Another week has passed, and I am slumped with music sheets. I was laying on my sofa, watching some cooking show on TLC, feeling uninspired to play the piano and rehearse. Luke has been busy with work since he came back to Portland, which was understandable considering he’s helping to run a multibillion-dollar company.

He told me that he’s working at Van Allen Industries and his business partner was the son of the owner of the said company. According to Luke, they were close mates back in college. He also mentioned that it’s one of the top businesses not just here but across the globe. They have every business for every sector: real estate, agriculture, technology, medicine, food industry, you name it and they probably have it. Then it got me thinking, no wonder he moved to Portland in a heartbeat as soon as he got the opportunity. He was going to work at a megacorporation like Van Allen Industries.

And I didn’t want to disturb him even further as I knew he was busy with work. I was just lucky that during the off season tour, I mostly had time for myself. Sighing in defeat, I decided to visit the music studio Luke showed me a few weeks back and tried to check it out. I thought maybe I’d get some inspiration to rehearse as I walked along the way.

I grabbed my black coat and scarf and headed out of my apartment with my keys, phone, and wallet in my coat’s pocket. As the day went by, the city became colder and colder. I didn’t mind. I love cold weather more than the summer heat. I decided to go to a Starbucks not far from my apartment because a cup of hot chocolate sounded good right now.

I decided to visit the local park first before heading to the music studio. I saw people running with their thick coats on, trees shedding the last pieces of leaves on their branches, and teenagers walking their dogs around the park.

I also saw people feeding the ducks by the pond in the middle of the park. Mostly, the families consisted of three, where the father teaches their son or daughter to toss a piece of bread to the ducks floating on the surface of the water. It reminded me of my childhood, how me and my parents usually fed the ducks whenever we had our trip to New York during this time of year.

I sat at a bench, tried to relax my mind and just enjoy the crisp, cool, autumn Portland air. I took the last sip of the hot chocolate, which provided constant comfort and heat from my mouth down to my throat and spread across my body.

As soon as I tossed the empty cup by the recycling bin, I heard someone fall or rather, trip behind me. A cry soon came afterwards. It was a little girl, wearing a matching pink coat and beanie. She stood up and wiped her tears from the sleeves of her coat.

She had long strawberry blonde hair, hazel eyes that were submerged in tears, a cute little button nose and rosy cheeks. I looked around and I didn't see any adult supervising her. In an instant, I felt a wave of concern for the child.

Where the hell are her parents? I knelt to level with her as she stood up from her fall, and as soon as her eyes saw me, she stepped back. Obviously, frightened.

“Are you alright?” I asked her, not making any physical contact as I might scare her even more. She didn’t say anything, but she continued to sob.

“Where are your parents? Are you alone?” she stopped crying for a little and then shook her head.

“I…I’m not supposed to talk to strangers…” she said her voice was little which was adorable. Smart girl.

“That’s good.” I tell her. “But you seem lost. Where are your parents?” I asked her patiently. She just shook her head. I tried to look for any police officer that may help but I can’t see anyone nearby.

“I’m Reidyr,” I began. “What’s your name?” I cocked my head to the side. She didn’t respond. This is going to be difficult. I thought. “Listen, I’m not going to do anything bad, we just need to find your parents…okay?” She bit her lower lip and looked around.

A few seconds later she nodded. “I’m not going to touch you; we just have to look for your parents okay?” I was trying to make her comfortable. “So, do you remember where you last saw your parents?” She pondered for a while and then pointed at the direction where she thought she had last seen them. “Are you sure?” she nodded fiercely.

“Okay, let’s find your parents.” She nodded and we headed towards the direction she pointed at. “We…was playing hide and seek.” She spoke as we walked side by side. I scanned for any adult, someone who looked like they were looking for their missing kid or a police officer patrolling to assist, but I couldn’t see anyone. I realized she stopped on her tracks and I looked at her.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her. “Here.” She said pointing at the ground. She then looked around and started crying once again. I knelt in front of her. “Hey, hey, don’t cry…” I cooed trying to console her. “We will find them, I promise.”

