Spiritual Blessings
Despite his initial bewilderment over how to choose a church from the dozens within Athens, Tony decided to try a medium sized Methodist one he had passed on several occasions. Taking his newly formed family into consideration, he had called several over the past week to inquire over their programs for children, and this one, despite its smaller population, provided opportunities for the kids to participate and feel valuable.
Finishing the last items on the agenda for the night took nearly an hour, but finally Tony felt satisfied that he could relax in front of the television, feet propped on the coffee table as he sprawled against the embrace of the overstuffed couch. Finding it difficult to concentrate on the action from the tv, though, he allowed his mind to wander to rehash a list of items which took precedence in the next couple of days.
First and foremost, he needed to hire a nanny. Daphne worked well in the household, but her graduate school hours trumped her babysitting ones. Though the children responded to her, his priority lay in finding one person to provide stability as a full time caretaker, rather than rely upon a series of sitters who tackled portions of the days.
Daphne explained her situation pretty straightforwardly, so Tony understood, and tried to remind himself to focus on the fact that she would still help him out when needed.
Still, panic threatened any moment that he found himself still and in a position to seriously contemplate the family's future.
Only a week remained free before duty called him to his assigned work at the Navy School. Following straight away loomed elementary school for Ethan, Levi, and Ava.
As for Elijah and Vivienne, Tony had discarded the idea of enrolling them into day care once he sat down and outlined the pros and cons of day care versus hiring a nanny. No matter how he approached the positive and negative repercussions, someone coming into the home would offer more security to the youngest ones, the babies, and would simultaneously provide care for the elementary group on their school breaks.
School breaks- Tony massaged his temples and pulled himself to his feet, then struggled to gain his balance as he stepped upon a small metal racecar. Jerking his wounded foot away from the tiny weapon, he jogged on one foot several steps before finally allowing his heel to touch the floor.
Waiting for the throb to subside, he breathed deeply and reminded himself to focus upon the positive. At least the kids had put away the rest of their toys, evidenced by the toy chest spilling over with motley items.
Tony made his way to the chest and rearranged some of the bounty to make them all fit better. He didn't bother to hide a smug smile at the contents. It made him feel fantastic that each child now possessed a variety of playthings.
When he began this assignment, it appeared he would fill the role of a pseudo security sitter for a temporary and finite period of time. Now, though, days had begun to run into each other and any time he inquired about the future, the reply was that the children needed to stay hidden longer.
So in the interim, he determined they would live and enjoy the journey together. By whatever forces had juxtaposed themselves, those powers still managed to produce the makings of a surrogate family.
A twinge of fear slammed into him and Tony raked his fingers through his hair. Would anyone else keep those five safe? Their little lives had barely begun, and only someone cognizant to law enforcement and to family dynamics could offer safety and stability.
He certainly could!
He evaluated his feelings with lips pursed in deep thought. Honestly, his obligation to the kids now took a subordinate role when compared to his growing love for them.
Familiarity bred affection during their initial hours together, and that affection now radiated into a deeper emotion.
Swiveling several times from the waist, Tony tried to force his muscles to relax. Finally pleased with the effort he snapped off the lamp and made his way through the house, pausing to check on each of the children before he showered and fell into bed.
They slept soundly, secure in the home Tony provided for them.
Feet running down the hall and muted voices penetrated his consciousness and jerked him awake. Startled, he saw that sun already streamed through his bedroom windows and he rubbed his temples in an effort to focus.
A burst of an angry exchange forced him to sit up and untangle himself from blankets and sheets. Ethan's voice, raised and determined, resonated from the direction of the screened porch, but Levi's, loud and angry, echoed down the walls of the hall.
"I will too tell the daddy!" he threatened, and before Tony could slide to the edge of the mattress and change to a standing position, Levi's irate little face and body hurled through the door.
Without a pause he flung himself onto the bottom of the bed and ordered, "Listen to what Ethan said because he bossed me around and I am tired of hearing him!" To add to the dramatic entrance he threw himself backwards so that he landed looking up at Tony. "Did you hear me?"
Nodding thoughtfully, Tony grabbed Levi's foot and dragged the child closer, then leaned down and kissed him on the nose.
Irritated at the calm response, Levi struggled to a seated position and grabbed Tony's face between both hands. "I mean it, and I am very upset right now. That is why I came to tell the daddy."
"That I know," Tony acknowledged, stifling a huge yawn that threatened to send him back under the covers. "But what disturbs me now is finding out how in the world I overslept. This is the latest (he squinted at the clock) I have slept in a couple of weeks."
Disappointed that his woes did not hold priority status, Levi turned Tony loose with a scowl before inching backwards to prop himself against the headboard.
Stretching, Tony awarded him an amused glance before slipping into the bathroom. Still surprised at his long sleep, he hurried through washing his face and brushing his teeth. He opened the door just in time to find Vivienne toddling into the room. Spying him, she laughed with delight and threw up her arms in invitation.
Swooping her into his embrace, he nuzzled against her, luxuriating in the feel of her snuggled against him. Kissing the top of her blond hair he mumbled, "I think my bitty baby girl is overdue for a diaper change."
