Chapter 27
"So how much do I owe you for this week?" Sean asked Ellie on a hot summer afternoon, as his kids left the house, running for the van. It was two years later. The quadruplets were 11 now, and Sean had decided that when they were thirteen, they would be old enough to watch themselves. "Just twenty dollars this time," she insisted. "Your children were little angels this week." Sean grinned, pausing to take the money out of his wallet. "I wish I could get them to be that well behaved at home," he commented, handing over the twenty dollar bill. "I really should give you more," he pondered, looking at the lowly amount he'd just given her. But Ellie insisted, shaking her head. "The school year is going to start up again, and the kids are going to need new clothes," she told him. "Save the money and put it towards a clothing fund. And take them out for ice cream," she requested, handing him back the twenty. "During the summer, I'll watch them free of charge," she insisted. "They're really no problem at all." Sean smiled. "All right," he said. "But you, Keith, and your kids have to come with us."
"Well, Keith's working today," Ellie said. "But the kids and I can go." Sean grinned. He pointed with his finger to the minivan. "Hop right in," he told her. Ellie smiled and nodded. "Just let me get the kids," she said, walking back into the house. A few moments later, Ellie came outside with Colten, Tyler, Brittani, and Allison gathered around her. "I think we're set," she said. Sean nodded and they got in the car and drove off in the direction of a Dairy Queen.
They all stood outside, peering up at the menu sign. Colten tugged at his mother's shirt sleeve. "I want a Rocket Pop!" he told her, pointing at the picture of the red, white, and blue Popsicle. As they placed their rather large order, the employee looked pained, but got everything correct. Soon enough, they were all sitting around a picnic table. As they ate their icy treats, they talked- a lot. And when they were all finished, Sean drove Ellie and the kids' home- just in time to find Keith standing at the door without family in sight. Ellie hesitantly got out of the van and walked up the driveway with the four children. She took her pint of Chocolate Vanilla Swirl ice cream that Sean had got for her husband and handed it to him.
Sean drove off with his remaining six children. Back at home, He began to barbecue some hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill for dinner. The children ran off to play, or whatever it was that they did when their father wasn't watching them closely enough. Then he had an idea. Ellie and Keith were both home now, and the whole family could come over for a barbecue. He reached for the phone and dialed.
"Sorry, we're busy tonight," Keith said in a husky voice. Sean heard Ellie take the phone from him. "No, we're not, and we'll be over shortly," she said, glaring at her husband. Sean smiled happily on the other end of the line and then hung up. But little did he know of what was going on after that phone call at Ellie's house.
"I thought you said you weren't still hung up on him," Keith growled. Ellie shook her head, deeply frightened. "I…I'm not," she sputtered, hoping he wouldn't hit her in front of the children. No such luck. Keith's arm rose up and he smacked Ellie's left cheek- hard. The children gasped. Ellie's hand rose up instinctively to where her face stung with pain. The kids ran outside, scared and unsure of what their father would do next.
"You are never, and I repeat never going to do that again," Ellie insisted. "I'm not putting up with it anymore. We're leaving…tonight. I refuse to sit around here and be hit day by day by some obnoxious pig who thinks that he can control women. The kids and I will find a hotel some place tonight. But I cannot stay here, letting myself as well as my children live in fear. We're packing and leaving. We don't deserve the way you treat any of us." Then she paused, calling her children inside. The four kids and Ellie went upstairs to pack their bags, leaving a very bewildered Keith standing in the living room. What had just happened here?
Once upstairs, Ellie took out her cell phone, and dialed Sean's number quickly. "Sean…I need your help," she exclaimed urgently. She explained about the scene that had happened downstairs and then hung up after he'd promised to be there in ten minutes.
Back at the Cameron household, Sean put down the receiver, and then he put out the barbecue that was just starting to cook. "Come on kids," he called. "Dinner has been postponed. Your father has to go and be a hero." Without any questioning, the six kids went to the bathroom and loaded up into the van once more. Sean half drove, half sped down the street and around the blocks to the Ackerman home. "Stay in the car," he instructed the kids as he pulled to a grinding halt and walked through the already open front door.
Once inside, Sean found Keith sitting in an armchair with his head in his hands. "I screwed up so badly," he said sobbing, thinking that he was talking to himself. "You aren't kidding," Sean commented, beating up Keith until he was unconscious. "You have no right to treat women the way you treated Ellie," Sean said through the silent room. Then he rushed upstairs to see where Ellie and the kids were hiding.
