A/N: I apologize for the delay of this chapter. I'll do my best to never have a wait longer than three weeks between chapters. I am especially thankful to my Beta Beautification Team for catching my crazy commas and missing everything else. Granny, thanks for listening to me. Melly, thanks for taking my late night/early morning emails. Theotherbella, best cheerleader ever!
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and I own Family Ties...well kind of. I'm not doing that copyright crap. If you decide to "borrow" my story and use it as your own, at least give me beta credit. Ooh or you can call me your muse. Enjoy!
I was finally home after a 'Me' day. I loved being able to relax at the spa and not worry about school dismissal and dinner plans. Silence and serenity were the pillars of my day.
I was ecstatic when Rose accepted my invitation to pamper ourselves. While we couldn't be more different, I was lucky to have her as a sister-in-law and call her my best friend. She was no nonsense and extremely funny. She encouraged me leaving for the day and even hinted that she may use it with Emmett and their boys.
Rose and I had talked all day and it was a huge stress reliever. Rose listened to me and didn't judge. The last thing I needed to hear was that I was a terrible mother for leaving Edward to shoulder the weight of the day. He was their parent also.
I had my worried mom voice in my head all day wanting to call Edward to make sure he was doing everything properly. The list was pretty simple but that was because I had perfected it. He had no idea what he was getting into. I also added a few things to throw him off. Despite my smiles I was still very pissed at the comments he made in his office.
Entering the kitchen I turned on the island lights and didn't think the kitchen was cleaned to my liking. I also didn't smell Fabuloso on my counters.
Oh, he would be redoing this tomorrow. Is that dried marinara?
A further inspection was needed. There was no telling what I would find that would also make me angry. I started clicking lights like a woman possessed. The fridge gleamed in the light like a warning signal. It was almost like it was the smoking gun needed for me to go off on Edward. My eyes zoomed in on the receipt under the Superbowl XLII magnet. This would not wait until the morning. I planned on having a long discussion with my incompetent husband.
Milton Cleaners? Is he fucking kidding?
I wouldn't even put my bathroom mats in there, so I damn sure wouldn't let them alter my clothes. My list said MH which meant Murray Hill. Snatching open the fridge, I rattled the items on the door. I needed to see what else he dropped the ball with. From first glance I didn't see a difference from this morning before I made the list. We were still without milk. I opened the vegetable crisper to find no Romaine lettuce bags as requested from Trader Joes. I didn't need to see any more.
I knew the evening would end in a fight. After Tanya's call I couldn't stop thinking about what Edward would be doing wrong. I restrained myself from calling him as an argument would just ruin my peaceful day. Now I was left to complete everything he couldn't. What was the point of him being home? Taking the steps two at a time I entered my bedroom and crept in to see Edward sprawled across the bed in his clothes. The children must have wiped him out.
Oh well too fucking bad. They do the same to me every single day.
I grabbed his hair from the base of his neck and kissed him. "Hey," he looked up at me groggily.
"Long day?" I asked sitting on the bed.
"You have no idea! Oh my god I love you so much and appreciate everything you do. I promise to never speak badly about all you do. This house cannot function without you." He crawled up to me putting his head on my breasts.
"Aww my poor baby," I stroked his head. "Um Edward, what's this?" I showed him the cleaners' receipt.
"The ticket from the cleaners." He wrapped his arm around my waist.
"Yeah except this isn't the cleaners I told you to go to. I said MH cleaners. That's the location in Murray Hill."
"Is there really a difference?"
"Yes there is! There is the right one and the wrong one you went to today!" My anger flared up again. "Where are the groceries I asked you to get?"
"I got most of the things done."
I pushed his arms off of me, "No you didn't! I gave you a list for Trader Joes, you didn't even go there!"
"I'll get the rest tomorrow, what's the big deal?"
He was completely oblivious as to why I was upset and just brushed off his shortcomings. His careless attitude just confirmed my earlier thoughts that I'd have to pick up the slack tomorrow. This very behavior led me to question how sincere his apology was and how dedicated he was to helping me out. Hopping off the bed I exclaimed, "The big deal is you didn't do shit I asked you to do! I gave you the simplest things and you couldn't do them! Also how did you manage to make the children late for school?"
"How do you know about that?"
"Well if I didn't, I sure know now! Tanya called to see where I was to give her Mase's karate gear and when I told her you were taking them it was clear you weren't there yet."
"Well we drove and I didn't have the keys so we were late."
I began taking off my clothes and leaving them wherever they landed. I hated a mess so this just proved I was truly pissed off. Grabbing the dresser drawer filled with pajamas, I pulled it too hard and it fell off the track and onto the floor.
"What the hell? What's your problem?"
"You are!" I angrily pulled on my pants and almost tripped.
"I did what you asked today and whatever is left over, I'll do it tomorrow!"
"You barely did what I asked and you did it wrong! And you won't do it tomorrow; I'll end up doing it, just like I do everything else around here. They're your fucking kids too! Even though at this moment I wish they weren't!"
"Nice Bella, that doesn't make you sound like a whore at all!"
"Fuck you! You're such an asshole!"
I wished I had something to throw at him. I grabbed my phone and stormed out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind me.
"Yet you're still here with me!" I heard him yell through the door.
God, I could kill him.
