Daddy Diaries

Third time is a charm

Mark felt a strong pain on his back as he landed on the floor like a heavy brick. He couldn’t understand what made him fall from the bed as he was still half asleep. His vision was blurred with the strong beams of sun piercing through the window. All he could see was a figure shouting at him while waving a stick in front of him.

“Yay! Get up. Get up I said,”

The voice became clearer and he figured it was Hailey. She was waving a white stick and shouting like a mad woman. ‘Has she finally gone mad after taking care of the girls?’

“I told you to use protection or pull out. Did you listen? No you stinky prawn. You did not.”

He got up from the floor massaging his butt which took the assault early in the morning. He was only wearing a thin boxer and it was not enough to protect his butt from the fall.

“Are you even listening to what I’m saying Mark?”

Hailey had her hands on her hip. ‘Trouble! That’s her one step away from grounding pose'. But Mark didn’t know what he did wrong to land in this hostile situation. He didn’t forget their anniversary, did he? He searched his brain.

“Babe, I hear you but what’s wrong?”

“Wrong? This is what’s wrong,” she threw the white stick at him and he caught it easily. It has two parallel red lines in the middle. For a minute he was confused but then something clicked in his brain. ‘He did cause trouble'.

“Are you?”

“That’s what it says, isn’t it”? Hailey was much collected but no where near calm.

“Babe, isn’t it great? I mean, Rayla is five and Leila will be three soon.” He took a step to hug her. That was a mistake. A big mistake. One doesn't cause trouble and call it great. No, one would first apologize for causing trouble.

Hailey pushed him away hard.

“Great? Do you even hear yourself right now? Are we even ready for another kid Tuan? Can we afford another kid?"

A big tear rolled down on her cheek. She sat on the bed and her sobbing got louder. She buried her face on her palms to muffle her cries.

“I'm sorry babe. I- I don’t know what I was saying,..” Mark kneeled in front her.

Honestly he was clueless. He never thought what would be like to have a third kid. He grew up with three siblings and he liked it. He couldn’t understand why it’s this bad. Money is little tight at the moment but he is going to be promoted as a regional manager soon. Then it won’t be a big issue. Also his parents will surely lend a hand as well, he knew. But he knew he should console Hailey first before girls notice their mother brawling her eyes out.

He hugged her tightly without saying anything. Her sobs turns into weeps slowly and by the time he let her go she was back to her normal self.

“Rayla has a picnic date with her nursery friends today at the park,…”

“I’ll take her.” He offered immediately, “you know what, I will take Leila as well. I’m sure they won’t mind.”

Hailey slowly nodded in agreement. She was glad to get a day for herself.

Girls started to run as soon as they entered the park and Mark walked behind them carrying their bags. He waved when he saw Hyejin walking with Jaehee. Jaebeom’s daughter was in the same age as Rayla and they went to the same nursery.

“Ah if I knew you are coming I would have sent Jaebeom. Tsk tsk,” Hyejin said as she kissed Leila's cheek before she ran away. Rayla has already decided she is too big to get kisses. Jaehee and Rayla ran to meet their friends and Leila was already climbing on the jungle gym. Mark sat with Hyejin on the bench watching Leila.