You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

“How long has Oliver been inside? Zachary, go check if he has diarrhea,” Arissa instructed her eldest son. She was concerned that her children could not acclimatize to the weather back home.

“Okay!” Zachary went off to rush his brother.

Arissa looked around for the aforementioned store, but she could not find it. “Jesse, where did Jasper go to buy cotton candy?”

“Mommy, it’s over there! The one with a blue plane!” Jesse pointed toward a direction as she spoke with a missing front tooth.

Arissa scanned the surrounding for a bit before finally spotting the cotton candy store. Nevertheless, there was no sign of Jasper, much to her dismay.

She could not see clearly as there was an influx of people moving around the airport. Arissa had no choice but to wait for Oliver’s return before she could start searching for Jasper.

At last, Zachary came out of the restroom with Oliver. After waiting for a few moments, Arissa brought her three little ones along in search of Jasper while hauling their luggage.

When they arrived at the cotton candy store, however, there was no sign of Jasper.

Arissa could not help but worry for his safety. After all, her children were still unfamiliar with this place.

“Where is he?” she asked impatiently.

“Could Jasper have run off to buy something else?” Zachary frowned.

“Let’s wait for him a little longer!” Arissa reassured her children while trying to convince herself that Jasper would return soon.

As time passed, he still did not show up.

Could it be that he went back to the restroom to look for us?

Just when Arissa thought about going back to search for Jasper, a familiar figure suddenly ran toward them. She breathed a sigh of relief and embraced the little boy tightly.

Gavin Graham froze in shock after getting hugged by an affectionate woman who was a complete stranger to him.

“Oh, my gosh! You almost scared your mommy to death! Didn’t I tell you to wait for me? Why are you running around in a place like this?” Arissa reprimanded.

“That’s right! We thought you had disappeared! If you still didn’t return, Mommy was going to use the airport’s public address system to find you!” Oliver chimed in.

Mommy?

This word caused a ripple in Gavin’s heart.

That was because

children next to him. Both

they

the sight of the three siblings. However,

stern words just now. She immediately embraced the

Where did you go just now?”

stuttered in response as he had yet to recover from the

long time. He only found the location of the cotton candy store after some help from a passerby. Little did he expect to be hugged

heartbeat quickened as he realized Arissa’s

Is she my mommy?

siblings, who resembled him. He was convinced that his instinct was

lady is the real one—I’m sure she’s the one. Also, it

of surprise mixed with

did not notice the difference in the boy as she reached out and rubbed his head

will buy cotton candy for all of you!” she stated

the confection for her children. However, the observant Zachary noticed a slight difference in his

this boy in front of me doesn’t

shocked as a thought

did you go just now?” he

suspicion grew ever since Gavin said he could not find the location

had not

more cold and aloof than Jasper, who had always been lively and

help but distrust the

Gavin as he noticed the different cartoon print on

Jasper!” he whispered as he edged

and Jesse followed Arissa to buy cotton candy. They were overjoyed to the point that they did not notice the odd conversation between

beat as he believed Zachary recognized him as

who resembles me, and he has disappeared for some reason. That’s the reason why they think I’m

of you!” Arissa

bite and chirped, “This is yummy!” The sticky cotton candy smeared all over

help giggling at the silly sight of his youngest sibling. “Jesse, your face is a

slowly.” Arissa chuckled. She then wiped Jesse’s face before giving

was in a

carefully!” she