I awoke several hours later, groggy and vexed. I slowly arose to a sitting position, discovering my migraine had healed. This one recovery made me feel somewhat better. Just when I thought nothing could possibly bring it back, two identical boys tackled me on my bed shrieking,
"MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY! YOUR HOME! WE MISSED YOU!!"
"Mommy missed you too…" I moaned . The last thing I needed was my twins springing my new headache.
"Henry, Orville, I told you to wake your mom up gently, not violently !" The boys faces immediately showed remorse for their rude awakening. Seeing the sadness in their eyes, I had to forgive them.
"It's alright Melody, I'm used to this." And was I used to this. Henry and Orville were always a hand full, even from the moment they were born. It took three hours of painful labor to just get Henry out. Orville took another four. The two twins have always been rambunctious little demons, causing unpredictable chaos in our home and anyone in their way. They are also very territorial. I have found out their most prized possessions are the toy plains Neville got them for their fifth birthday. I was the unfortunate one to make the mistake of moving them. Once they saw someone had touched them, they almost started World War III. Thankfully I knew that a game of hide and seek calms the two down, as long as they win.
"Did you two say hello to your new baby brother?" I asked quickly, changing the subject.
"No mamma"
"Well why don't you go meet him, his name is Chauncey. He's with your father."
"Race Ya!" dared Henry to Orville, as the two raced out faster then a fired bullet.
"Please be careful and don't break anything!" I desperately shouted after them. But as I heard a vase break in the distance, I had reached them too late.
"Take my advice Melody, Think careful before you decide to have children…. I would hate to see someone like you to wind up with the devil's child."
"Don't worry Miss Lydia. I haven't even found a decent man worthy to be called mine. I've got plenty of time to find that special someone."
Melody had time. A young maiden of twenty years has so much to live for. At least, Melody had something to live for. The tale of Melody is an unfortunate one. Melody was the daughter of Ursula, my sister. She and her husband Tristan were the best musicians I have ever known. Tristan was a phenomenal pianist, while Ursula was a expert cellist. Having a daughter only made their lives more wonderful. Combining their musical talents together, they gave their daughter a name that reflected their life's passion. However, Melody did not have a great start in her early life. One winter night, Ursula and Tristan were walking home from one of their performances, when a masked man asked for all the money they had and Ursula's wedding band. Refusing the ring, the two tried to escape the robber, when he pulled a gun and shot them dead. Melody went through a great depression. The poor girl felt as though she couldn't live anymore. I begged Neville to allow her to live with us. I didn't want to lose my only niece. Neville accepted without hesitation, and she came to live with us at the age of thirteen. I have seen her blossom into a mature young woman since then. She looks on the bright side of life, and is a wonderful babysitter. Her only worry in life, would be Shivers, the butler who stalks her.
" Congratulations on the new baby boy!" She said gleefully, trying to lift my spirits.
"To be honest, I was really hoping for a girl. I have enough boys. And knowing Henry and Orville, it's going to be their infancy all over again…."
"Every child is different. At least Neville took him for the afternoon. Would you like me to fetch you some tea?"
"No, no, no that's quite alright. I'll go down to the kitchen myself and get some. Is Mr. Luggs down there yet?"
"Should be preparing dinner as we speak."
On that note, I walked quickly, trying to avoid Neville from handing Chauncey off the minute he saw me. I scampered down the stairs to the kitchen, desperate something the soothe my pounding head. I was excited to see Mr. Luggs. He was a wonderful chef, preparing the finest cuisine I had ever tasted. Although a man of thirty, I was worried for his health. It may seem odd, but Mr. Luggs had never tried any of the food he prepared until the third year he had been with us. When he tried it for the first time, he couldn't stop. He began to eat tiny bites from our main dishes during meals. Bites turned into chucks, chucks turned to halves, then halves turned into one person not getting a full meal. He ballooned into a mass of fat after that one bite. Thankfully through counseling, He doesn't eat all that food anymore, but I know he always cheats. I walked down to the kitchen, opened the door, and found the obese chef shoveling a small wedge of cheese down his throat.
"LUGGS!" I shouted, trying to stop him from further killing himself. I must have spooked him because he took a huge bite, which he then tried to swallow whole. With no luck, he quickly spat it on the floor. Clearing his throat, he stumbled towards me.
"Ahhh, Lydia. So nice to see you again. What is the child? A young pup or a tiny princess?"
"His name is Chauncey. Eight pounds, seven ounces……."
"….. more to feed" chuckled Mr. Luggs, showing his wide grin under his three chins.
"Can I make you something for that headache of yours?" My suffering was written across my face.
"Tea would be nice" I said softly, trying to ignore the pain in my head.
Mr. Luggs when straight to work, preparing the water a searching for a tea bag. I sat on my little stool, waiting for my tea, when yet another thought popped into my head. I was thinking about Mr. Luggs, how his afterlife would be like. I know I shouldn't be thinking such things, but I knew with his present health he wouldn't be here for long. I was told once that if someone during their life time committed one of the seven deadly sins, their ghost in the next life would reflect their sin, and could never see their true face again. Obviously, he committed gluttony. I pray all the time for him, hoping this wasn't true. Mr. Luggs waddled over with my tea, and I snapped out of my depressing thought.
"There you go, British Rose Tea. Always soothes the aching head."
"Thank you Mr. Luggs" I said, trying to take in the tea's remedy. While enjoying me tea, Mr. Luggs had one last thing to mention.
"Before I forget, a delivery of flowers came for you while you were gone this morning. What would you like to do with them?"
I thought about it quickly, and narrowed down my options.
" I would use a vase, but Henry and Orville broke that not even ten minutes ago. I can't use a jar because to Jarvis, that would be like taking one of his 'children'." By now I was annoyed, having no place for my flowers.
"Why not get Bogmire to dig a hole and plant them?" he suggested. "When is he ever busy?"
"Might as well, he does nothing but sleep all day." With a large inhale, I grabbed the bouquet, and scuttled my way outside to the old garden shed.