I ran to our guest room before my anger got the best of me and I ran out the door. The deafening silence in the guest room was suffocating. I had never slept in there voluntarily in all the years we lived here, and never alone. I choked back a sob as I became overwhelmed with the reality of my crumbling marriage. I landed across the navy comforter and wailed into the pillows. Something had to give or Edward and I would never make it to our tenth anniversary. At this rate we may not even see our eighth.
I was upset when I went upstairs but didn't know it would go this far. I could understand Edward making a few mistakes with the schedule, but he appeared as if he didn't even care. Coming home to find him asleep and the list incomplete just set me off. If I fall short with dinner, he becomes enraged.
Why am I not allowed to get upset? I can't believe he asked what my problem was. And did he call me a whore? To him I was more of a servant for hire. Without a salary though, can't forget that part.
I didn't recognize the couple we were becoming. My heart ached at the realization that maybe Edward and I could only function as a couple when we only spent a few hours together on the weekends. Now that he was forced to spend more time at home with our children, I felt as if he resented me for it. The very small issues were causing us to fight and scream at each other. I sat up to get some Kleenex and realized that Edward hadn't even come after me. I eased under the comforter and squeezed one of the pillows to my chest. I had no idea how I would face tomorrow, but I was certain about three things. These next four days would determine the course of my marriage; I was on the verge of a breakdown if things didn't change; and lastly I was beginning to dislike my husband.
*****Earlier that day*****
My wife was trying to kill me.
There was no way I would be able to complete everything as assigned. Bella woke me up, handed me the list, and left. No hug, no kiss, no warning. It would be impossible to get everything done while I still had to chauffer the children to school and their activities. It was obvious she was still pissed at me.
All because I never know when to shut my fucking mouth.
I never meant for her to hear me make a remark about her not having a job. Not that I should have even said anything. I wish I could take it back. I was such a dick for saying that to her. I would pay dearly for it, and from the looks of this list, she would make sure of that. I had a little over an hour to get breakfast for the twins, make their lunch, prep a snack, and get them to school. But first I needed to wake them up.
You can do this Edward! Deep breaths...you went to medical school. You're a surgeon who once performed an endarterectomy with merely minutes to spare. You can handle your children for a day.
I jumped up and took the quickest shower I've ever taken, outside of the hospital at least. I was sporting more of a midnight shadow, but I had no time to shave.
Great, I'll complete my mountain man look with my hair that refuses to go in one direction. Oh well, after thirty-two years I don't expect any different. Do I have to dress up? I always see Bella in blouses and pumps when she drops the kids off. Fuck that! I'm not a woman and I'm dropping them off right at the door. A collared shirt and some jeans were as dressed up as I was getting. Take it or leave it. As much as I pay for tuition there should be a fucking school bus.
Once I was dressed I went to wake up the twins. I figured Masen would give me the most difficulty so I woke him up first. I had paper thin patience this morning and was in no mood for a tantrum. I bounced on his bed hoping to startle him. Emmett always did it to me, so I was sure it would work. It did.
"Daddy! What are you doing here? It's not the weekend."
I felt like I had just swallowed acid when he said that to me. He had grown accustomed to me being a part-time parent. I had to use this week to show him otherwise. Even when the week was over, I'd need to make some changes. I hated feeling like a guest parent.
"Well Daddy isn't working today. I'm off this whole week so I'll be taking you to school. How does that sound?" I asked.
"Where is Mommy? Is she at new work?" he asked in a panic.
New work? What exactly did my little spy know?
"What do you mean buddy?
"Mommy says when you're at the hospital, you're at work and me and Maddy are her work. She's not here so she's at the hospital borrowing your work."
God, I was such a dick. Even my children know this house couldn't function without Bella. I had a lot of making up to do. I would have to give our jeweler a call. Diamonds always say I'm sorry better than any card.
"Are you taking us to school with Mommy?"
"Just me, Mommy isn't here right now. Is that alright with you?"
"Cool! Yay Daddy!" Masen hopped on me and we began wrestling on the bed. "I'm gonna show you my class, and my desk. Jordan is my best friend. You gotta meet Chloe. She's new and sits next to me now."
Was Chloe a girlfriend? Bella would have none of that. If he didn't use that term, I wouldn't either.
Breaking out my secret weapon of tickling I was able to subdue him quickly. "Okay, go brush your teeth while I wake Maddy then I'll be back to help you get dressed."
Setting him on his feet I saw his wild mane. It was like looking in a mirror and I was a little horrified.
"Hey Mase! What does Mommy do to your hair each morning?"
He made some noise I couldn't even decipher and dragged his feet to the bathroom.
Was he ignoring me? Was I supposed to follow?
I looked down at my watch, shit, I still had to get Maddy up.
"This is mine, Daddy," Masen called from the bathroom.
I entered to find him holding a spray bottle marked 'Masen's Mane Tamer'.
My wife was so cute. Did I just spray it? Would it work on mine?
"Ok and what do I do with it?"
He grabbed his toothbrush, went to the toilet and flipped the lid.
Wow boundaries much.
"Mommy sprays four times and then she says scrunch, scrunch, scrunch with her hands. But you brush it first. I don't like the brush." He whispered the last part.
My poor kid was probably tortured every morning trying to get his hair in order. I could only offer a sincere apology now. Later on it may work in his favor. For some strange reason women go crazy over my hair. I don't know if it was the color or the fact that it went in eighty different directions all at once. I'm sure it was the combination. I smiled, knowing Bella grabbed it more during sex than she did the headboard. Not that I'd tell Masen about using his Cullen sex appeal so early in life.
