Disclaimer: I own Lucy, Jude, and Sadie, but that's it.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Congratulations Imzadi, gidgetgirl, and Alia, you didn't answer, but it wouldn't have been fair if you had, you silly llama! Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and enjoy this chapter! Oh, and Imzadi, Sadie comes from Sexy Sadie, which John called a one of the monks at the meditation retreat they took after 'Magic Mystery Tour' topped the charts. Just a little Beatles history. By the way, Lily, I did the Beatles stuff just for you, so, you better get back from camp soon, or else. . .I'll have to chuck rotten cabbage and bad remakes of old movies at you!
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Sitting Jude down in the plush chair in his office, Wesley watched as Lilah closed the door, and then rounded on his son in his calm, yet angry way.
"Jude! What were you thinking?"
"You are in big trouble, you know that? Hm? Do you? I had everything planned out, and now, you've ruined it, Jude!"
Turning to Lilah, and shocked at how quickly her feelings for Jude could change, Wesley scowled at her.
"You really shouldn't talk to him like that, I mean, you could ruin his self-esteem, Lilah."
"Oh, thank you, Doctor Phil, but don't tell me how to raise my son."
"Your son? Our son! You know, this is exactly why you don't deserve joint custody."
"Oh, while we're at it. . ."
Pulling some papers out of her purse, Lilah pinned them to Wesley's chest.
". . .why don't you just go ahead and put us out of our misery, Wes!"
"This is why I did it!"
Both stopped and looked at Jude, who was now on his feet, tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Just stop fighting!"
Running out of his father's office and up the stairs to his bedroom, Jude slammed the door. Coming out into the hall, Wesley and Lilah saw that Lucy and Sadie were looking up at them with worry, but then quickly ran in the opposite direction of Jude.
Sighing, Wesley put the papers down, and turned to Lilah.
"Listen, we're only stuck under this roof until I can get a repair truck out here tomorrow morning. Now, until then, I think we should try to get along, don't you? I mean, for the kids' sake."
"Yeah, whatever. Go talk to Jude, I'll take Lucy and Sadie."
Walking away from him, Lilah rounded walked down the hall, after her girls, though she couldn't shake the feeling that he was looking at her ass. Turning at the end of the corridor, she saw his eyes quickly flick up to her face.
"Honestly, Wes, don't look at what's not yours."
"Anymore."
Smiling his smug smile that used to make her want to have sex with him all night long, but, now, only makes her annoyed. Watching her disappear around the corner, Wesley lets his smile fade, and walked upstairs to his son's room, opening the door, and instantly spotting Jude laying on his bed, his face pressed into the blue covers to muffle sobs.
Sighing and sitting down next to him, rubbing his back, Wesley tried to comfort him.
"Jude, listen, I know you might not think it, but Mummy and Daddy have to get a divorce, it's what's best, you know? I mean, we can't be arguing in front of you kids all the time. We love you more than to subject. . .to put you through that, you know? Do you understand?"
Shaking his head into his blankets, Jude looked up at his father with tearful eyes.
"Why can't you and Mummy live together?"
Pulling the boy into his lap, Wesley wrapped his arms around him, and put on a thoughtful face.
"Well. . ."
Tired of hearing his parents come up with stupid excuses, Jude pushed away from his father, and ran downstairs to the kitchen. Sighing, for the hundredth time that night, Wesley hoped Lilah was having better luck with their little girls.
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Downstairs, Lilah was having more luck with Lucy and Sadie. Brushing their hair, she was explaining how their father and her relationship worked, without all the sex and alcohol.
"Well, you see, Daddy and I, we just aren't meant for one another, we thought we were, but we're not. Now, that doesn't mean we don't love you guys and Jude, that just means we don't love each other, and would really like not to live in the same house."
"But what about us?"
"Well, Lucy, we don't always get what we want, and you can still see Daddy and I."
"Not at the same time!"
"No, not at the same time, but, look at it this way, you get to see more of us at different times, and hey, you get two of every holiday. Daddy buys you presents, and Mommy buys you presents. Doesn't that make you happy?"
Letting her smile fall as both girls shook their heads, Lilah tried to come up with something to make it all better.
"Uh. . ."
Just then, the door to the lounge opened, and Jude came in, marching with his bottom lip sticking out. He approached them, and took Lucy and Sadie's hands, then pulled them out of the room. Lilah stood, and watched them disappear down into the basement, and close the door.
Wesley joined her a moment later, standing next to her, and folding his arms.
"Well, looks like a family meeting's in order, without the parents."
"Remember how they used to. . .never mind. I'll be in the guest room if you need me."
Marching upstairs, Wesley watched after her, and then turned his head towards the basement door. What could his children possibly be talking about down there?
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Downstairs, Jude was sitting in-between Lucy and Sadie on the stone floor of the basement. Sadie had a sketch pad and markers lying next to her on the floor so she could communicate with her brother and sister.
"Lucy, Mummy and Daddy are going to be separated, forever!"
"Forever?"
"Uh-huh."
"They're getting a divorce?"
"Yeah, that's what Mummy said."
"No, this can't happen!"
"Well, we're not gonna let it!"
Staring at her little brother for a moment, Lucy smiled, Jude always had plans, whether they be of malicious or good intentions, and right now, she could see one forming in his little brain.
"What are you thinking?"
"Well, we have to get Mummy and Daddy to like one another again."
"Yeah, but. . ."
"Let me finish, butt-head!"
"What does Mummy like most that Daddy used to do?"
Sadie smiled and drew something that resembled a lime green daisy on her sketch pad.
"Flowers?"
The little girl nodded, and smiled a toothy grin.
"I don't think flowers, alone, could save this."
"Well, maybe they need to spend some time together."
"Yeah, right Jude. You're little and stupid so you don't see it, but Mummy and Daddy aren't going to spend time together."
"I'm not stupid!"
"Yes, you are!"
Drawing a hose on her sketch pad, Sadie put on a pout. Their mummy always used to spray Jude and Lucy with a house when they would fight on family vacations to the lake in Southampton.
"Sadie's right, fighting's not helping, but Mummy and Daddy aren't going to spend time together."
Sitting in silence for a moment, the youngest two were startled when their older sister stood and ran to the end of the room, and took a stone out of the floor.
Coming back to them, they discovered she had a key.
"So?"
"Well, what if Mummy and Daddy had to spend time together, like, they were stuck together."
"Stuck where?"
"How about down here?"
The youngest two smiled to their oldest sister. Lucy was on to something. If they were stuck together and couldn't get out, they'd have to talk.
"But how?"
"Well. . ."
The two smiled as Lucy divulged her plan. This was going to work, and in no time, Mummy would be moving back in.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Did you really think I was going to tell you the whole plan? No way! Anyway, you'll have to read the next chapter for that, and believe me, you don't wanna miss it, cause there's wine, cigars, and peanut-butter and marshmallow sandwiches. Oh my! Imzadi, I figured having a well-to-do job at Wolfram and Hart could really get you some cash, so, that's why Wes is rich. I mean, look at how many cars Angel had!