Friday soon ended and Saturday was now here. The night was upon them and Summer was busy up in the twins' room packing an overnight bag for when the kids spent the night over their grandparents house.
"Okay, we have their pajamas, toothbrushes, clothes for tomorrow, some toys, snacks, the books they need to be read before going to sleep…what else am I missing?" She walked to the boys' closet and knew nothing in there was of any use and started rummaging around their room incase she left something of importance behind.
The boys ran in, wearing similar shirts minus the different colors, and quickly noticed what their mother had forgotten.
"Mommy, you forgot Jordan!" Brady quickly grabbed his favorite teddy bear, the bear that his parents gave him the day, he was born. It was tattered and worn but he wouldn't go to a sleepover with out it. Holding it proudly in his arm he slammed it down on the suitcase giving his mother an annoyed look.
"And mommy…. what about my blanket." Zachary held his blue, white and green blanket in his hands after revealing it from underneath his pillow. His tattered blanket was also a gift except this gift was giving by Seth's parents.
"How silly. Where's mommy's head today?" She laughed as she grabbed the boy's things and shook her head. She knew where her head was today, filled with what wonderful things could happen tonight. "You both are packed. Grab your bags and I'll meet you both downstairs.
The boys were fraternal twins but it was uncanny how both parents had brown hair yet all three of the kids had sun blond. None of them really looked alike, though each had similar characteristics. The boys grabbed their backpacks identified with their names on the back and walked downstairs where they were greeted by their father and all three engaged in a game of 'Go Fish' while waiting for the female members of their family.
Summer walked down the hall and knocked on her daughter's door where she soon entered curious of what Caitlin was up to.
"Hi…. are you almost ready? Grandma and grandpa will be here soon and –" She stepped in slowly as though she was in forbidden territory and was cautious as she did.
Caitlin refused to talk and continued packing away trying to keep her mind busy which would alleviate the need to talk.
"Cait, don't do this. I don't like fighting with you and you know you the rules about being grounded and refused to stay home and that your father and I had every right to punish you." Summer sat at the end of her daughter's bed, her stomach in knots, as the silence was killing her.
"Mom, I don't care. I don't care about any of this and I don't care to talk with you, or dad and discuss how horrible I made, and am still making your life. Along with the fact that I'm the reason why there's so much fighting and so many problems in this house. I know that I ruined everything, and it's fine with me because you can't always have the perfect family. And in three years I'll be out of this house and you'll have your wonderful twins who will never cause any trouble and live happy…. with out me." She zipped up the side of her bag and gave her mom a shoulder shrug as she exited her room, leaving Summer sitting at the end of the bed feeling awful.
"Grandma!" The twins said in unison as they both laid their piles of cards on the coffee table while Seth followed after the boys.
"Brady! Zack…my favorite little grandsons." Kirsten bent down, a gift bag on her shoulder, which slid as she hugged the twins.
"Look what we have…." A huge smile on her face as she continued squatting down to the boys level and bringing the gift back into view.
"So son, how's life been treating you? We live only twenty minutes away – give your parents a call once in awhile. Ryan calls at least every weekend." Sandy patted Seth's back as both watched the kids marvel at their gifts.
"I know, I know but I haven't called Ryan in probably two weeks so don't feel bad about it. School's started back up and Cait's in high school. I'm readjusting to being back in school and out of summer mode. Along with the fact that the boys started kindergarten, so yes, our lives have been a little busy lately."
"And how has Caitlin been lately? Summer's said she's been quite a handful."
"Yeah, you'd be right. I don't ever remember being this bad as a teenager though I really didn't do much to cause damage. She's a smart mouth, the kids are always fighting and she's been grounded for the past two weeks, which of course she doesn't care about. But other then that, no…she's been wonderful." Seth laughed sarcastically as he quirked a smile and Sandy stood next to him shaking his head in awe about how happy their grandchildren made them, especially how wonderful Kirsten was with them.