"Daddy is going to give it a try okay! I promise I'll make it quick because I don't like it either."
Masen handed me his brush and I tried to brush it all up in one direction then gave him four sprays of the liquid. I had no idea what was in it. I hoped I wasn't putting Guido gel in my son's hair to have him looking like a mini douche. I'd let him look crazy like me before that happened. I gave it a few scrunches after and it didn't look half bad. I guess the outcome would be ready at breakfast. I was very proud of myself and went to wake Maddy.
She was snuggled under her blanket like a blob. She definitely got that from her mother. While I was constantly kicking the blankets off of me, Bella could never be covered enough. No matter the season she'd be cocooned in a comforter. I didn't think I could take the bounce approach with Madison. I pulled the blanket off to find her tucked under her sheet curled up like a ball.
"Princess…" I called while shaking her lightly.
She didn't even flinch. I called her again and shook with a little more force and nothing. I pulled her out of the bed and tried to get her to stand on her own. Good thing I was holding her because she just collapsed in my arms. If I couldn't hear her breathing, I would have thought she was in a coma. I had no idea my daughter slept like the dead. I alternated between shaking her and calling her name and got no response. I carried her to the bathroom to sit her on the toilet seat. Somehow, someway, she had to get ready for school.
As if watching karma in slow motion I knew my day was only going downhill from here. I set Maddy on the seat and reached for her toothbrush right as her head fell back against the toilet tank. If it was anyone else's child I would've laughed uncontrollably. Since she was mine, I felt at fault. Her eyes popped open wide and she tried to focus on her surroundings. The delayed reaction to the hit caused her to let out a paint peeling scream.
Holy shit, Bella, come back home please.
"Mommy!" Maddy wailed. "I want Mommy!"
"What happened to Maddy?" Masen ran into the bathroom in just his socks and underwear.
"She's okay. Come on Mase, why aren't you dressed?" He had on even fewer clothes than he did when I woke him up. "What were you doing all that time?"
He shrugged and ran off.
I knelt down to comfort Maddy only to take a foot to the chest. "Shh, Princess, please calm down."
"I want Mommy! Now!" Maddy screamed in response.
"Mommy isn't here."
"Get her now!"
Could I be any worse at this?
My heart was breaking with each tear. I couldn't get Madison to stop crying and the feelings of father failure were quickly overpowering me. It was obvious Bella was better at this than me, but it was also apparent that she was a big comfort to the children. She was familiar, and I wasn't. I hoped six years in wouldn't be too late to join the race. I needed to make more of an effort. I would make the effort.
I tried to calm Madison down but she wasn't having it. I finally gave in and picked her up, rocking her as I did when she was a baby. Summoning up all the strength I had, I pleaded, "Maddy, Princess, may you please stop crying? Mommy isn't here and today you get Daddy. I know right now I'm doing everything wrong, but maybe you could help me, kind of like how you help Mommy."
Those must have been the magic words because Maddy wiped her tears and gave me a small smile. Hugging me around the neck she gave me a kiss and whispered, "Don't be sad Daddy, I'll help you."
It appeared we would make it through today, thank God.
Maddy gave me the run-down of her morning ritual and made me leave while she 'dressed like a big girl'. I went to check on Masen and found him sprawled out on his floor, in his uniform, reading a Spiderman comic book. I wanted to yell at him for being on the floor in his uniform, but I was pleased that he was reading. He looked so deep in thought. When I got close enough to lean over him, I saw that he was drawing the pictures from the comic book. He would look at the pictures for a while and then try to repeat it onto construction paper. He wasn't even tracing. I had no idea he was interested in drawing, especially not graphic design.
We were pretty kick ass parents. Yes, I'm patting myself on the back.
"Hey Mase, what are you up to?" I asked making my presence known.
"Noo, Daddy, you can't look. I'm not done," Masen replied quickly shoving the paper in the comic book and placing his body on top of it.
He'd better learn to hide dirty magazines better than that later. I laughed to myself.
"Okay I won't look." I extended my hand to help him off the floor. "Will you show me when you're finished?"
"Yes!" His wide smile was contagious and I was proud of him. "Maybe you can put it in your office…if you want." He went to put the comic book on his shelf.
I caught up to him and knelt beside him, "Mase, I'll hang up any picture you give me and I would be honored to have a Masen original. I can even put one in my locker at work. I bet Grandpa would like a picture for his office, too. What do you think?"
He nodded eagerly before heading off to the kitchen. I knocked on Maddy's door to see if she was ready. "Princess, excuse me, big girl, are you dressed and ready?"
"All ready! Come in!" she shouted through the door.
I entered to see her completely dressed in her uniform sitting at her desk. My children were quite independent, more so than I ever gave them credit for. In my mind they would always be babies who needed one of us there every moment and that person had been Bella for the past six years. I had missed them entering this stage and would need to come up with a new argument for Bella staying home. But why did I need an argument at all? What was so wrong with Bella going back to work?
One word,Victoria. I refused to let my mind even go there because they were two different people and I would just become enraged at the comparison. I also didn't need that around the twins.
"Daddy!" Maddy shouted pulling my arm. "I've been calling you."
"I'm so sorry Princess, I was daydreaming."
