Chapter 3: A Time Together
"Mummy, mummy, can I get this one?" Madeline asked as she dashed over to a powder blue, with a dash of sparkles along with Cinderella on the big front pocket. Bringing it back over she held it up to her parents and grandfather.
Before either of them could speak Parker swiftly followed "And this one?"as he stood next to his sister holding up a superman backpack.
"Put them in the cart." Vivien answered as she marked off backpacks from the list. Cheering the children did as they were asked. Even though they went to private schools and they had to wear uniforms during the week they were allowed a backpack and other things of their choosing. "Next on the list are art boxes along with pencils, glue, crayons, erasers folders and paper." They had only been in the store for five minutes when the children dashed for the backpacks.
Heading down the aisle they soon came upon the supplies. Looking at the list they grabbed a pink and green art boxes, malty colored folders/notebooks along with the rest of thing things. After getting the crayons and glue they had everything.
Knowing they had everything children raced each other to the end of the aisle to head to the toys. As they were doing this they bumped into a lady coming the opposite way. Gasping a little the children knew what they had done.
At hearing their children Larry and Vivien came down the aisle with Richard not too far behind. "Parker, Madeline, what have your mother and I told you?" Larry asked as he scolded his children.
Turning sharply they faced their parents. Their faces weren't just shocked, but furious was written all over them. "Not to run in the store." Parker mumbled as his eyes were cast down at the floor. He hated following rules and doing as he was told. After all boys would be boys and girls would be girls.
"And why do we set rules?" Larry asked as he tapped his foot. He knew he had to discipline his children now or when they got home it wouldn't mean anything.
"I-I don't know." Madeline mumbled as she glanced up at her father for a quick moment. Boy he sure didn't look happy and either did her mother. Turning her eyes she met her grandfather's eyes. Shaking his head he wasn't too happy with his grandchildren either.
"We set rules for the two of you for your safety and because we love you." Vivien answered as her hands were placed on her hips.
"It's alright they didn't do any harm." The ladies voice came as she looked u from the items in her cart. A small gasped escaped her lips. "Vivien, is that really you? It's been quite a few years." The ladies voice gained a sense of happiness.
"Liz, it has been a while. About eight years I would say." They hadn't seen each other since the day they had met in the market.
"Mummy, can grandpa take us to the toys?" Madeline asked as she watched her mother and her friend talk.
"No, you may not go to the toys. After what just happened you are to stay here until we are ready to go." Vivien answered sternly. Kicking the cart Parker started to pout. "Parker, do we need to go to the bathroom and have a talk?" Vivien asked as she looked at him as her face twisted into a frown.
At hearing that he knew what that meant. It wasn't just a talking he would get, but either his mummy or daddy would give him a warm bottom. If it was his daddy then it would hurt much worse than if it was his mother. "No, mother," Parker huffed and stood quietly. The sooner he shut his mouth maybe the quicker they would get out of there.
"Are these?" Liz was lost for words as she looked from Parker to Madeline and back again.
"Yes, Parker and Madeline," Larry answered as he flashed forward eight years since they were babies.
"My how fast they grow," Parker looked just like Larry and little Madeline looked just like Vivien it was uncanny on how much they looked like their parents. Parker and Madeline just looked at one another with a lost look on their small faces.
"We don't know you." Parker said quickly. Larry and Vivien shot him a look which told him to stop while he was ahead.
"Of course not darlings the last time I saw you two you were just little babies. Little tiny little babies," Parker and Madeline still looked at each other. Really? They were really once that little?
"How are Howard and little Elizabeth?" Vivien asked as she remembered not that long after Parker and Madeline were born Elizabeth had been born, just a month or so behind the twins.
"They are doing well. Right now Howard is out hunting with some of his pals and Elizabeth is staying with her grandmother while I do some arons."
"Maybe that's what I should have done," Larry whispered as he should have thought of that before, but the thing was he didn't even hunt. Vivien turned and glanced up at him. With her eyes going dark she kept her mouth shut in fear of what might come out.
