I fasten the red strings behind my waist while I walk behind the counter. Ruby and her Granny smile at me but I can tell I'm about to get my ass chewed out by Granny.
"You're late Swan!" She hisses while peering over her glasses. The frames slip a little further down her nose as her hands rest upon her hips.
"I know! I'm so sorry Granny, but I had to put the kids to bed and Drew needed a bath tonight. I'm so sorry!" I whine to the older woman and pout out my bottom lip in hopes she will take pity on me.
"Alright, I'm only letting it slide because you haven't been late in awhile."
"Thank you!" I smile brightly and kiss the older woman on the cheek.
Ruby's Granny has been like a mother figure to me over the past ten years and I try my hardest not to ever let the woman down.
"It's actually slow right now anyways, why don't you two get started on filling the salt and pepper shakers," the older woman instructs us as she counts the drawer.
"Of course." I grab a tray and begin working my way around the booths in Granny's diner. "Hey Granny, I have a steady babysitter now, so if I could pick up more shifts at night or on the weekends that would be great."
"Honey, don't you think you should be spending your free time with your children?"
"Wouldn't that be the American dream," I sass with an eye roll. "If I don't make some decent cash soon, I'm going to lose that house. My kids need a roof over their heads and food on the table more than they need my attention."
"Oh come on Emma, who are you trying to kid? Your children are out of control and they only act that way because they crave your attention," Ruby retorts putting me back into my place.
"There's nothing I can do about it Rubes, not now," I snap right back at my friend as I begin to loose my temper.
I hate this topic of conversation because there's literally nothing I can do about it. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I either stop working as much and pay closer attention to my children which will mean I lose the house. Or I work my ass off and provide them with a home and food leaving me with crazy children.
"Well you have your new babysitter so maybe she can help straighten your children out!" Ruby mocks before she disappears into the kitchen.
"Doubtful," I huff to myself because nobody can tame my wild animals.
A small bing above the door breaks us from our conversation causing me to exhale loudly before I greet this customer. A ruggedly handsome man who never seems to take no for an answer.
He slides into the red bar stool flashing me his most cocky grin. I roll my eyes and slap down a flimsy plastic menu.
"Hello lovely!"
"Hi Killian, what will it be? And before you start, no I do not have the winning lottery numbers, no I will not dip my finger in your coffee to sweeten it up and we are fresh out of dates!"
"Aw come on Emma, why do you gotta be like that," he pouts but his icy blue eyes still dance with excitement.
"Have you fallen recently and hit your head?" The scruffy man crinkles his nose not being able to grasp my obvious ridicule. "Did you forget about my three reason why I will never date you?"
Ruby laughs loudly across the small diner. I glance her way with a malicious smirk across my face.
"Let's count the ways Emma!" Ruby taunts jumping on the bandwagon of belittling this man. "Reason number one, Henry."
"Henry," I smile with confidence and stare Killian down. "Henry, he's eight. My first born and even though he seems quit and innocent, he is everything but. My son with shaggy brown hair is too smart for his own good. He listens to everything everyone says around him and uses it to his advantage for future torment. He's so smart that he becomes easily bored with life leaving him to cause mischief. Since he was my first born, he's my best friend and will crucify any man that comes near me or could be a possible threat."
"Number two, Max," Ruby continues with the brightest smile she can accomplish.
"Max, he's seven. He's the middle child who came all too soon after Henry, leaving me a discombobulated mess with two babies. I was over worked and over stressed, ultimately producing an over anxious and hyper child. If there's ever silence when he's around, you better light a candle and pray to all the heavens that he didn't destroy everything in his path. He will drain your bank account with every item he breaks during his whirlwind tornado of actions."
"He's my favorite," Ruby giggles as she brushes passed me and the man who's smile is slowly fading. "Number three," Ruby holds up three fingers and wiggles them with a sly smirk. "Drew."
"Drew, she's five. She's the youngest devil dressed in an angel's body. Those blonde bouncing curls and bright green eyes will leave everyone to mush, but don't let her fool you. She was raised with two older brothers who showed no mercy while tossing her around. She's stronger than both her brother's combined. Now, whatever money you have left from Max's disaster, Drew will surely eat up every cent forcing you to buy anything her little heart desires."
"Aw come on love, I'm sure they aren't that bad. I love kids!"
"That's what they all say, until they meet my children. Henry will belittle your ego while Max climbs you, breaking everything you own as Drew steals every penny from your wallet. Now what do you want to eat?"
