Disclaimers: I do not Criminal Minds or its characters, including Elizabeth Prentiss, or Sandy and Roslyn Jareau. I do own all OCs, including JJ and Emily's extended family, siblings, doctors, etc.
Spoilers: None
Rating: T for a section of the implication of inappropriate touching. It will be marked.
Notes: Thank you to those who read the last chapter chapter. And welcome to my new followers and favoriters! This chapter will be covering the month of January. It's just a bunch of fluff.
Words in italic are the French sentences translated to English.
Juliet: 27 weeks (6 months) – adjusted age 18 weeks (4 months). 6.9 lbs. 18 inches long.
Lucas: 27 weeks (6 months) – adjusted age 18 weeks (4 months). 6.8 lbs. 17.5 inches long.
Jennifer: 26 weeks old (5 months) – adjusted age 18 weeks (3 months). 5.4 lbs. 16.8 inches long.
Enjoy! :)
December 31st, 1978 – New Year's Eve
*Prentiss Residence*
"Bubba Jake!" Emilia yells as she skips to her older brothers' room. She knocks on the door, as she has been taught, and waits for Jacob to open it.
The older boy shares this bedroom with his older brother, 12-year-old Tristan. And right now, the older Jareau kids — Emma and Elijah, — are in here, as well.
"Hey, 'Milia," Jacob smiles at his little sister. She looks so pretty in her dress – a dark green velvety-type, with matching ribbons tying off her braids, and a pair of black tights. "What did you need?"
"C'est l'aumône de ton anniversaire!" It's almost your birthday!
He smiles as she speaks one of the languages she is most comfortable with – French.
"Yes, it is. It is also almost Eli's birthday."
"Oui! Et Claire, et Gracie, et Jenny, et Jules, et le tout premier Joyeux Nouvel An de Luke!" Yeah! And Claire, and Gracie, and Jenny, and Jules, and Luke's very first Happy New Year's!
Jacob just chuckles. Yes, he knew that, as Emilia, plus his little sister and little brother, Amaya and Kai, and even Elijah's little sister and little brother, Roz and Gabe, have been saying it all day.
"Yes, it is."
Emilia bounces up and down a little more. She is just so energized, even though she has been awake since nine a.m. and did not take a nap all day.
"D'accord. Maman dit qu'il est presque temps pour les feux d'artifice!" Ok. Mommy says it's almost time for fireworks!
Jacob lets her know he is going to watch the clock, and he will be downstairs with the older kids in exactly 10 minutes. He says it like that — giving a specific time frame — because he knows that Emilia loves watching the clock, counting down the minutes until a certain event.
"Je t'aime!" She shouts as she literally bounces down the hallway. Love you!
Jacob is left chuckling, and, as he closes the bedroom door, Tristan asks,
"Elle est vraiment excitée, hein?" She is really excited, huh?
Jake just snorts at this, not answering.
That is, until Emma speaks up.
"What was she saying?"
And really?
It seems like an honest and innocent question.
After all, not many people who live here are fluent in French and, therefore, would not know what his little sister had just said.
But still…
Even at only eleven years old, Jacob can hear the slight undertone of… annoyance?… in his new friend's voice.
Even so, he simply answers with, "Oh, that? Emmy was just excited to tell me it is almost my birthday. And yours, Eli. And that tomorrow is our sisters', Claire and Gracie, and your sisters' and brother's first New Years."
"Yeah!" Tristan pipes up. "Emmy does that a lot. If we are not in school the day before our birthdays, then she spends all day reminding us that tomorrow is your birthday! Or tomorrow is my birthday!"
Elijah grins. Roz is like that, too. He thinks that Emilia and Roslyn will probably be especially close as they grow up.
"She really is adorable," He comments. "And she is eight? Make sure you take time to enjoy it." He sounds like a wise older man, instead of a little boy turning 11 years old in less than 12 hours. "She is going to grow up fast and, before you know it, she will be a teenager, or even a preteen, and the smallest things will upset her."
The middle Jareau boy motions discretely to his left, where Emma is currently sitting.
