CHAPTER 188

Chapter 188

As Hayden led Queenie out into the lobby, Stacey and Debra, still lingering by the door, caught the tail end of their conversation, Stacey, feeling like an outsider, had no interest in intruding further, so she gently closed the door behind her.

Debra, picking up on the atmosphere, turned to her daughter with a knowing look. “It’s getting late. Let’s take a shower and prepare for tomorrow’s new product launch event.”

The mention of Eklonna’s new product launch event sparked inmediate excitement in Stacey. “Yes! Let’s do that!” she exclaimed, her earlier worries casing away.

Gwen and Marie took the kids to bathe, while Stacey headed to her own room to wash up. They had booked several rooms, each equipped with convenient bathrooms, making it easy for everyone to get ready.

Once Gwen and Marie finished bathing Lillian and Kevin, the two kids emerged in adorable, fluffy nightgowns, running happily toward their mother’s room.

Despite having hired maternity matrons, Stacey believed it was important to be actively involved in her children’s lives. She felt it was crucial for Lillian and Kevin to experience their mother’s warmth as they grew, which was why she often chose to sleep with them at night.

After her shower, Debra joined Stacey and the kids. Seeing her daughter surrounded by the two little ones made her heart swell. After saying goodnight, Debra left with a smile, having embraced the innocent joy radiating from her grandchildren.

Stacey and the kids also said goodnight to Debra. At this moment, they looked cute with almost the same expression.

Once alone, Lillian and Kevin turned to their mother with eager eyes, practically bouncing with excitement. “Mom, tell us à story!” Lillian chimed.

“I want to hear stories too!” Kevin added, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Lillian and Kevin adored their mom’s bedtime stories more than anything else.

With a smile, Stacey invited them under the quilt, settled down alongside them, and retrieved the well–loved storybook.

As she read, Stacey felt the calming effect of her voice wash over the children. They cozied up, their eyelids growing heavy), until they were both sound asleep, lulled by the magic of the tales.

Stacey continued softly, her voice gradually fading with their breaths. Eventually, she closed the book and placed it on the bedside table, scooting down to rest herself.

Just as she began to drift off, Kevin bolted upright, his sleepy eyes wide open.

Stacey was startled and sat up. “Kevin?” she said, bewildered.

Kevin’s little lips curled in a frown. He glanced at the storybook. “Mom, your story hasn’t been finished yet.”

Stacey internally sighed, caught between exhaustion and responsibility. She gently coaxed Kevin back down, reaching for the storybook once more and promising to finish the tale.

As she read, her own eyelids fought against sleep, dropping heavier with each word. But Kevin’s eager gaze kept her going. and after what felt like an eternity, she finally finished the short story. With a relieved exhale, she tucked the book away. “All done!” she announced, looking at Kevin expectantly.

“Okay,” he responded, snuggling deeper into the blankets.

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Stacey meticulously arranged the quilt around him, turning off the bedside lamp to invite the soothing darkness. Just as she lay down again, Kevin’s voice broke through the silence once more. “Mom, I can’t sleep”

Stacey’s patience was waning,

“I want to hear another story, Kevin insisted, his eyes sparkling.

Stacey wanted to protest; she was too tired for more storytelling But looking into his earnest gaze, she relented. With at heavy heart, she pushed herself up again, retrieved the beloved storybook, and started another tale.

After three stories in quick succession, Stacey felt a surge of accomplishment. Kevin finally seerned to embrace the idea of sleep, and she switched off the light, only to fall asleep within seconds.

But peace was short–lived, for Lillian was up soon after, crying out, “Mom, I wanna peel”

After Stacey was woken up, she quickly came back to her senses and hurriedly took Lillian to the bathroom.

The next morning. Stacey woke with dark circles under her eyes. Gwen and Marie arrived shortly thereafter, eager to help with the kids. Having extra hands around felt like a blessing.

Once Lillian and Kevin had completed their morning routines, Stacey ventured to freshen up herself. The soft sounds of excited chatter from the living room told her the twins had already run off to see their grandma.

In the next room, the twins knocked eagerly on Debra’s door. Startled, she blinked awake and opened the door like a reluctant dawn.

Grandma, it’s time to get up!” Lillian announced, her eyes wide and determined. Looking at her grandmother in pajamas and sleepy face, Lillian knew that she hadn’t gotten up yet.

Kevin observed his grandmother, still in her pajamas, and earnestly declared, “It’s good to go to bed early and get up early!”

Debra chuckled, finding humor in his statement. She reached down to pinch Kevin’s cheek. “You’re quite the little teacher, aren’t you?”

Not wanting to drag the morning out further, Debra slipped away to get dressed while Lillian and Kevin embarked on another day of discovery, exploring their grandma’s room like little adventurers.j

Their excitement led them back to Stacey’s room, where they searched for Stacey but found only silence. Then, hearing noise coming from the bathroom, they rushed to the door, knocking and demanding. “Mom, what are you doing?”

Stacey, caught mid–task, could only chuckle at their curiosity.

Kevin, brows furrowed in concentration, pushed against the door, eager for answers.

“Lillian, Kevin, don’t push the door. Mom is doing something and will be out soon, she called, trying to maintain some semblance of order.

“What is Mom doing?” came Kevin’s innocent inquiry.

Stacey felt at a loss for words, not wanting to answer.

‘Mom!” Lillian waited for a while, but before her mother could answer, she immediately shouted louder. Stacey was so startled that she woke up a lot.

Before Stacey could reply. Lillian added with excitement, “Grandma is up!”

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Stacey paused, momentarily, bewildered before responding, “Yes yes she is.”

“Grandma is still in her pajamas,” Kevin complained. “But she has gone to the fitting room to change her clothes,” Kevin added, looking cute,