Prompt: Can I have this?

"Can I have this?" is a question that every young parent fears. For Rebecca it always seems to come when she's taking care of one child and the other two have conspired to drive her insane.

Today, Michael decided he wanted to throw paints at their living room wall and while she's punishing him and trying to clean up Rachel and Miranda ask, "Can I have this?"

She, exhausted, sweating, and nearly in tears as she realizes that not only will she have to re-paint the wall, but that their couch is unsalvageable as well, says, "Fine, whatever you want."

It was nearly an hour later when Rebecca went to free Michael. She then realized that the girls had been quiet for way too long. She headed for the kitchen to check on them and they came streaking out, chocolate all over their faces and hands. Apparently, what the girls really, really wanted was the entire batch of double chocolate espresso brownies that she had made to take to Nora's for dinner.

Now, they were running around the house, getting chocolate everywhere and straining the last bit of patience she had left.

"RACHEL! MIRANDA!" she took off after them, as Michael began licking the crumbs from the plate of brownies.

Miranda and Rachel snuck back into the kitchen and ran around their brother.

That was how Justin found them ten minutes later.

&&&&&&

Rebecca had to call Nora and cancel because her daughters spent the rest of the night throwing up and crying.

"Mommy, I still don't feel well," Miranda said, "Can you fix me?"

Rebecca sighed and kissed her head, "No, baby, you're just going to have to ride this one out. If you're still sick in the morning we'll go to the doctor."

"No," Rachel cried.

Rebecca looked at her older daughter, "Well, that's why you don't eat all that chocolate in one sitting…and you know that Rachel. You're almost nine years old."

"It just tasted so good, Mommy. I'm sorry." Rachel's eyes welled up.

"Its okay," Rebecca said, kissing her daughter, "I think that you'll remember it from now on."

Both girls nod solemnly.

"'Okay, try to get some rest. I'm going to check on Michael. Ring Mommy if you need me," she said, pointing toward the bell she'd left on the table between their beds.

"Okay Mommy," they said along with a chorus of "I loves yous," and "We're sorry we were bad."

Rebecca smiled at them as she closed the door behind her.

&&&&&&

"Oh god," Rebecca said, dropping onto the bed with a grunt, "I am never, ever making brownies again. In fact, I am banning all chocolate from this house."

"Right, tell me that in 28 days or so."

Rebecca pushed herself up to glare at him, "Do I look like I'm in the mood for a funny husband tonight?"

Justin bit his lip and shook his head.

"That's good. Now you better get in bed because when the girls start getting sick again it's your turn."

Justin winced, "Okay, no more chocolate in the house."