"I know you're talking about me," Emma snarks, making Elijah roll his eyes.
"See what I mean?"
"Hush, Eli! Maybe it's 'cause they are annoying!"
Elijah just sighs. He understands that his sister sometimes has trouble with her expressive language — she has a difficult time reading body language and knowing when to continue speaking, or when to stop speaking, — and he knows all of this, but…
But it still sort of embarrasses him, when Emma speaks without really thinking, and then does not notice that people are uncomfortable, and keeps speaking anyway.
Like now…
"Why can't you tell her to leave you alone if she bothers you? Or tell your parents–"
"Em…" Elijah sighs out, recognizing that this is going to be one of those moments.
Tristian and Jake were not giving off the impression that Emilia was annoying the. However, since Emma has both receptive and expressive language difficulties, it means she is not picking up on that little detail by looking at their body language or facial expressions.
"You know, when Roslyn and Gabriel are annoying me, I just tell my mom, and she gets on to them."
"Emma!"
She needs to stop speaking now, Elijah knows, because he can see the looks Tristan and Jake are exchanging…
"Emilia would probably be in big trouble if she didn't listen to you telling her to leave you alone! And–"
"Emma-Jo Faith!"
Elijah yells it, successfully shutting up his big sister.
"Emma, do you remember when Daddy tells you to SET?"
Emma just looks at him blankly. He continues anyway.
"Daddy says to Stop talking, Evaluate the situation, and Think about what you should say next, or if you should stop speaking. Remember?"
And boy, does this embarrass the 12-year-old. How dare Elijah say that in front of these strangers?! Her difficulties are her business only, not anyone else's!
And this is why, instead of relenting, Emma just does the usual thing when she is embarrassed, or honestly does not know how to react…
She scoffs, rolls her eyes, and stands up.
"Well, if you wanna be around little babies, I'm not gonna be a part of it."
And with that, she storms out of the room.
It effectively confuses the hell out of Tristan and Jacob.
What just happened?
Elijah sighs.
"I'm sorry, guys. She is usually a lot nicer than that, I promise! I just–… Well, our dad says she has something called expressive and receptive language issues. Sometimes, she has trouble beginning a conversation, like picking a topic that is going to be interesting to the other person. And then she also has trouble with knowing when to be quiet, like understanding that you and Jake do not find your sister annoying, or that you did not agreed with her."
He tries to explain the best he can but really, he is only 10 years old, and Michael would definitely be able to clarify it better.
Still, Tristan nods.
"Yeah, our Mamí says that Amaya and Jake has a little bit of trouble with that, and so does our little brother, Kai. We don't think Emmy has it, and we don't know if Gracie and Claire will."
He shifts in his seat on his beanbag, happy to know that there is someone who actually understands and, because of that, feeling comfortable enough to say,
"I used to have trouble with the receptive part, but mamí and papí practiced with me a lot. Maybe Emma just needs some more practice learning. You know, our paretns would probably be happy to help!"
Elijah just nods in agreement. He relaxes a bit, appreciating that the two boys understand enough not to get mad or judge Emma to be a hateful child.
Michael would appreciate the help, he knows, but…
Emma is the one who will probably not be so willing or accepting.
:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/
*Later – 5 minutes until midnight*
The babies are awake. All five of them.
They are decked out in matching onesies, which are even colored coded – green for Lucas, blue and purple for Jennifer, pink for Juliet, red and white for Claire, and pink and brown for Gracie.
Currently, they are all five propped up against some pillows on the couch.
"Mamí!" Emilia starts out with Spanish before switching to French. Elizabeth does not mind. She wants her daughter to be comfortable speaking at home, and making her use the English language would definitely not be comfortable to her.
"Puis-je prendre une photo, s'il vous plait?" Can I take a picture, please?
Chuckling, Elizabeth answers with, "Oui. Come over here… right here…"
Elizabeth lines her up, back far enough that she can get all five babies in the photo, stepping back, as she knows that she can take the picture herself.
All the kids get in the pictures, – big kids, little kids, each one gets a photo with their baby sibling, etc. The kids are just all amped up, so the grownups are trying to keep them occupied.