"Well we should be going. It was nice to see you Liz darling." Vivien answered as she gave her a hug.
"Yes, it was nice running into you." Liz said with a smile. "And it was nice meeting you two as well."
"It was nice meeting you as well." The twins said as one. As they went their separate ways a little voice asked "Were we REALLY that little?"
Their parents laughed. "Yes, you two were once that little." Vivien laughed as she answered her children.
"I don't know how." Madeline said with a giggle. Vivien laughed once more. Oh how children's imaginations ran wild.
Running through the door the children raced to their rooms. "In a half hour we will be leaving for the sisters." Larry yelled up the staircase.
"Okay, daddy." they yelled back.
"You know it will take some prying to get them into the care again don't you?" Vivien asked with a giggle as she gave her husband a kiss.
"Yes, I know," Larry agreed as he shook his head.
"We will figure out-" Vivien stopped in mid sentence when she saw that the crossword puzzle was missing. "No, daddy," They had just got home and he had already gotten the puzzle.
"What is it Vivling?" Richard asked as he sat in his favorite arm chair.
"You took the crossword puzzle again." Vivien pouted as she stuck out her lower lip.
"I'm actually looking to see if I got all of the answers right from last week." Richard protested as he held up the proof.
"Alright," she went over to her father and looked over his shoulder. "Yes, I got all of them right!" Clapping her hands together she giggled like a little girl.
"Viv, must you remind me?" Richard answered with a laugh.
"Sorry daddy, but you will just have to try a little hard next time." She gave him a quick kiss and went and got ready for that evening.
"Once we get to your aunts you are to be on your best behavior." Vivien told her children as she sat in the passenger seat of her blue Rolls Royce. They didn't need another recap of what happened earlier today. If there was then either her or Larry would hesitate to talk to their children.
Glancing behind her she watched her children and waited for them to speak while Larry drove into London a half hour later. They had left fifteen minutes later because the children were playing a card game and they wanted to finish it. However, next time the game would have to be put on hold.
"Yes, Mummy," Parker and Madeline said as they nodded their heads yes. Madeline held onto her favorite doll as Parker held onto his truck. They always enjoyed going over to their aunts. Hanging out with their children and having fun as the adults talked and played cards.
"I know you will darlings." She gave her children a soft smile. Turning back around she could hear the children playing in the backseat. How they grew day by day.
A little after seven they pulled up in front of the Seven Sisters bakery, stepping out of the car a gentle breeze blew by them as it blew through the many streets of London. So much had changed over the years at the small bakery. Instead of there being two stories it was now three stories high with more rooms for the families that lived behind the walls. Knocking on the door Vivien and Larry looked down at their children.
"Remember what your mother told you." Larry reminded them.
"Yes, Daddy," Parker answered as the sound of heels could be heard. Opening the door Anna stood there.
Vivien and Anna got excited like two little school girls. Parker and Madeline looked from one another to their mother. "It's so good to see you." Anna answered as she gave her a hug. It had been at least a month since they had seen each other.
"It has been a while." Vivien agreed. Too long. It seemed as if only yesterday she had met the sisters for the first time.
"Come in," as they stepped inside she turned towards the children. "The children are upstairs and have been waiting for you two." going over to the staircase her voice rang out. "Children, Parker and Madeline are here." Within a few moments the sound of little feet came downstairs like a heard of buffalo. Seconds later children filled the bakery. 3-5….11 children gathered around Parker and Madeline. "Alright, now behavior yourselves," Anna told the children.
"We will." They all said as one.
"Off you go. The adults have things we need to talk about." Turning back around all of them raced up the stairs and ready to play.
"My you must have your hands full." Larry answered as they entered the living room. Vivien turned to give him a cross look. "We do to." He said this under his breath so Vivien didn't hear him.
"Yes, we do." Peter answered as he and the rest of the men emerged from the card table.
Anna slapped him. "Two of those children are yours."
"I know darling." Peter kissed Anna's check. They were so much in love. Just like Vivien and Larry were.
