Phoebe sat up seconds after opening her eyes, usually she liked to lie in bed for a few minutes upon waking up, looking at the photographs on her wall. There were no photographs on the eggshell blue walls though. The toddler had no idea where she was but curiosity outweighed any fear or uncertainty, for the time being anyway.
Rolling onto her stomach the toddler carefully shuffled feet first off the edge of the bed, it was further to the floor than her bed at home but she managed well enough, grabbing Barney at the last possible moment. With her companion grasped firmly in her hand Phoebe turned around and surveyed the room.
The dressing table stood out because she thought it looked like something a princess would own, she wondered if she would be able to keep it. After tracing the carved leaves and vines and stroking the pale blue velvet of the seat the painting above the bed caught her eye. Phoebe stood transfixed, admiring the artwork which depicted wild horses running in a lush green field.
When she finally tore her eyes away she moved to the crib, hoping that her baby brother was awake too. If they were both awake their parents had no choice but to start the day.. The crib was empty though.
"Mama?" Phoebe whined uncertainly, realising she was alone in the strange room. As much as she liked the dressing table and horse painting she preferred being with her family
"Out here Phoebe" A reply came within seconds, her mother's quiet voice encouraging her through the partly open door.
"Mama" The toddler greeted, greatly relieved to see her mother seated on the couch, feeding her baby brother.
"Come on bub" Alex beckoned, helping the toddler up onto the couch and then onto her lap. Phoebe happily cuddled into her side, pressing her little face into the soft cotton of her father's shirt while reaching over to gently pat Asher's stomach at the same time.
"Who house 'dis?" Phoebe questioned a few moments later, having had the chance to look around the unfamiliar living room.
"Uh, it's not really a house. It's a cabin. People can pay to stay for a few nights when they go on holiday."
"Ooohhhh." Phoebe replied looking around the lounge from where she was on the couch with her mother.
"Where Dada?" Phoebe asked curiously, looking around the room as if she expected him to suddenly appear.
"He's sleeping in the other bedroom" Alex provided, patting Phoebe's leg a few times before kissing the top of her head.
"I love you Mama" She professed, squirming slightly as she turned to hug her mother properly.
"I love you too Phoebe" She replied, squeezing the toddler tightly and kissing her hair before releasing her completely. "Should we make some breakfast?" Alex questioned, confident she already knew the answer.
"Yeah!" Phoebe cheered, tossing Barney aside before climbing off the couch and rushing towards the kitchen.
"Just a minute Phoebe" Alex called softly after the eager toddler. Phoebe stopped in her tracks, turning to watch as her mother carefully sat Asher up and began to burp him. Reminded by her little brother Phoebe dashed off in the other direction, disappearing into the bedroom she returned a few moments later with Asher's blanket that was thrown over the edge of his crib.
"Ashie sleep. We foodies" Phoebe informed hurriedly as she threw the blanket to the floor.
"Okay" Alex agreed, walking to the bedroom Asher shared with his sister and laid him down in the crib, sure that he will be drifting off to sleep on a little while as his eyelids grew heavy. But halfway she stopped in her tracks and retrieved the portable mattress from the crib and set it down on the floor in the lounge, placing the blanker on top of it and laid Asher down, closing him with a crisp white blanket that once belonged to his sister. The layout of the cabin meant she could keep an eye on Asher from the kitchen, something she wished she could do at home.
"Dada is soooo hungry" The toddler told her mother animatedly as she grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the kitchen. Alex knew the toddler well enough to know that Phoebe was really saying she was hungry, making a big fuss as she gave the toddler the most important job of all: sitting on the bench, eating a banana and keeping her company while she prepared breakfast.
Ryan awoke to a wonderful aroma wafting into the cosy bedroom, bacon easily identifiable, enticing him from beneath the covers. Pulling on a shirt he exited the bedroom, stopping briefly in the bathroom before stepping out into the main living area.
His beautiful wife and talkative daughter had their backs to him, chatting over the sound of the sizzling skillet, so Asher saw him first. The one month old looking up at his father, and he couldn't resist to pick him up.
