CHAPTER 127: MY SON IN MY ARMS

Minutes later...

"Nanny? Hey, Nanny..."

I didn’t realize I’d gone completely silent until a small voice snapped me back to reality.

Cairo waved his hand in front of my face, his wide eyes filled with curiosity. I blinked rapidly, shaking off the thoughts that had been drowning me.

"W-what is it, Cairo?" I asked, forcing a small smile.

He tilted his head and pointed to the food container I was holding. "What’s that in your hand?"

"Oh, this?" I lifted it a little. "It’s for you."

"For me?" His face lit up with genuine surprise as he leaned closer.

I nodded, opening the lid with trembling fingers. "I made your favorite chicken soup... and some fried chicken."

I carefully poured the soup into a bowl and placed the fried chicken beside it. The familiar aroma filled the room, and for a moment, Cairo’s entire expression softened.

He blinked up at me, his eyes shining. "Did you cook this yourself?"

"Yes," I admitted quietly, my throat tightening as I set the spoon down in front of him. "I... I wanted to make something special for you. I heard you weren’t eating much lately."

Cairo smiled shyly, taking the spoon. "It smells really good... kinda like something my uncle and dad used to make."

"I hope... it tastes like their cooking too..." I whispered, forcing myself to keep my composure.

He took a spoonful of the soup, blew on it, and tasted it carefully. His eyes widened.

"It’s good!" he said with a grin. "Really good! Just like... just like Uncle’s and Dad’s cooking!"

"Y-you think so?" I managed to ask softly, trying not to let my emotions show.

"Yeah," he said, smiling again. "Thanks, Nanny. This... this really makes me happy."

I smiled back, but inside, my heart was breaking and healing all at once.

Bern’s words echoed in my head again. He’ll be happy to know you’re his mom....

And for the first time, I wondered if maybe... just maybe... he was right.

"I heard from Dad... that he’s going to leave me with you?" Cairo asked softly, his small voice trembling slightly as I helped him take a bite of his food.

I froze for a moment, my heart tightening. How could I explain it to him?

How could I tell him that I was his mom—and that I was now stepping into a role I’d long avoided?

The words felt heavy in my throat, and fear curled in my chest.

I forced a gentle smile, trying to keep my voice steady. "Yes, Cairo... for a little while. I’m here to make sure you’re safe and taken care of while your dad is away."

Cairo tilted his head. "So... I’m going to be with you? All the time?"

"Yes," I whispered, my heart aching at how small he looked, how trusting he was despite everything. "I’ll be here with you."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"Okay... Nanny." he said, giving me a small smile as he took another spoonful of soup.

I exhaled shakily as a mix of relief and guilt washed over me.

He doesn’t know... not yet. But I’ll make sure he’s safe. I’ll do everything I can to protect him.

As he ate, I silently promised myself that I would be strong for him, that I wouldn’t let fear or the past stop me from being there for my son, at least for now.

When he finished eating, he looked up at me again.

"Nanny, is it true that I’ll be staying with you from now on?"

"Uh... yes," I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to sound calm. "Your dad asked me to let you stay at our house for a while. I have two daughters there... they’re kind, and I’m sure you’ll come to like them."

His face lit up a little, curiosity shining in his eyes. "You have daughters? Are they nice?"

I smiled, though there was a tightness in my chest that I couldn’t shake. "Yes... very nice. They’re around your age, actually. They’re twins."

"Twins?" Cairo blinked, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wow, that’s cool! I’ve never met twins before."

A small, genuine laugh escaped my lips, though my heart ached hearing him say that.

You’ve met them before, Cairo—when you were just a baby. They’re your sisters. I wanted to say that, but it felt like something was lodged in my throat.

"I’m sure they’ll be happy you’re coming.." I said softly, avoiding his gaze as I started cleaning up the empty bowl.

Cairo smiled again, his energy slowly returning. "Then I’ll make sure to be good to them. I don’t want to cause any trouble for you, Nanny."

