CHAPTER 130: FINALLY HOME

My chest tightened at his words. Not used to eating with other people? What kind of meals had he been having all this time, with only Bern around?

"You can eat freely here, Cairo," I said softly, handing him a spoon. "This is your home for the meantime now, remember? You don’t have to hold back."

He nodded hesitantly, then took a small sip of the chicken soup. His eyes widened a little, and a genuine smile spread across his face.

"This is really good," he said quietly. "It tastes... warm."

I felt a lump form in my throat at that—warm. He didn’t say delicious, he said warm.

Paris grinned, leaning over toward him. "See? Mom’s cooking is always the best! Even Egypt can’t stop eating."

"Hey!" Egypt protested with a pout. "You’re eating more than I am!"

They both started bickering playfully, and Cairo laughed, a soft, genuine sound that instantly filled the small dining area.

I just sat there, watching them, feeling a strange mix of happiness and heartache swell inside me.

For the first time in years, our table had become warm again. There was laughter, teasing, and Cairo’s laughter among it all.

If only he knew... that everything on this table, everything I cooked, was my way of making up for all the years I wasn’t there for him. And yet, I knew it would never be enough.

"By the way, Cairo," Paris said suddenly, tilting her head curiously, "you’re the same age as us, right?"

Cairo blinked and nodded slowly. "Yeah... I’m five, turning six the day after tomorrow."

"Same as us!" Egypt exclaimed, smiling brightly. "Our birthday’s coming the day after tomorrow, too! We’re planning to celebrate it at the amusement park—with Mom! Well... if Mom lets us..." she added with a teasing grin in my direction.

I smiled faintly, pretending to scold her. "Of course I’ll let you. I was actually planning something special for all of you."

Cairo looked up at me, surprised. "Even... for me?"

His question caught me off guard, and my heart squeezed painfully. The hopeful way he asked, as if he was afraid I might say no, made my eyes sting.

"Of course, Cairo," I said softly, reaching over to touch his hand. "You’re part of this family now. You deserve to celebrate, too."

He didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at my hand over his. Then, slowly, he smiled—the kind of smile that could melt even the heaviest guilt sitting in my chest.

"Thank you, Mom..." he whispered.

The word Mom slipped out so naturally that for a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Egypt and Paris froze too, both looking at Cairo with wide eyes, then at me.

I swallowed hard, unsure how to react. My heart was racing, tears threatening again.

D-did he just call me Mom?

I wanted to say you’re welcome, my son, but my voice trembled too much.

"Mom?" Egypt finally broke the silence, frowning slightly. "Did you just call my mom... your mom too?"

Cairo froze, his eyes darting nervously between us. Panic flickered across his small face as if he hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

"I... I mean—" he stammered, looking down at his plate, voice barely above a whisper. "I just... miss my mom. I accidentally called your mom... m-mom. I’m sorry."

I didn’t know whether to feel relieved that he didn’t know the truth yet or more broken that he was still longing for a mother who had always been right in front of him. Because of my cowardice, he had to grow up not knowing his mom’s face.

"Hey, you don’t have to say sorry." Paris said gently.

Cairo looked up at her, his eyes wide with surprise.

"If you want," Paris continued with a kind smile, "we can share our mom with you. She already said you’re like our little brother, right? So that means you’re part of our family now. Mom doesn’t mind... right, Mom?"

She turned to me with that innocent confidence only a child could have.

My chest tightened even more. My children... they didn’t know the truth that the boy they were calling their ’little brother’ was actually their real brother.

Just imagining the day they’d find out... I didn’t know if I’d be able to forgive myself.

"O-of course!" I forced my voice to sound cheerful despite the storm building inside me.

"Great!" Egypt clapped her hands excitedly. "Then, Cairo, you don’t have to be shy calling her ’Mom’! You can say it comfortably now—and from now on, call us Big Sister Egypt and Big Sister Paris! Now say it!"

Cairo blinked, taken aback by Egypt’s enthusiasm. His cheeks turned slightly pink as he fidgeted with his spoon.

"Uh... okay," he said shyly. "Thank you... Big Sister Egypt. Big Sister Paris."

Both girls squealed in delight, while Cairo gave a small, bashful smile.

I, on the other hand, could only watch quietly, my heart trembling.

Because even though they didn’t know the truth yet, the bond between them, the laughter, the warmth, the innocence was real.

And I silently prayed that when the day came for the truth to come out, that bond would be strong enough... and that they would find it in their hearts to forgive me.

----

After dinner, the kids tried to help me clean the table. I didn’t stop them, seeing how much they were enjoying themselves was enough reason to just let them be.

"Mom, look! Egypt is splashing water on me!"

Paris complained as she tried to dodge her sister’s playful flicks of water in her face.

I just laughed and let them continue, the sound of their laughter echoing softly through our home.

Egypt volunteered to wash the dishes, but since she couldn’t reach the sink even while standing on a chair, she ended up spilling water all over the floor. Paris came to help her, and the two of them ended up completely soaked.

Cairo quietly followed their lead. He handed me the spoons and plates his sisters had already washed, one by one, so I could dry and put them away. His shy little smile never left his face.