"Hey buddy" Ryan cooed softly as he scooped Asher up, pressing a kiss to the top of his head before touching their noses to each other. Turning him around in his arms he could feel that his diaper was wet, making a split second decision he headed back down the hall to change him before greeting the others.
Meanwhile Alex carefully tended the bacon and hash browns, both nearly cooked, warning the toddler not to touch anything before stepping away to find a plate in the unfamiliar cupboards. Between opening the second and third top cupboards to her left she glanced over into the living room, eyes darting back to the stack of plates before she had a chance to really process what she had seen.
Alex nearly dropped the plate she had selected as she looked back around, realising her baby was no longer on the rug. Carelessly slamming the plate down on the bench she stepped around the breakfast bar. Not even considering the possibility that her husband might have woken up and taken their baby, but immediately she assumed the worst. Which didn't make a lot of sense because where would someone come into a cabin and steal a baby when she was present a few feet away from him, but anything is possible when her mind is in overdrive.
"Asher?!" She half-shouted as she rushed from the kitchen, fearful she had failed to identify a potential hazard in the unfamiliar rooms.
"Mama!" Phoebe protested, her mother's shout drawing her attention just in time to see her disappear out of sight. The kitchen bench was too tall for her to get down from by herself, Phoebe feeling uncertain as she looked back to the stove and decided to stay put.
Alex urgently poked her head into the front bedroom before scanning the hallway for any sign of Asher, frowning when she realised the door at the end was open. "I've got her" Ryan announced, stepping into view at that exact moment with the baby in his arms. Asher had a fresh diaper on but nothing else, he had been about to redress him when he had heard his wife's panicked plea.
Alex let out a sigh, almost close enough to reach out and touch her baby when she remembered Phoebe was alone in the kitchen. Turning on the spot she suddenly raced in the other direction. "Phoebe! Don't touch" Alex ordered as she ran, images of Phoebe touching the hot skillet flashing through her head.
The toddler jumped slightly at the sound of her name from the hallway but continued to reach across anyway, fingertips barely making contact with the metal before her mother grabbed her roughly. "Ma!" Phoebe yelped as she was squeezed uncomfortably tightly to her mother's chest, seconds later another hand closed around her wrist, yanking her arm. "OW!" The toddler howled, causing both adults to loosen their hold on her.
"Shhh" Alex began soothing, kissing Phoebe's hair, she hoped the burn wasn't too bad.
"Where does it hurt Phoebe?" Ryan asked as he inspected her hand, not seeing any redness or indication of a burn.
"No! You hurtin' me!" Phoebe managed to communicate, tugging until he let go completely. "I no touch the hots! I turnin' them thing. All done, finish cooked" The toddler explained, pointing to the metal knobs that controlled the temperature, all in the off position.
"Oh" Alex gasped as she worked out what the two year old meant. "You turned it off?"
"Yep" Phoebe nodded, wriggling until her mother put her down on the bench.
"Thank you Pheebs" Ryan offered quickly, handing the baby to his wife before lifting the toddler from the bench. " But you shouldn't touch the stove. You can get hurt badly." Phoebe cuddled into his embrace, hiding her face for a moment as she calmed down after the shock they had all just had, for various reasons.
"I'm really sorry" Alex said to both of them, rubbing Phoebe's back as she looked into her husband's eyes apologetically. If she had kept a closer eye on Asher the whole series of events could have been avoided.
"Who doesn't like to start their morning with a little cardio?" Ryan joked, shaking his head to dismiss his wife's concerns before playfully sniffling at his daughter's ear. Once Phoebe started laughing neither adult could resist, both slightly giddy after the adrenaline rush. It only lasted a few moments, though the smiles remained on their faces as they tried to remember what they had been doing. "Smells good."
"We maked you BREKKIES!"
"Thank you!"
"Okay, inside voices please" Alex urged, moving away from the pair she tossed the burned toast into the bin and began to make more. "Why don't you figure out how we're going to eat" She requested, eyeing the tall stools at the breakfast bar. As much as she liked the cabin she wished there was a proper table and chairs.