"At least you admit it." Anna said jokingly as a laugh escaped her lips. All of them had great husbands. Well Sally had an amazing boyfriend who they thought of as family.
"Poker?" Peter asked as he pointed to the card table just in the next room. Peter hoped this would change the subject.
"No going over what you brought." Vivien reminded Larry as she tried to keep him in check.
"Yes, mother." Larry said with a laugh and went to play cards.
As Anna and Vivien entered the big living room the rest of the sisters gave Vivien a hug. As Vivien took a seat next to Anna on the sofa she noticed that Mary was rather big. "Another one?" Vivien asked shocked.
"We wanted to try for a girl. You know having two boys it just makes things harder." Mary answered as she rested her left hand on her stomach. She could really go at any time. Looking down at her youngest she smiled.
"All of your children seem very well behaved." Vivien acknowledged. Her and Larry were very thankful that Parker and Madeline turned out the way they had.
"Thank you," all of them said with smiles on their faces. Each of their children were close in age. Ellie was Parker and Madeline's age. Isabella was in second grade. While Ellie looked like Anna Isabelle looked like Peter, with big round green eyes and little freckles on her face.
Sophie belonged to Virginia and Keith. Sophie is such a daddy's girl, but has her mother's temper, but her father's determination. Dark black hair the color of a raven, hazel colored eyes. At six she thinks she knows everything.
Caroline and Phillip belong to Jacqueline and Robert. Caroline resembled her mother with her dark chestnut hair, chocolate colored eyes and very outgoing personality. Phillip looks like Robert. Dark brown hair, amber colored eyes, stature, even though he is only four, knowing she has a little brother five year old Caroline takes very good care and is very protective over Phillip.
Evelyn and Jack have two children. One boy and a girl, Steven has his father's looks. Jet black hair, green eyes and his very good looking…for a five year old. Kay is his younger sister. Kay is just like her mother always wanting to help around the house at whatever she can get her small little fingers on. She is Mummy's little helper. With big blond ringlet curls Kay has her mother's personality and her looks. Little light colored freckles covered her cheeks as she runs and plays with the other children.
Emma and Lee have one child. David is a very energetic little boy. At just three he tries keep up with his cousins. He could play just as good as the rest of them. With deep red hair and green eyes he is very much his father's son. He is as strong as he is thick headed. He thinks that he can get into anything and not get hurt. But he also has a touch of a softer side as well. Just like his mother he can be a little shy at times.
Mary and Alan have two children with another one along the way. The oldest boy is James who happens to be in the terrible two stage. Not being too worried Alan and Mary know that things will be fine once he turns three. Both him and his younger brother Chester looked like Alan. Beach blond hair hazel colored eyes and fair skinned. While they looked like their father Mary secretly hoped that the baby would look like her and be a girl.
"Are you and Larry going to have any more children?" Sally asked as hoped danced in her eyes. At eighteen she still acted much like a child, but that was soon to change.
Vivien wasn't sure what to say. "Well-I-um—"Vivien bit her lower lip finding that she couldn't find her voice.
"I can answer that one." A voice came from the card table. "No," Larry answered as he peaked his head into the living room.
"But you two are great parents." Sally joined in as she crossed her arms. Just like old Sally, something's never change. "One more couldn't hurt."
Vivien agreed with Sally. One more wouldn't hurt. Vivien looked at Larry with her pleading blue eyes. He just shook his head in disagreement. Oh he knew he loved being a parent there was no denying that. As a matter of fact Parker and Madeline were wrapped around his little finger just like they were with her. "I'll talk to him." Vivien mouthed to the ladies. They laughed hoping she got her way.
As they talked for a little while longer, Vivien brought up the subject she had been dying to ask ever since her and Larry had, had that fight. She wanted it answered now more than ever. As her fingers were wrapped around a red coffee mug she took the plunge and asked the question. "How long was I asleep for all those years ago?" looking up the sisters eyes met hers.
The sisters were taken back a little at hearing that question. "Oh-um….hadn't we told you?" Anna asked as she tore her gaze from Vivien. Vivien shook her head. "Dear you were out for two weeks."