My hands froze, the spoon clattering lightly against the container. His words were so innocent that it almost broke me.

"You don’t have to say that, Cairo," I said, my voice trembling despite my effort to sound composed. "You’re not a trouble for me. You can do whatever you want while you’re staying with me."

He looked at me curiously, tilting his head. "You sound... sad, Nanny. Are you okay?"

I blinked rapidly and forced a small smile. "I’m fine, sweetheart. Just... tired, I guess."

Cairo nodded, accepting my answer without pressing further. He reached out to pat my hand, and the simple gesture sent a rush of emotion through me.

"It’s okay, Nanny," he said with a grin. "When I stay at your house, I’ll help you clean. I can even help your daughters too!"

A quiet laugh escaped me, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "Thank you, Cairo. That means a lot."

For the first time in years, I allowed myself to whisper the truth silently in my heart.

My son... I finally have you close to me again.

-------------

Moments Later...

"Syl, I’m really sorry that I have to rush leaving Cairo with you," Bern said quietly, his tone heavy with guilt. "I really need to go back to Europe, the surgery I’m attending there is very important to me. I’ve already packed all of Cairo’s things, and I even had some of them sent to your place earlier. I just... didn’t want to cause you any more trouble. I know this all feels sudden, and I’m sorry for that..."

We were standing outside the hospital. It had only been an hour since Cairo was discharged, and now I was holding him in my arms while watching Bern apologize over and over.

I wasn’t surprised anymore that he knew where I lived. He was determined to leave Cairo in my care, and he had already arranged everything beforehand—right down to the smallest detail.

"You don’t have to keep apologizing, sir," I said gently. "I understand your situation. You can trust me with your son."

Bern gave me a grateful smile before letting out a quiet sigh. "Thank you, Syl. You don’t know how thankful I am to you... I heard your daughters share the same birthday as my son, so I sent them some gifts. I know it’s not much, but I hope they’ll like them."

I managed a small, polite smile. "T-thank you, sir. You didn’t have to go through all that trouble..."

We had to act as if we didn’t know each other, especially in front of Cairo. Every word I said had to be chosen carefully.

"No, I insist," Bern replied with a light chuckle. "It’s my way of saying thank you, for taking care of Cairo."

He turned to his son, who was quietly watching him.

"Well, son," Bern said softly, "I have to go now. I’m sorry I won’t be around for your special day. But I know you won’t be too sad... because one of your birthday wishes will come true that day."

I pretended not to notice the meaningful way he said it.

"I just hope you’ll behave and take care of your health, okay?" he added, leaning forward to kiss Cairo on the forehead.

Because I was carrying Cairo, our faces were only inches apart, and I instinctively turned my head away.

"Yes, Dad," Cairo said cheerfully. "Don’t worry. I’m a brave young man—I can take care of myself! I can even take care of Syl and her daughters too!"

What a sweet child...

Bern laughed softly. "Haha, I know you can, my son. Before I go, let me be the first to greet you a happy birthday. I want you to enjoy that day, alright?"

"Yes, Daddy!" Cairo replied enthusiastically.

Bern looked at me then, before glancing at his watch. "Well, Syl, I’m sorry again, but I really have to leave now. My flight’s waiting. I know this is all sudden, and I truly am sorry."

I could read that look in his eyes—the kind that said he was sorry not just for leaving Cairo in my care, but because he knew I was still afraid... afraid of taking care of my own son.

But he didn’t have to worry. I would take care of Cairo—just like I had imagined doing all those years I’d been away from him.

"It’s okay, sir," I said, offering him a genuine smile. "You can go now. Cairo and I will leave after you."

Bern smiled back, a look of quiet relief in his eyes. "Thank you" he said softly before turning away.

I watched him walk to the passenger seat of his car. When the car finally drove off, I let out a deep breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Now... it was just me and Cairo.