"No son, we were lucky with you. You barely caused any trouble and when you did, it was something minor. Actually we were pretty lucky with both you and Ryan, except for some occasional incidents, you both were good kids. I bet it's different with girls." He lowered the last part knowing Kirsten would soon chime in with some sort of prejudice against girls. Though she did hear it she just gave Sandy a look but continued with the kids.
The boys pulled out of their gift bags a couple items of clothes that Kirsten made sure didn't match because the boys were especially irritable about. Along with some new toys she though they'd like.
"You got me the Spongebob Squarepants movie! Grandma thanks!" Brady jumped up and down jubilant by his new gift.
"You're welcome buddy, you like it?" Brady nodded his head quickly like it was about to fall off and soon Zachary shared the joy in his new soccer ball since he recently has started taking interest in the sport.
Caitlin walked down the stairs, her usual dissatisfied look upon her face she muttered out that she'd be waiting in the car and with that, opened the door and made her way towards her grandparents car.
"What was that about?" Kirsten asked getting just a simple glance of her granddaughter and then she disappeared to the car.
Seth rolled his eyes giving a 'don't ask' look and Summer soon followed down the stairs into the foyer.
"Kirsten, Sandy. I didn't even know you guys were here." She hugged both Sandy and Kirsten and noticed the gifts that were laying on the ground, the boys both gathering over them. "You got them gifts? Aw, you really didn't have to do that."
"Oh it was no problem I'm just glad they like them. What's wrong with Caitlin?" Kirsten asked curiously after the obvious stuff with the boys was taken care of.
"Teenager stuff and to tell you the truth I'm not exactly sure. I hope she's no problem tonight, I hope none of them are." She eyed the boys who both changed their attention from their toys, then to their mom and then back to their toys again.
"They wont be any trouble, but we better get going to leave you two alone. A nice night in?" Sandy stopped leaning up against the wall
"Yes a nice, relaxing night. Maybe a dinner and movie or a little dinner and some cuddling, who knows the nights still young." Seth raised his eyebrows and winked at Summer who returned a smile.
Sandy and Kirsten passed similar smirks as Kirsten decided that they better hit the road. After grabbing all the kids stuff and hugging everyone goodbye, the house was now empty. Just the two of them.
"So, it's just us. What do you say to a little dinner at your favorite restaurant – anything you want and then come home and do a little cuddling? I'll even gladly give up the remote so you can watch Lifetime. Sound's good?" He was overly excited and his mood diminished when he saw Summer wasn't equally excited, especially since this was her idea. "Summer, what's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing's wrong. But about that dinner-date, do you think we can reschedule? I'm not really in the mood to go out." Her mood cheerless, she moved her hand onto her arm as she walked into the living room plopping down on the couch exhaling a sigh.
Seth followed her in plopping down on the end of the couch lifting up her legs and then using his as a footrest in order to sit down.
"Hello? What about me? I am the husband here. Two days ago you were happy and wanted to go out and now you don't? Why?"
"Honey I'm sorry. I just don't feel up to it tonight, I'm tired and –" Summer ran her fingers through her dark hair staring out a close window.
"And that you had a talk with Caitlin and she probably said something that made you question your abilities as a parent. Yes, I know, she always is telling me things like that and you just have to ignore it. But we're going to forget about it, you're going to go upstairs and go get ready. Yes, go get ready….that's it" Seth stood from the couch and helped his wife to her feet. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her walk towards the stairs, her walking slowly and sluggishly.
He let go as they reached the steps and Summer started to walk up them, but with out saying something to Seth.
"Fine. I'll forget about what Caitlin said and this will be our night, promise. I'll go get ready and you are not to see me until I'm done. Deal?" Her mood now seemed uplifted and she smiled at her husband then continued up the stairs to the bathroom.
Seth stood at the end of the stairs waving his arms slightly above him saying 'yes!' to himself. He figured he had at least an hour for Summer to get ready and it he didn't take long so he figured he'd be able to run some errands.
While Summer was upstairs Seth took care of some things but when he returned he was dressed and sitting downstairs waiting. Hunched over on the couch he rubbed his hands together, it was as though he was on a date for the very first time and waiting nervously downstairs while his date was getting ready.