As he approached the top level of the house, Sean looked in amazement at what he saw before his very eyes. Suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, garbage bags, and plastic bags lined the floor. Ellie peered up at him. "He's unconscious for now," he told her, bending down to help them get packed more quickly.
"Mommy, I want to take my stuffed animals with me," said five-year old Brittani. Sean gazed over at the little girl who reminded him so much of Melanie. "Don't worry, all your little friends are coming with you." He promised the child. Brittani's face brightened and Ellie pulled him aside. "How can you tell her that?" she hissed. "We've used up just about every bag in the house!" Sean shook his head. "I'll be right back," he said. "Just you watch this."
A few minutes later, Sean returned in the children's bedrooms. "Look outside," he told the little girl, placing his arm around her. Brittani looked out of her bedroom window with curiosity. Then, with a blank stare, she looked back up at Sean. "What?" she asked. Sean chuckled slightly. "It's the animal rescue mission," he explained to her. He picked up a stuffed bunny. "Here," he said, handing the five year old her toy. "Throw it down and see what happens." Reluctantly, Brittani obeyed, and as the bunny flew out the window, Ashley caught it from below, and the stuffed animal was passed down an assembly line, until Melanie proceeded to put the toy in the backseat of the van.
"Neat!" Brittani said, immediately enthused. Suddenly unafraid, she began tossing all of her animal friends out of her bedroom window, as Ashley expertly caught them all from below. When Sean gave his daughter the thumbs up, she knew that no more creatures were going to come cascading down from the window ledge. Soon, Ellie, the kids, and all of their belongings were packed, out of the house, and into the vehicle.
"I'll just go and check into that motel over there," Ellie said, looking out the car window and pointing to a Super 8 Motel. Sean shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous, you and the kids are coming with me," he insisted. Ellie hesitated before agreeing. "Well…all right," she finally agreed, looking back at her now asleep children. Sean pulled into the driveway, careful not to wake them up.
"Ashley and Juliana will just have to share a room again," Sean concluded, looking around at the lack of bedrooms once he walked through the front door. "Melanie and Brittani can share a room, Brandon and Garrett can share a room, Logan and Tyler will share a room, and Colten can have one. Colten will have the guest room." Ellie still looked doubtful, but somewhat reassured. "All right," she said, throwing her hands up in the air at Sean's insistence. "Let's get to work moving beds around."
Everyone instantly began helping moving things around. Every closet and set of drawers was being promptly filled with tons of clothing, so much that they almost didn't close. But they were making due. Then Sean realized that Logan was huddling over in the corner, on his bed, one that didn't have to be moved. "What's wrong?" he asked gently. Logan looked away from him.
Sean took a deep breath. "What is it, Logan?" he asked once more. "Please, just let me help you." Logan took a deep breath. "You told me that you weren't going to marry Ellie," he insisted. Sean shook his head. "I'm not going to," he said. "What ever would give you that idea?" Logan turned away from his father. "Because she's living here right now," he said, casting his eyes downwards towards the floor.
Sean wrapped his arms around Logan. "Buddy, I'm not marrying her. Ellie was in some trouble, and I didn't want her to be scared for the rest of her life. Wouldn't you like it if everyone was happy?" Logan hesitated and then nodded. "Okay," he whispered. "I want her to feel happy. I don't mind if she stays here." Sean sent a warm smile his way. That was a pretty generous offer coming from an eight-year old boy.
"Hey Tyler, let me help you with that," Logan said, jumping up to assist the other eight-year old boy in the house. Tyler looked up and smiled. "Thanks," he said shyly. Sean smiled at his son's offers and turned back to Ellie. "It's going to take some getting used to," he commented. "But if we really work hard at this, I think it's going to be all right." Ellie smiled back at her old ex boyfriend. As Sean gazed into her eyes, he gasped. His heart jumped into his throat. He was falling for her- again!
Chapter 28
"So do you think we can all get along?" Sean questioned, looking around the table. Everyone looked up from their delicious barbecue for one second and nodded, returning to their meals. Sean laughed slightly. "I think it's going to be okay," he said, observing how well the children were getting along all ready. Ellie nodded.
"So let's see…" Sean said, his voice trailing off as he tried to make conversation. "Ashley, Juliana, Brandon, and Garrett are 11, Melanie and Brittani are 5, Logan and Tyler are 8, Colten is 7, and Allison is 3." Ellie nodded. "Good, I've got that right then," he said. Everyone helped clear the dishes from the picnic bench outside.
