The long awaited reunion with the girls had finally arrived. Liza helped Charles prepare their rooms, as he thought about how he was going to handle their going to school at home. Charles set up computers for both Bianca and Nicole, as Liza went through the office stash for supplies they might need. Now that they were older, 11 and 13, they didn't require as much help. But the online schooling was going to be different.
Liza saw him standing there, thinking about what to do next. She surprised him from behind with a hug around the waist. "Penny for your thoughts?"
"I want everything to be just right. Thanks for your help." He brushed a kiss across her cheek and pulled her close.
"Are you concerned about this? How they can do it all from home?" Liza asked.
"Yes. But moreso, not being able to do after school activities. That really was good for them."
"True. Can't really teach violin or ballet at home, " she noted. "They are going to be here soon, so let's try to wrap up the organizing. We can ask Pauline how she managed this first month."
"I asked her. They are doing well, except Nicole is having some trouble with math," he said.
The doorbell rang and with a sudden burst of energy, Liza ran to the door. How she had missed the girls! Charles followed, closely behind.
"Oh my gosh, hi!" Liza gave them a group hug and held on for embarrassingly long. "I'm sorry, I should have let you girls see your father first." Charles joined in on the group hug.
She noticed Pauline standing there with her boyfriend, Tim. "My manners seem to be nonexistent and I apologize. I just got so excited!" Liza felt strange hugging Pauline even though technically she wasn't sick anymore, and had no reason to stand back. Instead she waved which seemed to work for Pauline too.
"So the plan is they stay here the rest of the school year. That's just over a month. I hope that's ok?" Pauline asked, Tim standing with his arm around her. Liza thought she saw the glimmer of a new ring on Pauline's left hand.
"Yes," Charles answered back. "We have to complete fifth and seventh grade, but maybe it could still be fun."
"Enjoy your evening, " Liza said as Pauline started to open the door.
"Ok, bye," Pauline winked at her and walked out. She started to wonder what Pauline knew or suspected about Liza's relationship with Charles. She had mended fences with Pauline recently, but they hadn't spoken in many months.
After the girls got settled, they wanted to know the story of her illness and recovery. Liza told them what she could, leaving out some personal details.
"So dad took you in when you were sick, and now you are best friends again?" Bianca asked, wide-eyed.
"No, they are back together like boyfriend and girlfriend," Nicole said. "Can't you tell? It's so obvious." Nicole was a little more aware, being older. She smiled and squeezed Liza's arm.
"Yes, we are together," Charles clarified. "We love each other very much."
"Awe!" screamed Bianca, fiercely giving her dad a hug.
"I will be staying with you. I hope that's okay," Liza said.
"We missed you. Mom and I talked about you being here for a while now," Nicole admitted.
"Well, I'm happy to spend time with you again. I have an idea. Let's watch a movie and then we can figure out where you are with school for this week," Liza suggested.
After finishing the movie and putting the girls to bed, Charles and Liza stayed awake to think about their schedule. They wrote out the family's activities, school and work hours, lunch break at the same time as the girls, and then reading or homework time until dinner. This was going to be complex, but they could do it.
"Goodnight. Don't stress too much. They will do great. Love you," Liza assured him. She kissed him and turned off the bedroom lamp.
"Ok, I'll turn my brain off. Love you too," Charles replied.
The first week, Bianca insisted on making a "Family Chores List" on the whiteboard in the study. She was the organized one of the two girls, and wanted to be in charge of everyone's responsibilities.
"I should hire you as my assistant," Liza joked.
"Really?" Bianca looked at her adoringly. Liza didn't have the heart to tell her she was joking, and gave her the honorary position.
"Schoolwork first. But then you can organize our days," Liza said. Nicole laughed, knowingly.
"I don't need an assistant, " Nicole mumbled, burying her head in a book.
"But you will need some help with math, and unfortunately I forgot a lot of seventh grade concepts," Charles said with a frown. Nicole made a sassy face when she thought he wasn't looking. Liza choked back a laugh.
Nicole had a tutor, but was falling behind, they thought due to the changes in how she attended school. Her attention wasn't there, and she would drift off during her math lessons into a book she wanted to finish. Liza was the same way in her own childhood, so she didn't think they should be too hard on Nicole.
After a few days, their routine became easier. The girls were good helpers with chores since the housekeeper was still out. Liza smiled as she heard Charles giving the girls a laundry lesson. Then the girls ran into the kitchen, asking to watch a new television show.
Liza glanced down at her phone. It was a video call from her daughter. "Go ahead and start the show without me," she yelled to Charles. "I have to take this call."
Caitlin appeared on her screen, out of breath and worried about her classes. "You know, it's impossible now to get my teaching certification with these practicum requirements. I hoped to be in the classroom again. I may need another year. " She had started her Master's in Education and was focusing on teaching exceptional students.
"I might have an idea for you, but I have to run it by a few people first. What grades are you working with and what subjects?" Liza asked.
"Middle and high school math, mostly," Caitlin said.
"I don't want to promise anything, but maybe you can help a few girls who live here to finish out the year. Do you think they would count Zoom teaching hours?"
"They might. One of my friends in the program is doing that, but there were no spots for me at that school," Caitlin explained.
"I'll call you back, okay? Take care and stop worrying."
Liza decided to ask Charles first, knowing this same conversation had to happen with Pauline and then the girls' school.
Charles was excited about the idea. "Sounds like exactly what Nicole needs. And probably Bianca could use some help too. Let me call Pauline and if she's ok with it, I'll ask the school. "
"Thank you. I was thinking the same thing."
After getting their new part-time teacher approved by everyone, the girls started meeting with Caitlin every day. They immediately connected, and the girls talked enthusiastically about Ms. Caitlin, their new teacher. "I can't believe your daughter is an actual teacher!" Bianca exclaimed. She was at the age where teachers were seen as superheroes.