Vivien fell silent. Oh. Then why did it feel like only moments, seconds, and minutes? To her it seemed as if time had stood still the moment she felt the poison take over her body. "Shocked my dear?" Larry's voice pulled her from her thoughts. Shaking her head she looked up at him.
"Yes, very much so, I-I thought it was only moments not days not even weeks." Well Larry sure showed her. How dumb she felt how stupid she felt for thinking it was only moments.
"No, dear, we had a doctor come in and take a look at you. We didn't think you were going to pull through it. The doctor said he had very little hope that you would. But we knew that you had it in you to come back to us." Anna said as she thought back on that very grim, bleak, dark day.
Sally started to get very excited. She started to get fidgety in her seat. "I know what happens next. I know, I know," By now the other men had come into the other room to hear what was going on. They had heard the story, but hadn't heard it in depth as Anna was telling it.
"Calm down there spunky," Christian said as he kissed her hair. He loved her so much, even the little child inside of her that came out every so often.
"Larry came to your rescue." Sally was now up out of her seat and jumping up and down. Everyone looked at her with stunned faces. Smiling big she just stood still and showed her pearly white teeth. "And then you two lived happily ever after."
"Sally, we still have fights. No marriage is perfect. No matter what fairy tales lead you to believe." Vivien answered her. Just as she had told her time and time again. If she had been asleep for that long then how long was he in the hospital? "If I was asleep for two weeks then how long were you in the hospital for?" she pointed towards Larry.
"About four days." Larry answered as he thought back on that date. My that was 13 years ago. It seemed as if only yesterday he was off and in the battle fields with only the letters from his lover to keep him informed of the outside world.
"I see." Vivien answered. Leaning back against the chair Vivien remained motionless.
"Are you alright darling?" Larry asked as it worried him to see the look upon her face.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine, just trying to process this all at once." Vivien flashed him a sweet smile.
"Alright," kissing her forehead she smiled again. They truly were in love with each other. After ten years of marriage they still loved each other so very much. At the thought of marriage a thought struck Vivien. In a matter of two weeks they will have been married for ten years.
"All that matters is that you're here now, with me, with our family, forever." Larry said as love filled his dark green eyes. His hand ran up and down her warm pink cheek. Looking deep into her dark sapphire eyes he felt as if they were the only two in the whole entire world. Drawing her in they shared a deep, passionate and romantic kiss.
"Aw!" Sally said with excitement as she clapped her hands together time and time again.
They pulled apart a few moments later. Smiling up at each other they knew they truly were meant for another. "I love you so very much. I love you more than life it's self." Vivien said in a whisper.
"And I'll love you until the last breath is taken from my body." Larry answered in a low whisper.
"That's so romantic." Sally sighed as she put her hands to her chin. "It's something that's out of a fairy tale."
"Sally," All of them said as one.
"What?" Sally asked. She knew it was true. "Remember all those years ago when I said it would work, well it has and you all thought me wrong." Laughing a bit they all knew she was right and had been for 13 years.
"Yes, Sally, you've been right for quite some time." Vivien agreed. She knew Sally was right. If it wasn't for her believing in fairy tales all those years ago then things wouldn't have gone the way they did. If it wasn't for her believing in Larry coming back then she would probably be dead and buried in a grave somewhere. She loved him so very much. She couldn't picture a life without him or even the children.
As silence filled the room Christian began to get a bit nervous. Turning toward Anna she nodded her head to give him the go ahead. Stepping in front of Sally he cleared his throat and took a deep breath it was now or never. As his hands shook he took Sally's small, warm ones within his. "Sally, I know all your life you've talked about fairy tales, princess and prince's." Stopping a moment he had to slow down or he would stumble over his words. Racking his hand through his rave colored hair he began again "I've known you've wanted to find your knight in shining armor for quite some time." By now he was holding a blood red rose with long green leaves. "Sally, will you be my princess and coming live happily ever after with me?" his dark coal colored yes looked deep into her blue ones.
