Chapter 14 – The Green-Eyed Monster
JJ raced through the front door, proudly waving a piece of paper in the air. "Daddy, daddy! Guess what?"
Jack looked up from his spot on the floor next to Grace. "Hey, a bit quieter, little man. Your baby sister is still sleeping." JJ spared an apologetic glance toward the hallway before coming more fully into the living room, still waving the piece of paper like a flag.
"Guess what I winned at school today?"
Jack cracked a smile and sat up from the puzzle he was helping Grace put together. Leaning against the back of the couch, he waved his son closer. "I give buddy. What did you win?"
"A spelling bee!" JJ crowed happily, shoving the piece of paper into Jack's face.
Grace's eyes widened at his announcement. "You winned a bee at school? I doesn't like bees." She shuddered as she recalled the unfortunate incident of having been stung just last month. "Bees is scary," she added for good measure.
"Not that kind of bee, silly," JJ rolled his eyes at his sister. She was such a baby sometimes…she didn't know nearly half as much as he did, now that he was in the first grade! "A spelling bee is when you spells words out loud in your class. I was the bestest speller in my whole class daddy! Mrs.Jurgens gived me this 'tificate that tells you!"
Jack took the proffered piece of paper from JJ before it caused either one of them serious harm. Holding it out at arms length, he studied it thoughtfully. "Well, so it does," he drawled out. Then he read it out loud, "Congratulations to JJ O'Neill for being a world-class speller. Your teacher signed and dated it too. That's wonderful, JJ!" Jack added, giving JJ a proud smile. The little boy had been in the first grade for all of 6 weeks and loved every single minute of his new educational experience. His teacher had reported that already, she could see that he was a bright little boy; a fact that hadn't surprised Jack in the least.
JJ had begun reading before he started kindergarten…had in fact recently been teaching Grace how to read as well. And he seemed to be a math whiz, just like his mother…for which Jack was eternally grateful. He could add and subtract numbers with ease and, in addition, he had very strong logical reasoning skills. In fact, Cassie had taught the little boy how to play chess this summer and he had seemed to quickly understand quite a few of the intricacies of the game. While he couldn't play at a high level yet, he enjoyed the strategy of the game and learning to think a few steps ahead. He had tried to teach Grace how to play once he understood the game, but she was more interested in making sure the 'horsies' didn't get hurt, especially by the pieces with the tall, pointy heads.
Jack had wanted to meet with Mrs. Jurgens right away; just to make sure she was aware of how bright JJ was. Sam had convinced him to wait and see. She didn't want JJ singled out so early in his schooling and wanted the little boy to enjoy being with his peers. And so far, things were going great. She was under no illusions that at some point, her son would most likely surpass some of the first grade curriculum. But for now, he was enjoying the routine and excitement of being a first grader and Sam was content to leave things as they were for the time being. The school had a gifted education program that JJ would undoubtedly qualify for soon enough. They engaged their children in many intellectually stimulating activities at home that, for now, would supplement what he was learning at school.
"I think we should put this up on the refrigerator so mommy can see it when she comes home." Jack handed the certificate back to JJ, who took it with reverence and stared down at it was a grin of pride.
"I can spells, too," Grace stated importantly as she got to her feet, putting her hands on her hips. "C-A-T spells cat." She waited expectantly for some comment on her own spelling abilities. She didn't have to wait long.
"That's wonderful, Grace," Jack said with a smile, drawing her close for a hug. "I have two wonderful spellers right here!"
"Cat is easy to spell," JJ scoffed. "I winned the spelling bee when I spelled because. No one else could spell it in the whole class!" he bragged.
Not wanting to deflate his son's accomplishment, but also not wanting the little boy to become too boastful, Jack replied gently, "You did a wonderful job, JJ and I'm very proud of you. I know mommy will be really proud too. But people who are good at something, shouldn't make others feel bad," he reminded him, then looked pointedly at Grace, who was looking sadly down at the ground. "Everyone is good at many different things, and that's what makes us special."
JJ looked at his sister and started to feel a little guilty. He looked at his father, who raised his eyebrows in expectation. The little boy stood thoughtfully for a moment before he brightened. "Like I'm good at spelling, Gracie, but you're a much better drawer than me," he offered with a smile. Grace responded with a soft smile of her own.
Feeling as if the brief lesson had been learned, Jack got to his feet. "That's right, JJ. See, you're both good at different things. Now, why don't we go and put your certificate on the refrigerator, next to Grace's picture she drew at preschool today. Then we can all have a snack before Maddie gets up."