Killian shifts uncomfortably in his seat while his baby blues shift back and forth between Ruby and I. He's desperately trying to figure out if we are fucking with him or revealing some disturbing truth of my life. He clears his throat and finally glances down at his menu.
"Um...bacon cheeseburger," he mutters and hands the menu back.
"Medium rare? Onion rings instead of fries?" I question as I slip the menu underneath my arm.
"Yes. Thank you."
I nod professionally and turn around to call out the order to the cooks in the back. Ruby slides up next to me and bumps our shoulders together.
"God, I love doing that! Your kids really are crazy."
I fake a laugh because I wish they weren't that way. I love my babies with all my heart but they deserve so much more in life. I want them to be happy and I wish I could spend all the time in the world with them but I can't. I feel like the worst mother in the world right now but I have to keep telling myself, everything I do is for them.
After my long and busy night shift at Granny's, I head home around four in the morning. The evening was starting to slow down so the night manager allowed me to leave two hours earlier, which I am overjoyed about. I will be able to sleep two and a half hours before I will need to wake up to get my children ready for school and head to my day job.
As quietly as possible I sneak into my calm and peaceful home. This is the only time of day where my house is this tranquil. Usually my children are stomping up and down the stairs while they scream at the top of their lungs. I relish in this moment as I drop my keys into a bowl above the fridge.
I cannot leave my keys lying around otherwise they will end up lost. Either Henry will use them for some sort of crazy science experiment or Max will purposely hide them from me or Drew will dip them in paint.
I untie my apron while trudging my aching limbs to my bedroom. I'm stopped as if I hit a brick wall when I catch a glimpse of my new wife, sleeping on the shitty couch.
My lips twist as I take in her appearance. Her raven locks in disarray over a tiny throw pillow. Her skin is free from any of that caked on makeup while her face is for once not pinched with disapproval. She looks peaceful and relaxed. I can't help but stare for a moment because now I am seeing her in a different light. She's actually...beautiful. I wonder what her real name is.
I sigh and shake my head knowing what horrible personality lays beneath. I stroll passed the sleeping woman and make my way to my bedroom.
The alarm blares far too quickly, jolting me awake from a deep slumber. I slam my hand down on the torturous screaming box and groan as I climb out of my bed. I smirk to myself knowing this will be the first full day of my sweet revenge.
I rush to my kitchen and smile happily when I notice the woman is still asleep on my couch. I bend down and grab a pot out of a cabinet and a wooden spoon from a drawer. I run to the living room and try to hold back my laughter as I hover over the brunette.
Roni is peacefully sleeping on her back. I hold the pot over her head and begin banging the wooden spoon as hard as I can. The volume of the banging is so ear piercingly loud that I even wince.
The snob flies forward off the couch grasping at her chest. Those already big brown eyes are doubled in size as her mind tries to play catch up on what's occurring around her. She's heaving and clenching her chest in fear.
I stop the banging and pop my head in front of hers. "Morning baby!" She blinks rapidly as her eyes connect with mine and I can see she's struggling to remember the events that occurred yesterday.
"My wife," she gasps. I'm not sure if she's trying to recall facts or if she forgot my name yet again.
"Time to get up. We need breakfast and you need to make our kids their lunches before they head off to school," I inform the woman on the morning routine but she just stares at me blankly. At this point, I'm unsure if she's even listening to a word I am saying.
"Kids...three..." she groans and falls back onto the couch.
I reach for her hands and begin yanking her limp body to her feet. "Nope, nope. Come on, you have to get up. Our kids are depending on you." She groans in protest but allows me to pull her to her feet.
"I'm going to get the kids dressed, you start on breakfast. We have thirty minutes to get them dressed, fed, teeth brushed, hair brushed, lunches made and out the door for the bus."
"This can't be my life," she whines while I fight back my ever growing smile.
"Go on. We will be down in ten minutes." I spin her around by her shoulders and push the brunette toward the kitchen. I place a hand over my mouth to suppress my giggle as I watch her hips still sashaying like she's some sort of queen.
I run up the stairs taking two at a time. I knock on my boys room and enter to find them hopping around to dress themselves. Henry has always been responsible and wakes up with an alarm clock. He always makes sure his younger brother wakes up when he does. Henry is pulling on his t-shirt while Max is fumbling with his button on his jeans.
"Hey bud, can I help with that?" I ask as I kneel down in front of the seven year old.