"Hmm" Ryan hummed, picking up Phoebe so that she wasn't left near the hot stove he crossed to the sink. "Think this would do?" He asked, pulling the blinds open to reveal a huge solid wood table out on the back deck.
"Uh, yeah!" She agreed instantly, taking in the view of the glistening lake before focusing on the perfectly proportioned deck with its outdoor setting and classic white porch swing. "That's amazing."
"I'll take them out, you okay here?" He posed, setting his eldest down so he could take Asher from his mother.
"Mhmm" Alex acknowledged distractedly. Unable to tear her eyes away until her husband's chest momentarily pressed against her back, reaching past her to jab the button on the toaster before it burned again. "Thanks" She murmured and with one last look outside she busied herself serving their breakfast.
She suddenly couldn't wait to get the day started, imagining Phoebe splashing about in the water and then herself and her husband and Asher cuddling on the porch swing to watch the sunset.
A combination of disbelief and pure amazement dancing across Phoebe's face.
"PLAY!" The toddler shouted, spinning around so quickly that she overbalanced, landing on her backside in the shallow water.
Alex finished her coffee with a chuckle, the fact that Phoebe had just gotten her pyjamas wet barely even crossing her mind.
"Oops!" Phoebe giggled. While Ryan and Alex exchanged Asher as Alex moved to help the toddler up. The surprisingly warm water lapped at her toes and without thinking she scooped up the toddler and began to walk out into the water. "Mama!" Phoebe gasped, clinging tightly to her mother as they ventured further from the shore.
"What are you doing?" Ryan called after them uncertainly, his wife continuing to march into the water while Phoebe shrieked in anticipation. When Alex got to around 50 feet out and the water was still only sloshing at her knees she stopped and kept a firm grip on her daughter.
"Ahh!" Phoebe screamed joyously, suddenly up to her middle in tepid water.
"C'mon Dada!" Phoebe cheered, ducking down until only her head remained above water so that she could jump in excitement, splashing her mother in the process. Alex was so happy just to be there in that moment that she didn't mind at all.
"I love lake!" Phoebe sang excitedly, wading over to hug her father's legs. Where he stood with Asher in his arms. The baby looking across the sparkly water with big blue eyes not having seen something like this in his short lifetime.
"Give him to me" Alex urged, noting the look of indecision on Ryan's face as he decided not to bend down and greet Phoebe due to the baby in his arms. Alex walked towards him and took Asher wile Ryan walked towards Phoebe, telling her not to go any further.
"It nice!" Phoebe parroted happily, slapping at the water as she swung around her father's leg.
"Phoebe" Ryan warned with a shake of the head, still unconvinced. The toddler was having too much fun to take notice, continuing until her father bent down and grasped her hand. He timed the manoeuvre poorly though and was promptly splashed in the face.
"Oops" The two year old giggled, taking her mother's snigger as an assurance she wasn't going to get in trouble while Ryan managed to wipe her face with a part of his shirt that was still dry.
The sudden cheeky glint in her eyes caught her father's attention, distracting him from what her hands were doing. The toddler had cupped her hands in the water between their bodies, scooping as much as she could before throwing it up into his face.
"What?!" Ryan spluttered, tipping backwards in surprise he barely managed to break his fall with his hands. Immediately and instinctively reaching up to wipe the water from his face he didn't even process that his hands would be wet, essentially splashing himself again.
Meanwhile Phoebe was laughing so hard she barely managed to stay upright, water dripping from her chin since they had been so close her plan had backfired somewhat. When he'd dried his face on his mostly dry shirtsleeve, he cracked a smile too.
"You cheeky monster!" He accused as he seized the toddler, standing as he lifted her up over his shoulder. Not entirely sure what he was going to do to get her back he decided to start with tickling.
"DADDDAA" Phoebe screamed as she laughed, squirming as she tried to escape his hands.
"You'll get splashed if I drop you!" Ryan threatened playfully, making sure he had a good hold on the wet two year old before bending forward and pretending to let go.
