-Wife Swap: Cullen vs. Wickers-

-Chapter IV-

Jasmine

The family meeting was finally over. It had been pretty disastrous. My usually well behaved children had been so grumpy lately. Why? We loved and cared for them, we provided them a roof over their heads, food, clothes and water. What did they have to be upset about? I could hear Benjamin lecturing Malcolm on how he was, under no circumstance, to act as he did tonight, ever again. It was a reasonable wish. My youngest daughter, Kathy, although being respectful, has a had malicious tones behind her words. I didn't want her embarrassing our family in front of the new mother later so I stopped by her room. "Kathy, I'm going to talk to you for a moment, okay?"

She was lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. He shirt and ridden up and was exposing her midriff. "Kathy!" I scolded. She knew the dress code in our house. She sat up, looking confused, then she realized her mistake and pulled her shirt down.

"Tomorrow morning, as you know, the men from RDF Media will come here to begin filming. I know I have already discussed this with you, I trust you to be remember what we've talked about. That's not why I'm here. You have been good lately. I am not complaining. I want to know if something is wrong… you seem different… angry. Whatever could be the matter?"

Kathy sat up and crossed her legs, "Mother, I just don't think you treat Malcolm or me fairly. Do you remember Naomi? I wanted to go to her birthday party last year and you wouldn't let me go. She's been my best friend since I began school and I know her. I trust her and I've met her parents. She was holding the party in her backyard, parents were encouraged to come, and you like her mother. You said I couldn't go and you didn't offer any explanation. Just no."

Anger flared through me and I snapped, "You know what Katherine? I don't have to offer you an explanation. I am the parent and you are the child. It is my way or the highway."

"I know that!... So if I don't listen to you, you just want me to hit the road? I'm not a child anymore," Kathy cried.

"Don't raise your voice at me," I hissed slowly, "You are a child until you graduate collage, do you understand?"

"No I don't!"

I was sick of her behavior. I leaned forward and slapped her. She looked at me, shocked. I left the room to let her think about that, attempting to ignore my guilt all the while.

Benjamin was waiting for me when I got to my bedroom. "How did it go?" I asked.

"Fine. He understands what happened and promised it wouldn't happen again. How did it go with you?"

I growled. "I don't want to talk about it."

Benjamin raised his eyebrows at me and shrugged. "Alright. 'Night."

I changed into my pajamas and went to bed. That night I dreamt of a shack in southern Montana that was over run with pigs. What had I gotten myself into? I woke to Benjamin shaking me. "It's six. You need to get up. I'll make breakfast," he said gently.

Moaning, I nodded. I showered and packed my bag. I was only going to be gone for ten days. In no way did I need more than one suitcase. Anyone who brought more would have to be crazy. I lugged my suitcase downstairs. Kathy and Malcolm were emptying the dishwasher. "Good morning," I said.

"Good morning." Malcolm grinned. He elbowed his sister. She glared at him and returned to work. They snickered about something but I deiced to let it slide. Breakfast sat steaming on the table.

I sat down with Benjamin. In front of my were plates of sausage, eggs, fruit, bacon and waffles. We always need to start the day off with meat. My family and I said grace and we dug into our food. After the dishes were clean and my bags by the door we sat uneasily on the couch. Nobody said anything but that was okay. We were all nervous of our first time on screen.

Then I heard the sound of tires. The slamming of doors followed that and a few moments later the door bell rang. "I'll get it," Kathy said. She skipped forward and let in five men carrying cameras and three women with pink bags.

The first man was bald and fat. "Hello, I'm Homer," He gestured around him. "These guys and I are going to be filming ya'll for the next hour or so. You know the drill; act normal."

One of the women stepped forward, "I'm Patty, this is Maude and Sarah. We are going to be doing the make up. So if ya'll can stay still for a bit we can have you camera ready."

"I don't think so." I blanched. "My children do not wear make up!"

The one named Maude sighed. "You know Jenny? She said she had the same problem with the other family. I don't understand why they can't take it." Sarah slapped her playfully.

"They can hear you!"

"Oops." She giggled.

I sat down at a dining room chair and allowed these horrid women to put a mask on me. When they finished I went about my day as normal.

My children started on their chores, Benjamin went to work and I called the nanny. "Morgan, do you mind coming over a bit early today?"

"Of course I don't mind. What do you need?"

"I'm going to run over to the library today and I have a number of errands to run. Please don't be startled when you come over. My family has gotten accepted for Wife Swap and the cameras are filming. No worries nobody should bother you."

"Oh deary! It shall be exciting. I'll be right over."

"Thank you." I hung up the phone just as a scraggly guy taped on my shoulder.

"Interview? I just finished with both of your children." I nodded and he led me upstairs.

I sat down in the black dircators chair. He postioned the camera in front of me and signaled.

"My name is Jasmine Wickers. I am a tough mother who expects the best from her children. I usually spend my mornings at the soup kitchen, afternoons at the retirement homes, and evenings shuttling my kids to and from their various activities. Life is fast paced and stressful and times but I could not ask for anything less." I smiled. My family is the epitome of perfection.

I saw him roll his eyes. "Thank you ma'am."

The rest of the day disappeared quickly. Before I knew it, it was Monday, time for me to leave my family. I was so glad I planned ahead and had my bags packed yesterday because stress always took a toll on my thinking. After breakfast the crews were here again.

Homer told us to stand in front of the cameras that were in our lawn. It took about forty-five minutes to get the filming over with and then I had to say my goodbyes.

Kathy was wearing a sky blue dress and had her hair curled for the occasion, and Malcolm wore jeans and an untucked silk shirt. I hefted my bag into the trunk and turned to face my family, my eyes shining with tears."I'll miss you kids, you too Benjamin. I want you to treat your new mother with respect, just how I raised you. You guys understand that, right?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I know you'll do well. Remember, don't miss any of your practices, and do not take advantage of her; no lying. Understood?" I gathered my children into my arms and hugged them. I added a squeeze for good measure. Their answers were muffled against the soft fabric of my coat. I relased them and gave a quick glance to my husband to make sure he, too, understood what I said. I got into the car and shut the door. I took a deep breath and leaned my head against the leather. What had I gotten myself into?

I'll try to keep as in character as possible and this is, obviously, after Breaking Dawn. I have nothing against it but I didn't want Nessie and Jacob in my story.

I also know the Cullen family would never be stupid enough to put themselves on TV. But, this is my story so I'm to make them do stupid things.

I know this story is really boring but I am building up to the real swapping. I know this chapter in parctialar was weak. I'm working on improving, though. The next chapter will be the actual swap in progress.

-Portrait-