Still pouting at Tony's lack of sympathy, Levi complained, the dimple in his cheek underscoring his annoyance. "Why do you just care about her only when I told you Ethan messed up my day?"
Galvanized by the insolence underlying the tone, Tony snapped, "Young man, if you use that disrespectful tone of voice again you will be spending some time as the recipient of a punishment!"
Scowling, Levi crossed her arms dramatically, but didn't venture an additional response.
Repositioning the baby, Tony swung Viv back and forth in his arms, counting backwards from five, then dropped her laughing onto the bed. She jumped back up immediately and tried to crawl back into his arms for another round, but he assured her they had to make the bed and then cook breakfast.
Still, with a twinkle he quickly tickled her tummy and blew onto her belly button, making her practically convulse with giggles.
Signaling to Levi to move, he watched the child slide off of the other side and march from the room, his feelings of injustice evidenced in every stomp.
Raising his eyebrows, Tony consulted Vivienne, still smiling from their playtime. "See, now I knew he wanted so badly to tattle, but my little Honey, to tell you the truth, the daddy hoped to stall him. Looks like I actually did."
Moving expertly, he arranged the sheets, pillows, and comforter, allowing Vivienne's unsolicited help. She practically glowed with the praise he bestowed and with a sudden stabbing pang of loss, he acknowledged that in a very short time she would resume life away from him.
Hand in hand they strolled down the hall and into the breakfast room, and Tony performed a quick head count as he called out good mornings.
Elijah came running when he heard Tony's voice, and making kissing noises, threw his arms around Tony's legs. Prying the small fingers loose Tony crouched and gathered the little boy to him, then hoisted him onto his hip.
He brushed the child's long bangs away from his eyes, marveling once again at the coppery color threaded through the silky strands. "Good morning, you handsome heartbreaker," he greeted, leaning down to nuzzle the small cheek.
Elijah snuggled against him, perfectly content to have Tony all to himself. Most of the time the daddy's filtered attention spread itself five ways.
Ava called out from where she and Ethan watched a squirrel rolling a pine cone on the patio. "Is the daddy ready for us to eat breakfast? Can I eat French toast with powdered sugar like the daddy cooks?"
Ava exhausted him in the eating department, reigning, as Tony assured himself, as the pickiest eater ever born. It delighted him now that she expressed unexpected interest in any menu item. Pointing towards the interior of the house, he responded agreeably. "Will do, my Princess. First everyone needs to make sure that beds are made and bedrooms look clean and straight, though." Calling to Vivienne, who hurried to race back to him on unsteady little legs, Tony retraced his steps down the hall and changed her diaper while Elijah clung like a monkey against him. Still, both little ones helped him straighten the crib and Elijah's bed, and Tony bragged on Ava and Ethan's contributions as they struggled with their own pillows and covers.
Scouring both bedrooms, he failed to locate Levi, and frowning, called firmly, demanding the child's presence.
Obeying finally, the little boy still managed to display his displeasure at both the chore, and as he reminded Tony, also at the daddy's negligence of addressing his earlier mistreatment.
"Forget it," Tony advised, dismissing the complaints. "Right now breakfast is calling our names, and to make it to church we have to speed up eating and getting dressed."
Clapping his hands loudly he mimicked a ringmaster and ordered, "Time's a ticking, Team! I expect immediate attention to breakfast and a quick transformation into angelic Sunday School scholars! Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
Even Ethan burst into laughter at that, and they scrambled to oblige the directive.
Within forty five minutes the dishwasher hummed with their breakfast dishes stacked within it.
Mere minutes later Tony could not veil his pride when the family wound its way to the open doors of the church and responded to the greeters who introduced themselves and extended a welcome.
The boys wore crisply pleated dress pants and shirts without suit jackets, practical choices for such a humid and warm summer Sunday. Copying Tony's lead as they shopped together the week before, Ethan, like Tony, wore an emerald green shirt paired with crisp white pants. A white tie complemented the look, showcasing the rakish style.
Levi, whom Tony harbored a secret worry would end up mussed and rumpled in relatively short time, had dressed in navy blue slacks and a blue and white striped oxford shirt.
Little Elijah's red button down shirt delighted him, mainly because those particular buttons came shaped like fire trucks. Further, in the preceding ten minutes the preschooler had narrated several story snippets starring firemen, whom he idolized, and kept him chattering until even Vivienne cast an irritated glance his way.
His pants were khaki.
Despite Tony's admitted lack of skill at styling hair, he had managed to secure Ava's honey blond waves away from her face with a barrette she had begged him to purchase, an ornamental one with multicolored ribbons that dangled throughout her hair. Earlier she had preened in front of the full length mirror as he secured it, turning her head from side to side to enjoy the full effect.
Both little girls arrived decked out in smocked dresses and sandals, thanks to the bounty of the same department store which sold barrettes. Pointing to the display of fancy dresses, Ava eloquently insisted to Tony that the lime green dress would make her very, very happy. Vivienne's blue dress matched her eyes, and she jabbered excitedly about the yellow rosebuds which dotted the hem.
Yes, individually they stood out, but as a family, they shone.