"About Mommy? Do you miss her?"
"Yes sweetie I do, more than you know."
"I miss Mommy too. She needs to do my hair."
I gazed down at Maddy's waves and realized they were in slight disarray. It was nothing compared to mine and Masen's, but it was also more than my area of expertise.
"I think Daddy is gonna have to do your hair. Remember when you said you would help me? Well, I need you to tell me what Mommy does."
"Well, today I wear a headband so Mommy just combs it all back." Maddy ran over to her dresser to get her suede navy headband and I grabbed her comb. If Emmett could see me now he would be ribbing me nonstop. He had two boys and would never have to deal with this. Once Maddy was in front of me I began combing her hair, at least I thought I was. I was barely able to get the comb through her hair before she pulled away screaming, "Daddy! You're pulling my brains out! You're doing it wrong!"
"I'm sorry Princess, show me." I put the comb down on the dresser like it was on fire.
"That's the wrong comb, Daddy. You have to use this one." She handed me a comb with four points on it. "You comb it like a pony. You have to be gentle. Let me show you, get down."
I kneeled down so I was eye level with Madison as she began to comb my hair. It wasn't like she could make it look any crazier than it already did.
"See Daddy, soft. Now you try."
"Okay, let me try again."
I whipped her waves into one direction and it didn't require too much combing. After sliding the headband on, I was pretty pleased with the outcome.
"It's beautiful!" Maddy beamed, swirling around in front of her mirror.
"Daddy is tired now; I think you should give me a piggy back ride." I held her shoulders directing her towards the door attempting to get on her back.
"Daddy," she laughed, "you're way too heavy. But I'll race you."
Maddy took off to the kitchen before I could catch her.
"I win, I win," she gloated from the kitchen.
I sauntered into the room to find my children waiting at the breakfast nook. They looked up at me expectantly as I scanned the list Bella had left for me. I needed to make the twins' breakfast, lunch and a snack for the class.
Seriously, where the fuck was the tuition going? I bet the teachers drove the same cars I do. I was gonna find out today, they could believe that.
"Maddy, what do you want for breakfast?"
Please say cereal.
"I want an everything bagel lightly toasted with cream cheese," she said while she rubbed her stomach and licked her lips.
Seriously? Lightly toasted? She's been listening to Bella place orders.
I was afraid to ask Masen. He might say French toast with a side of eggs sunny side up.
"Okay, I'll do my best. What about you Mase?"
"Mommy makes me scrambled eggs and toast and I love it."
Masen was scoring all kinds of points today. I assumed he would give me the most trouble and so far he had been a piece of cake. He had more than made up for the bathroom fiasco on Saturday.
A bagel and toast could be managed with our power toaster, and I could scramble an egg in no time. Maddy's bagel was the last of its kind so I would need to put it on the list for later. I put the bagel and slices of bread in and started to scramble an egg for Masen. Opening the fridge, I grabbed the celery from the vegetable crisper and set it on the counter to wash. The bagel slid out the toaster and I picked it up with my thumb and index finger, burning myself in the process. "Ouch, shit!" I yelled before I realized I had an audience.
"Ooh Daddy, you said shit. Oops!" Madison quickly covered her mouth after her slip up.
Bella was going to kill me.
"Madison Cullen! You know better than to use that word." I dropped the bagel on a plate in front of her, "I think seven minutes on the mat will remind you to use your six year old vocabulary."
"You need seven minutes on the mat," she mumbled. "That's not lightly tightly toasted." She stomped out of the kitchen, pushing the door on her way.
"Madison, so help you."
"I can't eat breakfast in timeout," she shouted from the living room.
After setting Masen's breakfast down in front of him, I rubbed the back of my neck. I needed to calm down before I went to confront Madison. I was on the verge of screaming at her some more and possibly spanking her. I couldn't believe she said 'shit' and then became defiant.
Where was my little Daddy's girl that was so well behaved?
At that moment, Bella's words rang out in my ears, 'Maddy can be a little shit too'. Plate in hand, I went to meet her in the living room. She had her arms folded across her chest and quickly wiped away her tears, obviously hoping I wouldn't see them. She faced the fireplace and refused to look at me. She was laying it on thick and I was truly at war with myself. I wanted to punish Maddy like she deserved, but I hated having my little princess upset with me. I had to be fair and punish her like I would Masen. I knew there were times that I coddled her more because she was my little girl and that allowed her to get away with misbehaving. In a sense, I had created the monster I was now battling against.
"Madison, eat your bagel and we'll talk after."
"I'm sorry Daddy." She jumped into my arms and kissed my cheek. "I promise to be a good girl."
My anger immediately dissolved. She always knew how to use the fact that she had me wrapped around her finger to her advantage. What I did next would determine my ability to discipline Madison forever. I needed to be sure I was making the right decision, especially being that six was a long way from eighteen. Hugging her back and planting a kiss on her cheek I began, "Maddy, thank you for saying you're sorry. That shows that you're a big girl and I'm proud of you. You're still in timeout though."
I set her down in her seat and waited for the wails and tears. They never came. "Am I still your Princess, Daddy?"
"Of course, you'll always be my Princess. Finish your breakfast and I'll call you when timeout is over."
