Chapter 79
As the week went on everyone settled into their routines. Olivia took two weeks off to help everyone settle in. On Tuesday they made a list of things to do. "Well we already had the visit to the pediatrician yesterday. At least everyone's healthy. We have the appointment with George Huang and Trevor Langan tomorrow at 2:00. We have an interview with Lucy Huston on Thursday. Nick gave us her information and she is really good. She used to watch Zara. We will need someone for Jesse, but Noah is going to be 4 next, so we need to decide if we want just a sitter or preschool for him, so we have a tour of the school down the street on Thursday after talking to Lucy."
Amanda looked at the long list, "Seems like a lot Liv." Olivia agreed, "Well I only took two weeks off and I want things in place when I go back." Amanda looked concerned, "Baby we talked about you talking. What are you thinking?" Olivia waited. "Amanda Rollins, I'm not doing this." She turned to see Jesse jumping in her playpen and Noah building with his blocks. "Is getting a sitter going to make us look bad to the social worker? I won't be doing anything this summer." Olivia grabbed her hand, "No it won't make us look bad Amanda. I work, you start school in two months. It's what parents do. Baby we aren't stay at home parents. The sooner the kids know their routine the better. It will also help whoever we hire."
After lunch they took the kids to the park. It was a nice summer day. "Liv I can't wait to go to the pool. Can we get them started on swimming lessons too?" Olivia shook her head, "You have plans huh?" While they were at the park, Amanda took Noah and Jesse to the swings. "I a big boy! I do it myself!" Olivia laughed because Noah seemed to have Amanda's stubborn personality. He was giving her a run for her money. They were definitely related. She saw Amanda reach for her phone and her smile was immediately gone. Something was wrong. "Amanda we should head back. How about pizza for dinner? We can take it in." Noah screamed, "Pizza!" Amanda just fastened Jesse in her stroller, "Sure Liv." They headed home and grabbed pizza and salad. Olivia wanted to wait until the kids were out ear shot before asking what was wrong.
The pizza needed to cool off, because it was hot. Amanda went to give Noah a quick bath, because he played hard at the park. Once he was in his pjs, he ran to the dining room, "I hungry mommy!" Olivia turned around, "They hadn't talked about what they would call each other but Noah was making the rules. "Okay baby boy come home." Olivia felt proud helping him to his seat. "Noah try the pizza and salad. Okay sweet girl no pizza for you yet. Here you go. Amanda, why don't you eat and I can help Jesse?" Amanda grabbed a slice and sat down. Olivia fed Jesse a spoonful of potatoes. "Chew it sweet girl." Olivia got two bowls and filled them with salad. "Here Amanda, you need your veggies."
They all ate their dinner. Noah and Jesse had dessert while Olivia cleaned the kitchen. Amanda laughed, "Noah you already had your bath. Liv do you want to bathe her and I finish the kitchen. It doesn't matter to me." Olivia held her hands out and Jesse walked to her, "Come on sweet girl." Amanda found a kid movie for them to watch before bed. Once Olivia and Jesse were done they joined them in the family room. Noah was already laughing and Jesse followed him clapping and laughing. Olivia joined Amanda on the couch to enjoy the movie. "Do you like our new family?" Amanda shook her head and Olivia looked concerned, "Nope, I love it Liv."
Jesse was the first to fall and Noah followed shortly after. They were good once they were asleep, they slept. "Maybe they do have your sleeping patterns baby. I've been waiting to shower with you." Olivia and Amanda took their shower together and even got a little touchy-feely. Amanda was worried the kids would wake up and catch them, but once Olivia went south she forgot all about them. Olivia wanted her relaxed for what she was about to ask. Once they climbed into bed, she went for it.
"So what made you sad at the park. That phone message must have been bad. "It wasn't a message Liv, it was a reminder. Therapy is Friday." Olivia had forgotten about therapy, they were so busy, the last few months, that it had been canceled every time. "I was thinking we should cancel it. We have the kids and no sitter yet. And…" Olivia listened but Amanda needed to go. Olivia hadn't pushed her much, but she knew that with the dad issues, him killing her siblings mother, and her siblings living with them now as their kids she needed to talk. Amanda liked to keep things in and even though she was ok, eventually she was going to blow.
"Amanda, absolutely not. We have Kat and you know she's their godmother and has been waiting to watch them. And with everything going on. You're going." With that Amanda turned over and refused to even look at Olivia. "And that right there is why you're going. Goodnight baby."
