate to those twinkling sky-blue eyes. I knew I would have loved her as a child.

She is also the first teacher not to bend over backwards to greet Lionel. I like her instantly. Lionel’s bored expression lifts slightly.

I have been denied my free entertainment for the moment. But I am not too put off by that. Intrigued by this spunky woman.

“You must be Patti and Vera’s father.” She bows her head slightly in respect. But no further.

Lionel’s mouth twitches. “I am. Patti here was telling us how good she is at drawing.”

Mrs. Gorgan peers over at me. “You must be the girls’ mother.”

Lionel and I begin to open our mouths to explain. To try and clarify our rather complicated circumstances. But we are beaten to it.

“Yes, this is our mommy!” Vera says loudly. Too loud.

I see heads turn to look in our direction. Whispers from parents echoing down the hallways. My cheeks burn.

“Actually-” I say.

“I’m so happy I have a mommy now. Daddy even smiles!” Vera says in a conspiratory tone.

Patti giggles. “Mom and dad act so silly. Sometimes their scents gets spicy and stinky when they keep staring too long.”

The whispers grow louder and someone chuckles. I tug at my shirt. The room suddenly feels too warm.

“OKAY! Let’s talk about Patti and Vera’s grades.” Lionel barks out.

Mrs. Gorgan only laughs airily. “That’s good for you girls. Now…”

I dislike Mrs. Lily on the other hand. I watch those hazel eyes check Lionel out. I grit my teeth.

She struts over. Completely ignoring me. “You must be Alpha Lionel.”

He nods curtly. “You’re Vera’s science teacher.” He states more than asks.

“I am.” She purrs.

Patti frowns and takes my hand. I lightly squeeze it. Holding back the strength of my jealousy.

Lionel’s gaze goes from polite boredom to derision. “We’re here to discuss Vera’s grades.”

“Oh yes…Vera is a very smart girl. She has great skills of observations. She would do rather well in a scientific field.”

Vera steps forward. “Thank you, Mrs. Lily.”

“No need for thanks. It’s only the truth.” Mrs. Lily responds in false humility.

“I am a great observer. But I don’t know if you are.” Vera says arrogantly.

“Vera…” I warn.

“Excuse me?” The bold woman blurts out.

“You are not excused.” Patti says.

“Patti!” Lionel says sternly.

But Vera is not done. “If you were…you see my mommy standing beside my dad.”

The woman’s eyes flash to me. An ugly flush covers her face. “Mommy?”

Lionel steps forward. “Yes. This is their mother.”

There is no room for argument in his tone. I stare at him with amazement. Warmed by his conviction.

“Oh. My apologies. I did not see you there.” She stammers.

“I’m sure you didn’t.” I comment. “Now, how about we talk about Vera’s grades?”

Everything ran smoothly after that. We were all starving by the end of it. So we let the girls choose our takeout.

“So what do you think?” I ask.

Patti tilts her head thoughtfully. The gesture is one of Lionel’s mannerisms. I suppress a grin.

“I want…chicken!” She proclaims.

Vera whines. “No! Noodles!”

They bicker amongst themselves. Lionel stops them before they get too out of hand. “How about chicken noodles?”

“That sounds delicious.” I add. Hoping they will take the bait.

Our ploy works.

“Yay!” Patti shrieks.

“Can we get the kind that’s not soup? I don’t like soup.” Vera clarifies.

Lionel and I share an exasperated look. “I don’t know, Nan. Is it legal?” Lionel asks sarcastically.

Patti sits up straight. “Of course Dad! Mr. Jo’s noodle shop would not be open if it was wrong.”

I lightly ruffle Patti’s dark curls. “Well if you say so Patti cake. It must be true.”

Dinner is light and fun.

Vera throws a carrot on Patti’s plate. Patti throws a piece of broccoli on Veras. It goes back and forth like this for several minutes.

Lionel and I pretend we do notice.

I glance at the head butler’s twitching eye. ‘Nope, I’m not saying anything.’ I think pettily.

Lionel gives me a questioning tilt of his head at my wondering attention. I only shake mine and smile. Now is not the time to ruin my mood with morbid thoughts.

We send the girls up to their rooms after dinner. Lionel and I wander to the living room. The atmosphere between us relaxed.

“That wasn’t so bad.” Lionel comments.

“You mean the near food fight?” I ask with amusement.

“I meant at the school.” He says.

“Yeah. Except for the part where Vera embarrassed us.” I laugh.

But Lionel does not. “I wasn’t embarrassed by it. Was she wrong?”

I bite my lip. “No.” I admit.

An unwelcome voice breaks the mood.

“Now isn’t this an interesting sight?”