Two Pink Lines

chapter 24: watching the fire glow

At just six months old, the twins already had distinct personalities. Ivy clearly took after her dad, reserved and introverted. It was already apparent that she had the same quiet confidence Joe had about him. And just like Joe, she had a knack for mischief.

Layton on the other hand, was quite the opposite. He shared Taylor's love for music and extroverted friendliness, and had inherited her internal need to always do well.

"Joe, where'd you put the remote?" Taylor lifted up the couch cushion to peer under it.

"Just on the coffee table?" Joe shouted back from the kitchen counter.

Taylor sighed frustratedly, "It's not there!"

"Don't stress love, we'll find it later," Joe assured her, only half-invested in the conversation as he typed up a reply to an email.

"Sid the Science Kid is on right now!" Taylor said. "And Layton has to take his nap in an hour."

That caught Joe's attention. If Layton didn't have his Sid the Science Kid before his nap, he wouldn't be asleep at all. "Here I'll help you look."

He rushed over to the living room, rummaging through their things. "Can we just use the other TV?"

Taylor shook her head, "Layton likes this one."

James wandered into the room, interrupting them, "Mummy! Dad! I made a new drawing."

Joe took his mind off the lost remote for a moment to focus on his son as he showed off a drawing of a toy car, "I love it! I like how you added the logo on the side."

James smiled proudly, "Thank you."

Taylor took a quick glance, still focused on the remote, "It looks nice hun."

"Are you looking for something?" James noticed her preoccupied state.

"The remote control," Taylor explained. "Layton's favorite show is on."

Ivy fussed on the ground, toying with the multiple toys around her. She whined quietly, reaching out for her parents. "I'll get her," Joe said, already moving towards Ivy.

"It's okay!" James said, "I can help."

Joe smiled, luckily for them, James wasn't at all jealous of the baby's attention. Instead, he absolutely adored them. "Hi there," James cooed, tickling Ivy playfully. "Hey!" James reached out, "I found the remote."

Taylor whipped around, "Where?"

"Ivy had it," James said, handing the remote to Taylor as she turned the TV on.

Taylor gave Ivy a reprimanding look, "That's the second time you've taken something this week." Ivy just clapped her hands together, rolling around. Joe chuckled, amused as he helped Layton onto the couch. Taylor turned to him, "Joe, can you please tell her not to steal things?"

"I think she'll grow up to be clever," Joe noted.

"She'll grow up to be a thief at this rate," Taylor rolled her eyes.

"If she's anything like you, I'm sure she'll be amazing," Joe assured her.

James popped up onto the couch, "Can I open just one present?"

"Christmas isn't until tomorrow," Taylor said, "It's only one more day."

James groaned, stretching out on the couch. "Have you finished your addition assignment yet?" Joe asked him.

James looked down at his lap guiltily, "Maybe."

"Why don't you go finish that, you can work out here if you want," Joe offered.