Chapter 4: Family Struggles
Chapter Summary: Cormac struggles to balance life with his parents in town and his commitments to the five kids.
Thursday morning Cormac is getting ready for his run, when he sees his dad ready for a morning walk. As Cormac is about to grab his water and leave his boys a note, he hears his dad ask, "Do you mind walking with me today?"
"Sure, Da," he replies knowing he hasn't spent much time alone with his dad during this trip. He really did want a run, but getting outside with his dad would be good too. It was a beautiful morning, although still chilly even for April in Seattle but the sun was out.
"How long do you usually run?" Seánan asks his son as they step outside.
"Depends, my plan was 5-6 miles today. I try to get out for 3 or 4 runs a week. Sometimes Liam or Austin will run with me on the weekends," he says.
"You get them away from the video games?" his dad chuckles.
"They usually only play in the evenings. And they don't have homework this week because of spring break."
"Your ma was a little hard on you the other night," Seánan says broaching the subject he really wants to talk to his oldest about.
"I wish she would support me," Cormac admits thinking back to how critical his mother has always been about his relationships.
"I think Meredith is lovely. And obviously she's smart and successful. Liam has nothing but praises about the program at the hospital."
"Aye, Liam is really enjoying that." The conversation continues, mainly talking about their work, research at Grey-Sloan and his lads' school. They also talk about the weekend plans, including the two football games scheduled for Saturday and the plans for Easter Sunday.
"Will you join us at mass tonight?" his dad asks as they turn into Cormac's complex.
"Sorry, da, no. I have plans tonight with Zola, Bailey and Ellie," he says. It's been years since he's been to a catholic mass.
"Oh?"
"Meredith has a late surgery tonight so I'm taking her kids to get her something special for Easter."
"That's wonderful. Glad you are spending time with them. It must make it easier for her to work late when she knows her kids are cared for by family and friends."
"Aye. Sorry, now I've got to shower for work," Cormac says as they open the front door.
"Thanks for the walk. Can I make you breakfast? Coffee or tea?"
"Coffee please. And breakfast will be appreciated," Cormac says.
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"No, sorry, Ma. The lads have football practice and I am just on my way to get Mer's kids from the nanny," Cormac says into the phone as he's changing to leave Grey-Sloan.
"I know you'll be at St Anne's for Mass. No, I can't come today. Aye, I'll attend the Easter Vigil Saturday," Cormac continues in Irish. He hadn't been to mass since Abby's funeral, and wasn't about to go today at his mother's insistence.
"Troubles with you parents?" Jackson says hearing the conversation.
"My mom. She wants me to go to mass tonight. I'm taking Zo, Bay and Ellie out Easter shopping as Mer's in a long surgery," he says.
"Ah, mothers!" Jackson says, totally understanding opinionated and strong mothers.
"At least mine is only here for a week," Cormac teases.
"Working with mine is interesting. Thankfully she still does so much travel for the foundation."
"Is she home for Easter?"
"Yes, she and Richard fly back tomorrow. I'll have dinner with them Saturday night once Harriet is home. I understand Waffle Sunday has a special Easter Egg Hunt," he says thinking about how he wished he had Harriet more often. He didn't mind when she was with April when he was working, but on days he was home, he wished to have her with him.
"Yes. My lads are excited. But I'd better go, I have kids to pick up."
"Just so you know, I'm jealous."
"I'll remind you of that during the next temper tantrum, or naked running around your house…," Cormac laughs picking up his computer bag.
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Arriving at Meredith's he's greeted by Ellis running and jumping in his arms. "Hey, Ellie, ready to make dinner?"
"Aren't we shopping?" she asks cuddling into his shoulder.
"We need to eat first. Quesadillas or tortellini?" he replies, then asking what she prefers.
"My choice?"
"Yes, you can have the choice today," he replies, knowing her choice is often so different than her siblings.
"Tortellini with veggies?" she asks.
"Tortellini Primavera? I have lots of veggies," he replies, knowing this was one of her favourite meals.
"Let's tell the nanny she can leave, and then we'll make dinner. What are Zo and Bay doing?" he asks.
"They were building Lego," she says, showing him to the playroom so he can dismiss the nanny. Once dinner and dishes are complete, he takes the three kids to the local garden store. They find a basket of spring purple flowers and one of the local soap makers with a table of easter themed products that Zola is convinced her mom would love. They each chose something for Meredith and headed out to the car. He asks, "Now what do you say about Ice Cream with Liam and Austin?"
A chorus of "Cool!" "Yay!" "Yummy!" is heard from the backseats.
"We need to get them from the school. Then we'll go for ice cream," he says loading them into Meredith's car.
After a quick stop at the school, they quickly arrive at the local ice cream parlour. The older four kids quickly decided on the seasonal Mini-Egg Ice Cream while Ellie ventured from her usual Strawberry ice cream to the Raspberry 'n Cream in a cup. He decided to stick with one of his local favourites, the Earl Grey and Honey Ice Cream, also ordering a pint of raspberries & Cream for Meredith, and dessert for Sunday, twenty Easter Basket and Mini Egg Mini Ice Cream Cupcakes, along with four Berry Blast Mini Ice Cream Cupcakes, knowing Ellis, Harriet and maybe Scout would prefer the fruit.
"Are you dyeing Easter Eggs?" Austin asks Bailey.
"I don't think so. Auntie Amy is working tomorrow," he responds.
"Dad, how about we do that tomorrow before dinner?" Liam suggests.
"Sure. We can stop by Trader Joe's after ice cream," Cormac replies, glad the five children are getting along. They made a quick stop at Trader Joe's to get eggs and dye, also finding some treats like the new Dark Chocolate Drizzled Plantain Chips.