She nodded and began to eat her bagel. I sighed and slowly walked back to the kitchen. I hoped this would be the only tantrum of the day. Masen was devouring his breakfast, which made me happy to see he didn't hate it. The celery was taunting me from the cutting board. I was not looking forward to cutting three bags of it. What kid willingly ate celery as a snack? This must be some sort of punishment. I glanced down at my watch and saw we were behind schedule. Grabbing the longest knife I could find, I figured I could slice a few stalks at a time. For a first timer I was doing pretty well, until I became cocky and nicked my middle finger. "Fuck!" I yelled, quickly putting my finger in my mouth.
Masen began giggling behind me. "Masen, don't you dare repeat that." My father filter was clearly switched off. I had just said both shit and fuck in front of the children in less than fifteen minutes. He shook his head and pointed to the swear jar on the shelf. The jar was started after Emmett stayed with us for the week when Bella was sick with the flu. It was never empty whenever he was around. "You're right, Daddy said a naughty no-no word and I'm sorry."
I ran my finger under cold water, glad to see I hadn't broken the skin. After I deposited a five dollar bill into the jar, I went back to chopping celery. "Maddy, you may come out of timeout now." She entered the kitchen with a cream cheese stain on her blazer. Thank God Bella bought seven each at the beginning of the school year. "Maddy, you need a new blazer. Wash your hands and put that one in the hamper."
"May I be excused Daddy, I'm all done," Masen asked.
"Yeah, buddy, go wash your hands."
The celery was done so I put it on a platter and grabbed two boxes of Wheat Thins from the cupboard. As I was covering the platter with Saran Wrap an alarm started blaring. "What does that mean?" I asked to no one in particular. Masen ran in to the rescue.
"Daddy, if we don't leave right now, we are going to be late."
Almost as soon as it had begun, the alarm stopped. The children still had no lunch. I decided to whip up a quick chicken salad before I noticed the two lunch bags when retrieving the ingredients from the fridge. Whispering a quick 'thank you' to Bella I appreciated how great a mother and wife she was and I was going to tell her tonight. Then I'd show her repeatedly when the twins were asleep. "Come on, M&M," I called. "It's time for us to go."
I carried the platter to the door as the back door bell rang. I double backed to the door confused as to why someone would be ringing our bell so early in the morning. My main question was how they even got to the penthouse. Resting the platter on the mail table, I checked the camera and saw a delivery man holding a platter of his own with one of the doormen beside him.
"Yes?" I asked opening the door.
"Celery and carrot platter with assorted cracker tray for Cullen," the deliveryman responded handing over the tray.
Bella must have ordered it. She was truly my parental GPS.
"Oh yes, I guess my wife ordered this. What do I owe?"
"Nothing, it's been paid through your account."
"Great, thanks."
I closed the door and looked from the new platter to mine. It was very clear which one I'd be using.
"M&M, let's go! Come to the front door right now!" I called loudly putting the homemade platter in the fridge. I hoped we didn't end up wasting my creation.
Meeting the twins at the front door I saw them putting on their coats. There was a note taped to the door as items rested up against it. Handing out the lunch bags I grabbed my jacket and ripped the note from the door
Below is Maddy's violin, she has music today and will LEAVE it at school until Wed.
All of Masen's fighting gear is in this blue bag and a new mouth guard is in the zipper pocket.
The hamster food is in the box.
Maddy, your art project has dried and is in your backpack.
Have a wonderful day. I miss you darlings already. From bell to bell I carry you in my heart, hugs and kisses from Mommy is how your day should always start. Madison and Masen, I love you my angels.
I read the last part to the twins before I shuffled them out the door to the elevator. We entered the parking garage and I chirped my alarm only to hear nothing in return. I knew someone hadn't come into our private structure and stolen my black custom BMW 7 Series. I winced at the monstrosity left in our assigned spaces and realized my wife was the carjacker in question.
I should call the police and report the car stolen. That'll teach her a lesson for leaving me with this car.
Her silver x5 was nice. I mean for what she used it for, it was the best money could buy, but that wasn't the point. It was a mom car. No way did I want to be driving it. It would be like driving a Volvo, which I would never be caught dead in. I meant that shit. If the funeral home doesn't have a hearse that day, put my body in the side car of a Ducati and ride me to the cemetery. Volvos were not an option. I didn't even think I had keys to this car.
I looked from the twins and all their school items, to the car and knew it would be too much of a hassle to take them upstairs with me to retrieve the keys. After placing the platter on the hood, I whistled to the security guard. It was Tom. He was one of the guards that didn't completely hate me. "May you keep an eye on these two while I run upstairs to get something?" I asked and signaled with my fingers.
"No problem, Dr. Cullen," he answered.
"Okay you two, stay right here by the car. Don't move! I'll be back down in less than five minutes."
They nodded in agreement and I jogged to the elevator to get upstairs to our apartment. Even though I trusted Tom to keep watch over the twins, there was no watchful eye quite like a parent's. Busting down the door like a firefighter, I checked the key bowl and saw the keys waiting for me. I caught a glimpse of my hair in the bowl and stopped to grab my all black Yankees fitted cap from a hook in the closet.
The elevator shot me straight down to the garage and I found the twins engaged in an animated conversation. When I arrived at the car they stopped talking. I couldn't even begin to guess what they might have been discussing. Unlocking the doors, I opened the trunk and put in the platter, instrument, and karate gear. "Get into your seats and I'll be around to strap you in."
"Daddy," Maddy began, "we never take this car to school."
