Chapter 4: Luke

As Luke drove, he noticed that the kids were unusually quiet. They weren't chattering excitedly about their day at school, nor were they being mischievous or teasing each other. The silence was unsettling.

"Rory, is everything okay?" Luke asked, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

Rory shrugged. "Everything's fine," he replied, but his tone didn't convince Luke.

Luke turned his attention to Cory. "Cory, what's wrong? School was fun today wasn't it?"

Cory sounded down. "School wasn't fun today," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Luke's concern grew. The kids adored school, and their teacher, so what could've gone wrong. "Why wasn't it fun?" he asked, trying to get to the bottom of things.

Nora spoke up, "Miss Elly didn't come to school today. She only come just before it closed."

Luke corrected her gently, "Came, Nora. Not 'come'."

Nora pouted, folding her arms across her chest. Luke couldn't help but notice that Miss Eleanor hadn't been herself when he saw her earlier. She hadn't smiled at him like she usually did. He wondered if something was bothering her, something more than just a bad day.

As he drove, Luke sent a silent prayer to God, hoping that Miss Eleanor would be able to overcome whatever challenges she was facing and come out stronger on the other side.

As he arrived at his apartment complex, Luke pulled up to the front entrance and unlocked the doors, letting his kids exit the vehicle. He scooped up Nora in his arms, eliciting a fit of giggles from the little girl. With his boys following closely behind, he made his way into the building, nodding in greeting to the front desk staff, who flashed him a flirtatious smile. Luke responded with a polite, yet brief, smile of his own before heading towards the private elevator that would take him directly to his penthouse apartment.

The elevator doors slid open, and Luke stepped inside, his children following. As the doors closed, he pressed the button for the top floor, and the elevator began its smooth ascent. Nora, still in his arms, gazed up at him with wide eyes, while Cory and Rory stood quietly, exhausted from their day at school. Luke's mind, however, was already shifting to the tasks ahead, his thoughts consumed by the demands of his business and the responsibilities that came with it. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into the spacious penthouse, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the city skyline. The interior design was sleek and modern, with a neutral color palette, accented by rich wood tones and subtle metallic hints.

The living area featured a plush sectional sofa in a light gray hue, complemented by a minimalist coffee table and a statement piece of modern art above the sofa. The walls were adorned with family portraits, and art works adding a touch of personality to the space.

The kitchen was a masterpiece of modern design, with sleek cabinetry, quartz countertops, and top-of-the-line appliances. A large island in the center of the room provided additional counter space and seating for casual dining.

The dining area boasted a stunning chandelier and a beautifully crafted wooden table, surrounded by comfortable seating for eight.

A spacious hallway led to the private quarters, featuring four bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom and ample closet space. 

Luke watched as Nora squirmed out of his grasp, shedding her bag and shoes as she made a beeline for the TV. She quickly switched to her favorite cartoon station, and Luke was about to scold her for not putting her things in the right place. However, before he could say anything, Cory and Rory jumped into action, picking up Nora's discarded belongings and taking them to their shared room.

Luke smiled, reminded that his boys were still only five years old, sometimes they acted older. He loosened his tie and headed to the refrigerator, pouring milk into four cups. He was tempted to grab a glass of wine, but he had made a promise to himself to avoid alcohol while taking care of the kids.

"Nora, milk!" he called out, but she was too engrossed in the TV to respond. "Nora!" he said more sternly, and she finally tore her gaze away from the screen, pouting. She trudged over to him, and he handed her the cup of milk. "Thank you," she whispered, clearly upset at being disturbed.

Luke loved his little princess, but he knew he had to set boundaries and be firm with her at times. He didn't want her to grow up expecting everything to be done for her. He took a deep breath, savoring the moment, and sat down beside her on the couch, taking a sip of his own milk.

Nora, still pouting, leaned against him, and Luke wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "I love you, kiddo," he whispered, and she looked up at him with big brown eyes, her expression softening.

Cory and Rory, meanwhile, were engaged in a heated game of building blocks, their imaginations running wild as they constructed a towering castle and pretended to be knights

As the evening wore on, Luke helped the kids with their homework, ordered dinner, and bathed them. As they got ready for bed, he read them a bedtime story, his voice weaving a magical tale of adventure and bravery.

As he tucked them in, one by one, he felt a sense of contentment wash over him. This was what it meant to be a father – the messy, beautiful, exhausting journey of raising tiny humans into capable, kind, and compassionate people.