Just a short chapter to get me kick started back into writing again.

Chapter 14 – Mommy/Daughter Day

Running after two children was hard work, even if their mother was a spy. Tyler was nearing ten years old, and her baby, little Eloise, Ella to her Daddy, just turned two. The summer holidays was always the most tiring; with both kids at home, she had to find ways to keep them both occupied, especially when Chuck was at work.

They had days spent at the beach and days just playing games inside when they were too tired to leave the house. Devon and Ellie even came down from Chicago with their own two children and spent a couple days at Disneyland.

Now, it was time for Tyler to go back to school; as much as Sarah missed her little man, she was relieved to only have Eloise at home. After having Tyler, she was able to focus solely on him and their bond was one that most other parents envied. Now, with Eloise, she had to divide her time between her two children, and it was only when Tyler was at school could she give all her attention to Eloise. The pair had their own little routine and Sarah relished the time she had to spend with her little girl.

In the morning, after Chuck had taken Tyler to school, the two would unpack the craft supplies and create, what Chuck would call, 'a masterpiece' to add to their already full art board. Their fridge was already covered in things that Tyler brought home from school, so Sarah had went and bought a two metre square corkboard just for Eloise. The two girls had fun that day decorating the frame with paints, glitter and butterfly stickers.

After craft time, Sarah would prepare a small morning snack for them, usually a fruit platter. She didn't like her children having those artificially produced and packaged snacks; they got enough of those when Morgan was on babysitting duty. The only thing good about a sugar high for children is when they crash.

Next in the routine was a walk down to the local park with Caboose; it was a dog friendly park and they could be let off the leash. At that time of the morning, not many other people were around and Eloise loved to chase after the Labrador retriever; the little girl's laughter when she played with her pet was the highlight of Sarah's day.

The walk in the park ended with a small picnic that Sarah packed, containing sandwiches and juice boxes for the girls and a pig's ear for Caboose. Eloise would chatter away to her mother throughout lunch about the things she saw in the park, and Sarah would sit there with rapt attention, occasionally throwing in a comment or two to keep her going.

The five minute walk back home from the park often turned into ten if Sarah decided to let Eloise walk, rather than put her in the stroller she always brought. Some days, the little girl would tire out and fall asleep to the rhythm of her mother's footfalls as she walked them home, other days, Eloise wanted to stop and pick all the dandelions she saw in the grass, often giving them to Sarah. "Petty, mommy," she would say.

"Yes, very pretty. Just like you, baby girl."

Nap time was also one of the best times of Sarah's day; Eloise would sleep for a good two hours, which allowed Sarah to the daily house cleaning. Not that there was much to do; Chuck would always make a point of doing his fair share before he left of a morning. She couldn't ask for a better husband.

In the afternoons, Sarah liked to vary the activities she and Eloise would do; some days they would do some baking for Tyler to take to school and Chuck to work, others they would watch a bit of television; Sarah was addicted to Sesame Street, plus it was one of the only few kids' shows that didn't disturb her… 'The Night Garden' was weird. Some times they just curled up on the couch and read books, filling up the afternoon before the boys would return home.

These were their days and Sarah treasured every single one of them.

Just to let you know, I call 'juice boxes', 'poppers'… it's a Queensland thing.

Also, I did meet Jeri Ryan and it was the best day ever! She was super lovely. You can read my article about it here - archives/7054

I hoped you liked this little chapter… I'm hoping you will review and help me over the 100 reviews line. I've never had a fic with so many before; it's rather amazing. I love you all.