The next morning, I sit down with the twins in the playroom.
They’re building something with blocks, arguing about whether the tower will fall over. Standard Saturday morning chaos.
“Boys, I need to talk to you about something important.”
They both look up.
“Your father is coming to visit tomorrow.”
Finn’s face lights up immediately. “Da is coming here?”
“Yes.”
Liam sets down the block he’s holding. “He’s the man from the school, isn’t he?”
I look at him in shock. “What do you mean?”
“He was with the men who grabbed us. I remember him. From Ireland. We played by the boats.”
My chest tightens. They remember that day. Of course they do.
“Yes, baby. That’s him. But he didn’t mean to scare you. He just wanted to get to know you, to meet you and spend time with you.”
Liam frowns. “Then why didn’t he come see us after? In Ireland? Why did we have to leave?”
“Because things were…hard. He didn’t know back then, that you were his sons. But things are better now. He wants to be with you now.”
Finn is already moving on, excited. “Can we show him our room? And the fort outside? Does he like football?”
“You can ask him tomorrow.”
Liam stays quiet, picking at his shirt.
I kneel beside him. “What’s wrong?”
“Those men at school were scary.”
There it is. The fear I’ve been waiting for.
“They were. But he’s not like them. I promise. He won’t hurt you.”
“But how do you know?”
“Because your father loves you. Your father isn’t bad. He just wants to play with you and talk to you.”
“But what if?—”
“I’ll be right here the whole time. Uncle Julian and Aunt Nadia will be here too. You’re safe.”
Finn tugs on my sleeve. “Can we ask him about Ireland? About the boats?”
“Of course.”
“And can we ask why he didn’t come before?”
The question I’ve been dreading. “You can ask him anything.”
“Will he be sad?”
