Kate sat at the kitchen table looking over the worksheet that sat between her and her daughter. She was trying to make sense of it all.
"NO! Mummy" the little girl cried "you're doing it all wrong mummy" she said jumping down from the table.
"Grace!" Kate called after her sighing as the 6-year-old ran out of the room.
Dropping her head on to the table she banged it down. How could she be doing it wrong it was maths for a 6-year-old.
"everything alright?" Mike asked walking in to the kitchen.
"Fine" she sighed looking up "Grace is just in a strop because apparently I am doing this all wrong" she grinned
"what is it?" Mike asked walking over.
"Maths." Kate replied looking around at him.
"well I can see Gracie's point. That is not how you do maths" Mike grinned
"okay then Mr smarty pants. You have a go" then she held up the work sheet to him.
Scanning the page, a look of confusion grew across his face. Kate began to grin knowing he was more puzzled.
"well?" she grinned
"yeah this is... I have no idea what this is" he said placing the paper back down on the bench.
"told you." she grinned walking over to the kettle flicking the switch.
"well I don't know about you but that's made me feel old" he grinned.
"Speak for yourself" she said pulling the bottle of milk from the fridge realising it was almost empty
"who you calling old" he grinned wrapping his arms around her pinning her in the corner of the work surfaces, kissing her. Wrapping her arms around his neck she grinned leaning in to him.
"ew gross. Do you guys have to do that" a voice came across the kitchen "PDA's involving someone of your age are gross"
Looking over they smiled at their 13-year-old daughter they both began laughing.
"if I want to kiss my wife in the kitchen in my house then there is nothing wrong with that." Mike said kissing Kate again to prove the point
"ew. What ever can you just not do it when I am around" she said looking back down at her phone.
"Nicole? Have you started your online classes today?" Kate asked
"yeah" Nicole replied without looking up from her phone.
"Nicole?!" Kate called again
"I said yes mum. Jesus get off my back what more do you want me to do" Nicole stomped off
"Nicole!" Kate called as she heard the familiar sound of a slamming door.
Sighing she flopped back down in the seat at the table. There were a million and one things she should be doing but she didn't have the motivation and it didn't help that she desperately needed to go shopping as everything seemed to run out much faster it literally felt like she only did a huge shop the other day. Grabbing a pen and paper she began noting down everything they needed. Which was practically everything.
"what's that for?" Mike asked walking back in to the kitchen grabbing a packet of crisps from the cupboard.
"I'm going to Aldi in a bit anything you think we need?" she asked going down her list checking she hadn't forgotten anything.
"I'll go" Mike offered making for the sheet of paper she was holding
"it's fine I don't mind going" she tightened the grip on the paper.
"seriously I don't mind going. You have done a lot. You stay here and have a break" Mike tried to persuade her
"Mike it's a bit of shopping and I know what I need." she said
"Rock paper scissors. Winner gets to go" he grinned holding out a closed fist
"fine" she said shaking her shoulders. Holding out her fist "ready. Rock. Paper. Scissors "she called drawing paper to Mikes scissors. "Damn!" she called "best of 3?" she half grinned hoping to win him over
"nope I win. Give me the list" he said.
"fine" she sighed reluctantly handing over the list. "i hate you. How is it you always win" she grinned trying not to sound annoyed
"because you always go for paper first." he said grabbing his wallet and keys from the bowl on the side.
"whatever" she stuck her tongue out at him. "oh, and make sure you get the right kitty litter; you know midnight is like"
"Yes Ma'am" he smiled
"just get to the shops and get back" she said
"MUM!" Nicole yelled from the top of the stairs.
"no rest for the wicked" she half smiled "hurry back please" she said slowly walking up the stairs
"MUM!" Nicole yelled again as Kate reached the top
"what is it" Kate asked as she reached the top step.
"Look at what Chris has done" she shrieked
"what?" Kate asked
"Mum just look" Nicole pointed in to the bathroom
Walking in Kate could he her son standing proudly looking at his masterpiece on the shower curtain and wall of the shower. Both of which had been plastered with sanitary towels.
"Chris" Kate sighed "what have you done eh?" she said walking over to her son
"Stickers" he replied proudly
"Chris" Kate said trying not to laugh.
"Mum it's not funny!" Nicole cried seeing her mother's face
"and I am not laughing sweet but I do tell you to keep them in your room"
"they were" Nicole growled "the little runt went through my things"
"Nicole!" Kate warned
"but now I don't have any and I need them" Nicole wailed
"well Daddy has only just left for Aldi you're going to have to ring him and ask if he can pick you some up"
"i can not do that!" she protested "its embarrassing" she said
"Nicole its nothing your dad hasn't seen before." Kate sighed
Chris stood giggling looking at his work of art.
"you little pest" Nicole spat at her brother
"NICOLE!" Kate warned again "don't speak to your brother like that"
"MUM! Its not fair why are you having a go at me. You never tell Chris off. You love him and Gracie more than me"
"sweet he is three. He doesn't understand" she sighed "look I will ring daddy. Okay. You just tidy up in here okay?" Kate said twisting a strand of Nicole's blond hair around her finger.
"whatever" Nicole knocked her mother's hand back.
Sighing she looked at Chris. "come on Mr its time for your nap" Kate said lifting him up in to her arms.
Ignoring his protests and wails she carried him in to his room she placed him in to his little bed. Tucking the covers, she placed a kiss on this head. He was over tired and needed this nap.
Pulling the door of his room shut she was about to head down stairs when she heard loud music coming from Graces room. walking across the landing she poked her head around the door. Her 6-year-old was dancing manically to one of her CDS. Dancing was a strong word more like jumping around out of time with the music.
"Gracie? Have you finished your maths?" she asked
"yes mummy" Grace replied sweetly
"and what about your history project? Shall we start that?" Kate asked
"do I have to mummy." Grace wailed
"yes. Come on please down stairs and we can start the research" she said pointing to the door. At least with history she would be in her comfort zone. It was the one thing that didn't change as you can't change the past.
so hope you like this. my little take on life in the current lockdown. (sort of alternate timeline as I know its impossible for Mike and Kate to have a 13 yo but its fiction!.) hope you are all coping in lockdown. we in the uk are on week 6 or week 7 I have not a clue its all mashed in to one. stay safe and hopefully this will be over soon.
the joke about maths is so true, even since I was a kid maths has changed and (I left school 9yrs ago) even I am confused. let me know how you are coping and what you think. this is a multi-chapter fic so enjoy