Summer emerged from the stairs, looking more beautiful then ever. She wore a stunning spaghetti strapped, black dress that was simple but elegant. It came to the middle of her upper thigh and was a perfect dress extenuating her curves. She wore black pantyhose and high-heeled shoes that rose her a few more inches so she was now neck length with Seth. Her dark hair was parted on the side and pulled back into a clip. The remaining hair was set on top of her head and strands of her dark hair hung down the side of her face. Her make-up was beautifully done, she wore diamond earrings and a matching necklace, she looked gorgeous. When Seth emerged from the living room, in a black suit, a simple white shirt and a plain red tie, he looked up at his wife and his heart skipped a beat.
"W-wow, y-you look…great." One hand behind his back he used the other to hold her hand.
"So don't you" Summer finally touched the bottom of the floor, smiling radiantly. Tonight, both forgot they had kids and focused on each other because both know they don't get these nights often.
"This is for you." He pulled from behind his back a red rose and handed it to his wife. Her mouth opened, she pulled the flower towards her and sniffed it as she looked lovingly at her husband.
"My favorite. How am I so lucky to have a husband like you?" She placed the rose in a vase that contained other flowers that Seth had bought the week before and then the two were off to dinner.
As they reached their driveway, both headed arm and arm to their blue family van and being a gentleman, Seth opened the door for her and then shut it as she got in.
Tonight they both felt even more love towards each other then they had in a long time, especially since tonight was focused on them and not the kids like it usually is.
With in a ten-minute period, they arrived at this cute Italian restaurant, Summer's favorite.
"My favorite restaurant? Seth…I love you." They leaned in while still in the car and kissed each other. Seth got out of the car, and again opened the door for her as they both walked into the restaurant where they were both seated at a lovely little table by the window. A waited came to their service, offering them menus and got them drinks.
"I love you too" Seth responded just as the waiter came to take their orders.
"Hi, my name's Danielle and I'll be your waitress for this evening. Do you know what you'd like to order?" She asked standing between them.
"I'll have the pasta al la lin." Summer handed her the menu and grabbed her wine glass taking a sip.
"And I'll have the salmon. Thanks" She took the menus and wandered off into the back to place their orders.
"A little toast in order?" Seth said seizing his wine glass and holding it up into the air. "To you and me, and this wonderful, well deserved night where we'll focus on each other and nothing else." He raised and eyebrow to Summer who also had her glass in the air.
Their glasses met and with a "clink" and then both sipped from their wine glasses and then set it down on the table.
"Tonight couldn't have been better, the restaurant is fabulous, we have the night to ourselves" she exhaled in excitement "and I can't wait until later." She laughed, and soon after the waitress returned with their food dishes.
She placed them in front of Seth and Summer and they began eating followed by some conversation as they did.
Soon after they were done they decided they should finish the night back at their house, and so after paying the bill they drove home.
Both were a little tipsy due to some wine and as they entered the house, Summer practically fell into Seth's arms.
"So…. home alone in this big house of ours, what do you think we should do?" They both eyed each other knowing the answer and as Summer tried to move towards the stairs Seth caught her as she fell. "Here, allow me." Scooping her up into his arms he raced up the stairs into their room dropping her off on the bed. He raised his collar up pulling at his tie to release it and then throwing it at the end of his bed. Summer lay up against the headboard, resting on the pillows as she watched her husband and then was soon greeted when Seth removed his tie and jacket.
Their lips joined and Seth's hand ran down the side of her legs as Summer rested her arms on his shoulders and then began to unbutton his shirt. Still in lip lock, Seth removed his now unbuttoned shirt and threw it to the side of the bed. Now each removing articles of clothing, their bodies getting sweaty, they continued kissing indulging more in their moment of passion.
As the morning hours approached, both were now asleep after a perfect night of being alone and doing whatever they pleased. They haven't had a night alone in months, maybe even years and after fighting constantly it was great to just relax and enjoy the night alone since both knew they wouldn't get another night alone for awhile.