"OK," JJ smiled happily, then raced off to the kitchen so he could select a prime spot to place his certificate. He couldn't wait until his mommy got home, so he could tell her all about the spelling bee!
Grace didn't immediately follow JJ out to the kitchen. Instead, she dropped onto the couch and stared at the floor, lost in thought. Jack had begun to follow his son, but sensing that Grace wasn't behind him, stopped in his tracks and turned around. Seeing the forlorn little girl sitting on the couch, he made his way back and sat down next to her.
Putting his arm around her, he said, "What's wrong, princess?" When she looked up to meet his gaze, Jack was surprised by how sad the little girl looked.
"Daddy, will I eber win a 'tifcate?"
"Oh baby, there's no doubt in my mind that you will win lots of certificates once you start going to elementary school," he pulled her close and dropped a kiss on top of her head.
Grace snuggled into his side, then sighed heavily. "I's not as smart as JJ," she stated with resignation. "And I's not as cute as Maddie. Katie Rose has red hair and mine is just brown. I's not really bery special at all, daddy."
Jack's heart actually ached at her words. How could his beautiful, exceptional little girl ever feel like this? He and Sam had always made sure to treat each child like the separate, unique individuals that they were. Yes, it was a bit harder with Maddie. At just 4 months old, she was just starting to develop her own personality. And though she required much more attention that the other two, Jack was sure that they doled out equal amounts of love to all three of their children.
Jack pulled back slightly and lifted the little girl's chin in his hands, forcing her to look up at him. "Where did you get the idea that you aren't special, young lady? You can do so many things Grace O'Neill. You are starting to read, you draw beautiful pictures, you are such a wonderful big sister to Maddie, and you always make mommy and me smile." He stopped and looked deeply into her eyes. "Grace, mommy and I love you so very much, just as much as we love JJ and Maddie. Just because you can't do some of the things that JJ can right now, don't ever think that you aren't as important. You just have to give yourself some time. And as far as not being as cute as Maddie, well no, you aren't a cute little baby anymore." Her eyes dropped so he hurried on. "You are a beautiful little girl, princess. You are so beautiful, that sometimes it scares daddy…a lot."
Grace cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Why is you scared, daddy?"
"Because someday, princess, there will be lots of boys knocking on our door wanting to take you out on dates. And you might fall in love with one of them and get married someday."
Grace wrinkled her nose. "Boys is yucky, daddy. 'Cept for JJ and sometimes Jason at preschool," she stated with resolve. "But I's not going to get married. I's going to stay wif you and mommy forever!" She got to her knees and threw her arms around his neck. "Unless I marries you. Can I daddy?" She looked into eyes that were just like hers and waited for his reply.
Jack chuckled, "Well sweetheart, I'm already married to your mommy. Besides, you'll want to find your own husband someday." He pulled her close and hugged her tight before releasing her. "But that won't be for a long time, will it princess?" he smiled gently at her.
She nodded, then regarded him solemnly as another thought entered her mind. "Daddy? Is you as smart as mommy?"
Still smiling, Jack replied, "No, baby. Mommy is way smarter than daddy. But that's ok, because I'm really good at other things."
"What is you really good at?" she insisted. For as far as she was concerned, her daddy was good at everything.
Grinning evilly, Jack replied, "Well…I'm really good at tickling little girls who ask lots of questions!" Then he slowly reached toward her, all the while wiggling his fingers and waggling his eyebrows at her. Grace shrieked with feigned fright, then fell into a helpless pile of giggles as Jack gently tickled her tummy and under her arms.
Jack stopped when he heard JJ call from the kitchen, "Daddy! When are we going to have our snack?"
"We'll be there in a second, little man," Jack called back before he pulled Grace to her feet. "OK, now pumpkin?" he directed the question to Grace.
She smiled back. "Yes, daddy." Her smiled dimmed. "But sometimes I doesn't like being the one in the middle," she added quietly.
Jack bent and picked her up. "Hey. What's the best part of an Oreo cookie?"
Grace looked at him like he was dim-witted. "The creamy 'tuff in the middle."
Jack smiled. "And what's the best part of a Twinkie?"
This time Grace smiled back. "The creamy 'tuff in the middle."
"And a Ding-dong?" he tweaked her nose.
Grace laughed out loud this time and they replied together, "The creamy 'tuff in the middle!"
"So you see, pumpkin, sometimes being in the middle is the best place to be," Jack stated with a grin.
Grace laughed and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "Is I creamy, daddy?"
