Little Zami’s eyes widened in surprise, her tiny form frozen for a mont as she tried to make sense of what she’d just been told. The words hung in the air, and for a second, she didn’t know how to react. Mira watched her closely, feeling a wave of empathy wash over her.
After all, Zami was just a child, and the revelation she had just received was a lot to process. Naturally, her reaction was exactly what Mira expected. At only five years old, the world felt like a big, confusing place, and this mont, with all its excitent and mystery, was just another part of that.
"Mommy, is that why he ca for my birthday? To surprise ?" Zami asked, her voice full of wonder and innocence, as if she was trying to piece it all together in her little head.
Mira hesitated, her thoughts racing. She could feel the weight of the mont, unsure of how to answer her daughter’s question. It wasn’t entirely a lie to say that Zamian had co for Zami’s birthday, but Mira didn’t want to make it sound like so grand plan when, in truth, it was more complicated than that. Yet, looking at her daughter’s hopeful face, Mira couldn’t bear the thought of shattering that happiness with the whole truth, not yet. Zami had already been through so much, and Mira had promised herself that she would never let her daughter feel the sa pain she had felt as a child—abandoned, unloved, and always on the edge of heartbreak. She wanted Zami to feel safe, loved, and cherished, not burdened with adult complexities and secrets.
With a deep breath, Mira nodded slowly. "Yes, sweetheart, that’s why he ca. To surprise you."
Zami’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. Her little hands clapped together in pure joy. "Oh my, I’m so happy!" she squealed, her voice full of excitent and wonder. It was as if the world had suddenly beco a magical place in her eyes, where everything made sense, and every day held a new surprise. For a mont, Mira couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s infectious happiness. It was hard to believe that such a young child could be so full of life, even after all the turmoil that had co her way.
Zami, still bouncing with excitent, suddenly grew quiet and looked up at Mira. "Where is Daddy?" she asked, her voice a little softer now, full of longing.
Mira’s heart swelled with affection. The warmth in her chest was overwhelming, and she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry at this sweet, innocent mont. She had never known that being a parent could make her feel like this—so full of love, yet so vulnerable. Zami had an innocence about her that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. She was truly the best daughter Mira could ever ask for, and she would do anything to protect her from the harsh realities of the world.
"He’ll be here in a while," Mira answered, her voice soft and tender, as she tried to soothe any worry her daughter might have. "Now, let’s finish your howork first, okay? We need to get those assignnts done before he gets here."
Zami nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Okay, Mommy! I’ll do my best!" She imdiately grabbed her pencil and began scribbling on the paper in front of her, as if her daddy’s arrival was the most exciting thing in the world. Mira watched her for a mont, grateful that Zami was so eager to please, so full of life, despite everything.
anwhile, Zamian sat in the back of the car, staring out the window with an unreadable expression on his face. The rhythmic hum of the engine and the passing scenery did little to distract him from his thoughts. His mind was far away, lost in a whirl of emotions. The day had been long, and his responsibilities as a ruler had kept him occupied, but now that he was finally on his way ho to Mira and Zami, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of contentnt, a warmth that he hadn’t known in a long ti.
He had already picked up a few things for their family movie night—his idea of a perfect evening. With the chauffeur’s help, who had done his best to cater to Zamian’s preferences, he had bought three matching pajamas. One for Mira, one for Zami, and one for himself. Mira and Zami’s pajamas were a soft, pastel pink, while his was a simple blue. They were plain, but cute—just the way Zamian wanted it. He liked the idea of having a cozy, intimate night with his family, free from the distractions of the outside world. Tonight was about them, about making mories together.
The chauffeur, who had been glancing at Zamian through the rearview mirror, noticed the faint smile that tugged at the corner of his boss’s lips. It was a rare sight, one the chauffeur had never seen before. Zamian wasn’t known for his smiles, and certainly not when he was in the car on his way ho. The chauffeur couldn’t help but wonder what had brought this change. Was it Mira’s influence? He had never seen his boss act like this before—like soone who had found peace.
Just then, Zamian’s phone buzzed, breaking his reverie. It was a call from John.
Zamian glanced at the screen for a mont before answering, his voice steady, though tinged with a hint of impatience. "Mr. Zamian," John’s voice ca through the line, his tone businesslike. "I’ve handled the affairs here," he continued, referring to the matters of Zamian’s kingdom. "Everything is in order."
Zamian’s brow furrowed slightly. He had been expected to oversee these affairs personally, but he had been forced to stay behind due to his commitnts with Mira and Zami. At first, he hadn’t realized how much ti his family would require, how much his heart would be pulled in different directions. He had never been this torn between his duties as a ruler and his love for his family. But now, with Mira and Zami in his life, he found that nothing else seed quite as important.
Of course, family ca first. Mira had insisted that she would be okay with staying, but Zamian knew better. She didn’t want to hold him back, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. But tonight, nothing was going to ruin their plans. It was their family movie night, and he was determined to make it special.
The car ca to a sudden halt, and Zamian stepped out, his expression calm, though his mind was still occupied with thoughts of Mira and Zami.
As he walked into the apartnt, the quiet hum of the household seed to wrap around him. His eyes imdiately found Mira’s grandpa sitting at the dining table, absorbed in his newspaper. Zamian didn’t pay him much attention, though he nodded respectfully. He knew that showing any sign of disrespect to Mira’s grandpa would upset Mira, and that was the last thing he wanted.
He cleared his throat softly and asked, "Where is my wife?"
Mira’s grandpa lifted his head from the newspaper, a warm smile spreading across his face. "If she’s in your daughter’s room, they’re working on Little Zemi’s assignnt," he replied, his voice gentle and affectionate.
Zamian’s heart ward at the ntion of "your daughter." It was a small thing, but it ant so much to him. He gave a brief nod of gratitude, though words didn’t co to him. He didn’t need them. Instead, he made his way to Zami’s room, easily identifiable by the bright pink door that seed to scream "childhood" in all its innocent splendor.
Inside, he found Zami sitting at her desk, her little face scrunched in concentration as she worked on her school tasks. Mira was standing beside her, smiling with pride. When Zami noticed Zamian standing in the doorway, her eyes lit up, and she squealed in delight.
"Welco back, daddy!" she cried, running toward him with open arms.
Zamian froze for a mont, unable to believe what he had just heard. Ti seed to stand still as the words "Welco back, daddy!" echoed in his mind. Did his daughter just call him "daddy"? The weight of the mont hit him all at once. Was this what fatherhood felt like? The joy that flooded him was indescribable, and he could hardly believe it was real.
Mira stood up, her lips curling into a smile as she looked at him, her eyes full of love and warmth. "Welco back, honey," she said softly.
Zamian felt a rush of emotions—love, pride, and a deep sense of connection. When had Mira told Zami that he was her father? He didn’t know, but the realization that he had beco a part of their family in such a aningful way overwheld him.
A smile stretched across Zamian’s lips, and without hesitation, he pulled both Mira and Zami into a hug. It was warm and tender, a simple embrace that spoke volus of love, promises, and the bond they now shared as a family. Zamian gently handed the package he had been holding to Mira. "This is the outfit for tonight," he said quietly, his voice low and filled with affection.
Mira nodded, a soft smile crossing her face as she took the bag from him. Zamian gave her a brief nod of understanding before turning to leave.
"Let’s go clean you up," Mira said to Zami, her voice light and cheerful. Zami giggled, her little hands grabbing the pajamas as she ran to the bathroom.
What they didn’t know was that Zamian had already prepared a surprise for them, one that was sure to make the evening even more special.
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