The McCann Family

"I Protect Them Everyday."

Coming in the house I still hadn't said one word to them until... I growled, slamming the door which startled them a bit. "Girls, you're free to go to the playroom or your rooms. Boys, stay in your rooms until I call you down. Now." I ordered. They carefully ran upstairs without bumping into each other. I walked into the living room and smelled lingering barbecue from the backyard. He was roasting ribs and hotdogs on a grill. A sudden memory flooded my brain. Jason. He used to grill food in the backyard and invited our friends and my family over. A regular family barbecue. The kids had so much fun. He closed the top before heading inside. He saw me and smiled. "Hey baby! How was shopping with the kids? I'm surprised you're back early." He asked. I said nothing except grabbing a glass cup and bottle of champagne. I poured half the cup and angrily downed the drink. That's when he knew something must've happened. He looked at me worriedly. "Is something wrong?" He asked. I inhaled a deep breath. "The boys snuck away from Jazzy. Missing. Not to mention they turned off their fucking phones." I quickly said. He didn't respond except grabbing another cup and pouring himself more champagne. He downed the cup angrily. "Why? Why would they do that? They know they can't be wandering off somewhere." He growled. I returned the gesture. "I know! They're boys so they do stupid crap. Too much stupid crap and they'll be strapped on the way to military." I said. William rubbed his hair roughly. "Exactly Jacque! They could've been kidnapped or get lost somewhere! They should know better!" He growled. I've went through this conversation with Jason after he left them alone the first time. That's why I'm always teaching them to stay together or call me and police if they're lost somewhere. But I also know my children can be mischievously smart sometimes. One of them could've made up a sneaky plan to wander off. My brain clicked. I huffed irritatingly and put my cup in the sink. William sighed. "I'll go talk to them." He told me. I nodded my head no. "I'll do it babe. You need to finish cooking dinner anyway." I said. He scoffed, putting his spatula on the counter. "The food has to cook for thirty minutes and my phone's timing it. Call them down before I lose it completely." He growled. You bet your handsome ass I'll lose it. "BOYS! GET DOWN HERE!" I yelled. Racing footsteps were heard as they raced downstairs and came in. William crossed his arms sternly. "Sit down. We need to talk." He said firmly. They sat on the couch quietly. Screech kept looking down sadly. Honestly he is usually the innocent little angel. He doesn't get in trouble unless his brothers drag him along. "Now, your mother have told me all of you were missing at the mall. Not to mention you frightened your sisters and Aunt Jazzy." He said. I looked up and sighed. "What I wanna know is who's plan was it to wander off without supervision. Don't answer. I already know the culprit." I said, making my way over to Zack. He sighed nervously and smiled sheepishly. "Mom. You know I can explain- I cut him off by putting my hand toward his face. "Stop. This isn't a damn joke." I growled. He groaned. "But it wasn't my plan!" He panicked. William hummed in response. "Boys, was it Zack's plan?" He quickly asked. "Yes." They muttered in unison. My point proven. Zack sighed and rubbed his forehead frustratingly. I crossed my arms angrily. "I just can't imagine my kids doing something like this after all I've taught you. You're all not two years old! You should know better than to wander off somewhere and turning off your phones so nobody not even police could save you if you were being kidnapped or in fact snatched! I should never yell at you or tell you over and over again to never do these things because...unimaginable things could happen. What if someone was carrying a gun around? Or someone tried to get you in their car having no idea where they'll take you? Perhaps someone would try to rape you? These things are what keeps me awake at night cause I get scared for all of you including your sisters. That's why it's always important to stay together. I am disappointed in all three of you. You're all grounded for two weeks. Alex, Screech go upstairs while I talk to your brother." I growled upsettingly. Instead of racing, they got up and walked upstairs. William growled. "Do you have any idea how dangerous and stupid this plan is? You running off with your brothers so you could do whatever you want. Real stupid. Zack, you're the eldest. You're supposed to be a fucking example for your siblings. Not a complete nuisance that'll help them be in jail or put them into unthinkable danger. You oughta thank your little troubled ass that they're not kidnapped or raped- I cut him off. Whoa whoa whoa! Enough! He shouldn't be calling them names over their mistakes. One time he did to Bella when she was eleven. She cried so much in her room. "William!" I called. It was too late. Zack already shedded a few tears once he called him a troubled ass. Sometimes I hate whenever he raise his voice too much. He huffed. "Jacque, he needs to hear this. He's done too many dumb things in school already and always sent to the principal's office. This is enough." He whispered through gritted teeth. Zack sniffled, wiping his wet cheeks. I inhaled a deep breath. He has done too many goof-ish things in school and here. Most of them made him get sent home three or four times. I clearly don't know why he keeps trying to get in trouble. "I'm fully aware Will. But he is only a child. A kid- he cut me off. "Yeah. A misunderstood kid. One time he almost lost his infant cousin somewhere in school but it was Bella you asked to watch him. Enough is enough Jacque! I made my decision." He whispered frustratingly. I sighed and rubbed my hair. "Ok. Calm down. Take a minute. Go back to the food. I'll handle this." I whispered. He sighed, going to the backyard. Zack fiddled with his fingers and wiped his eyes. It upsets me whenever they're sad but there are consequences if they do bad. Kids make mistakes and learn from them. Zack needs to learn from his troubles/mistakes. "The punishment, grounded for two weeks still stands. No playroom, no video games, no backyard pool, especially no phones for a month. It'll give you time to learn responsibility instead of carelessness. You can go upstairs now." I said firmly. "Yes ma'am." He mumbled and walked off. Myself took a moment before sitting on the couch with my face rubbed by my hands. Too much happened even for a mall day today. Out of all my children, sometimes Zack is the one I worry about. Everything about him reminds me of their father every time. But the only thing I pray is he never becomes what he was.