Jack laughed at her. "Well, I wouldn't say creamy, Grace. But you sure can be sweet!"
"So is you, daddy." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. Drawing back, she looked him in the eye. "But I still wants a 'tifcate of my own."
Jack laughed again. "We'll see what we can do about that. Now, let's go into the kitchen before your brother eats all the pudding, OK?"
"I loves pudding!" she cried as she gave him one more quick hug before squirming to the ground. "Don't eats all the pudding, JJ!" she yelled as she raced into the kitchen.
Jack smiled, following at a more sedate pace and thinking as he went. While he was glad that the crisis had been averted for now, he had a feeling that this wasn't the end of his middle child's obvious feelings of jealousy…not by a long shot.
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Sam walked in the back door and smiled at the sight that greeted her. Maddie was situated on the kitchen table, safely latched into her infant bouncy seat. Her blue eyes were open wide and she was gurgling in delight as she reached forward with outstretched hands towards Grace, who held a rattle just beyond her grasp and was shaking it enthusiastically. The baby's legs kicked out rhythmically as she giggled and chortled at her big sister.
JJ stood on a chair next to the counter, helping his daddy dump flour and seasoning into a bowl. When it was mixed, Jack handed the little boy a piece of chicken, which he ceremoniously dropped into the bowl and covered with the floured mixture before placing it in the pan next to him.
It was a scene Sam never tired of happening upon after a long day at work. While she had only been back full-time for a little over a month, sometimes it felt like forever. And though she loved her job and the challenges it presented to her daily, she missed these little snippets of everyday life with her children. To say she felt a bit jealous of the time Jack got to spend with the children would be an understatement. She had readily admitted that fact to Jack not long after she went back to work. Jack understood, for he had harbored similar feelings toward Sarah when Charlie was young. Which is why Jack made it a point to hold off dinner until Sam was home each night; and she made it a point to leave the mountain no later than 1800 hours each day…earlier if she could manage. Today happened to be one of those earlier days, and Sam was ready to dive into the sometimes chaotic dinner hour with her family.
Putting on a fake pout, she called from the open doorway, "Isn't anyone going to say hello?"
Dropping the rattle loudly onto the table, Grace leapt down from the chair she had been occupying and raced over to her mother. "Mommy! You's home early!" She grasped Sam around the waist and looked up with a wide-eyed smile. "I misted you mommy!" Grace used the phrase she always greeted her mother with.
Sam put her briefcase on the floor and lifted the little girl into her arms. "I missed you too, sweetheart," she replied, then planted a soft kiss on Grace's cheek. "Did you have a good day?"
Grace lost her bright smile as her face turned introspective. "Not as good as JJ. He winned a 'tifcate at school today. I didn't win nuffing."
Sam cast a puzzled look at Jack, who shook his head slightly before looking down at JJ meaningfully. The little boy looked angrily over at Grace. "I wanted to tell mommy! It's my 'tificate!"
Jack placed a placating hand on the little boy's shoulder. "She didn't mean anything by, it JJ. Here, wipe your hands off and go show mommy your certificate."
His words seemed to mollify the little boy enough so that he wiped his hands quickly on the rag, hopped off the chair, and walked over to the refrigerator, where he took his precious certificate down. Turning back to his mother, he walked over to her with a huge grin on his face. "I winned the spelling bee in my class, today! My teacher gived me this 'tificate and everything!" he stated, his eyes glowing with pride.
Sam bent and put Grace on the floor, then knelt down and took the proffered certificate from JJ's hands. She read over it with all the seriousness it was due, a smile of delight for her son growing on her face. "Why JJ, this is absolutely wonderful! We are so proud of you!" she exclaimed, drawing him close for a hug.
JJ wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her back. "I was the bestest in my whole class, mommy! I spellded the word because and nobody else could!"
"You are a wonderful speller, JJ. Good for you!" Sam gave him a kiss on the cheek and rumpled his hair affectionately.
"And guess what mommy? Mrs. Jurgens said maybe I can be in a spelling contest with all the first grades later this year! Maybe I could win another 'tificate!" he said with excitement. "And daddy let me pick out what to have for dinner, cause I spellded so good today, and I picked fried chicken!" He cocked his head to the side. "Do you like daddy's fried chicken, mommy?" he asked, a worried tone to his voice. He wanted to make sure everyone else liked his special dinner too.
Sam laughed as she pulled him close for another hug. "Yes, JJ. I like daddy's fried chicken very much." She got to her feet and looked over at Jack, who was grinning at her. "I hope daddy is making his special potatoes to go with the fried chicken," she hinted with a smile.
