"Which one do you guys want to watch? That one or that one?" asked Pete as he pointed to two different movies.
Juan and Lita automatically pointed to the one on the left.
"That one!" they both said excitedly.
It was Sunday and Pete was taking the little kids out for ice cream and a movie, though a trip to the arcade was in the cards for later, too. As Pete put in the order for the movie and snacks, the kids left to check out the candy display on the other side of the theater lobby.
"Look at those lollies!"
"Look at the jolly ranchers!"
Pete looked over his shoulder to see Juan and Lita mesmerized by all the candy, pointing out their favorites. He smiled to himself, then decided to take the opportunity to buy something special for Lita.
"Alright kids, I got the snacks," he said as he came up to them.
He was holding a bag of popcorn with one hand, but his other hand was tucked behind his back.
Lita reached for the popcorn but Pete stopped her.
"This one's for your brother. I got you something else."
He handed Juan the popcorn then turned to his daughter.
"Alright sweetie, close your eyes."
Lita obediently closed her eyes and held out her hands. Pete placed a huge bag of potato chips in her hands then stepped back.
"Okay, you can open them now!"
When Lita opened her eyes and realized what she was holding, she let out a huge squeal.
"YES!"
She hugged the bag close to her, then shot off running around the lobby with the bag in her arms.
Both Juan and Pete watched her in her excitement, laughing at how silly the little girl was being.
Pete placed an arm around Juan's shoulders.
"Why does your sister love potato chips so much, eh buddy?" he asked, jokingly.
"Sometimes it was the only thing we could eat," said the little boy.
Pete's smiled faded as he turned to look at this son.
"What?"
Juan looked up at him. "Sometimes, there was nothing else to eat," he repeated.
Pete felt like someone had slapped him across the face.
"At the Muskies?"
The boy shook his head. "Before."
"Before the Muskies?"
Juan nodded.
"Other foster homes?"
Juan shook his head.
"Before foster care?"
Juan nodded again.
Pete was speechless for a few moments.
"I don't like potato chips now because I got tired of eating them so much. But Lita was still little. I think that's why she loves them," added Juan with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Jesus," muttered Pete.
He pulled Juan close to him and squeezed him into a hug, being mindful of the bag of popcorn between them.
He was trying to find the right words to say to his son when Lita's screams interrupted his thoughts.
"C'mon dad! Juan! I wanna watch the movie!" said the little girl.
Juan pulled away from Pete. "Yeah, c'mon dad, we're gonna miss the movie!"
Pete watched as Juan joined his sister and then they both shot off running towards the screening rooms.
"Wait up!" he said as he ran after them.
After handing the attendant their tickets for checking, he grabbed hold of Lita before she could run off again and took her in his arms, scooping her up, bag of potato chips and all. He squeezed the life out of her in a massive hug.
Lita squirmed under his arms, eager to get to the movie.
"Daddy!" she complained, trying to escape his grasp.
Pete ignored her and placed a whole bunch of kisses on her head.
"I love you so much, baby girl," he said.
"Daddy, let go!"
Pete pulled her closer to him, trying to convey a million things through his hug.
"Daddy!" Lita complained.
"Alright, alright, here you go," he said, as he put her down.
"Dad, let's go!" came Juan's voice.
The two siblings ran off together as Pete watched, a smile on his face.
His heart was bursting for love for his children, who, despite having been through horrible situations, were the happiest little kids he knew. He knew he would have to talk to Ellie later, that there were things they needed to figure out, together.
But for now, he was going to enjoy his time with his amazing children as much as he could.