~ throwback ~

It was the middle of July. We celebrated 4th of July with my family for the weekend. Loads of fun! Justin had a huge bouncy house for our kids, Jazzy and Jaxon to play in. Our Dad grilled hotdogs and steak for dinner. Justin and Hailey invited our friends with their children including Mom. It's been six months since Jason was arrested. The thought of bringing our kids to visit him in jail sometimes bother me. That's why he'd call from phone or send letters through mail. The kids, Jazzy and Jaxon were playing in the backyard. Zayn, Justin, Neymar and Dad were watching a football game inside. Me, Gigi, Kylie and Hailey were outside chilling at the patio. Laughter, giggles and playful screaming was heard from the kids in the bounce house. It made me chuckle. Kylie sipped her Sprite can and smiled. "Aww, look at them. They're so adorable." She spoke. Hailey looked at them in disbelief. "I'm shocked at how big your boys are getting. Including Bella." She told me. Lisa and Jessica's pink stroller was beside my chair and Gigi was holding Jessica. Since Lisa was awake, I was holding her until she falls asleep. That painful memory still rattled my heart and mind. Jason missed the day of her birth after getting arrested. What I was afraid of actually came true and if he'd listened to me, he would've- "Jacque?" Kylie called. I snapped out of my thoughts. "Yeah?" I asked, rocking Lisa softly. They looked at me worriedly. "Are you ok?" She asked. I fake smiled and nodded. "Yeah I'm fine! Just dazed off a little." I lied. Jessica was trying to wobble out of Gigi's grasp. She giggled. "Someone wants to go play with her siblings." She said. Hailey chuckled. "I can take her if you want." She offered. I quickly nodded. Gigi got up and handed her to Hailey. She sat down while she playfully walks a wobbling Jessica to the bounce house. Lisa began whining so I grabbed her bottle from their stroller. She was sipping and I kissed her chubby cheeks. "Aww, my baby." I cooed. Gigi inhaled a deep breath. "We really gotta talk J." She said. Kylie nodded in agreement but kept an eye on Ney watching Stormi. "We know what's really going on." She told me. I looked down and sighed. "Has he called yet?" Gigi mentioned. I shifted myself comfortably while Lisa's head rested on my shoulder. "He called last week. Said he wanted to talk to Zack. It took every ounce of me not to say no." I told them. Kylie looked at me concernedly. "Why?" She asked. Tears were threatening to escape. "Because it's his fault for doing this awful mission. If he hadn't, he wouldn't had missed Lisa's birth." I growled through gritted teeth. She took Hailey's chair and rubbed my back soothingly. Gigi motioned me to take deep breaths. I did my best so I won't startle Lisa. If I'm crying, it upsets her. I inhaled a deep breath. Kylie sighed sadly. "Yes. He really messed up. Truly did. Jason wasn't perfect yet he did his best on working to provide for you and them, give them love and care and protect them. He made a mistake? Yes. Was there consequences? Yes. But you shouldn't feel so guilty or depressed over something he did. I admit, he does need to stop putting himself or you in danger for the kids sake. How can he be ready to be their father if he doesn't take responsibility for his own actions? Don't waste your time holding all that anger. You have a right to be but don't let it consume you nor guilt. Your children and life is your only priority. Ok?" She said. I sniffled quietly while smiling. "Thank you Ky." I said a bit hoarsely. Gigi returned the gesture and hugged me. I hugged back with one arm. "We love you." They said. "Love you too." I said, chuckling. We parted. "Aunt Hailey! Watch this!" A few voices called. We turned to the bouncy house and saw the kids jumping happily. Jazzy was playfully walking Jessica around, the boys were jumping happily with a laughing Hailey and Bella crawled out of the entry, heading toward Kylie. She smiled. "Hi sweetie." She cooed before picking her up. I motioned them to quiet and put a sleepy Lisa back in the stroller. Bella was giggling due to Kylie tickling her. Zack crawled out of the floaty and ran up to me. "Mommy! When are we going on vacation this summer?" He asked, smiling. We chuckled quietly to not wake up Lisa. I almost spoke till Dad walked out. "Dinner's ready!" He yelled. The kids cheered including Zack. Unfortunately, it made Lisa cry. "Ok! Let's go kids!" I said, picking her up and rocking her repeatedly. Bella took Kylie's hand. Hailey held Jessica while Jazzy held Samuel. Zack and Alex ran inside. I smiled warmly. My kids will always be my priority and I protect them everyday.