My confusion was complete…My soul sank into a decision from which there was no return.I don't know how, but morning came before I even returned home.
I walked quietly toward their room…Opened the door gently…And found them sleeping together—small bodies huddled close, their faces stained with the trace of tears, as if they were bidding farewell before the sunrise.
I went to the kitchen and prepared a complete breakfast, every kind of dish I could think of.Set four little chairs around the table, then returned to them.
I woke them softly… with a smile that this world had never seen on my face before.And with a warmth I'd never used with anyone, I said:
"Breakfast is ready, little ones. Come to the table."
They looked at me with wide eyes, as if silently asking:Is this really the same person we saw yesterday?
I carried the youngest in my arms and said kindly:
"Come on, before it gets cold."
They followed me in silence, their eyes filled with confusion and fear.I sat the little one beside me, arranged the seats for the others.They sat still, not one of them touched the food.
I picked up a spoon, scooped some eggs, and placed it in front of the youngest.
"Here you go," I said gently.
She looked at me in surprise but ate… as if compelled to.I smiled, then looked at the elf girl:
"Please eat… nothing here is poisoned."
She ate hesitantly.The little elf didn't even know how to hold a spoon.So I told her:
"Eat with your hands… it's okay. Do whatever makes you comfortable."
She ate with an appetite I hadn't seen before.As for the half-dragon, she stared at the food in despair.I teased her with a smile:
"If you don't eat, they'll finish everything before you get a chance!"
She took the spoon and began eating in silence.
I looked at them… and felt something strange inside me, a feeling I hadn't tasted in a thousand years.Is this what family feels like?
When they finished eating, I spoke firmly but with a smile:
"From this day forward… I'm your father. Call me Dad. And we'll live here, in this house, as one family."
They exchanged glances, their eyes full of longing and fear.
I asked:
"Do you have names?"
The vampire girl replied in a whisper:
"We never had anything… not even names."
I said:
"From now on, your name is Stazia."
Then I turned to the strong elf:
"And your name is Aisha."
To the gentle cat girl:
"And you, you'll be Cathy."
And finally, to the brave half-dragon:
"Your name will be Melty."
Then I smiled and said:
"As for me, my name is Motz… but call me Dad.Do you have any questions?"
Aisha said:
"We don't want your pity… just let us go."
Cathy said:
"We don't want to drag you into our misery."
Melty asked:
"Why are you doing all this?"
Stazia added:
"We don't deserve this…"
I raised my voice slightly, full of emotion:
"I want to build a family… and my heart has chosen you.Will you let me be your father?I ask for nothing… only to be allowed to love you as my daughters."
Cathy asked, trembling:
"Can I really call you Dad?"
I lifted her gently to my chest, held her close to my heart, and said:
"I am your father now. Would you mind becoming a part of my soul?"
She broke into tears—tears filled with years of abandonment and betrayal.
I whispered to her:
"Don't be afraid… no harm will touch you again. We'll live a beautiful life. No more sadness."
I turned to Aisha and asked:
"Will you allow me to be your father?"
She hesitated, her red eyes welling up, and her long ears trembled with shyness.She nodded silently.
I said:
"I'll make you the happiest girl in the world… just trust me."
Then I faced Stazia:
"Can I be your family? You'll have warmth… and I'll make you a queen."
Her face lit up for the first time:
"Yes… I accept."
As for Melty, she looked at me with hopeless eyes, as if she thought I had forgotten her.I said:
"Our family isn't complete without you.Will you be the light of this home… its warmth?"
She replied shyly:
"Yes… make me your daughter."
I took all their hands and said:
"From now on… we are a complete family.We need nothing but each other.Love alone… is enough to give us a new life."
I hugged them tightly… as if I were embracing the whole world.My heart spoke before my tongue:
"I am now… your father."
And in that moment, I felt that everything changed.I felt… reborn.