"MAMA!" Phoebe shrieked, thinking she was falling for a split second.
"You started it" Alex reasoned, making eye contact with her husband and smiling broadly. Though it had been a completely spontaneous decision she couldn't have asked for a better outcome when she'd strode into the water.
Ryan continued to tease Phoebe for some time, at one point taking her by the ankles and dunking her into the water until her hair was wet. When he sensed the toddler was growing tired he sat her on his shoulders and tested how far from the shore he could walk. It turned out the gradual increase in depth remained mostly steady until suddenly going from mid-thigh to chest deep in a single stride.
Since the water was much cooler where the sun didn't reach the sandy bottom they didn't stay for long, returning to Alex and Asher in the warmer shallows. Alex had stripped off Asher's diaper, which had functioned as intended and absorbed as much water as possible, becoming quite the bulky mass. As she kept him in the shallow part of the warm lake water. Not willing to put on a fresh one as it was about bath time so they can get ready for the day.
"It not bath time Ashie!" Phoebe was quick to tell her little sister when she was set down next to her.
"Ashie's being a rudie-nudie" Alex informed, repositioning the baby on her shoulder so they can get dried off and go inside.
"Mama, my jammies are yucky" Phoebe admitted very quietly after a moment in thought.
"You can go bath then put on clothes." Ryan said assisting Phoebe in getting her pajamas off as they walked towards the bathroom. There was nobody else in sight and they were only little, it was perfectly acceptable for them to play without clothing. Alex walked inside to get them n=into the bath while Ryan cleaned the breakfast dishes from the porch.
The morning play seemed to tire them out, because it wasn't long before Phoebe was looking for Barney and her pascifier, the two ingredients needed whenever she wants to take a nap. Ryan took this time to go take a shower himself while Alex got Asher down to take a nap with Phoebe. Taking a long bath herself before joining her husband on the porch they left a few hours ago.
With damp hair hanging over her shoulders she took a seat opposite him, and somehow they could feel the atmosphere change from the fun they've had a few hours ago to a real grown up conversation that couldn't be delayed any longer.
"How bad is it?" Alex dropped the bomb without beating around the bush.
"We're gonna need to cut down on a lot. At least until we get the mortgage up to date. Then we can worry about the rest." Ryan said looking at her as he slid a few envenlopes across the table that she should have a look at.
Alex takes it and looks at the four amounts in each envelope that is due. "Why didn't you show this to me earlier? Ryan this is from two months ago."
"Do you really think this would be something I wanted to bother you with right after you came out of hospital with the scary birth we had with Asher?"
Alex ran a hand through her hair and kept looking at the amounts that didn't seem to change. "Selling my car is not going to be enough to cover all of this, it'll cover one out of the four. I cant take on working over time even if I wanted to."
"I can sign up to teach classes at Quantico on the weeke…"
…"And when will you spend time with the kids if you do that? You're already working late nights and come home when it's bed time."
"Alex, I am trying to think of solutions here. You shooting it down from the get go isn't helping much." Ryan said frustrated. "What do you want me to do, go tell my family that we're in debt and ask them for handouts?"
"I never said that's what you should do!"
"You have no idea how guilty I already feel for getting us into this mess and now I can't seem to find a way out of it. And honestly Alex you're not making this any easier on me either." Ryan admitted looking at her.
"Ryan, it's not my intention to make you feel worse I just want you to be practical about this. You cannot work yourself to death by trying to provide for us, and miss the kids grow up."
Ryan shook his head not agreeing with her take on this. "So you'd want us to starve, or ask for handouts or loose the house because of pride or missing Asher's first steps."
"Oh my god just stop! You're a good one to talk about pride when you refuse to ask your family for help. When you've helped them out numerous times!" Alex exploded not liking where this is going
"Now you're crossing the line Alexandra Booth." Ryan said anger bubbling on the surface.
Hey guys. Some action as always. I will update and take this further in the next chapter. Enjoy this one and let me know what you think.
Lovies-S