That night, as suspected, things didn't go quite as well as planned. The first one to arise from bed was Melanie, around 11:00. She came softly down the stairs, careful not to wake her other siblings. She spotted her father and curled up in his lap. "What is it, sweetie?" Sean asked, holding his daughter close to his chest protectively. "I don't like this," she told her father. "There are too many people in the house, and too many new noises. I want Mommy back. I miss her." Sean sighed and Ellie looked at the little girl sympathetically. "Hey, I have an idea," she said suddenly, getting up from her place on the couch. She walked over to the end table and picked up a giant photo album. Sean took the hint.
"Honey, would you like to look at some pictures of Mommy?" he asked, stroking the soft blonde hair. Melanie nodded, brushing some stray hairs out of her honey colored eyes. As they started going through the album of everlasting memories, four more of the kids awoke periodically, joining Sean and Ellie on the couch to gaze at pictures of Sean's beloved Emma.
Around one o' clock in the morning, the children were nestled back in their beds. It was a good thing that no one had school the next day. Sean sighed as he took his place on the couch. He'd given his bed up for Ellie. Remembering Emma was very important and special to the children. It gave them an idea of what their mother used to be like. Very slowly, pieces of Sean's life were being put back together. But his heart would never be completely mended.
Chapter 29
Some months later, it was Christmastime in the Cameron household. "Who wants to help with the Christmas tree?" Ellie asked, awaiting the children's answers. Here she was, supposed to be receiving help from Sean and she'd been living in his house now with his and her kids for almost five and a half months. "I want to! I wanna do it!" Ashley, Garrett, Melanie, and Brandon replied, along with the rest of the children. Sean laughed. "I think we've got ourselves a real tree trimming party here," he commented. For the next hour, ornaments were being hung on the tree.
"Who's going to help me with cookies?" Ellie asked, watching Sean carefully as he placed the star at the top of the tree. Sean came back down the ladder, pulling a face. "Yikes, baking…girly stuff!" he said teasingly. "Count me out," he told her. He placed a small kiss on Ellie's lips. He was sure by now that the kids were becoming suspicious. This sort of activity had been going on awhile lately. Ashley and Juliana accepted Ellie's invitation, staring at the sight of Sean and Ellie together, their eyes shining happily. "All right girls, let's get to it," she told them, looking a bit flustered. The girls nodded, still mesmerized, walking into the kitchen.
"Now!" Sean told the rest of the children. "Let's go upstairs and wrap up Ellie's gift!" The kids nodded, following him curiously up the stairs. Sean opened the closet door, revealing a beautiful present- a diamond banded ring. The children ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the diamond's presence; clearly amazed and happy for Sean. Even Logan had gotten accustomed to Ellie living with the rest of the family. They quickly wrapped it up, along with Ellie's other presents, and stuck it back in the closet. They all smiled at one another. The kids knew that this was going to be one Christmas that no one would ever forget.
The rest of the girls in the family went into the kitchen to join Ellie and the older children to help with the baking. Of the females, only Melanie remained sitting on the couch, looking a bit down. Sean sighed and went over to her, bending down to child's level. "What's bugging you, sweet pea?" he asked curiously. Melanie turned her face away from him, crying into the couch cushion. "I don't want to make Christmas cookies with Ellie!" she exclaimed, whining and protesting a bit. "Mommy used to make them just fine. I don't want someone else making her cookies! Those were special!" The little girl continued to sob violently. Sean wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Your Mommy would be very proud of you if you went into the kitchen and helped Ellie," Sean said, reassuring her. "All Mommy ever wanted was for you to be happy. She wanted our whole family to be happy, with or without her. You haven't lost her completely, you know. She's still with us," he pointed out. He traced the outline of her heart with his finger, careful not to hurt the small child. "She'll always be in here," he whispered, getting teary-eyed himself. Melanie sniffled and regained her composure. "All right," she replied sullenly, looking down at the floor, ashamed at the scene she'd just made. "I'll go help make the cookies. But you've got to come with me." Sean nodded, following his five-year old into the kitchen and putting on an apron.
When Ellie caught a glimpse of him, she burst out with laughter. "What's so funny?" Sean questioned, casting Ellie a dirty glance across the kitchen counter. Ellie tried desperately to cover up the laughter that was exploding from her, but she couldn't help it. "I…I've never seen you in an apron before…let alone an apron like that!" she proclaimed, still laughing, but trying regain her composure. Sean sent another smug yet dirty look her way, and then stared down at the apron that was tied around his waist. "I happen to think it's quite stunning," he remarked, ignoring the fact that the words "Kiss The Cook" were written in manuscript across the piece of clothing.