When everything was finally done, I guided them all to the living room.

The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the silence, and the warm yellow glow from the lights made our home feel cozier than ever.

"Alright," I said gently, clapping my hands once. "It’s getting late. Time for bed, kids."

"Aww, already?" Paris whined, hugging one of the couch pillows.

"Yes, already," I said with a small laugh. "You all have a big day tomorrow—school for you two, and Cairo, you’ll come with me. We’ll be going to the hospital for your check-up."

Cairo’s eyes lit up. "Really? You’ll come with me?"

"Of course," I replied, smiling as I brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Your health is our priority, so we’ll visit your doctor tomorrow."

"Cairo, are you sick?" Egypt asked sadly.

Cairo and I exchanged glances. His sisters still didn’t know about his condition.

"Uhm... yeah... but I’ll get better soon since I always visit my doctor.." he said with a small smile.

"Really? Then I’ll include you in my prayers—and I’ll wish that our birthday comes faster so I can wish for you to get better soon." Egypt said brightly.

Cairo froze for a moment, then looked down shyly and nodded. "T-thank you... and I’ll also wish that your wish comes true too, on our birthday."

My chest softened at the sight of them getting along so well. The emotion swelling in me was almost too much to contain.

"Hehe... how about you, Paris? What’s your wish for our little brother?"

"My wish?" Paris repeated, pretending to think. "Same as yours, but I want to add something." She turned to Cairo with a gentle smile. "I wish that you’ll finally meet your mom."

"It already happened" Cairo murmured quietly, his voice too soft for anyone to hear.

"Meet his mom?" Egypt asked, frowning in confusion. "Is your mom not living with you, Cairo?"

Cairo looked down. "N-no... I’ve never seen my mom in person since I was little. But my dad said that my mom is living somewhere in this country."

"Why? Where did you come from, Cairo?" Egypt asked curiously.

"I grew up with my dad in Europe." he replied simply.

"Wow, Europe! Isn’t that where Paris is? That’s where Mom got our names, right, Mom?" Egypt said, grinning up at me. I forced a small smile, though a lump had formed in my throat.

"Did you know, Cairo," Egypt continued cheerfully, "that Paris and my name, Egypt, came from famous places? Mom has such unique taste—naming us after countries and cities! It’s cool, right?"

Cairo smiled softly. "It is. I think it’s... beautiful."

Paris chuckled. "Yeah, but it’s kind of funny too. If Mom ever had another baby, maybe she’d name them ’Tokyo’ or ’Rome’!"

"Or maybe ’Cairo,’" Egypt teased, giggling. "Oh wait—you already have that name! Cairo is Egypt’s capital, right, Mom?" she asked, turning to me.

I nodded.

"See? I’m finally glad to meet someone who has a name as unique as ours!"

Cairo blinked, surprised for a second, then laughed quietly along with them.

Their laughter slowly faded into sleepy giggles until Egypt yawned dramatically.

"Ah, I wanna sleep early! So tomorrow comes faster. I can’t wait to celebrate our birthday with you, Cairo."

"Me too! I want my wish for Cairo to come true soon.." Paris added, rubbing her eyes.

"Okay, kids, let’s all go to sleep now." I said gently.

"I’m sleepy, Mom. Are you going to sleep beside us?" Egypt mumbled, already yawning.

"Yes. And Cairo will sleep beside us too." I replied softly.

The twins immediately turned to Cairo, their faces lighting up. "Really? Then come on, little brother! We’ll show you our room!"

Before I could even respond, Paris and Egypt were already running ahead.

I followed quietly, helping Cairo carry the small bag Bern had packed for him. His steps were slow and cautious as if he still couldn’t believe he was welcome here.

Inside the bedroom, the twins jumped onto their shared bed while Cairo stood by the doorway, clutching his small bag tightly.

"You’ll sleep here, Cairo," I said softly, patting the extra mattress beside the twins’ bed. "Is this okay with you?"

He nodded, eyes darting shyly between me and the twins. "It’s O-okay, Syl."

"Don’t worry," Paris said, already under the blanket. "We don’t bite."

Egypt giggled. "Unless you steal my blanket."

"Don’t worry, I don’t move much when I sleep," Cairo replied with a quiet laugh.

"Good," Paris teased. "Because Egypt does!"

"Hey, that’s not true, right, Mommy?"

Egypt protested—but I didn’t answer because it was true.

A few minutes later, the lights were dimmed. The room grew quiet except for the soft rustle of sheets and the twins’ sleepy murmurs fading away.

I tucked each of them in, smoothing the blankets over their little shoulders. When I reached Cairo, he was already lying down, eyes half-closed, hugging the stuffed toy Paris had lent him.

"Good night, Cairo," I whispered, brushing my hand gently through his hair. "Sleep well."

He blinked slowly and murmured back. "Good night, Mom..."

My breath caught.

I didn’t correct him.

Instead, I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on his forehead—just like I did for the twins.

"Good night, sweethearts, good night my son..." I murmured, barely audible.

As I turned off the last lamp and stepped toward the door, I glanced back one more time. Three small figures curled up under the same warm light, breathing softly, peacefully.

For the first time in years... my home didn’t feel empty anymore.