How the hell did they get to school? I know Bella didn't walk with them. No way was I walking with all this stuff. Was there a carpool they were a part of? No fucking way was I picking up other children.
"How do you get to school?"
"We take the bus or we walk and when we're really late Mr. Otis gets us a taxi," Masen interjected.
"Well, we're taking the car today," I told them before slamming the trunk. I went over to Maddy's side first to make sure she was strapped in properly. She was already buckled in and needed no assistance.
"Wow, Princess, you did it all by yourself," I praised her.
"Me too! Look Daddy!" Masen called me over.
Shutting Maddy's door I ran over to check Masen's straps. "Good job Mase!"
"Daddy, did you bring down my Yankee hat too?" Masen asked starting a small pout.
"Here, you can wear mine until we get to school." I placed the cap on his head. "I'll be sure to bring yours when I pick you guys up."
"Do I look like Jay-Z now?"
"Identical!" I pulled the hat further down on his head until it covered his entire face.
I was finally able to slide into the driver's seat. This was not my car at all. Bella had the seat practically on top of the steering wheel which was more than uncomfortable to me. I was taller than Bella by about a whole foot but I also liked having the seat back so that I could speed comfortably. There would be no speeding today, at least not while I had the twins in the car. Trying to get situated in this rocket launcher car took a few minutes before I eased out of our parking space. I had just turned onto Fifth Avenue when the twins started in.
"Daddy, put on the music," Masen asked.
"Yes music Daddy," Maddy added. "Single ladies, single ladies."
Where the fuck did she learn that song from?
"We'll be at school before you know it, we don't need music." I tried to reason with them hoping they wouldn't press the music issue any further. I had obviously just met my children.
They began providing a capella versions of the songs they wanted to hear and then had an animal noise making contest.
Pulling up to the school was like heaven for me. I had long since tuned out the twins and couldn't wait to get them inside where their teachers were paid to listen to them. The crossing guard was sitting in her booth and there were no students outside.
Did they even have school today? After what I had said to Bella, I wouldn't be surprised if she had me get the children ready and bring them to school, only to have it be closed for the day. Fuck! I hate this day!
I had driven around the block four times unable to find a parking spot and was near a fit of rage when I heard the bell ring. That could only mean one thing.
"We're late!" Maddy and Masen yelled in chorus.
That's it, I was dead. There was no question about that. I was failing miserably at the tasks she set forth for me. My failure was affecting the children the most. I was bringing my K game, and if I didn't step it up to A, I wouldn't make it to their dismissal.
"Okay you two, let's hurry." I double parked near a Volvo I assumed could only belong to the one of the teachers. The semantics of strength and balance plagued me as I looked over at the platter and bag of snacks, in addition to the items in the trunk. I didn't want to make more than one trip and the children wouldn't provide much assistance with the heavy lifting.
"Mase, stay in your seat, I'll come and get you."
I devised a plan and retrieved the violin and hamster food from the trunk before unbuckling Masen. Madison and the platter were next before we could head up to the wooden doors.
Masen rang the buzzer while juggling his lunch and the class's hamster food. I glanced up at the security cameras silently calculating and deducting where the tuition costs must be going. I grabbed my cap from Masen as the alarm rang to let us in. The twins took off up the steps while I followed closely behind.
"Good Morning, Ms. Sullivan," they squeaked out, knowing they had been caught running.
"Good Morning, children, you are tardy today. That's a first. Did you come to school alone?" Ms. Sullivan questioned.
Enough already! I know we're late. What the fuck did they miss, roll call?
"No, Dad's here playing bellhop," I answered from behind the platter and violin case.
"Oh Dr. Cullen, Good Morning. Let me help you with that." She grabbed the platter.
"Thanks," I answered, finally reaching the top of the marble staircase.
Another deduction.
"Ms. Durbin, please escort the Cullen children to the chapel," Ms. Sullivan motioned to her assistant.
"I need to take these things to their class."
"Certainly, Dr. Cullen."
I let the violin lean against the vestibule and knelt down to the twins scooping them into a hug. "Have a good day today. I love you both and I'll miss you while you're in school. Behave and pay attention. I promise to be right outside at dismissal to get you."
"Promise?" Maddy asked, almost on the verge of tears.
"Pinky promise, Princess." We locked pinkies and I kissed her forehead.
She leaned over to kiss my cheek which became a zrbt and whispered, "Ti voglio bene Papa."
"More than my own life."
They repeated it to me in near perfect French.
"Be good." I gave them a final hug and kiss before I stood and watched them disappear down the hall to the chapel.
My heart ached as they vanished from my view. They were their own people full of personality. I don't know how Bella managed to drop them off each day without bursting into tears. Well I didn't really know how she reacted because I'm never there with her.
"Mr. Cullen," Ms. Sullivan startled me put out my daydream.
"Y-yes," I answered.
"Ms. McDermott will take you to the classrooms to drop off these items."
"Thank you."
I saw Ms. McDermott grab the platter and head down the corridor. I followed behind her passing two elevators. I didn't remember seeing them the last time I had been at the school. I had no idea where I was going and this lady wasn't very helpful. She hadn't given any commands to follow her much less even looked at me. After three flights we made it to what I guessed was the floor for one of the children, if not both of them. We passed the computer lab full of Macbooks. How did I know that? There was a glass door with the Mac apple etched on it under the school's name.