"You betcha," he replied, winking at JJ in the process. Jack's fried chicken wasn't complete without his homemade garlic mashed potatoes!
During this entire conversation, Grace had slowly backed herself away from her mother so that she was standing next to the refrigerator. She looked at the picture she had drawn in preschool today…a picture of her family up at the cabin. Daddy was on the dock with his fishing pole and had a big fish on the end. Even though she had never seen daddy catch a big fish up at the lake, she wanted to draw it for him anyways. Mommy was next to the dock, holding Maddie 'cause she was too little to stand on her own. She and JJ were by the water, looking for shells and pretty rocks. Sometimes, she would find a tiny shell with the snail still inside. That was the most exciting of all!
She glanced back towards mommy, who was hugging JJ and admiring his 'tifcate. Grace looked back at her picture. She reached toward it. She really wanted to show it to mommy, but it just wasn't as good as a 'tifcate for being the bestest speller in the class. Grace let her hand fall to her side and looked back at mommy. Maybe she would show mommy her picture later.
Maddie, who had been silently reclining in her infant seat throughout the welcome home, decided that it was time for a little attention of her own. She let out a loud cry of displeasure, causing everyone to stop and look at her. "Guess someone else needs to say hello," Jack quipped with a grin. "I gave her some cereal half an hour ago. She could do with some milk right about now," he added, before returning to his task of flouring the chicken. It was almost ready to go into the oven.
Sam walked over to the table and bent to release Maddie from her infant seat. "Hey there little one. How's my baby girl this evening?" she cooed as she lifted Maddie out and held her close. Sam closed her eyes against the sweet baby smell of her youngest child, and brushed a kiss against her chubby cheek. As soon as her mother had picked her up, Maddie had ceased her crying. She now bounced happily in her mother's arms, her little fingers twisting into the strands of hair behind Sam's ears while she gnawed on the chin in front of her. Sam laughed. "Do you need some milk, little one?" she asked, as she shifted the baby to cradle in her arms and wiped her now wet chin on her shirt.
"Be back in a few minutes," Sam threw over her shoulder as she carried Maddie into the living room, ready to sit and nurse her youngest child. Although she was back at work, Sam still breastfed Maddie as often as possible; even pumping at least once a day at work. She knew that Maddie would be their last child, and wanted to extend the special bond she got from nursing her child as long as possible. She had nursed both JJ and Grace through at least 9 months and wanted to do the same for Maddie.
Sam settled herself into a chair in the living room and began to nurse, unaware of Grace watching the proceedings from the doorway to the kitchen. The young girl looked on with envy. Though she harbored no desire to nurse like a baby, she did want to snuggle into her mother's warmth and softness. Instead, she turned away and walked down the hallway to her room, where she cuddled against her bed, holding her large stuffed bear close.
Fifteen minutes later, Jack came out into the living room, followed closely by JJ. The little boy made his way to the TV and plopped down in front of it as soon as it was tuned to his favorite evening cartoon. Jack smiled over at the sight of his youngest child, sleeping contentedly against her mother's chest.
"Evening naptime, I see," he offered with a grin.
Sam looked down as well and smiled. "Yeah. She drank for about 10 minutes, then was out like a light." She pressed a soft kiss to the blond curls nestled just under her chin. Jack studied them for a moment, marveling at how much this tiny child looked like her mother. While he saw snippets of Sam in Grace, and even more of her in JJ, Maddie seemed to be a carbon copy of her mother. From the blond curls and bright blue eyes to the dimple beginning to show in her cheek, she was the spitting image of Sam. If he didn't know better, he might have contacted Thor just to make sure Loki wasn't on the loose again.
Shaking that rather disturbing thought from his mind, Jack glanced around the room, looking for his other daughter. "Where's Grace gotten off to?" he asked with a puzzled frown.
Sam looked up at him, a frown of her own creasing her brow. "I thought she was still in the kitchen with you and JJ."
"Nope, she left when you did."
JJ turned his head away from the TV to supply an answer. "She went down the hallway when mommy started to feed Maddie. She's plobably in her room," he stated assuredly before turning back to his show.
Jack and Sam turned quizzical eyes toward one another. While Grace enjoyed playing in her room alone at times, it was virtually unheard of for her to do that before dinner; especially if Sam had gotten home early. "Did something happen with Grace today, Jack?" Sam asked, her concern coming to the forefront.
