"Mama, can I read with you?" Evian asks later that afternoon while I'm trying to get Angelina to calm down.
"After the twins are asleep." I promise. Sebastian and I have been reading to our children since they were 's convinced that they'll grow up loving Shakespeare's plays. I've watched them while he's reading and it only holds their interest for the first two or three pages. They sit still not wanting to"make him sad"as they say.
"Is baby Angel sad again?" He moves closer to get a better look at his sister.
"Yes Evian. She's having a difficult day."
"Poor baby Angel. You are loved, you should not be sad. Babies are good things and you are a baby so you are good. Please be happy." He carefully kissed the top of her head. I don't know how my children got to be so close and loving with each other, Sebastian and his brother fight all the time and I never had any siblings. Maybe that's why I don't understand.I'm not complaining, they have their days when they fight or argue but Sebastian says it's normal.
"Mommy!" I hear Vincent scream as he runs to me.
"What's wrong?" I ask I try not to sound too worried and scare him.
"Rowan bit me!" He sobbed holding out his arm. I can clearly see the bite mark and the small dot of blood where his tooth broke the skin.
"Rowan, come here now." I call, I know he's hiding in the hallway, he does that when he knows he's in trouble. I lay Angelina in her cradle and sit Vincent down to take care of his arm.
Rowan enters slowly with his head down.
"Over here, in front of me." I tell him. Evian moves to comfort Vincent.
"yes Mum?"
"Did you bite your brother?" He doesn't reply.
"Rowan Daniel, do you hear me talking to you?" He nods without looking up.
"when I talk to you, you look at me and when I ask a question you answer. Did you bite your brother?" I ask again more sternly.
"Yes. But he tried to take Lovey, he said he would let the puppy way him." I sigh.
"Vincent, are you being mean to Rowan?"
"He said that I am not allowed to have a cupcake after dinner."
"Vincent, Rowan, your father and I told you about fighting. If you have a problem with each other, what do you do?"
"come to you or dad." They both answer.
"That's right, because you both had a hard time following the rules, you both need to go to your rooms, I'll call you when you can come down.
They turn and begin their walk to the stairs.
"Baby."
"Brother biter." I hear them hiss.
"Silently, don't make me come over there!" I shout back and they become quiet.
"Mama, will you read with me now?" Evian holds out the book to me. I glance over at my now sleeping daughter. I take the book and begin to read, it's the kitten story, they take after Sebastian a bit when it comes to cats.
So much so that I allowed Rachel to keep one she and Sebastian adore the thing she's named"kitty"I am not exactly thrilled with the idea but sometimes being a mother means that you have to put your children's wants before your comfort.
There's a lot that needs sacrificed for them but I don't mind. I love my children above anything else. After reading the short story, I call Vincent and Rowan back. They stand in front of me with their heads down.
"Do you understand why I sent you to your rooms? I ask sternly.
"Because I bit brother Vincent and that was very bad." Rowan replied.
" I was mean to Brother Rowan."
"That's right, it's important to your father and I that our children get along. Vincent, Rowan is younger than you,you should be setting a good example for him. Trying to take his things isn't nice at all. Rowan, do you understand that biting your siblings won't do you any good, it only gets you into trouble?"
"Yes mum."
"Good, now turn to each other." I watch as the boys follow my instruction.
"Tell each other you're sorry."
"sorry brother." The boys say in unison. Rowan reaches out to Vincent ,pulling him into a hug.
"It's okay brother. I forgive you."Rowan said.
"I forgive you too." The children turn to me.
"Mum, we are sorry, will you still love us both?" I hold out my arms and hold them close.
"I'll never stop loving you, you just have to try to be nicer to each other. It makes me sad to see you not getting along." I explain gently.
"we don't mean to make you feel sad, we will be good." Vincent promises as he grabs onto my jacket and lays his head on my shoulder. The children seem to find comfort in doing this.
"I know you don't." Rowan looks at me.
"How can you know?" He asks. I smile and kiss the top of his head.
"Because I'm your mother,mothers know these things."
"All the time?"
"Yes Rowan, even if you don't say it, I'd know." He grabs my jacket as well, resting his head on my other shoulder.
"I love you Mum." He says.
"I love you too Rowan. Very much."
"me too mommy, I love you." Vincent cries, he holds on tighter and I know he feels a little left out.
"I love you very much Vincent. You are my favorite Vincent in the whole world." He raises his head and smiles.
"You make my heart happy mommy." He says as mine , sometimes my children fight and at times it can be difficult, but i love them more than i ever thought i possibly could.
it's in moments like these that I know how lucky I am to have this life. I would do anything for my children, i would die for them in a heartbeat. Each one is a precious gift.
"Mama?"
"Yes Evian?" He joins the hug.
"I love you too, you are the best Mama ever.
"And i love you Evian." Sebastian looks on from the doorway, a smile quickly forms on his face.
In our contract days, i never would have thought that he could feel as much love as he shows us, we were both different a mother changed me, it wasn't an easy adjustment to make, but i wouldn't want my life any other way.