“Promise?” she asked as she wiped the tears again from her eyes. I wanted to touch her and somehow comfort her, but I know it would spook her if I did.

“Pinky swear promise?” she stuck out her pinky finger. Well by this time, it seems I had the permission to link my pinky finger with hers. I gave her an assuring smile. I interlaced my pinky finger with hers and it made her smile. I looked around the spot where she pointed at, and I didn't see anyone looking for a missing child.

Where are her damn parents? It was getting irritating.

Why did they leave her unattended in the first place? We started walking again.

This time, I was surprised as she reached out and tugged the hem of my coat. I didn’t mind, just a little surprised. She stuck her other thumb in her mouth and started looking around like I was. Suddenly, a voice came from behind us, a man around his fifties, wearing formal attire, was running towards us. He was carrying another child in his arms.

“Artemis!” he called. The girl suddenly released the hem of my coat and started running towards the well-suited man.

“Hey...wait!” I followed her direction. Suddenly the man knelt, put the kid down that he was carrying and carried the little girl named Artemis in his arms.

“Where have you been, young lady?!” he asked worriedly and then kissed her forehead. Artemis cried but I’m guessing this time it was out of relief. Artemis buried her face on the man’s shoulder and started patting her back to comfort her.

The boy that he was carrying was reaching out to him and demanding to be carried too. The man looked at me and I knew relief washed over him. “Thank you so much, sir.” I was about to say something unpleasant but I knew it wouldn’t help with the situation. Billows of smoke were coming out of his lips. I imagined he has been running for quite a while now, looking for the missing girl. I just smiled.

“I found her not a while ago, she started crying as soon as she tripped.” I said as I placed my hands inside my pocket.

“Thank you so much, my apologies sir, thank you for helping her out.” I gave a polite smile. “It was nothing.” I realized that it was a good thing I didn’t say anything to the man. It is hard to take care of a three-year-old kid, let alone two three-year-old children. “Reggie…me too!” the little boy who was the exact copy of Artemis demanded.

The boy had short strawberry blonde hair but that’s about it, that’s the only difference I’m seeing between the two kids. “They’re twins?” I asked as I pointed to the boy. I wasn’t sure why I asked but they looked like twins. Fraternal, but the resemblance is uncanny. He nodded. “Yes, this is Artemis,” he motioned to the girl who’s now calm in his arms.

“This is Apollo,” he patted the boy below him that was asking to be carried for the nth time. Apollo just puffed his cheeks out since the man didn’t seem to listen to his plea of wanting to be carried.

“I’m Reginald, sir.” I gave a courteous smile. “Reidyr,” I said as we shook hands. “Again, I can’t thank you enough for helping out our little Artemis.”

“It’s not a problem.” I frowned and looked around. “Are you their father?” He shook his head. “No sir, I’m their family’s caretaker. Their parents are currently overseas taking care of business, they’re now placed under my care for the time being.” I saw that he was embarrassed about the whole situation. “It’s okay, I know kids can be tough.” I don’t have any personal experience taking care of kids, since I didn’t have a younger sibling to take care of growing up.

“Sorry for the inconvenience sir, is there anything I can do to repay you?” I immediately raised both my hands in protest. “No, it’s fine, really it’s okay.”

“Are you sure sir?” I nodded. “Positive. And besides, I got to meet beautiful little Artemis.” I smiled at her. The little one looked at me as soon as she heard her name being called. “Thank you,” I gave her a wink. “I pinky swore, remember?” I stuck my finger out. She interlaced her small finger with mine and flashed the most adorable smile I’ve ever seen from a three-year-old.

“Not fair! Why did Ari have pinky swear and not me?” Apollo pouted and crossed his arms. I laughed. His cheeks were red from frustration. Artemis began teasing her brother. “Pollo has no pinky swear!”

Apollo stuck his tongue out and turned around. I knelt and his back was facing me. “Hey, do you want pinky swear too?” Apollo shook his head fiercely. “Are you sure?” I tilted my head to the side, teasing obviously, and he turned slowly and then back.

