iFinally Get Some Down Time
Carly sat in Melanie's kitchen sipping a cup of tea. She had the most amazing sister-in-law in the world. How many others would volunteer to put her babies down for a nap so she, Carly, could get a well-deserved rest?
The petite blonde came into the kitchen, practically skipping. She was clearly very happy. The twins had this effect on her. Carly had no idea if that was due to Mythical Melanie being a twin herself, the children biologically being Pucketts, or what the reason might be, but they certainly made Melanie's day.
The two whispered to each other.
"Are they…?"
"Oh Carly, please… out like a light."
It may have been lunchtime on a Friday, but Melanie made sure to serve her sister's better half nothing but the best chamomile tea. She herself would drink it before going to bed or after a particularly hard day, but she knew that Carly needed to relax. Being All Mommy, all of the time was more than enough, she figured, to wear you out. Besides which, Melanie had nowhere in particular to be today. She could sacrifice an hour or so to make sure that three very precious people in her life got their required beauty sleep.
Carly let out a weak yawn mid-sentence. Melanie giggled, asking just how early she'd gotten up this morning. The Cupcake blushed.
"Between the girls and Sam, I've been up since about four thirty. I'll lay back down, but your sister – you know – kind of a blanket hog, so I freeze to death…"
Melanie couldn't help but giggle. That certainly sounded like her sister. Carly smiled at her. Melanie knew that those beautiful brown eyes were heavy. She took the brunette by the hand and led her to the living room sofa, tucking her in, just as she had the little ones.
"You get some rest… I have no idea why people think you stop needing a nap after age five…"
Within a few minutes, Sam's little Cupcake was dead to the world.
Melanie heard a strange buzzing sound. She realized that Carly's cell phone was now vibrating its way across her kitchen table. She didn't even bother to glance at the Caller ID before answering.
"Hello, Samantha…"
ACROSS TOWN AT IL TERRAZZO CARMINE…
Sam was thoroughly confused. She double-checked her call log. She hadn't misdialed, yet she ended up with her sister.
Melanie explained that Carly and the girls were all in dreamland, but she'd take a message, if that's what Sam wanted.
"Nah, Princess. Just tell her… well… ya know…"
Melanie knew that Sam wanted to tell Carly all the sweet, mushy things that she herself told Freddie on a nightly basis. It was pretty clear. She got it.
"Oh… and… Hey… would you mind if I stopped by later?"
Of course Melanie didn't mind. The sisters said their goodbyes and planned to meet up at the house as soon as Sam could get away.
TWO HOURS LATER…
Carly was slow to wake up. Her brain wasn't at full speed, but she seemed to remember nodding off.
"Sam…."
She was still hovering in the ether, in that dead zone between sleep and consciousness. Her brain was still off in la-la land, allowing the randomness in her brain to rule the day. Her mind wanted to stay off in that place that allowed her peace and serenity. She felt warm and cozy and didn't want to move for days.
"Sam…."
The peace of her moment was shattered by a single shriek.
Carly's eyes flew open to meet beautiful blue ones, though not the ones she was expecting. She found herself nose to nose with little Ashley, who had – God only knew how – climbed her way onto the sofa and Carly's chest from the floor. Her sister felt content to entertain herself by cruising around the living room floor. She was intrigued by Auntie Mel's things. She knew that Mommy and her sister were around, and that was all that mattered.
Mythical Melanie sat back, taking it all in from the kitchen. She loved having her family here. It was comfortable enough when it was her and Freddie. She adored her man, but she loved having Carly, Sam, and the babies here. It made her house feel like a home. She sprang into action, seeing the little child's eyes go wide over her most extravagant possession, the framed album art from her debut CD.
She was at the child's heels in no time. She scooped the little girl into her arms, whispering sweetly to her.
"You like that, sweet pea? It is kinda pretty, huh?"
The child giggled.
"Come on, you… Let's go find your sister… What do you think?"
Melanie walked briskly to the sofa, little girl in tow. No sooner had the Puckett twins been reunited, they erupted in a peal of high-pitched, joyous laughter. The blonde smiled at her sister-in-law.
"Are they always like this, Carls?"
Carly beamed.
"Yeah, pretty much… Welcome to my world…"
LATER THAT DAY…
It was late in the day. Carly and Melanie were discussing the business of being pop music's newest 'It Girl', while Carly and Sam's little drool monsters entertained themselves on the living room floor. Melanie had put on the Dingo Channel, hoping the bright colors and random jumping would keep the girls occupied long enough for Mommy and Auntie Melanie to something accomplished.
"So… would I have to go with you?"
Carly was concerned about the upcoming tour dates. Melanie had her schedule set, and as part of her official entourage, Carly knew that she needed to be at her sister's beckon call. The thought of leaving Sam and her little angels behind for months was turning her stomach. Melanie brushed aside the brunette's concerns as though they were nothing at all.
"Yes, but before you get yourself all whipped up, just hear me out…"
Carly didn't like this. The little diva was essentially telling her to calm down. The last time someone told her to calm down, Carly'd left the Idiot Man Child with bruises.
"Carly…"
Carly had zoned out. Where was Sam when she needed her? She needed her lady to come back so she could get swingy on Mythical Melanie.
"Carly?"
The brunette's brain snapped back into the present.
"Yeah?"
"You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?"
The Cupcake blushed. She admitted that she hadn't.
Melanie chuckled.
"Well, that would explain things… I said that this is a family business. Sam and the girls will be coming with you, of course, Silly…"
Before Carly could respond, Sam burst through Melanie's front door, as though she owned the joint.
"Honey…. I'm home…."
Melanie, doing her best to contain herself, simply raised an eyebrow at Carly.
"Please God, tell me she isn't always like this…"
Carly smirked.
"About half the time…"
Melanie bit her lower lip to keep from bursting out laughing.
Carly's missing half swooped her into a hug, kissing her a bit more vigorously than intended. Melanie spoke up.
"I am still in the room, you know… and what's with the dramatics?"
Sam babbled away. She had good news.