I'm sure the tuition increase didn't go to fund that.
I must have been scowling at that point because Ms. McDermott looked terrified when she said, "Here is the music room."
The music "room" was a low-level recording studio. I wanted my children to have the very best and would spare no expense to get that for them, but I wondered if their prep school was a little over the top. Placing Maddy's violin on the rack with the rest of the instruments, I exited the room as quickly as I had entered. We then went to the individual classrooms to drop off the snacks and hamster food. Bella and I had been adamant about the twins being placed in separate classes. They were individuals and should flourish as such.
I was exiting the building when I heard someone call, "Edward!" I kept walking because I knew I didn't have any friends at the school and the entire faculty called me either Mr. or Dr. Cullen.
"Edward, wait up!"
I turned around and saw Tanya Denali chasing me down the street.
So it was someone who knew me.
Tanya was Bella's one friend in the prep school parent circle. As she told it, the other moms were cordial but that was fake with the true intention to be nosy. She had developed a friendship with Tanya which I fully supported. I knew how alone Bella often felt being that she didn't have close friends outside of our family. Our sons were the same age and often played together, so that was another plus.
"Hey Tanya, sorry I kept walking." I slowed my stride, allowing her to catch up.
"I thought I'd have to start a full sprint after you." She laughed as we fell into a stroll.
"Sorry, I'm all over the place today."
"Yeah, I see, I was expecting Bella."
"I'm on duty today."
"Good, so you know I'll get the boys and take them to karate after school and then you'll pick them up."
"Uh, if that's the standard Monday plan, I guess I am. Oh, I have Masen's karate gear in the trunk."
I was surprised Bella hadn't put this on the note for me.
What if Tanya hadn't tracked me down?
We approached the monster truck and I gave a sheepish smile in slight embarrassment before opening the trunk and handing the bag over. Tanya reminded me of the end time for karate and disappeared to the corner to hail a taxi. As I turned to open the car door, I noticed a ticket on the windshield.
Are you fucking kidding me? God! Can you give me a break? Fuck!"
Snatching the ticket off the windshield, I threw myself into the driver's seat. I had actually been in a decent mood after dropping the twins off. I was relieved that I wouldn't have to rush between ballet and karate, but now I was pissed off. There was no way I should be experiencing such difficulty just taking my children to school. There must be a curse on me. I knew Bella didn't encounter these problems. I started driving home with a gloomy outlook on the rest of the day. I needed to go grocery shopping and drop off the dry cleaning, but all I wanted to do was go home and sleep. I was working on barely one hour of sleep and that wouldn't make my mood any better if the day progressed as it had been. A nap would help me handle the rest of the day. If I slept until about eleven, I'd wake up with enough time to complete my list of duties and still have time to spare before going to get Maddy.
*****
I was more tired than my body led me to believe. When I woke up and looked at the iHome clock, I saw it was two-twenty p.m.
How did I oversleep by nearly four hours?
I rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands and slipped out of bed. I had a half-hour until it was time to pick up Maddy. I needed to squeeze in a dry cleaners' visit before then and try to eventually manage some groceries.
In less than ten minutes I had my teeth brushed, face washed, and laundry bag in hand heading downstairs. After this morning's parking fiasco, I decided to leave the car behind.
I knew no good would come from using that damn car.
The list said MH cleaners so I could walk the six blocks to drop off the clothes and grab a taxi to the school. I looked at my phone and saw that I had no calls or texts from Bella. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. It at least meant she trusted me to handle everything. It could also mean that she knew I couldn't handle the tasks and didn't want to help me. I had to remind Emmett to get me in touch with his contact at Neil Lane. I would be apologizing to Bella for a long time. I couldn't take back my crass comments but I would make sure to never make them again. I wondered how Bella was spending her day. Whatever it was, I hoped she was able to relax.
Before I knew it I was at the cleaners dropping off our clothes. I had ten minutes to get to Maddy and not a second to spare. I couldn't be late after I promised her I'd be there right at dismissal.
Getting a taxi on Park Avenue was easy and I was in front of the school's playground with four minutes to spare. I awkwardly waited with the other parents unsure of dismissal protocol. Using this time to people watch, I immediately spotted the nannies, the moms that used dismissal as a social party, dressing the part, and a few dads sprinkled in. The gates opened and the parents shuffled in like cattle. I wondered if there was a prize for getting to the line first. When the class entered the yard I saw Madison talking with her friends, waves flying in complete chaos. Yes, she was indeed mine.
Her eyes landed on me and she gave the widest smile I had ever seen. I knew I would do anything to always keep that smile on her face. She looked so conflicted with deciding whether to run to me or wait until she was officially released for the day. She found a happy medium and began poking her teacher's arm and pointing at me. Giving a wave to the teacher, she nodded and let Maddy run to me. I kneeled down, bracing myself for impact and within seconds Maddy was in my arms. "Daddy, Daddy you came!"
"Of course, Princess, I told you I would." I stood with Maddy in my arms as we walked out the gate.
"Ms. Denali already took Masen to karate. Ooh Daddy, icee please? Gimme money," she demanded, squirming to get down to take off to the cart located on the corner.
Of course they would be out. All they needed was the sun to be out to start selling icees.
I let her down and reached into my pocket to get my wallet. Retrieving two singles, I handed them over, "Please Daddy, may I have?"
