Can We Call You Mommy?

POV: Olivia

“Hey, Brenda! Hey, Brandon!”

Dominic’s voice sounded different when he spoke to them. Softer. Warmer. Full of love. The twins already came running toward him without any hesitation. They crashed into his legs, laughing loudly, wrapping their small arms around him as if they hadn’t seen him in years. Dominic laughed too, bending down and lifting them slightly, letting them cling to him. They jumped around him like he was their hero, their whole world.

I stood a few steps away, watching quietly. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. This was his life. His real life. And somehow, I was standing inside it.

“Liv, these are my treasures, ” Dominic said proudly, turning to me with a smile that reached his eyes. “Brenda and Brandon.” Then he looked back at them and said gently, “Be nice to Olivia, okay? She’s going to be your stepmom.” The word stepmom landed heavily on my heart.

I bent down slowly, lowering myself to their level, trying not to scare them. Brandon looked at me with bright eyes and a big smile. Brenda did not. She had fiery hair and sharp eyes. She held tightly to Dominic’s leg, as if she was afraid I might take him away from her. Her little fingers gripped his trousers, and she stared at me like she was judging every breath I took.

My chest tightened...

I understood her fear. I had lived my whole life feeling replaced. I would never do that to her.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said softly, forcing a smile even though my heart felt shaky. Brenda didn’t answer. Dominic noticed. He rested his hand gently on her head and then looked at me, his eyes full of quiet apology and encouragement. That single look told me so much. He wasn’t asking me to try harder. He was telling me he was with me.

“Come,” he said calmly. “Let me show you their playground.” As we walked outside, our shoulders brushed. Just for a second. But it sent warmth through me. He slowed his steps without saying anything, making sure I was beside him, not behind him. That small act made my heart soften.

The lawn stretched wide and green, perfectly kept. At the end stood a colorful playground filled with swings, slides, and bright game screens. Brandon gasped. “Can we play now?” His excitement was impossible to ignore. I laughed softly and bent down again.

“Sure. I’d love to play with you.” Brandon cheered, clapping his hands. Brenda, however, tightened her grip on Dominic’s leg. She watched me closely, her face unsure. Dominic met my eyes again. “It’s okay,” he said gently, not just to her, but to me too. We walked toward the game area. Brandon grabbed the controls immediately, confident and fast. I followed his lead, laughing when I messed up.

“You’re funny,” Brandon said, giggling.

“That’s because I’m terrible at this,” I replied, laughing with him. Behind us, Brenda stayed close to Dominic. She didn’t join, but she didn’t leave either. That alone felt like a small victory.

“Look, Brenda!” I said softly. “We’re winning!” She didn’t respond, but her eyes followed the screen. Dominic leaned closer to me to explain the game. His arm brushed mine, and I felt a strange mix of comfort and nervousness. I liked how close he was. I liked how natural it felt.

“Brenda,” he said kindly, “do you want to join us?” She hesitated, then said quickly,

“I want to be on Daddy’s team.” I smiled.

“That’s okay.” Dominic chuckled.

“Alright. Me and Brenda against Olivia and Brandon.” Brenda climbed beside him, focused and serious. The game grew loud with laughter and playful shouting. When Brandon and I won, he jumped up happily.

“We won! We won!” I clapped and laughed with him. “You were amazing!” As I looked at him, something inside me shifted. He needed love. Structure. Someone to cheer for him. And I realized, without fear, that I wanted to be that person.

As time passed, Brenda began to relax. She laughed once. Then again. She even smiled at me when she thought I wasn’t looking. When Dominic suggested lunch, Brandon shouted happily. Brenda didn’t argue. We sat at a wooden table in the garden. Flowers surrounded us, and the air felt calm. Dominic watched the kids while we ate, his expression soft and thoughtful. I offered Brenda part of my sandwich. She hesitated, then took it.

“What games do you like?” I asked gently. She shrugged.

“Princess games.”

“I like princesses too,” I said. “Strong ones.” Her eyes lit up. As she talked, Dominic watched us. When I looked up, I caught him staring at me. There was something deep in his eyes. Something warm. Something steady. Our eyes locked.

In that moment, I felt seen. Truly seen. Not as a replacement. Not as a duty. But as someone he wanted here. Brenda laughed loudly, then looked at me.

“Can I sit next to you?”

“Yes,” I said quickly, my voice shaking. “I’d love that.” She sat beside me, close.

