When Love Isn't Enough

Chapter 5-

"How was your day with daddy?" Summer asked the kids as they all entered the house.

"Better then when we spend it with you." Replied Katie.

Summer, used to her daughters bitter and snide remarks, after all, she had been dealing with it for about a month, gratefully accepted the answer and continued talking. "And what about you, Jess?"

"It was fun!"

"Well, that's good."

It was around Chrismukkah time, coming near was the one month anniversary of Seth's departure. Ever since that day, the house had a cold tension, mostly because of Katie. Since then, she was bitter and rude, and blocked all of her feelings out, not letting anyone in. She did not talk to Summer like they used, and if she happens to say something to her, it would be a snide comment that was unnecessary. Summer is very worried, and as much as she tries to get her daughter to talk, Katie just doesn't budge.

Jessica, though, handled it in a whole different way. She actually grew closer to Summer and barely left her side. Summer is worried about her too, because this shows that Jessica is afraid that Summer may leave too.

The girls go with Seth twice a week. Though Seth and Summer see each other a lot, they never really talk besides a 'hello' or 'goodbye'.

"It was fun!" Katie said, mimicking her sister.

"Mommy, tell her to stop." A very whiney Jessica said.

"She can't make me do anything."

"I'm your mother, yes I can. Now go up to your room. Now!"

"Fine. But the only reason I'm going is so I don't have to hear your voice." Katie said bitterly walking up the stairs. Once she was upstairs, Jessica started to ask Summer a question.

"Mommy?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is Katie like this? She's starting to scare me." Jessica said softly.

"Me too, Jessie, me too. But, she's just dealing with something and it will blow over. You probably just don't understand it right now, you will when you get older. So, just let her be, she'll come around. So, tell me, what did you do with daddy today?" Summer then said, trying to get off the subject.

"I may only be 4, but I know that you are trying to get off the subject."

Summer smiled. "I am."

"But that's okay, Jessica said returning the smile, "Well, today,... " Jessica started rambling on about her day.

'Boy, is this going to be a long day.' Summer thought to herself, blocking out her daughter's rambling. Her thoughts we interrupted.

"Mommy?! Are you listening?"

"Yes sweetie."

"Good! So, as I was saying,..."

'Yup, a very long day.' She thought again.

The next day:

"Kate, dinner's ready." Summer said, from behind her daughter's bedroom door.

"I'm not hungry." She heard a murmur.

"Katie, you have to eat." Summer said, while opening the door.

"I said, I'm not hungry!" Katie replied, raising her voice.

"I don't know what is up with you these days, but you need to drop the attitude right away."

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Look, I'm not playing your little games. Now, I'll tell you again, dinner is ready."

"And I'll tell you again, I'm . . . Not . . . Hungry!"

Summer very frustrated replied, "Fine, be that way. And if you think that I will feel sorry for you, you are very mistaken. You are not the only one that is dealing with what has happened." She then closed the door and muttered to herself. "When did seven year olds become such a pain?"

It was later on in the night, when the three of them got back. They had gone out because Summer had a few errands to run and even though Katie threw a fit refusing she wasn't going to go, she basically had no choice but to go, seeing as how she can't be left home alone. Also, Summer saying that if she didn't go, she wasn't going to be getting any presents for Chrismukkah may have helped as well.

"Girls, go get ready for bed."

As the girls made their way up the stairs, Summer noticed she had a new message on her cell. She pressed the phone against her ear, hearing a familiar voice. It was Seth.

"Hey Summer, it's me. I know that I'm like the last person you wanna to speak to, but I have something really important to say. I know tomorrow is Chrismukkah, and I was going to spend some time with the girls, but I just found out a few hours ago that my office is being moved to New York City for a few months and a last minute business trip was scheduled. We're flying out there in a few hours. Our flight is at 9:30. I called, thinking maybe I can stop by and say goodbye, but obviously you're not there, so, yeah. Listen, I know this isn't the reason I called, but again, I really have to say sorry. I really wish we can work out our problems, I really miss you. I miss spending time with you every day. And, I really love you. I mean it. But, I guess that love isn't always enough. You wanted me to show commitment to our family and I really screwed up. I'm sorry Summer, I really am. So, I guess I'll be seeing you guys in a few months. Tell Kate and Jess that I'm really sorry, that I'll miss them, and that I love them so much. I love you Summer, don't forget that."

After listening to Seth's extremely long message, Summer was in tears.

'He's leaving. What did I do? I managed to chase him out of the state. Now the girls really are going to hate me. Wait, what time is it? Maybe I still have time. Great, it's 9:18. Now what am I going to do? Wait, I think I have an idea.'

"Mommy?, Jessica said, coming down the stairs, interrupting Summer's thoughts. "I'm ready to be tucked in."

"Okay sweetie, come on." Summer said, taking her daughters hand and walking up to her room.

"Goodnight mommy, I love you." Jessica said, tucked in.

"I love you too, baby. Goodnight." Summer said, turning off the light and walking out the door. Seconds later, Summer reappeared, turning the light back on. "Sweetie, what do you think about spending Chrismukkah in New York?"

A/N - Thanks for all the reviews for the other chapters. So, there's chapter 5, please review! Hope you enjoyed it :)