It is less than five minutes until the ball drops, which they are watching on TV.
Michael just cannot believe it. Less than 5 minutes and it will be 1979. So many things happened in 1978, and he is equal parts happy and sad to see it go.
Jennifer is alive. She is healthy and growing and she is home.
"Misser Michael?" Emilia says as she comes over to the couch he is sitting on.
"Yes, 'Millie?"
She climbs up on to the couch, settling at his side.
"Jenny est à la maison. Aujourd'hui, c'est la Saint-Sylvestre... Elle n'est pas morte, Mander Michael." Jenny is home. Today is New Year's Eve… She didn't die, Misser Michael. He wraps an arm around her. "Elle n'est pas morte." She didn't die.
The awe in her voice is something he, most definitely, can understand.
Yeah, his daughter is home. She is alive. She didn't die. Tomorrow is the first day of a new year, and he hopes Jennifer gets to celebrate many more new years.
:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/
*1 minute until New Year's*
"Mommy, it's almost time!" Amaya Prentiss shouts.
Elizabeth chuckles at her daughter's enthusiasm. Even though the six-year-old did not take a nap today, she is still wide awake.
"It is almost time. Let's all gather in the living room."
Right as she says this, James calls out that the clock on TV has reached 20 seconds.
Everyone rushes to the living room right as the clock gets to 13 seconds…
10…
9…
8…
7…
6…
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
*January 1st, 1979*
"Happy New Year!" – "Happy Birthday, Eli and Jacob!"
The two are yelled out simultaneously. Everyone cheers and hugs and the grownups share their first kiss of the New Year.
"Gosh, I can't believe you are both 11 years old already!" Michael gasps out. Jacob has quickly become like a son to him. He has shared in the little boy's triumphs the past several months such as, getting straight A's for the very first time, or getting his first ever 100% on a spelling tell.
Jake struggles with writing and spelling, so he has always received nothing above a 60 or a 70, except for that one time that the words were super easy and were similar in spelling.
Likewise, Elizabeth and James celebrated with Michael about Elijah finishing his first essay. The young boy also struggles with writing, severely, and he has help in place at school. Which provides him the option of having someone scribe his words for him.
However, back in October, he wanted to write his essay all by himself… and he succeeded. He got an 78% on it, which is only because his teacher counted off for spelling and grammar mistakes.
Since "do not count off grammar/spelling/sentence formation" is part of his 504 plan, Michael went in, with James as help because Sandra refused to acknowledge the fact that Elijah has trouble in school. The two men met with the Principal, Elijah's teacher, and… the Prentiss Family Lawyer.
James had been told of Michael's struggles with getting the school to cooperate, so the lawyer was there as help, because a 504 is a document that schools and teachers are legally required to follow.
Needless to say, the teacher looked the essay over again, and raised the grade up to an 84%. James and Elizabeth were as much a part of Elijah celebrating as Michael, and Eli's siblings.
"I know," Elizabeth agrees. "It seems like only yesterday James and I were sitting in that hospital bed holding Jake for the very first time."
Michael nods as he recounts, "I remember the doctor said congratulations, it's boy! right as the clock ticked over to 12:00 a.m."
Hearing this, James, from across the room, asks, "Elijah was born at exactly midnight?" When Michael nods, he says, "Well, what are the chances! Jacob was born at 12:00 o'clock midnight, as well."
Jacob and Elijah are allowed to open a few of their presents before going to bed…
They get Legos, a remote control car, and Elijah gets a paint set because he loves to paint, but hates to draw/color, as it ties in with his troubles with writing.
Then, they are sent off to bed with one last happy birthday! Everyone dwindles down after that, one-by-one the kids, and babies, are put to bed, and the grownups are situated in their own rooms.
Michael and the kids are going to spend the night here, obviously, while Sandy is at her mom's house. Hopefully, she won't be too "busy" to call and wish her child a happy birthday tomorrow.
:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/
*Later that morning – around 10:30 a.m.*
Michael awakens later on in the morning, and is horrified to find out that it is past 10 in the morning.
