August 30, 2021

The alarm went off at 6:30. Ruthie sighed, leaning over and turning it off. She put her hands on her growing stomach. She was 3 months pregnant and was beginning to show a little bit. Today was the first day of school. Maddie was going into 5th grade, Allie going into 4th, and Lauren starting her first day of kindergarten. Ruthie was working at the preschool that all three girls went to, which was right next to the elementary school. She got the job two years ago, and was already going to have to go on maternity leave in the very beginning of February, which she was sad about since she loved her job. However, she was still going to tutor children 2nd grade and under who were struggling in school. That way, she could be home with the new baby, and earn some extra money. Ruthie looked at the clock. '6:40' it read.

"Martin. Wake up babe." She said, tapping his shoulder. He groaned, and covered his head with the pillow. She pulled the pillow away and kissed him passionately.

"Ohh do that again." He said and she laughed, turning on the light.

"Wake up! We have to get ready to get the kids ready!"

"Great…" he said sarcastically and got out of bed, and took a shower. She went over into the girls' bathroom and took a shower too. Martin changed into black dress pants and a white dress shirt with a tie that the kids bought him for father's day that summer. She put on a light pink blouse with a black skirt and her black flip-flops. She put on a little bit of makeup and went downstairs. She grabbed a cereal bar and sat beside her husband on the couch, who was eating a bowl of oatmeal.

"I have to get the girls up soon." She said, looking at him.

"I love you Mrs. Brewer. You're amazing you know that? Somehow, you raise three beautiful girls and now you're pregnant…can't be easy."
"No, it's not. But you're always there to help me through. You're the best." She said, kissing him. She looked at her watch. "Ugh. Gotta go get them up."
"I'll help." He said, putting his bowl in the dishwasher and taking her hand.

"One more kiss? Cause you know once the girls get up…"
"I know…us kissing is disgusting." She said, laughing. She kissed him passionately.
"Now…let's not get carried away…you naughty girl." He said, shaking his head in 'disappointment'.

"We haven't had a night to ourselves in a while. What do you say this weekend? You? Me? Take a little vacation down to the beach? I'm sure someone could take the kids."
"Really? We haven't been on a vacation by ourselves since our honeymoon."
"Yes. Let's do it."
"Ok." she said, kissing him again and going into Maddie's room.

"Honey. Get up." Ruthie said, kissing her forehead and moving her hair back. "Today's the first day of school! Aren't you excited?" Ruthie asked.

"Yeah…5 more minutes…" Madison said tiredly.
"No honey. You have to get up. You took a shower last night, so just get dressed quickly. I set your clothes out for you. We have to leave here in no later than an hour."
"Ok mommy." Maddie said, getting out of bed.
Martin was just walking out of Allie and Lauren's room. Over the summer, they decided to move them into one room so the new baby could have its own room, and wouldn't constantly be waking up its sisters. Since Maddie was the oldest, she was the lucky one and got her own room.

"Is Maddie up?" he asked, putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Yes. She's getting dressed."
"Let's go downstairs."

Martin and Ruthie packed their lunches, the girls ate breakfast, and they were all getting ready to leave.
"Ok. Everyone have bookbags and lunches?" she asked, looking around, seeing her daughters with their new bookbags and lunchboxes, and Martin with a briefcase and a brown paper bag, as well as herself. "Ok. Let's go." She said, grabbing the keys and her purse. She got the girls in the van, and turned.
"Have a great first day guys!" Martin yelled to his daughters.
"Thanks daddy." They said quietly.

"Have a good day at work honey." He said, kissing his wife.
"Thanks. I love you. I'll call you at lunch." She said, hugging him.
"Bye babe!" he said, blowing her a kiss and she smiled, getting in the car.

"Ok everyone ready?" she asked. Without waiting for a response, she drove off. She parked in front of the elementary school and got out of the car. They walked in and Ruthie smiled and turned to her daughters. "Ok Maddie, Allie. You go down that hallway." She said, pointing down a long winding hallway that held classrooms for the 3rd through 5th graders.
"Ok mom." Maddie said, nodding.

"Have a good day. And look out for your sister! I love you!" she said, giving them hugs. They hugged Lauren. "Have fun in kindergarten." Allie said, and they walked down the hallway. Once they were out of sight, Ruthie took Lauren's hand, and walked down to her kindergarten classroom.
"Mommy…am I going to like it?" Lauren asked.
"I'm sure you will."
"I'm scared." She said, hiding behind her mom.
"It's ok honey." Ruthie said, holding her hand tight and walking into the classroom. A very pretty, tall lady walked up to them, extending her hand out to Ruthie.
"Hi, I'm Melinda Andrews." She said warmly, shaking Ruthie's hand. (that was my kindergarten teacher's name! how odd! Lol)

"I'm Ruthie Brewer. This is my daughter, Lauren."
"Well hi Lauren. I'm Mrs. Andrews."
Lauren was quiet for a moment. "Hi." She finally said.
"I'm sorry, she's very shy. My other daughters must not have had you. I don't recognize you." Ruthie said honestly.
"I just came here 3 years ago."
"Well that explains in. My daughters are 10 and 9, so you came right after Allie was in kindergarden." She said, sort of thinking out loud. "I'm sorry." She apologized. "I'm pregnant and I've been doing that a lot lately. Drives my husband absolutely insane."
"Well congrats on the baby."
"Thanks." Ruthie said, and looked at her watch. "I better get going. I teach over at the preschool." She said, kissing Lauren's head. She knelt on her level and smiled at her daughter. "You'll have tons of fun. I promise. Mrs. Andrews is really nice. Ok?"
"Ok mommy."
"I love you." She said, getting back up. "Nice to meet you again Melinda."
"You too Ruthie. I'll see you soon." She said, shaking her hand. Ruthie blew her daughter a kiss, and walked out the door.

