Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I've updated and I'm sorry for that, thanks for being patient!
San Francisco: 2022
Stepping out of his car Shawn could admire how green the grass was on his lawn. It was a nice shade, the best on the block- he was happy he'd taken his fathers advice on a watering system. Grabbing his case from the backseat Shawn shut the car doors and pressed the button on his keys waiting for the click sounding the lock. He turned and walked through the white picket fence gate. For once the lawn and concrete walkway was clear of toys, Juliet must've had the kids clean it. Pausing at the door he could hear yelling and a crash from inside.
He sighed and opened the door.
"Robert and Malcolm Spencer you knock it off this minute!" Juliet yelled from where Shawn assumed was the kitchen. A few seconds later two boys came barreling into the room. Robert leading the way, as his little brother struggled to keep up, turned and took off up the stairs.
They lived in a modest two-story home with enough room for the adults, kids and the dog. Despite both Shawn and Juliet's best efforts the house practically remained a mess as the boys messed it up the minute it became clean. Tonight was no different, clothes littered the floor, shoes were in front of the door and backpacks were thrown on the windowsill.
"No fair!" Malcolm shouted tripping on the first step before chasing his brother.
"I swear…." Juliet came out of the kitchen and smiled when she spotted her husband. "Thank God you're home." She crossed the room and kissed him.
"Hey," Shawn put his case down by the wall and shut the door. "What's going on?"
"Your sons are little menaces." Juliet started putting her hands on his shoulders.
They were always his sons when they were in trouble.
"They broke the vase my mom gave us for our anniversary last year, and they won't pick up after themselves."
"They're boys." Shawn wrapped his arms around her waist.
Juliet shook her head, "I'm going to kill them."
"You love them." Shawn pulled her in for a hug and kissed the side of her head.
"I do." Juliet sighed gripping him tightly. "How was work?"
"It was alright," Shawn pulled away from her, "Where'd you get the dress?" he looked her up and down.
"I found it in the back of the closet." Juliet gave him a little twirl, "I think I bought this right before I moved up here. Do you like it?"
"You can still fit into that?" Shawn tilted his head.
"Rethink that statement," Juliet closed her hands and pursed her lips looking at him.
"Ah, sorry. It's beautiful." Shawn smiled. He was about to speak again but a cry interrupted him.
"There goes the other one…" Juliet sighed.
"I got him," Shawn nodded and turned up the stairs walking to the nursery where the cries came from. The room was a standard nursery that he and his father had completed one afternoon after first purchasing the house before Robert had been born, he had then repainted it with the news of the third pregnancy. "Hey, little guy." Backed against the side wall was a white crib which carried the three month old infant. Shawn picked him up gently and smiled down.
"What's the matter Henry? Are you wet?" Shawn touched his bottom.
A couple years ago Shawn had received a call in the middle of the night, it had been his mother. Without a warning his father had collapsed while coming back from the bathroom, a heart attack. He died before the ambulance could arrive.
Naming their third son Henry had been an easy decision.
"You're getting big buddy." Shawn began to leave the room as the two elder boys zoomed by. "Robert!" Shawn hissed eyeing his eldest son.
"What?!" Robert turned around. His blonde hair was neatly set back and his blue eyes looked bored.
"Get down stairs and help your mom, now." Shawn commanded.
Robert grumbled but did as he was told earning a smack to the back of the head as he passed Shawn. "No running in the house."
"Hi daddy." Shawn felt a small hand grab his own as he walked down the stairs.
"Hi kiddo."
"Can I hold him?" Malcolm held his arms out as they walked towards the kitchen.
"Sit on down and you can." Shawn promised. Malcolm sped up and disappeared into the kitchen waiting for his father to arrive.
Malcolm was Shawn's little buddy, if he wasn't trailing after his brother. He was constantly at his father's side and it seemed he had inherited the eidetic memory along with his looks.
"Okay bud, be real gentle." Shawn carefully placed the small baby into Malcolm's little arms. Juliet watched from the sink to make sure everything was okay.
At the time of the news Shawn had thought the first pregnancy was a surprise. Then came the second, and then the third. Their little family had progressed rather quickly and while Shawn loved his boys, he just wished they could have waited a little longer.
"He's so small." Malcolm grinned down.
"That's because he's a poop head." Robert said as he picked a plate from the counter. Juliet turned and smacked the back of his head without hesitation.
"He's smarter than you," She quipped.
Hearing his mother's voice little Henry began to move his fists and cry out softly.
"What's wrong with him?" Malcolm asked suddenly beginning to panic at the crying infant.
"He's just hungry." Juliet smiled walking over to pick him up.
"Wash your hands boys." Shawn instructed helping Juliet get settled into a chair.
"Grab his blanket." Juliet said pointing to a blue blanket resting on couch. Shawn rushed to grab it and placed it on Juliet's shoulder as she began to breast-feed. "Carlton called today." She looked up at her husband.
"Yeah?" Shawn loosened the tie around his neck and began to set the table.
"Yeah, he and Marlowe were thinking about coming up here for a visit. To see Karen, and us, I told him it was a great idea. Plus they haven't met the baby." Juliet watched as Shawn moved around the kitchen quickly.
"Sounds good sweetie." Shawn nodded.
"Shawn…" Juliet opened her mouth but was stopped as the two elder boys came running in. Robert stopped in front of his chair suddenly causing Malcolm to crash into the table rocking the plates.
"Dammit, boys!" Shawn barked. "How many times do I have to tell you not to run in the house?"
"Sorry dad." Robert sat at his seat with a smirk on his face. Shawn picked Malcolm up by the arms and pushed him softly towards his chair.
"I don't want to hear a word out of either of you for the rest of the night." Shawn pointed his finger at both of them.
"Listen to your father." Juliet nodded looking down to make sure Henry was all right.
"Jeez mom do you have to do that at the table?" Robert shook his head and stared at his plate,
"You did this at one time too." Juliet reminded him.
"Did I?" Malcolm touched Henry's foot lightly.
"Yes you did sweetie, and you were much better than your brother. You had no problem latching." Juliet smiled at him.
"Eww!" Robert covered his ears.
"Dinner's served." Shawn placed a pot of macaroni and cheese on the table and waited as the two boys dug in.
This is just a beginning look into the lives of the Spencers. If Shawn seems different that's because he is! As you'll why and how in later chapters.
Yes, I killed Henry! I know. But I named the baby after him, so that's something. Right?