He jumps out of bed, hastily straightens the sheets and comforter, smooths down wrinkles in his pajamas, and then hurries to the bathroom to deal with his hair. Just because he slept in late — which is quite rude — does not mean he is going he is going downstairs not looking put together.
Finally, about 10 minutes later, he is making his way downstairs.
The apology is on the tip of his tongue as he rounds the corner to the open space that is dining room/kitchen in the Prentiss Household.
Only, he does not get to say, I am so sorry I slept late, and left you to deal with my eight kids, including my triplets, and along with your seven kids.
No, because when he rounds the corner?
He sees something magical.
Party decorations – a banner, a tablecloth, streamers, balloons…
All in his favorite colors and favorite themes.
The banner is homemade. It looks to have handprints from every child currently in the room, which is a whopping 28 children, ranging from 23 years old, all the way down 3 months old. It reads Happy Birthday, Michael!
And presents are piled up on the table.
"W-What is all of this?" Michael asks, completely forgetting about how he left James, Elizabeth, and their parents to take care of nearly 2 dozen children under the age of 18.
Tristen is the one to explain first:
"Your birthday was in November, but you did not get to celebrate it…"
Then, Jacob chips in:
"Yeah, because you were being such a good dad, and taking care of all your kids! Plus, you were spending time with us!"
Roslyn is next:
"You didn't even get a birthday cake, Daddy!"
And Caleb continues with:
"Yeah, Dad. It wasn't cool that we forgot your birthday, I'm sorry."
And finally, Elijah is concluding,
"Me and Jake talked it over. And we get presents all the time – birthdays and Christmas, and even Easter! But this year, you only got one or two happy birthday's, so we decided you can take our birthday, and use it as yours. So, instead of our presents, you get your presents. And the cake is also for you. And today, we can do whatever you want to do!"
His kids then all rush over, piping up with happy birthday's and hugs, and questions about what he thinks about all of this, or what they are going to do today.
Michael hugs each and every one of them. He thanks them and he tells Elijah and Jacob how proud he is of them. Then, he goes to check on Jules, Luke, and Jenny.
"Hello, my Little Angels," He coos at each one of them. Jenny is currently being given her medicine by James's little brother, 12-year-old Jason.
"Happy Birthday, Mister Jareau," The young boy smiles cheekily as he knows Michael's birthday was back in November, It strikes the older of the two for a second. That smirk/smile reminds him so much of… himself. From photos of him playing pranks on his siblings, or just from smiling because he knew a secret they didn't.
Michael shakes his head slightly, clearing it.
"Thank you, Jase. And, please, call me Michael. None of that "mister" stuff. Knowing you are James's little brother makes me feel old enough." He says it with a smile, and the grin on the boy's face only grows.
"Oh, but you are old. What are you, like… 70, now?"
Michael puts a hand over his heart in mock-offense.
"Okay, I see how it is. Just so you know, if you weren't holding my daughter right now, I would get you for that comment."
Right as he finishes, Jason gives a smirk.
"Daddy! Can you come here, please?"
Alden comes over, and the moment Jason knows Jenny is safe with him, he takes off through the kitchen, with Michael close behind.
They round the dining room table, weave through parents, siblings, and a grandmother in the kitchen, and turn the corner, going towards the back door. Jason stops just long enough to unlock and open the door, but then, he forgets one important little detail…
The storm door that, thankfully, has a screen, and is not glass, is still shut.
Jason barrels right through it.
It takes Michael just a split-second to realize what happened and then he is rushing over, quicker now, accessing the damage.
"Oh, Kid, I am so sorry. Are you all right? Come here…"
Jason stands with some help, and soon, they are surrounded by the other adults.
"Jason, I swear," Penelope begins.
"You and that door." Alden adds, "Sooner or later, Aunt Liz and Uncle James will learn to remove it to prevent this from happening again."
Once Michael has Jason up and back inside the house, he looks to them with confusion.
Penelope notices, saying, "He somehow always manages to do just that." She comes forward, looking him over. "Just some scraps here and there, you should be fine."