“No!” I laughed.

“Last chance…” He turned around and stuck his finger out. “Fine!” Artemis on the other hand started to protest. “No! Pinky swear only mine!”

I interlaced my pinky finger with Apollo’s and a smile broke from his face which was just as adorable as her twin sister. A random thought of what-would-it-feel-like-to-have-a-twin came across my mind. Apollo started jumping up and down and then ran around Reginald. “I have pinky swear! I have pinky swear!” Artemis on the other hand huffed and crossed her arms as her brother teased her back. Reginald and I laughed at the twins. I realized I have not had a good laugh in such a long time.

The last was…never mind.

I stood up then Apollo was reaching out to me. “Hey Blue!” I raised a brow. “Are you speaking to me?” I asked Apollo. He nodded with a smile.

“Apollo!” Reginald reprimanded. “It’s okay.” I told Reginald. I don’t think they can handle how to pronounce my name yet. At that moment I just added the name Blue to the list of nicknames I have. “Yes?”

“Carry!” I chuckled. I looked at Reginald for permission. “May I?” He gave a nod. I carried Apollo and surprisingly, the little boy was not as light as I thought he would be. As soon as Apollo was up in my arms, he decided to tease his sister even more. Artemis suddenly reached out to me. “I want Blue to carry me too!” she told Reginald. Actually, she demanded Reginald.

“Artemis, I don’t think sir Reidyr can carry you both,” he tried to explain to the little girl, but the girl was persistent. I reached out my free hand. “It’s okay.” I told Reginald. He gave me a concerned look. “Are you sure sir?”

“May I call you Reggie?” He nodded. “Reggie, just call me Reidyr or Rei. Please, no need to be so formal with me.” He gave a smile and handed Artemis to me. Least to say both my arms are now occupied with two adorable children.

As the two kids continued to tease each other, I got to know Reginald and the twins. Artemis and Apollo were placed under their uncle’s care and since their uncle was also running a lot of businesses here in Portland, he asked Reginald who’s been serving their family for a very long time to take care of the twins.

That gave me an impression that the twins came from a very wealthy family. Well, so wealthy that their parents or direct relatives don’t seem to have any time for their children. Now I was being hypercritical. I dismissed the thought almost instantly. Reggie did explain it was just temporary and assured me that the parents of the twins were good parents. They just had an urgent business matter to attend to.

Suddenly, I realized the twins were staring at me intently. “What?” I asked them both. “You have such pretty blue eyes.” Artemis spoke which made me blush a little. I saw Apollo’s eyes roll. “That’s why his name is Blue, Ari.” Apollo stuck his tongue out to his sister. Artemis just folded her arms and puffed her cheeks out of irritation. I heard Reginald spoke not long after.

“So, if you don’t mind me asking Reidyr, are you headed somewhere?”

“I was about to check out the music studio a close friend of mine recommended.” I replied. “I’m a pianist.” Reginald’s eyes lightened up. “How delightful!” he said.

“What’s a pianist?” The twins asked at once, and I laughed because it was too darn adorable.

“I play the Piano.” I said. “Does that hurt?” Artemis asked her hazel eyes scanning my face. I shook my head. “What’s a piano?” Apollo asked this time. I started to formulate a sentence in which they would understand easily. “A piano…is an instrument that I play with my hands.”

“Oh, like guitar?” Artemis said with her finger held up as if she figured everything out. I nodded. “Can we hear you play?” Apollo asked. I looked at Reginald. He just gave me a smile. “I mean…I don’t mind…”

“Can we?” They both looked at Reginald simultaneously. “If it’s okay with Reidyr.” Now the twin’s hazel eyes were waiting for my answer. “Blue, let us hear you play!” Artemis said as she held my face with both of her tiny palms. Apollo was jumping up and down from my arms. “Please, Blue!” I laughed and nodded.

“Okay! Okay!” I said in defeat and both threw their hands in the air. “Yay!”