Putting a hand to her mouth she gazed down at the lovely diamond engagement ring he had produced from his pocket. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was beautiful. A small little silver band with small little diamond's around the entire band. Feeling her breath caught in her throat all of them waited with their hopes held high as they waited for her answer. "Yes," she breathed after about fifteen seconds of keeping everyone waiting. Slipping the ring on her finger he took her in his strong arms and kissed her passionately.
Finally after dating three years he had finally popped the question. Pulling apart a little Sally spoke. "It took you long enough," with a hint of laughter to her voice.
"Oh did it now." Christian said with a smile. "Well then I guess I could just take the ring back. I'm sure I could get my money back."
"Oh, no it's lovely and I didn't mean it that way." Sally said as shock was written all over her face. He wouldn't really do that…would he? "You wouldn't….would you?"
"Not if you give me the best wife ever." Christian spoke as he kissed the end of her nose.
"Oh I will." Sally laughed. Pulling her in for another kiss they shared a passionate kiss just like in a fairy tale. Nothing could ruin this moment.
"Mummy, mummy," came a small voice. Running down the stairs Caroline raced towards her mother.
"What is it sweetheart?" Jacqueline asked as Caroline now stood in front of her mother and father.
"Parker and Steven won't share the toys and the older kids keep bossing the younger ones around." Caroline pouted.
Jacqueline looked up at her husband. Now of all times for this to happen, she sighed a little.
"I'll take care of things." Robert answered. "Come on Caroline." Sticking out his hand she took it willingly.
"Sounds like I better go with you to." Larry answered as he knew good and well this was going to happen. Looking at his wife Vivien nodded her head. Thank goodness he was going to take care of this situation. After all had she gone up their things probably would end differently.
Heading upstairs Robert and Larry found the playroom a mess and children running amuck. "Children, you have to keep quiet up here and that you will have to share the toys." Robert told all 11 children. Caroline still held onto her father's hand as she stood and looked at her brother and cousins. "Daddy, can I play with the doll house?' Caroline asked as she looked up at her father as she brushed a piece of her brown hair from her face.
"Yes, but you have to share." Caroline nodded her head. Going over to the doll house she began to play quietly just like her father had asked.
Larry motioned for his children over to him. As they approached him he got down next to them. "Parker, you know better than that. Your mother and I have taught you to share what you have. Now haven't we?"
"Yes, daddy," Parker nodded his head.
"Okay, now go play with the other children and be good." As they headed off to the play the two men headed back downstairs. "I honestly don't know how you do it." Larry told Robert as they got to the landing of the stairs.
"After a while you treat all of the children as if they were your own. We all look after one another and that's all that matters."
"Was everything alright?" Vivien asked as she looked over her shoulder and up at Larry.
"Yes, everything was fine. I just told Parker and Madeline that they had to share and take turns with the other children."
"I'm sure they will do that." Vivien said with a small smile. The children knew what was right and what was wrong. And they also knew that if they were to get into trouble then that there would be consequences to soon follow. "Is Caroline looking forward to Kindergarten tomorrow?"
"We think so. Why here lately that's all she's talked about." Jacqueline answered as she placed her knitting needles along with some yarn on the floor near her feet.
"She's even asked us if she can take in her little brother as her show and tell project." Robert laughed at the scene she made just earlier that day.
"Of course we told her no." Jacqueline said quickly as she looked at her husband. "We told her that she would have to take her favorite doll instead."
"Children have some imaginations don't they." Vivien laughed. "But I will say Parker and Madeline both went through that stage. They wanted to take in each other as their show and tell projects. But I'm sure Caroline will love taking her doll into school."
"Yes, she is looking forward to it. We are just hoping that when show and tell time is over with that she puts it up. She takes that little doll with her everywhere." Jacqueline replied. She took the doll that resembled her to the park, to the car, to the store she even brought it to the dinner table one night.
"You will have to call me and let me know how it all goes."
