Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own creations.
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Comfortable sitting on the couch with his wife lying back against his chest as they watch the late night news, Patrick Janw realised that Mother Nature is unfortunately calling. As her head is dislodged as he heaves up, Teresa struggles to rearrange herself as she calls after the rapidly departing Patrick. 'Check that Addy's lights are out will you?'
'Yes sir!' Patrick actually sent her a salute as he left the room. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to the news, her body already missing her husband's heat.
Ablutions complete, Patrick stops by the room of his eldest daughter who is propped up on her pillows, thoroughly engrossed in a book. 'Bed time squirt,' said Patrick, knocking on the doorframe.
'But, Dad...' said his daughter in complaint.
'Uh uh. You've got school tomorrow.' Adelaide grumbled as she marked her page and placed the book on her bedside table.
'Good night sweetheart,' said Patrick preparing to flick the light switch, but his actions are halted by a call from the bed. 'Dad?'
'Hmm?' said Patrick standing in the doorway.
'Can I get my belly button pierced for my birthday?' asked his daughter hopefully. 'I'll be old enough then.'
'Sure you'll be old enough, but you're not getting your belly button pierced,' said Patrick firmly, stepping into the room.
'But why not?' whined Adelaide. 'Amber Ranieri's parents are going to let her.'
'Do I look like Mr and Mrs Ranieri?' queried Patrick.
'Well with a bit of help you could,' grumbled Adelaide.
'You doofus,' said Patrick, mussing her hair. 'Sorry sweetheart. Answer's still no.' Kissing her forehead, he leaves the room, turning off the light.
Returning back to the lounge room, he pushes Teresa up and over a little as he takes his seat again. As Teresa leans back against his chest, feet stretched out on the length of the couch, Patrick runs his hands through her hair as they both watch the news.
'Adelaide wants to get her belly button pierced for her birthday,' declared Patrick, breaking the silence.
'What did you tell her?' asked Teresa, angling her head upward.
'No,' said Patrick as if it were the most obvious thing. 'There's no way my fourteen year old child will be getting piercings.'
'I'm with you on the belly button point,' conceded Teresa, 'But are you preventing her from all of them?'
'Well, for now!' said Patrick indignantly.
'I remember wanting to get a second piercing when I was a teenager,' mused Teresa. 'Dad said no, and so I went and did it regardless.'
'Tess, you disobeyed your parents?!' said Patrick in mock horror as she grinned and slapped his chest. 'Let's just put it this way, when I came home with seven piercings on one ear and eight on the other, Dad wasn't too impressed.'
'You had fourteen, no fifteen, piercings?' he said disbelievingly.
'Hmm. Didn't last long though cos two of them got infected and it spread, so I was left with six in one ear and four in the other,' laughed Teresa. 'Karma I guess!'
'But still...!' stuttered Patrick.
'Perhaps we should offer Adelaide the chance to get a second piercing on her ears for her birthday. Hmm?' she negotiated.
'Perhaps,' agreed Patrick grudgingly. 'But that's it,' he added fiercely.
'Settle petal!' said Teresa. Giving him a quick kiss, she stituated herself back against his chest once again as Patrick placed his arm over her shoulder to rest against her stomach. As she folded her fingers into his, he kissed the top of her head as they both revel in the blessed quietness of the house which was very much a rare occurrence these days!