"Okay," he mutters with a hint of anger. He must've been struggling for awhile for him to just give in so easily to me. I lift up his shirt and begin fastening the button. "Mommy? Is that lady still here?"
I kiss my son's forehead and smile lovingly. "Yes Max, she's still here. Remember what I told you, she's going to be like a second mom for awhile."
"Do you still want us to be extra loud?" Henry asks while slipping into his shoes.
"Yup!" I exclaim with a smile that seems to be a little too excited. "Remember, when we go downstairs, I want you guys hugging her tight and screaming mom!" They both giggle and nod enthusiastically as I stand up from the ground. "Okay guys, finish getting dressed, I'm going to check on your sister."
I leave my boy's room and head across the hall to my youngest's bedroom. I push open the already cracked door to find my daughter playing with her barbies.
"Morning baby girl!"
"Morning mommy!" She squeals as she whips around from her pretend world.
"Look at you all dressed, good job honey!" I stretch out my arms and watch as my daughter leaps to her feet. Drew jumps into my arms and wraps her tiny arms around my neck prompting me to squeeze her tight.
"You ready for some fun with new momma?" She giggles and nods along. Thank god all my children are intelligent and have no problem playing along.
I carry my daughter down the stairs, admiring the loud screaming coming from my rowdy boys in the kitchen.
When I enter, I find Roni standing at the counter dipping a knife into a peanut butter jar. Henry is examining a black piece of something at the kitchen table while Max is banging the black piece of whatever against the table. I bite my lips to hold back any sounds that threaten to sell me out.
"Good morning Rocky," Roni mutters as her hand swiftly moves into a jar of mustard.
"Rocky?" I laugh out as I set Drew down to the ground.
Roni points the knife at my daughter and corks up an eyebrow. "Rocky."
I shake my head and this time a loud laugh erupts. "Her name is Drew."
"That's right. I knew it was a boy's name," she waves her hand dismissing the mistake and tosses the peanut butter, mustard and M and M sandwich into a paper bag. I cringe at what she attempted for lunch and look back at my children.
"What are they eating for breakfast?" I question with my face crinkled in disgust.
"Pop tarts," she deadpans and begins preparing another lunch.
I walk over to my boys and pick up the 'pop tart', examining the charcoal piece of pastry. I mimic Max's actions and lightly tap the burnt piece against the table. Black ash like pieces crumble all of the table while my children gape in shock.
"Uh, Henry grab some new pop tarts from the pantry for you and your siblings. We have to get going." I toss the scorched pop tart into the trash and make my way to Roni's side. "Hey, how did you manage to ruin pop tarts?"
She frowns slightly as she glances over my shoulder at my children. "They didn't like them?" My new wife questions with a dead serious expression.
"Mmmmm," I hum my response as I shake my head. "Hopefully you'll figure out cooking by dinner," I mock before I head for the door. "Let's go kids, bus will be here in a minute!" I call out to hurry my children along. I reach into my pocket and pull out a piece of paper. "Here's a list of chores that you usually do while I'm at work, just in case you don't remember."
She nods along while her eyes drift across the paper reading her payback chores. "Don't forget the kids get off the bus at three. You have to be there for Drew since she's only in kindergarten."
"Right." The children bombard us but before they can escape Roni beckons them. "Henry, Maxwell, Rocky, your lunches!" She holds up the brown paper bags in which my children eye skeptically. They are clearly terrified of what might be inside and I agree but I still nod toward the bags, encouraging them to accept the lunch.
"My name is not Maxwell," my son scoffs as he rips the bag from her hand. "It's just Max."
"Max. Max. Max." Roni mumbles to herself trying to memorize the poor boy's name. Still, Maxwell is so much better than Barnaby.
"And I'm Drew momma," my daughter beams proudly not at all offended by the name.
"Henry, Max and Drew," she utters while pointing to each child.
"Right, see you're getting it!" I cheer as I clasp my hand to her shoulder. "I'll be home around five, see you then babe." I purr the affectionate nickname just to irk her a little more.
Roni rolls her eyes and waves me off, clearly not comfortable enough yet to snap some snotty comment back. I grin like idiot knowing that for today, I've won.
"Alright kids, let's move!" I holler pushing my children through the back door.
The moment the back door closes I call my children over to my side.
"Give me those lunch bags." My kids hand over the attempted lunch and I toss them in the trash behind me. "Here kids, buy your lunch today at school," I instruct my kids as I pull out some cash and hand them each five dollars. "Alright guys, Roni will be here after school. Try not to burn down the house while I'm at work."