"I will. I'm just praying that she doesn't get cold feet and hang onto Robert or I when we go to drop her off." Jacqueline responded as she bit her lower lip. That would be a hard moment. Having her or Robert take her into class and then having to leave her for half the day.
"Everything will be fine. Caroline is a very outgoing little girl. She will be fine. She seems to get along with the other children."
"Yes, but those are her cousins not other children she has never met before." Now she was just freaking herself out. Everything was going to be fine.
"Everything is going to be fine. Trust me." Vivien gave her a smile. "Besides Anna and Virginia have already been through this I'm sure they will be able to help you through it. And Robert is a great dad he will be able to ease Caroline's mind if there is any worry." Nodding her head Jacqueline felt a lot better now that she had all of that off of her chest.
An hour and a half later and five pounds later Larry had won most of his losses back and the woman were cutting it up in the next room. "Oh, yes that was rather funny wasn't it?" Anna answered with laughter. "Children's first birthday's are always the best and the funniest."
"And you can't forget the messiest." Vivien chimed in. All that frosting and cake in her hair at the twin's first birthday party. It seemed as if that was only yesterday that they had turned a year old.
"You couldn't pay me to be a woman." Jack replied as he laid a red poker chip in the center of the round table.
"Agree!" all of the men followed. As drinks were downed and money was won the men had their own conversations going.
"Looks like I win again." Larry said with a cheesy grin on his face.
"Oh, not again Lar," Lee said with a sigh as he tossed in his cards. "Let the rest of us win every once in a while."
"Aw, but that would mean giving up some money and I need this money for my kids to go to college."
"We all do." Peter answered as he deled out the deck of cards again. "Vivien, how do you get your husband to lose at cards?" he called into the other room.
Laughing a little Vivien walked into the cards room. "Tell him that it is late and that it is time that we head home."
"Just one more hand darling. I know I can win."
"Lar, you've won about every hand I think you can let this one go." Vivien walked towards him and put his arms around his shoulders.
"I guess your right it is getting rather late and the kids to have school tomorrow." Putting the cards down he got up from his seat and headed upstairs. "Time to head home," Larry called into the big play room. Walking into the big room he found all of the children playing and enjoying each other.
"No, we want to stay longer." Parker answered as his eyes never left the toys him and the other boys were playing with.
"You two must be getting tired." Vivien said softly as she saw Madeline playing with Ellie and Caroline.
"No, were not." Madeline said with a deep, wide yawn. Her little eyes had begun to get heavy.
"Yes, you are." Vivien corrected. "Tell Ellie and Caroline you will see them tomorrow." Waving to them Madeline took hold of her mother hand. As she leaned against her mother's legs and waited for her brother and daddy she fell asleep. Looking down Vivien giggled a little. Yes, someone was sleepy. Picking her up she held her in her loving and caring arms. Vivien and Larry were both surprised that they could still pick up each of the kids, but they were rather small. Not that they were complaining, because soon they would hit a grown sprit and there would be no more picking them up.
"Come on Parker; tell the boys you will see them later." Larry whispered as he saw his little girl resting in Vivien's arms.
Picking up what he was playing with he told the boys he would see them later. Heading downstairs the girls told them goodbye and goodnight. "My, someone was tired wasn't she?" Anna asked in a whisper.
"Out like a light. Let's just hope she sleeps the whole night." Larry answered as he offered to take her.
"She will. She and Parker both will. After playing this hard they should sleep well for the next couple of nights." After saying goodbye all four of them got into the small car and headed home.
"What a night. I can't believe Madeline fell right to sleep." Larry said in a soft whisper.
"I knew she would the moment she protested she wasn't tired." Glancing in the back seat Vivien saw that Madeline was still fast asleep. While Parker sat quietly in the back seat fighting to keep his little green eyes opened. "And I do think Parker is too far off."
A half hour later they had arrived home. Glancing at his watch it read 9:30. It was a half hour past the children's bed time. Opening their doors Vivien and Larry opened the back to easily. Seeing their two angles asleep they picked them up and carried them inside.