"Okay okay, please." She snatched the money and ran off, leaving her backpack at my feet.
Sure, I'll get that for you. Anything else Queen Maddy?
I hurried behind her so she didn't get lost in the crowd.
Now I want one.
A crowd of children had gathered in front of the cart with many of the older students engaging in horseplay. Protective Daddy mode took over and I quickened my stroll, only to see Maddy push to the front of the line in true Cullen fashion.
"One dollar for cherry and coco please." Maddy waved her cash around.
That's my girl!
"Maddy, get Daddy a rainbow icee," I called over the crowd making sure the older kids knew she wasn't alone and wouldn't be pushed around.
She appeared shortly after holding both of our frozen treats and we began our walk to ballet. Ten blocks allows for much six year old conversation. We definitely had a lawyer or politician on our hands, or if we let her tell it, the President of the United States. She kept me quite entertained with her animated stories of the school day. We raced part of the way, with me letting her win two races to keep it even. I was sad to learn that she had gotten in trouble for trying to play her violin like a guitar. The fact that she admitted her behavior made it easier to forgive. When we crossed the street to ballet I noticed Bellini and knew that would be dinner.
The parent area for ballet looked very uncomfortable. There were about ten moms and nannies and only one other father. I walked in being dragged by Maddy and noticed many of the mothers smiling at me and turning to see where I would sit.
"Daddy, wait right here. I have to put on my tutu," Maddy instructed before escaping to the dressing room.
Letting out a deep breath I pulled out my iPhone and sent a text to Emmett. I still hadn't spoken to Bella and was getting worried. My brother, ever the older, not so much wiser one, gave me a hard time and promised an ass kicking when he saw me. As long as he didn't tell our parents, I didn't mind a little teasing.
"I need a bun, Daddy." Maddy hopped into my lap swinging her long waves everywhere.
I heard a collective aww as I tried to manage a centered bun.
Great, now I have an audience.
"Make a pony, spin it round, add the tie, it's a bun now. That's the bun song."
I couldn't hide my laughter at hearing Maddy sing the song and bounce around while I was attempting to do her hair. Bella had come up with so many quirky things to help the children and was adding to their ability to fend for themselves. If I was being honest with myself, I was rather envious of their relationship.
"I'm all done Princess." I gave her a kiss before she scooted off to stretch with her friends.
With a little under two hours to kill I called James but got his voicemail. I left him an urgent message and followed it with a text and email. I wondered how Victoria was doing and what their next step would be. I checked my emails then put my earbuds in. I didn't want to engage in conversation and parents weren't allowed to watch ballet while the class was in session. Grocery shopping was still left on the list but I wouldn't get to all of it before we got home. I still needed to pick up the boys, serve dinner, then bath and bedtime. Dinner would be take-out from Bellini so that was helpful in case I didn't make it to the grocery store. It didn't appear that I would because I didn't have the car and would soon have three children with me. That spelled grocery store disaster topped off with many items not even on the shopping list. I needed to run across to Bellini to get their menu for dinner. I still had time before ballet ended.
On my way to the restaurant, Tanya called to say she would bring the boys home. It would be easier for her to do that than leaving an additional car seat. I would've ended up taking a taxi so this was a huge life saver. The afternoon was making up for the horrible morning. We would make it to bedtime without a problem and Daddy would save the day. This week wouldn't be as hard as I first thought.
*****
Twins need two parents. Simple as that, end of story.
The after school version of my children was almost like animals in the wild. If Maddy was a house cat while we walked together to ballet, she became a tiger with the free time allowed before bed. She was cranky after ballet and began a tantrum. She refused to say why, but was all for shouting and pouting on the way home. This behavior prohibited my quick run to Patrick Murphy for groceries.
I picked up our chicken parmigiana and spaghetti with an insalata mista to have for dinner at home. No messages at home from Bella or a fucking lifeline on how to deal with our children, or a rope to tie them down. We had just walked in the door when Tanya dropped off Masen. That kicked the night into overdrive and caused me to be a referee. Masen was insensitive to his sister's mood and teased her mercilessly. Her rage erupted in thrown tomatoes and a few pieces of chicken parm for good measure. Once again, she was sent to eat in timeout. She kicked and screamed and left her dinner uneaten.
Homework went smoothly surprisingly. Our children were obviously nerds so they enjoyed the reading and math assignments. They worked on a puzzle while I tried to clean the kitchen. I was really tired and just wanted to put them to bed and go there myself. Once Maddy had calmed down, she realized she was still hungry. I reheated her dinner while I gave Masen a bath. He begged to have his swimming gear in the tub with him and wanted to stay in until he was wrinkled. After timing his ability to hold his breath twice, I forced him out. Maddy whined for Bella because I was "doing everything wrong". Her bath turned into a shower.
At bedtime, both children cried for Bella and even went so far as to call her cell phone to get her to come home.
That didn't make me feel bad at all.
I negotiated with them and offered a story in the family room on the beanbag chairs. They fell asleep halfway into the book and I carried them to bed. I wanted to wait up for Bella but the day did me in and I threw myself across our bed hoping to get a good night's sleep before I faced Tuesday.
Ti voglio bene Papa…. I love you Daddy/Father in Italian.
Zrbt-If you're familiar with the Cosby show, Rudy always gave Dr. Huxtable zrbts. It's basically a raspberry kiss.
