The Perfect Family

Chapter 28: Emilie

Michael comes by with the twins at approximately 7:30pm. Hunter is with him as well, cuddling his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle lovey.

"Hi mama!" the girls exclaim as they run into my arms.

"There are my girls! I missed you both so much" I reply as I kiss each of them on the cheek.

"Where's Maddox?" Julia asks.

"He's upstairs, baby" I  answer.

"Is he all better?" Lucy asks.

"He's fine honey, thank  you" I answer once again.

While the girls run upstairs to play before dinner, Jack comes downstairs with a less than content Kyson in his arms.

"Hey, Mike. Hey, Hunter. Thanks for bringing the girls back home safe. The countless hours in the hospital were like hell today" Jack says as he hands Kyson over to me.

As Jack and Michael get lost in their own little conversation, Hunter joins me and Kyson in the living room. Hunter asks about what happened to Maddox, and I attempt to tell him without going into too much detail and getting emotional. It isn't long before Jack and Michael finish up their conversation and Michael is ready to take Hunter home.

"Come on, buddy. We've gotta go. Mommy has dinner waiting" Michael says as he gets his black leathe jacket back on.

"But I wanna stay here" Hunter insists.

"Next time, Hunter. I promise" Michael replies. 

"No! Now!" Hunter says as he stomps his left foot and folds his arms. 

"Hunter Landon, I'm serious. I promise we'll have dinner with uncle Jack and aunt Emilie next time" Michael says as he gets Hunter's sweater off of the coat rack and insists that they go.

"Okay" Hunter says as he finally gives in. He knows that his dad means business when he is addressed by his full name.

After Michael and Hunter leave we have dinner. Jack helps me prepare mashed potatoes, spanish rice and shredded chicken. Just as we are about to call the kids down, Maddox comes downstairs look for his juice.

"Hey, buddy. You hungry?" I ask as I squat down to his height.

"Apple, apple" Maddox answers as he makes his way towards the fridge.

"I think he's looking for his juice, babe" Jack says.

"Don't worry, I've got it" Emilie says as she screws the cap back onto his monkey sippy cup and hands it to him.

While we have dinner, the twins talk about the fun day they had at school. They each give Jack a drawing that they made for his birthday. Julia drew a portrait of him and Lucy drew a family portrait, which inspires me to do something.

"I love it, girls. I really do. These are going on the fridge right away" Jack says as he hugs them both, gets up from his seat and walks to the fridge.

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After dinner and once the kids are all sound asleep, Jack and I have a little as we sit up in bed.

"Jack?" I say.

"Yeah, Em. What's up?" he asks.

"I'm so sorry this is how we had to spend your birthday" I answer.

"What are you talking about? It's okay" Jack replies.

"Really?" I ask.

"Really. I'm fine with it. It was kind of nice spending time with just you and the boys. Even though what brought that on wasn't so great. It was time we got to spend together and time I wouldn't trade for anything" Jack says.

"That's sweet. But I really wish there was some way I could make it up to you" I respond.

"There is no need to make up for it, babe. I'm fine with the way things turned out" Jack insists.

"Alright, if that's how you really feel. I respect that" I reply.

After we kiss each other goodnight, I lay on my side and begin planning the perfect way to make this day up to Jack. At approximately 11:30pm, I have it all figured out; all I need to do is make one little phone call.

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The week after, Jack wakes up and finds my side of the bed empty. He thinks he'll see me downstairs after he gets ready for work. When he arrives at the girls' bedroom, he realizes that they are awake, but they are not dressed for the day.

"Why are you not dressed yet, babies?" Jack asks as he kneels to the floor and begins tickling them.

"Mama said no school today" Julia answers matter-of-factly.

"What? Why?" Jack asks.

"She said it's a secret" Lucy responds as she puts an index finger to her lips.

"Secret, huh? Well, lets just see about that" Jack says as he straightens his suit and makes his way downstairs with the twins.

~X~

"Hey, honey" Jack says as he kisses my cheek after entering the kitchen and finds me making an omelette for breakfast.

"Hey. You look great" I say as I admire his suit.

"Thank you. Why are the girls not going to school today? They told me you said it was a secret" Jack replies.

"Oh that, right. I made some plans and I need everyone to be here; especially you" I answer.

"But I have to go to work" Jack says.

"Not today. I called Sean and he said it was fine" I reply.

"Just so we're clear, you have something planned that you can't do without me. But you won't tell me what it is?" Jack asks.

"You got it" I reply as I smear a drop of grape jam the tip of his nose.

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At 11:15am, we leave the house and are on our way to Jack's surprise destination.

"At the risk of sounding like Julia and Lucy, where are we going?" Jack asks as he finds me in the passenger seat, shifts his eyes for me to head to the other side.

"First of all, I'm still not telling you and second of all, I'll be driving today" I answer.

"Okay" Jack responds.

The kids want to watch a movie on the way, but they cannot agree on what to watch with arguing. Luckily, this distracts Jack and gives me enough time to program the GPS to take us to where we need to go.

The kids at 11:25am, Jack picks the movie for the kids since no progress is being made. He chooses Disney's Tarzan as a four fold compromise between our rambunctious children. It incorporates all four of their interests and passions.

Just as Maddox's favorite part comes on, I announce that we have arrived.

"Come on, babe. The monkeys are about to start singing. Can't we stay in here a bit longer?" Jack asks, keeping his gaze on the screen.

"I think you'd all feel differently if you looked up and realized where we are" I responded.

"Oh, okay. How did you pull the off without me knowing. I'm the only one who has Madison's number" Jack says as admires the structure of Madison's photography studio.

"I may or may not have taken your phone in the middle of the night and jotted down her number" I wink as we step out of the car and helped the kids out of their carseats.

"No one ever told me I was married to a ninja" Jack smiles as we head inside.

"That's because you think of me more as a fox" I joke as I stroke his cheek.