After a long day, it was finally time to go home. Ruthie sighed, putting some papers in her bag, and shut down her computer. She got up out of her comfortable office chair, and then turned out the light of the preschool room. Too bad I can't teach here next year. She thought. She sighed, walking down the hallway to her car. She went and picked up the girls at school.

"I'm tired." Lauren said, walking in the house.

"Didn't you take a nap?"
"I wasn't tired then mom!" Lauren said. "Can I take a nap?"
"Sure honey. I'll wake you up before dinner. Ok?"
"Ok mom." She said, going upstairs and going to sleep.
"Can I watch TV mom?" Allie asked
"Sure. Do you want a snack?"
"Can I have some yogurt?"
"Sure." Ruthie said, getting strawberry yogurt and a spoon and handing them to her daughter. "Don't get it on the couch or daddy will be mad." She warned.

"Ok mom." She said happily and sat on the couch. Maddie was sitting at the table, daydreaming about something. Ruthie smiled and went upstairs, changing into jeans and a t-shirt and came back downstairs, only to find Maddie in the same position.
"What's wrong honey?" Ruthie asked, sitting down. After no response, Ruthie tried again. "Maddie?" she asked.
"Huh? What? Oh sorry mom." Maddie said.
"It's ok. What's wrong baby?" she asked, scooting her chair closer to her daughter.
"Well, there's this guy at school, right?"
"Right."

"And he's really nice."
"Right…"

"And he asked me out." Maddie said.

"He what? You're 10!" she said.
"Yeah I know. But he's really nice mom. I like him."
"Do I know him?"
"No."

"How about this…your dad and I already agreed that the rule is no dating until you're 15. So, he can come over to the house. You can watch movies, he can eat here, everything. Maybe if you're good, dad and I will even take you to a movie and just sit a few rows back. Did you invite him over?"
"No. I didn't want to without asking you first."
"It's ok with me. He can come over tonight."
"Thanks mom."
"What's his name?" Ruthie asked as Maddie started to walk towards the phone. "Shawn." She said happily, and dialed his number.
"Hi Shawn. It's Madison…I asked my mom and she said you can come over…ok…hold on." She said, covering up the mouthpiece with her free hand.
"Mom?" she asked.

"Hmm?"
"What time?"
"He can come over about 5:30. We'll eat at six." She said, and Maddie nodded as she resumed her phone conversation. "My mom said you can come at 5:30….ok….great…see you then!" she said, hanging up, and she was all smiles.
"Thanks mom." She said, giving her a big hug.
"No problem. Now you better go change." Ruthie said, winking. She nodded and ran upstairs. Ruthie went in the living room, where Allie was still watching a show. Martin walked in the door. "Hi girls!" He said, as Allie ran to him, giving him a hug. "Where's your sisters?"
"Lauren's napping and Maddie's upstairs." Ruthie said, answering for her daughter.

"Hi honey." Martin said, kissing her.
"Hi." She said, smiling.

"How was your day?" he asked as they walked in the kitchen.

"Good…I'm sad to have to leave in February, but it was good. Yours?"
"Oh just glorious…had a strep throat, bronchitis, 3 tetanus shots…glorious day." He said. (Remember? He's a pediatrician…)

Maddie came downstairs in a pair of blue jeans and a light pink tank top. She was wearing a little bit of lip gloss and eye shadow.

"You look so pretty." Martin said, giving her a hug. "What's the occasion?"
"Mom's letting my boyfriend come over." Maddie said just as Martin was taking a drink, and he suddenly began to cough a lot as some sort of beverage came out of his nose. Maddie just smiled, and walked into the living room.

He was silent for a little while. "Her…what?" he asked, still shocked as he wiped off his face.

"A friend."
"I believe the term she used was 'boyfriend'."

"Relax."
"Relax? How am I supposed to relax? You're letting our ten year old daughter have a boyfriend? Since when!" he asked, still shocked and angry with his wife for not discussing this with him before she made the decision.
"I didn't decide. She asked if he could come over for dinner. I said yes." She said, as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." Martin said, shaking his head and walked towards the door.

"Daddy please don't embarrass me!" Maddie said as Martin opened the door. There was a boy standing there, looking to be about 12. He was just a little taller than Madison with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He smiled. "Hi. I'm Shawn." He said, extending his hand.

AN- oh dear! A boyfriend! And an older one too! –gasp-. There ya go guys! Your next chapter! I went back and edited the last chapter as well, because tandichic518 brought it to my attention that I skipped from breakfast to like…dinner lol. so thanks for pointing out yet another retarded mistake made by yours truly! Lol

PLEASE REVIEW and I will love you forever!