“I like you,” she said quietly. “You’re fun.” My throat tightened.

“I like you too, Brenda.” Brandon grinned. “Olivia is the best! Can she come play every day?” Dominic laughed softly, but his eyes were shining as he looked at me. He reached for my hand under the table. I didn’t pull away.

“Thank you,” he whispered. I squeezed his hand back. Looking into his eyes, I realized something important. I wasn’t just accepted here. I was home. And standing beside Dominic, with his hand in mine, I knew this was only the beginning.

“I would love to play with you everyday, Brad, but I need to work some days. But when I am home, I promise to play with you two and we will have so much fun.” I told him, making him frown sadly. I chuckled softly and played with his hair, ruffling it a little. He soon started smiling again, returning to his usual cheerful self.

I noticed Dominic countenance changed after I mentioned my work. He still has no idea what I do, he doesn’t yet know everything about me. I guess we need to spend more time together and get to know each other better. He was sljust about the ask me about my work when Brenda asked a question that almost bro tears to my eyes,

“Can we call you mommy?” She asked me, looking up at me with those big round eyes that made her look so cute and damn beautiful. I looked at Dominic and he looks shocked as well. We both looked at each other, not sure what to say.

“Bren, let’s not overwhelm Olivia with too much requests and too many questions. She’s still getting used to...”

“Actually, I don’t mind if they call me mom, if it’s okay with you.” I responded, surprising him.

Dominic froze.

For a second, he just stared at me like he wasn’t sure he heard me right. His eyes searched my face, slow and careful, as if he was trying to see whether I truly meant it or if I was just being polite.

“You… you’re okay with that?” he asked quietly. I nodded, my heart beating fast.

“Yes. If they want to call me mom, I won’t stop them. I’d be honored.” Brenda’s face lit up instantly, like someone had just turned on the sun. She didn’t hesitate again.

“Mommy,” she said softly, testing the word. Something inside me cracked open. I swallowed hard, my eyes burning.

“Yes, sweetheart?” She smiled so wide it felt like it filled the whole garden. Brandon gasped, then laughed loudly.

“Yay! We have a mommy!” he shouted, jumping up from his seat. I laughed too, even though tears were slipping down my cheeks. I wiped them quickly, embarrassed, but Dominic noticed. He stood up and stepped closer to me.

“Hey,” he said gently, lowering his voice. “Are you okay?” I nodded again.

“I’m just… happy.” He reached out without thinking and brushed his thumb lightly under my eye, wiping away a tear. The touch was soft, careful, intimate. For a brief moment, the world faded away, and it was just the two of us standing too close, breathing the same air. Brandon cleared his throat loudly.

“Daddy, you’re too close to Mommy.” Dominic pulled his hand back quickly, coughing.

“I—uh—was just… checking her eye.” I raised a brow at him, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Checking my eye?” He shot me a look, half-warning, half-amused.

“Don’t start.” I leaned closer and whispered teasingly,

“You’re the one who touched me first.” His ears turned red. Brenda giggled.

“Daddy likes Mommy.”

“I do not—” Dominic started, then stopped himself. He glanced at me, his lips twitching. “I mean… that’s not what we’re talking about.”

“Oh?” I teased. “Then what are we talking about?” He shook his head, trying not to smile.

“You’re trouble.” He accused and I smiled wider.

“You married me. That part is on you.” I teased. Brandon laughed so hard he almost fell off the bench. Dominic looked at me again, this time softer, more serious.

“Thank you,” he said quietly. “You didn’t have to say yes so quickly.”

“I know,” I replied. “But I wanted to.” His gaze lingered on me, warm and deep.

“They’ve been through a lot. Losing their mother so young… I was afraid they wouldn’t accept anyone else.” I reached for his hand, squeezing it gently.

“They don’t need someone perfect. They just need someone who stays, someone who would love them and treat them right.” He told me. Our fingers stayed linked longer than necessary. Brenda leaned against my side, resting her head on my arm. The simple trust in that small action made my chest ache in the best way.

“Mommy,” she said again, softer this time, like she was afraid the word might disappear if she didn’t hold it tight.

“Yes, Bren?”

“Will you read us stories at night?”

I smiled. “Every night I’m home.” Dominic chuckled quietly.

“You’re spoiling them already.” I glanced at him.

“You don’t seem to mind.” I retorted. He shook his head slowly.

“No. I don’t.”