"I know, Mama," The tween answers, smirking at Michael. "It's all good, Mister Jareau. Just some scraps that won't even require bandages."
Right as Michael goes to reply, a tiny voice is heard.
"Unless, of course, JT hears about it." Jason adds.
Right as he says this, a brown-eyed, curly dark-blonde little girl enters the room.
"Bubba J #6! Me comin', dohnna were-we!
Tiny little Jennifer — yes, there's more than 1 — comes running into the kitchen. She just turned 3 years old, on Christmas Day. She calls Jason "bubba J #6" because she has six older brothers, as well as six older sisters, and it is easier for the kids to say to keep up with the names, since all 15 Prentiss children's names start with a 'J'.
"Bubba J #6! Awe yow otay?!"
Jason chuckles as she comes toddler-running over to him.
"Yeah, Baby Sissy J #7, I'm ok!" He picks her up.
"Bubba J #6, you gotsta haved miracle care!" She insists, and Michael gets the feeling that this is a normal occurrence around here. He smiles at that. The little girl is absolutely adorable, and he cannot wait until his Jennifer is talking and running around like this.
James goes to get the First-Aid kit, and Jason lets Jennifer, whom they call "JT", do "miracle" care on him. She gives him band-aides, gaze patches, takes his temperature, and checks his heartbeat, before declaring him "good to go", and giving him a lollipop for "being a brave boy!"
*Later*
The rest of the day is amazing. Michael gets his favorite breakfast, and then they load up to go to Penelope and Alden's house, which has a home-theatre.
There, they watch Michael's favorite movie, then they all go out for lunch – at his favorite restaurant, even inviting his parents and siblings, which includes his baby brother, Jackson, his wife, Amber, and their own 5 children. Amber is even pregnant, due in September of this year.
"Hey, Big Brother!" Jackson calls out as they enter the restaurant. Amber is seated beside him, and around them are their kids – 6-year-old Madeline, 4-year-old twins, Eric and Mary, 2-year-old Aaron, who is turning 3 in just 1 week, and John, who is only 6 weeks old.
The pregnancy this time — the baby due in September — was not exactly planned, as John was born less than 2 months ago, but they will welcome him or her, anyway.
**Rated T for the implication of inappropriate touching**
The kids each go to their cousins. Roslyn slows down in the doorway as soon as she sees her uncle.
God, this was not what she was hoping was going to happen. She was hoping today would be a day without her uncle. Because without him means…
No "special time".
And god, how she wants that to happen.
Her tummy feels icky, now. Her heart speeds up, her hands start to shake…
Maddie sees her. Roslyn stays close to Emilia, who is standing next to Elizabeth, who is pushing a custom-made stroller with Jennifer's carseat in it. Madeline gets up from the table and quietly makes her way over to her cousin.
Her cousin, who is the only one beside her sister, Mary, that understands why they hate being around Jackson.
"Hi, Rosie," Maddie whispers, reaching out. Roslyn allows her to hold her hand. "Daddy says we have to be good girls, "or else", okay?"
Jesus Christ, this should not be happening.
Roslyn looks at her with such fear in her eyes that it nearly makes little 6-year-old Maddie cry right then and there. But, as Jackson has "taught" her, she knows better than to cry, even over a skinned knee, because it counts as "acting out" and will result in "special time" with their father, for Maddie and Mary, and her uncle, for Roslyn.
"Rosie! Mads!" Emilia calls out. "Come by sit me!"
Maddie suddenly lights up. Emilia is sitting with her mother — Elizabeth and James were introduced to them back in July — and is surrounded by Jennifer's carseat, and her cousins. The babies' seats are covered in blankets to make sure a minimum amount of germs get on them.
"Come on!" Emilia calls out again.
"Come on, Maddie!" Roslyn says, smiling and unexpectedly feeling lighter. "Let's sit by Emmy!"
The two first-graders, while holding hands, literally skip over to the table. They sit the left of Emilia, she is at the end of the table, with Elizabeth on the side, and Jennifer's carseat sitting in a highchair beside them.
They try their hardest not to look at Jackson. Madeline knows he will not be happy about this.
