Part 6
Once they arrived home, Harm and Mac felt exhausted, having spent the day playing with all of their Godchildren, as well as the couple extra who had been present. Goodness only knew how Bud and Harriet felt, who had had to entertain the kids all day and would also have to get them bathed and in bed before they would get any rest.
"I don't know how Bud and Harriet do it," Harm told Mac, remembering how Harriet had eaten her own dinner in stops and starts so that she could also feed the twins.
"They're amazing," Mac nodded, "although the children are good kids. But just because they're well-behaved, it doesn't stop you from getting tired out, all the same."
They were asleep almost as soon as the light was turned off, that night.
OOOO
"I'm glad I won't be working on Monday," Mac commented, as she got dressed after having a shower, "Bud and Harriet weren't sure how long they'd be, tonight."
Mac had offered to baby-sit for Bud and Harriet because, of course, it was a Sunday night and everyone else had early starts, the next day. Bud and Harriet had a meeting with Tyler and Tiegan's social worker, so that arrangements could be made so that the children would have everything they needed for the coming week. Originally, the plan had been for them to be moved to a new foster home by Sunday, but no places could be found for them. So now, Bud and Harriet had insisted that the children remain with them for the rest of the week. They just had to make sure all preparations were made concerning the kid's timetable and possible needs.
"It's nice of you to do this for them," Harm wrapped his arms around his wife's waist from behind as she dressed.
"I'd never have said no…It's just a shame I'll be gone before Mattie comes home," Mac commented, "What time is Jen bringing her by?"
"Eight," Harm told her, "They're going to catch a movie before that."
"Tell her I'm sorry I had to go out," Mac instructed.
"She'll understand," Harm assured her, "She loves those kids as much as we do."
Mac nodded, then got together all of her things. She had to be at Bud and Harriet's house by six-thirty, so that they could be at their meeting at the school by seven-thirty. As much as she loved her Godchildren, she couldn't help but hope the meeting would not run on for long. If she was lucky, Mattie might still be awake by the time she got home. But it was unlikely, for Mattie was an early riser and was usually in bed pretty early as a result.
OOOO
"Mrs. Rabb?" Tiegan asked Mac, putting down her book, "Why does fire always burn faster when the windows are open?"
"I don't know, Tiegan…Why do you ask?" Mac commented.
"Well, my foster brother Robbie said that maybe we might not get a new house, because some of the windows upstairs were left open. He said it made the fire burn faster and that's why it couldn't be put out faster."
"Well, fire needs air to burn," Mac considered, "But I think that without it, the fire would have just shattered the glass in the windows anyway. I'm sure that there wasn't anything anybody could have done to stop your home burning down, Tiegan, it just happened…Do you understand what I mean?"
"You mean that it wasn't anybody's fault?" Tiegan asked.
"Yeah," Mac nodded, "I'm sure that things will be fine and then all of the children will be able to go to a new home with Nana Moon. There's no need for you to worry about it."
"Okay," Tiegan nodded and carried on reading.
They were all upstairs in AJ's bedroom, because Mac had first contemplated how she was going to bath them all, then realized that she'd likely have to do it two at a time. If she occupied the other children with books in the bedroom next to the bathroom, she could take two children and the twins into the bathroom, bath two, watch the twins, but still be near to the other children in case she was needed.
"Okay, AJ, Jimmy, would you two like to be first in the bath?" she asked, trying to sound confident that she knew what she was doing.
"Can I finish my story?" AJ asked, but Mac managed to convince him that it would still be there once they were done.
"Tiegan, Tyler?" Mac asked the other children, "Please could you two stay in here while I get AJ and Jimmy washed? I don't want to worry about what you could be getting up to while I get them ready for bed."
"We'll stay right here and be good," Tyler nodded, "Promise."
"Okay, if you need me, I'll just be next door with AJ, Jimmy and the twins."
Once the first pair was done, Mac took them back through to the bedroom. As she closed the bedroom door and made her way back to where the twins were secured in their car-seats, she gave thanks for the squeaky bedroom door that allowed her some peace of mind. At least she'd be able to keep an ear out for them, if not an eye on them.
"Alright, you two," she announced.
This time around, it was harder, because she had to support the babies in the tub, so they only went in one at a time. Finally, they were washed, dried, powdered, diapered and dressed and Mac was able to put them to bed for the night.
Then she went back into AJ's bedroom for the final two.