Jack frowned for a moment in thought before the light bulb went off. "Yeah, you could say that." He glanced quickly at JJ. The little boy was absorbed in his show and appeared to not be listening anymore. Still, Jack would be careful. "Uh, she got a little j-e-a-l-o-u-s this afternoon when someone brought home an…award." He cant his head toward their son, who was oblivious to the conversation. He lowered his voice. "She said she wasn't smart like JJ or cute like Maddie. Was feeling a bit left out, I think." He frowned. "I talked with her about it. Made sure she knew how much we love her and think she is special in her own right. I thought she was OK." Sighing, he got to his feet. "I'd better go talk to her again."
"Let me Jack," Sam said softly. "I think I know how she feels." At his questioning look, she smiled. "I was a little sister too. One who could never seem to measure up to her big brother."
Jack looked surprised. "You? But…even your dad says your way smarter and worked harder than Mark in most things."
Sam blushed faintly at the praise. "That may be so, but he didn't always think that. Neither did I. Come take Maddie, will you?"
Jack came over and gently lifted Maddie from Sam's arms. The little girl squirmed once, then settled into her father's chest to continue her evening nap. Jack shifted her to one arm and helped haul Sam to her feet. He left his hand in hers as he asked, "You sure you don't want me to come with?"
Smiling gently, Sam brushed a kiss against his lips. "We'll be fine. I think what she needs is some girl talk right about now."
Jack wrinkled his nose at that. "Well, then. She's all yours." As Sam left the room, Jack settled into the chair she had vacated, hoping that Sam could help Grace sort through her feelings of jealousy.
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Sam peeked around the partly opened doorway to her daughter's room and smiled gently as she saw the little girl sitting on the floor, holding her bear in her lap as she leaned against the bed. She seemed to be deep in thought.
Sam knocked and waited until the little girl looked up. "Hey Grace. We were wondering where you went off to. May I come in?"
Brown eyes looked solemnly up at Sam before Grace nodded her head once. Sam opened the door more fully and stepped into the room, careful to close it partway once again. Walking over to the bed, she turned and sat on the floor, resting her back against the bed as Grace was. Sam reached out a hand and tugged gently on the teddy's arm. "What are you and Mr. Bear up to?"
"Nuffing," came the quiet reply.
Sam waited a few moments in silence before asking, "Grace? What's wrong baby?" She peered intently at her daughter, waiting for an answer.
Grace heaved a big sigh, her shoulders rising then dropping with the breath she released. She wasn't old enough to feign indifference, so she turned her head and regarded her mother seriously. "Mommy? Will I ever be as smarts as JJ or as cute as Maddie?"
"Oh baby," Sam muttered, pulling the little girl into her lap and holding her close. "You are smart like JJ, and you are a beautiful little girl. Mommy and daddy love you so much and think you are so special, just for who you are."
Grace nodded as she tucked her head under Sam's chin. "That's what daddy sayed."
"And don't you believe your daddy?" Sam asked gently. She felt Grace nod against her chest, but no more words were forthcoming. Sam rested her chin on Grace's head and thought for a moment, gathering the words she needed to comfort her child. "When I was little, I hated it when your Uncle Mark brought home trophies for the sports he played. I tried so hard to win a trophy, but I wasn't really very good at sports. He was smarter than me too, or that's what I thought."
Grace pulled away and looked up at her mother, interest lighting her eyes even as she remained silent. "When I complained about it to my daddy, your Papa, he told me that I'd better be careful, or the green-eyed monster might come live in my room with me." Grace's eyes widened in fear at that comment and Sam hugged her close to reassure her. "He didn't mean a real monster, Grace, just a feeling that can grow so big that sometimes, it feels like a monster. Do you know what feeling I'm talking about?"
Grace shook her head and waited expectantly to be told. "Have you ever heard of being jealous?"
The little girl frowned thoughtfully before replying. "Yes. We was teached about that at preschool. It's when you wish you haded something that someone else does."
"That's right, Grace. Or when you get really sad or angry because you want something you can't have."
"Meredith feelded jealous when I brought Winnie in for sharing. She sayed she wanted ham'ters too. Then she was kinda mean to me for that whole day."
"Well, that's what jealousy can do sometimes, sweetheart. And I was very jealous of your Uncle Mark for a long, long time. I never thought I would be as smart or as fast or as good as he was."
"But mommy," Grace protested, "Daddy says you is the smartest person in the whole, wide world!"