"You know there will come a time when we won't be able to do this." Larry whispered as he fumbled with the lock.
"Don't remind me." Vivien answered back quickly. She liked the children being little. If only they could stay little forever. As Larry still fumbled with the door Vivien giggled.
"What?" he asked as he turned towards her.
"This just reminds me of the very first time we brought the children home from the hospital. The scene was just like this one." Vivien couldn't help but think about on such a funny moment.
"Yes, well that moment Parker was a lot lighter." Finally he was able to get the door opened.
"Wake up children were home." Vivien said sweetly. Brushing a piece of hair from Madeline's forehead she opened her eyes. "Time to get ready for bed,"
"Aw, but mummy," Madeline wined.
"No, butts Madeline, its past you and your brothers bed time and you two have a very big day tomorrow." Giving in the children went right to bed without a single fight. As the children drifted off back into dreamland Vivien and Larry also headed to bed.
"What a day. I could go to bed and sleep for hours." Vivien said as she crawled into bed and snuggled up next to her husband.
Holding her in his arms he played with her hair. "You do that my darling wife. After all like you said has been quite a day and tomorrow will be a very busy but very exciting one."
"You did remember to put film in the camera right?" Vivien mumbled as she could hear his beating heart as it put her to sleep.
"Yes, I put film in the camera."
"Alright," and with that she to, was out like a light. Turning off the lamp Larry soon followed.
"Rise and shine it's going to be a big day." Vivien opened her children's bedroom doors.
"Mummy! Five more minutes please." They begged as they rolled over to go back to sleep.
"Alright, but I made your two's favorite breakfast." Madeline and Parker shot up. Chocolate chip Pancakes! Rushing downstairs they sat at the counter with anticipation. "Somehow I knew that would work." After saying prayer they dug into their breakfast. "When you two get done one of you brush and wash your face while the other changes into their school uniform."
"Yes, Mummy,"
"Something smells good." Larry answered as he and Richard entered from the drawing room.
"I couldn't sleep so at about fifteen after six I got up and decided to make breakfast." Taking the orange juice and milk out of the ice box Vivien sat in on the table. "Children, there is no need to rush. You've got 20 minutes before we are to leave."
Parker and Madeline looked at one another. 20 minutes! Eating rather quickly they both dashed off to get ready.
"My those two seem to be in a hurry this morning." Richard answered as his grandchildren ran off to get ready.
"They wanted to sleep in an extra five minutes but once I told them I made their favorite they bounced right out of bed."
"Five minutes and we are heading out the door." Vivien yelled up the staircase. Hearing little feet coming down the stairs, Vivien turned to see Madeline standing there.
"Mummy, will you braid my hair for me?" Madeline asked as she had her hair bows and brush in hand.
At hearing those words Vivien flashed back to eight years ago when that little girl at her baby shower asked her to do her hair. How much she enjoyed doing that and now she was getting to do her daughters hair. "Mummy,"
"I'm sorry darling what did you say?" Vivien asked as she came out of the flash back.
"Will you braid my hair?"
"Come and sit down and I will." Skipping over to a chair Madeline plopped down and waited for her hair to be done.
"Did you know that grandpa used to do my hair for me when I was about your age." As she parted the hair and began braiding each side of it.
"Really?" Madeline asked as she could feel her mother tightening the braid.
"Yes, he would try and try to do my hair in braids, but he just couldn't get it." Vivien laughed. "I would have to go and look just like the rest of the children. Hair down or I would grab a headband as we headed out the door."
"Mummy, I'm glad you are here to braid my hair." Madeline stood up the moment her mother was done. "I love you mummy."
"And I love you." Kissing the end of her nose Madeline giggled. "Parker, come along it's time to go."
Heading downstairs Parker and Madeline said goodbye to their grandfather and all four of them were out the door heading towards a new school year.
A/N: Hello everyone! My it's been forever since I've last updated. I'm truly sorry that it has taken me this long to update. I've been dealing with some writers block and I've also been very busy with school work. Hope I still have readers out there:)