Now you guys had better go run along and write a letter to Santa before you go to sleep," Sean instructed. The kids nodded anxiously, wiping their hands free of flower and rushing upstairs to compose a heartfelt message for the jolly old man. Sean smiled warmly at Ellie. He wrapped his arm around her middle, kissing her lightly at first, and then the sweet kisses becoming more tender as well as urgent. Ellie pulled away quickly. "Not now!" she hissed, somewhat exaggerated. "We've got to wait until the ten little elves are all snug in their beds, with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads!" Sean laughed. "Aww…" he pretended to whine like one of the children. Ellie saw the kids coming back down the stairs out of the corner of her eye. "That's right, Sean Cameron!" she piped up. "You go upstairs and go right to sleep or else Santa won't bring you anything. Be like a good boy now, and…march!" she exclaimed, mocking the way she punished the children when they complained about doing something. Sean grinned at her, shaking his head. "I'll be waiting," he mouthed as he backed up to walk to the second level of the Cameron household. Ellie nodded, and her grin became even wider.
"All right kids, don't make me send you off to bed like that, now," she said. "Be good little children and move yourselves up those stairs. The sooner you fall asleep; I can guarantee you, the sooner Santa will come." The kids did as they were told. After hearing the last pitter-pattering of footsteps upstairs, Ellie put the presents under the Christmas tree and retreated upstairs to be with Sean.
Chapter 30
The next morning, Sean and Ellie were rudely awoken by ten extremely excited kids. They knew that Santa had come to pay them a visit. So around six thirty in the morning, they found ten children jumping up and down in their room. "Daddy, it's time to wake up!" Melanie enthused, shaking her father's arm. Sean grunted and rolled over to face his small daughter. He groaned loudly, but he was smiling. Ellie stirred at his side, mumbling, "Those kids are never allowed to drink coffee…even when they're closer to our age!" Sean laughed, wiping the sleepiness out of his eyes and rolling out of bed. "Christmas only comes once a year," he reminded Ellie. "I think we can spare one day of sleeping in." Ellie struggled, but finally, she too arose from bed. The whole family padded down the stairs in their slippers to come face to face with the huge Christmas tree, and at the trunk of it, presents covered plenty of the living room floor.
They all gathered around the tree, finding what little space was left on the floor, and sitting down around the mountains of gifts. This year, instead of the usual eight piles of gifts, there were twelve piles, waiting to be opened. Sean glanced, seeing the children's faces bright and happy, and their eyes sparkling with joy. "Ellie has to open her gifts last!" Sean piped up. When Ellie leaned forward and punched him lightly on the arm, he shot her a smug look. "It'll be worth waiting for, trust me," he reassured her. Ellie just smiled, and held his hand tightly.
Both Sean and Ellie watched delightedly as the children tore the wrapping off of their gifts, from the two of them, and from Santa Claus. The last thing that each of Sean's children had opened were giant albums, each personalized for a specific member of the family. As they opened the books and leafed through the pages, pictures seemed to jump off of the pages…they were of Emma, their mother. All at once, the children started smiling, although their eyes quickly started filling with tears. Everyone reminisced and when their eyes were dried, Sean put his arm around Ellie lovingly. "Ellie, I think you should open your Christmas present now," he told her, pushing the gift towards her and insisting that she graciously accept it.
Ellie's eyes were shining with a mixture of happiness and tears as she tore off the gift wrapping of the small, delicate box. Sean then proceeded to take the box from her. Holding it in his hand, he bent over so that he was on one knee. "Ellie…I love you…with all my heart, and I love all of these children as if they were my own. Please…will you…would you marry me?" he stuttered, anxiously stumbling over his words. Ellie began to bawl and covered her mouth in surprise. Brittani tugged at her mother's waist. "Tell him yes, Mommy," she whispered. "I want a Daddy that won't hurt us anymore." Ellie grinned through her tears and nodded. "Yes…" she said, hesitating only for a moment. "I will marry you!" All the kids became excited, and lots of warm embraces were given Ellie and Sean's way.
"Well, this has turned out to be an interesting Christmas already," Ellie commented, wiping her eyes free of tears. Sean nodded and the kids laughed, dancing happily around the woman who was already like a mother to them. Sean gave Ellie a light kiss on the lips before they all went into the dining room to have a small breakfast.