Madeline, Roslyn, and Mary are not allowed to sit anywhere but next to him, because he uses their fear to make them obey everything, and when he thinks they are about to disobey, he will reach one of his hands out, lightly patting their legs, just a little too close to, well…
I am sure you can guess it.
**Ends here**
Once the whole group, which easily is 50+ people, finishes eating, there is a surprise.
A group of waitresses, waiters, and even the owner of the restaurant start a line, cheering and singing Happy Birthday. Though, this time, they sing it quieter than usual, and tell Michael what is about to happen, because Caleb, Emilia, and the babies, plus several other kids are sensitive to loud, sudden noises.
They sing Happy Birthday, and bring out a sundae with a candle.
"Happy Birthday, Daddy!" – "Happy Birthday, Bubba!" – "Happy Birthday, Uncle Michael!" is shouted from all the kids, including his younger siblings, and Michael blows out the candle on what is, easily, the best late-birthday celebration ever.
1 week later – Monday, January 8th, 1979
*Prentiss's Residence*
Today is 1 week into the New Year. 7 whole days into 1979.
7 days of a brand new year for Jennifer, Lucas, and Juliet.
Today is also Aaron Jareau's third birthday. He is Jackson and Amber's second oldest son.
Michael has just arrived back at James's and Elizabeth's from his brother's house. He and the kids had stopped by to give a happy birthday.
Michael is upset that he was unable to get his nephew any gifts, but he just cannot afford it right now, not when he is still paying off the hospital bills, and also being solely responsible for the Electricity, Water, and Cable bills, and buying groceries every week, and paying for gas, and the miscellaneous items each week.
The worst part is, Michael cannot even give the kids their allowances or weekly money for their chores, because he literally does not have any left over after deducting the money for everything else.
In fact, the trouble is so severe that Michael spends nearly every second of his free time (and not-so-free time) arguing with the Insurance Company and everyone else about the damned bills.
So, they did not even have money to buy their cousin something for his birthday.
But they did stop by. And they did wish him a happy birthday. And then, they left.
Jackson was not happy about it. Michael knows that he and Amber are well-off. They both have jobs, and they have plenty of money to be able to eat out at least twice a week, and they never have to choose the needed items for groceries — like food, toilet paper, and vitamins — over just junk – like candy, a new movie, etc.
They do not have to do that like Michael does – like he is forced to do because Sandy lost her job last year, and currently spends her days mooching off her friends, or the relatives that feel sorry for her.
This is the way Michael is living at the moment — the way he is having to raise his family — and it hurts, really, that his little brother does not understand.
But, as James and Liz, and their parents, have told him – there will always be that one relative that just does not…
Get it.
Now, the plan today was: the kids go to school. They come home, do their homework and chores, then they would get a ride to Jackson and Amber's house for the birthday party. Michael would usually let them walk, but, since what happened in July of 1977, they are no longer allowed to walk alone.
However, Roslyn had begged to stay home, or at least, to go to James and Liz's house. Michael did not have the energy to argue with her. Besides, he knows that Caleb and Gabriel would not have wanted to go. Gabe is teased for not speaking well, like Roslyn and the others, and for not being to do certain things.
Caleb would have been uncomfortable because of the lights, sounds, smells, which would have been too overwhelming for him. It would have caused a sensory overload, and Michael was not comfortable leaving him there because he knows his brother just does not understand Caleb the way he does.
Their little sister, Martha, did and still does, have sensory overloads of her own. Sometimes the sights, smells, sounds, etc. get too overwhelming for her brain to process it all, and it sends her entire nervous system into overdrive.
Jackson was the kind of big brother who would tease her over this. Poking her, picking her up, blowing into her ear, playing music right next to her ear, shining a flashlight into her eyes, etc. He would get into trouble, of course, but no matter how many times he was told, Karen and Kenneth just could not get him to stop it.
Anyway, at the end of the day, Michael is more comfortable knowing the kids are welcome, at ease, and having fun at James's and Liz's house, than not having fun at their aunt and uncle's house. He knows it sounds… wrong… but it is the truth. He helps him to relax and focus a little more at work.
:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/
His boss, a wonderful man, is still allowing Michael to come to the Hospital and take care of only the absolutely necessary patients.
So, he gets off at about 4:30. He has time to help with homework, cook dinner, spend some time with the kids, etc. before it is time for their baths and time to go to bed. It is better this way — he wants to be around as much as possible — and thankfully, his boss, Arnold Thompson, understands things perfectly.
Arnie has six kids of his own, though only two still live at home. He is the sole source of income in his home, as well, because his wife, Evelyn, is now wheelchair- bound, due to a car accident three years ago.
So now, on Monday, Michael brings the kids to James and Liz's house. As they enter, Roslyn and Gabriel run off to find Maya and Kai, while Caleb and Elijah are helping Michael carry in the Triplets.
Emilia comes to greet him right away, and he smiles tiredly at her.
"Hello, 'Millie. Did you have a good day of schooling?"
Another new thing happening is…
"C'était fantastique ! J'étais à Londres aujourd'hui, et c'était tellement amusant!" It was fantastic! I got to go to London today!
Elizabeth, James, and Emilia are teaching Michael different languages so he can speak to Emilia in the language she is most comfortable with. She can understand English, so Michael is still able to speak it, but also, he is able to understand Emilia in languages she is most comfortable speaking.
Which is why he is surprised by what she says.
"You went to London, as in, London England?"
Emilia nods excitedly as they enter the kitchen, and Michael sets Jennifer's carseat on the counter.
"Yep! On est partis hier soir et on y est super, super tôt. Puis nous sommes allés explorer, et nous avons mangé le déjeuner, et appris beaucoup de choses, et puis nous sommes revenus dans notre avion, et nous sommes rentrés à la maison!" Yep! We left last night and got there super, super early. Then we went exploring, and we ate lunch, and learned about lots of stuff, and then we got back on our plane, and came home!
Michael looks to Elizabeth, who is currently cooking up some dinner, which he and the kids will join for.
Liz chuckles at the bewilderment look on his face.
"We have a Private Jet," She explains. "It takes about 8 hours to get to London from the airport in Philly."
"Wow, that's… Wow."
He knew Liz is an Ambassador and as such, she and her husband are well-off. But he did not even think to at least wonder if they had luxuries that many people do not, like a Private Family Jet, for instance.
"We have learned from the past," Liz starts, as she comes over to the table, where they can see Emilia is now on the couch, and being helped to hold Jennifer by her grandfather, Alden. "That it is best not to tell people about such things."
She sighs here, remembering the reasons why she and James came to that decision.
"In the past, we have allowed the kids to tell their friends about out Jet. We allowed them to… well, talk about the vacations we have taken, how we flew out to see family across the country for the weekend, and so on. Until… it became something that was detrimental to our children's wellbeing. Now, this may sound a bit overboard, but… It's not."
She pauses for the oven timer beeping. Getting some hot rolls out and placing them to cool, she pours some iced tea for both herself and Michael. Then, she sits back at the table, explaining of her earlier statement.
"You see, when the kids would tell their friends about our fancy Private Jet, those friends would want to come along on a trip or two. And at first, James and I were completely all right with that. Along as these kids were nice, well-behaved children, and we knew they would not cause trouble, and their parents did not mind."
"However…"
And here is the moment Michael understands.
"After several times of this happening, it seemed like their friends were, well… It seemed as if they were only interested in our children because our family had money, had luxuries they did not have, could fly wherever, whenever. At some point, it came to be that we were always bringing "a friend or two" along for the ride."
"We no longer had family time at the beach for the weekend because we were always bringing along another child. The kids were being stressed because, often on these trips, there would be moments where they disappear to their bedrooms for the afternoon. Or when we allowed them to go swimming alone, and so on."
"However, once they started telling their friends, and we began bringing said friends with us, they did not get this alone time. They were always attending to their friends, entertaining them, being with 24/7. It became… very unnecessarily stressful because Tristan, Jacob, and Emilia were not able to have that calming, relaxed time to themselves."
"Our family trips were no longer a luxury to them. They… They no longer wanted to accompany us to different places, if it meant having to bring a friend."
