Whatcha Say

Part XLIV

EJ found Sami and the twins waiting on him at the car and while he could tell Sami was dying to ask him what had taken him so long she refrained from speaking of it.

"We need to go pick up Sydney," Sami reminded EJ after they were all settled in the car.

"Can't forget my little princess," EJ stated as he glanced in the rear view mirror and caught a glimpse of Allie looking out the window, the sadness still lingering on her face.

The thought of those horrid children saying those things to upset her made him want to drive back to the school and confront their parents, but he knew that wasn't what he should do. While he was sure he might momentarily feel better he didn't want to do anything to make his children have a harder time growing up than apparently they already were at the moment.

When it had just been him and Samantha it had been easier not to think of the consequences of their actions. Now they had a family together and a new baby on the way and if he were being truly honest with himself about it, he wanted more children with Samantha in the future. He had always wanted a big family and while he had come to have several half brothers and sisters on his father's side of the family he had missed out on so much since he hadn't come to know them until he had reached adulthood.

Johnny broke into his thoughts by asking the question, "Daddy why was Courtney telling Allie we were living in sin? I think we have a pretty cool house to live in with each other."

EJ and Sami exchanged glances to each other wondering which one would offer up the explanation to Johnny when Allie turned back to look at her brother and said quietly, "Johnny. Mom and EJ aren't married to each other that's why she was saying it to me."

Before Sami and EJ had to come up with a reason over why they weren't married yet Johnny saved them from talking about something neither one of them were quite ready to discuss with each other, much less their children.

"Oh, well that's not any of her business," Johnny replied thinking that should solve it, but he guessed this was bothering his sister more than it was to him. Sometimes girls were too sensitive, well most of them were besides Ciara who he thought could fight almost as good as he could against those bullies on the playground today.

"You're right Johnny, it isn't any of her business," Sami started to agree with him only to have Allie look away from her brother and stare back out the window, her form seeming to shrink even more as she pressed her forehead to the window.

Allie's voice was small, "Doesn't mean it hurts any less."

That sentiment struck a chord deep within Sami, so many things people had said to her over the years she could recall with distinct clarity. She didn't want her daughter to have those kinds of emotional scars within her as well.

Johnny reached over to Allie, "Hey if it takes it I will make sure she doesn't say anything else to you. You know Ciara and I will always have your back."

It was like Johnny hadn't even said anything though as Allie continued, "I thought Courtney was my friend and then she kept saying those awful things to me. Each thing was worse than the one before."

Sami felt a fury grow inside her, damn those brats for picking on her daughter, the one who took things to heart so much more than the rest of her children. Allie was her thoughtful child, the one who put her siblings first, the child who made things that Sami treasured because she knew firsthand how much time and effort she put into those handmade gifts she gave wholeheartedly.

EJ could see Sami's face darken and he reached over to grab her hand, pulling her attention back to him momentarily. He shook his head and she instantly knew what he was thinking that they didn't need to say things in the heat of anger in front of the children.

She nodded her head in silent agreement and didn't say anything as they arrived at the pre-K and nursery school Sydney attended. Before Sami got out of the car to go pick up Sydney though EJ turned around to face the twins.

"Allie, when we arrive home, will you take care of Sydney for your mom and me for a few minutes? We need to have a talk with one another privately about several things and then tonight after dinner we can have game night, your choice of game."

Allie turned her sad eyes to EJ. "Yes sir, I will look after Sydney for you and Mom."

"I'll help too Dad," Johnny added and for once he wasn't complaining that his twin sister was going to be the one who got to pick the game they played. He didn't want Allie to be upset anymore.

"Thank you Johnny. I knew I could count on you both," EJ gave his children a smile; and then turned to Sami and gave her a wink.

Sami wasn't quite sure what he wanted to talk to her about, but she wasn't going to question him in front of the children after the afternoon they had already encountered at school. She offered to go inside to get Sydney and then left the car, hoping whatever it was EJ needed to specifically talk to her about it was going to be something positive even if her mind was a jumbled mess of emotions.

This parenting thing was a difficult job sometimes and today was a prime example of it.