Sam chuckled. "Well, daddy exaggerates sometimes, but yes, I did grow smarter, and faster, and better at so many things." She paused to let that sink in. "Just like you will, Grace. You can't expect to do the same things as JJ right now. He's older than you are, so has had more chances to do things. But that doesn't make you any less special, baby. You are good at other things and will only get better as you get older. But I don't want you to waste your growing up time fighting with the green-eyed monster. I want you to be happy and proud of all you can do."
Grace looked into her mother's eyes; eyes that she could see were filled with love for her…just Grace at this moment. She flung her arms around her mother's neck. "I won't let that mean old mon'ter come in our house mommy."
Sam hugged her tightly. "I'm glad to hear that baby. Really glad." She pulled back and looked down at Grace. "It's OK to feel jealous sometimes. I still do," she admitted.
Grace's eyebrows rose. "You does?" she asked, her voice rising in disbelief.
Nodding seriously, Sam replied. "Yes, I do. Even today, when I came home, I felt jealous that daddy gets to spend so much more time with all of you than I do. Sometimes I feel a bit left out," she admitted.
Grace looked at her with horror. "But we loves you too mommy!" she insisted.
Chuckling, Sam said, "I know that, baby. That's why I push that feeling away; tell that green-eyed monster he can't live here with us. Then I feel better. And knowing that you have the best daddy in the world to take care of you when I'm at work…well, that makes me feel really good too."
Nodding her head in understanding, Grace said. "I gets jealous sometimes when you holds Maddie a lot or sometimes when you feeds her. But then I tries to 'member that she is just little and needs you to hold her. And I can sits on you lap when you is done feeding Maddie, right mommy?"
Sam hugged the little girl close. "Any time you want, sweetheart." She pressed a kiss to her head, then drew back. "I love you so much. You are my special girl, you know that right?" Grace smiled shyly and nodded her head. "So, do you feel ready to go and join everyone else? I think dinner is almost ready…I can smell daddy's chicken. Maybe you and I can help set the table."
Grace looked down at her lap for a moment, considering something, then looked up. "Ok. But can I show you my picture first, mommy?" she asked in a soft voice. "I maked a really good picture at preschool today."
Sam felt her heart clench. She had noticed the new picture hanging on the refrigerator but hadn't taken the time to examine it. Had Grace been waiting all this time to tell her about it? "I would love to see your picture, Grace. I bet it is beautiful!"
Letting her smile come back, Grace replied, "Daddy liked it. It has a BIG fish in it! And you and Maddie and JJ and me. All of us up at the cabin!"
"It sounds wonderful. Let's go look at it!" Sam gave Grace one more kiss, then placed her on the floor, getting up after her. The two of them walked hand in hand down the hallway and to the kitchen, where Grace proudly took her picture down and shared it with Sam, who gushed accordingly. "This is so beautiful, sweetheart! I bet daddy wishes he really could catch a fish that big!" The two of them laughed together at the thought of Jack catching a big fish.
"Hey, I heard that! It will happen one day, you two just wait and see," Jack said with a fake scowl as he came into the room, still holding a sleeping Maddie. Then he smiled down at the picture Grace was showing Sam. "I see you're showing mommy your new picture, Grace. It's quite something, isn't it mommy?" He gave Sam a wink.
"The best one I've seen of all of us up the lake," Sam agreed. "I think we should take this to the store and buy a special frame, Grace. We can hang it in the hallway by the front door."
JJ entered the room, his eyes lighting up. "Can we get a frame for my "tificate too?" he asked eagerly.
Sam hesitated; she had wanted this to be Grace's moment. She looked to Jack, who shrugged his shoulders in a non-committal manner, then Sam looked back down at Grace.
The little girl looked back and forth from her mother to her brother's expectant face, then she broke into a grin. "Let's gets two frames, mommy. One for me and one for JJ. We can puts them next to each other on the wall."
Sam smiled proudly down at her daughter. It seemed as if she really understood the conversation in her bedroom. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Grace. We'll go and do that tomorrow, OK?"
"OK," the little girl agreed happily.
Turning around, she proudly placed her picture back on the refrigerator. Tomorrow, they would put it in a frame and it would hang in the front hall for all of their guests to see. Grace smiled at the thought; she liked it when people got to see her pictures.
She cocked her head in thought as she stared at the picture. Maybe tomorrow, she'd draw a picture of the green-eyed mon'ter…just so she could remember not to let it come and stay at their house. And when Maddie was old enough, she'd tell her all about the green-eyed mon'ter…'cause Maddie was a little sister too. And just like Grace and mommy, she might need to one day keep the green-eyed mon'ter out of her own room.