Michael listens with great interest, as Elizabeth retells the stories that she and James have discussed many times over the years.
"I am so sorry," He sighs out. "That sounds… Well, it sounds horrible, to be honest. I can see how the fun would be sucked out of those trips. I love my friends to death, but every now and then, even I would need to have some alone time, to relax and destress, and just have time to myself. I am sorry that you, James, and your children were treated so poorly."
Liz nods in agreement, but she also explains how she and James were not 100% innocent in these situation,
"At this point, James and I realized we had not been the best parents. We realized we were partly to blame for this, for continuing to allow these other children to come along, even as we saw what it was doing to our own
"When we moved the last time, to Spain, we sat the older kids down, and we explained that they should limit how much they were informing the other kids of, regarding all that we are able to do. We told them to not brag about our trips so much, to limit how much was told. If they wanted to tell them, fine, but they needed to also specify that we would not be allowing anyone to come with us. Now, with them being 10, eight and six, we also reiterated this with their parents, and that seemed to do the trick."
"I'm glad," Michael comments. "I hope they are able to, once again, enjoy these trips, and are able to be kids, have fun, and relax."
Elizabeth smiles at this as she nods, vaguely wondering what said kids are up to, because the house if awfully quiet right now.
Before she goes to figure that out, though, there is one last thing she needs to discuss with Michael.
"Thank you. And they are. The kids absolutely love being able to go the beach, and spend all day in sun, sand, and water, without have guests to tend to. James and I want them to enjoy it for as long as possible, before they begin entering high school, and do not have time for it each weekend anymore."
She takes a deep breath here, saying, "There is, however, something I want to discuss with you, about the kids and… well… our trips."
"Oh, Liz, no. I understand if you would not like us to accompany you. It is perfectly ok."
Well, at least, that is what he thinks she is going to say.
But oh, how wrong he is.
Elizabeth smiles gently, shaking her head.
"Actually, Michael, it is the opposite. You see, well,–… I know that this goes against everything I just explained to you, however, I am going to say it, anyway. You see, I would like to invite you, and your children, — and maybe, in the future, your wife, — with us, on our trips. To the beach, to see any family, if you would like–"
She has to rush through her sentences here, to talk over Michael, who is trying to reassure her that she should not feel obligated to make this offer.
"Michael, please. If you genuinely do not want to accept the offer, that is fine. However, I am making this offer because I have seen how close our children have become, and I feel, with that friendship, that they would still be able to "relax" as well as having fun with each other. This is not something you have to accept or decline right now, ok? But please, do think about it. I am sure Emilia would love to grow up with your daughter, Jennifer, going on these trips."
She stifles her laughter as Michael glares because he just knows she used Emilia as pawn in this offer.
"You did that on purpose." He accuses, and she just laughs out a I did not! And he sighs, really thinking about it. "It is a very nice offer, and I think I will take the time to think it over, and maybe discuss with the children."
"And that is all I ask you do."
And just as they are closing out this conversation, Maya and Gabriel run into to tell them we're hungry, can we go to McDonald's?
Elizabeth informs them that, actually, they are going to be eating spaghetti, garlic bread, and iced tea, to which they cheer, and then obediently run off to tell the kids it is time to wash up.
Michael, along with James, help set the table. They put out the glasses, placemats, serving silverware, etc. Food is served, the kids talk about their day, Emilia tells them about London, and overall, the movie and sleepover that happens later is the perfect end to this day.
It is finally January, the Triplets' first new year!
At the beginning, I was trying to show that Emma has difficulty with receptive and expressive language. Basically, she has trouble reading social cues (receptive), and has trouble starting a conversation with friends, and keeping it going (expressive).
Hopefully, as time goes on, that will get better to portray. Also! That offer Elizabeth made is going to be used frequently. Lots of vacations and trips with our girls. ;)
Anyway, the next chapter will be a two-part doctor's visit chapter. Some things are revealed in both. Updates will start to be more regular as I now have some things figured out, and more chapters prewritten. So, please review and let me know what you thought! :)