You're Mine

chapter 100

Tuesday, 22nd November:

Logan: 13; Layla: 7; Leo: 3; Twins: 1; Eleanor: 2

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"So, we haven't talked about who we are going to leave Eleanor with when we go on vacation in Germany.", Owen started a conversation while he joined his wife in bed. He had just said good night to the dog, that was now sleeping peacefully.

"Huh? We're gonna take her with us.", Amelia informed him in disbelief. "Why wouldn't we?", she wondered confused and looked at the redhead, not at all understanding why he would ask her that.

"Because she is not a small dog, meaning she would have to fly in a dog box. She isn't a lap dog, babe.", her husband reminded her softly. Ella, who had just fallen asleep, felt offended once more in her short life and jumped onto to bed to sit in his lap.

"I think she believes she is.", the neurosurgeon joked and chuckled upon seeing the proud dog. "You're so funny, silly goose.", she said and watched the husky lay down in between them and paw her for pets. "Look at our snuggle bug, we cannot celebrate Christmas without her."

"Well, I definitely don't want to either.", the trauma surgeon clarified. "But the flights won't be fun for her. She might even throw up. I am just saying that we should consider another option and talk about it. I only want what's best for her."

"I know.", his wife agreed. "Let's sleep about it and take time to think about it individually and in two days we can come back to the conversation. Deal?", she suggested, still cuddling with the dog.

"Sounds like a wonderful plan.", the redhead confirmed. "How about we stop to get some snacks and milkshakes tomorrow once we picked everyone up? Layla told me that she would be really happy about having a milkshake.", he shared.

"Yeah, let's do that. We didn't get around much when you were gone, so I guess it's only fair to grant the kids this wish.", the brunette explained. She loved these comfortable talks with her husband, making plans together and discussing stuff peacefully. "I do have something else that probably requires a bigger conversation."

"Alright, whatever it is, you know you can tell me anything.", Owen smiled at his wife as they simultaneously caressed the dog's belly, her favorite spot to be petted. "Unless you want another husky, then the answer is no because there is only one for me."

"You goof!", Amelia laughed. "No, uhm...it's actually about Leo.", she started and watched her husband sit up a little straighter to pay full attention, now that he was aware that the topic was one of their kids.

"Because he's so clingy currently? I do think that's kinda normal for a toddler and that it's his personality.", the redhead shrugged, pretty sure she was going to speak about their son's current phase of constantly wanting to be snuggled.

"Well, not exactly. I mean, it led me to my research, but I actually agree with you and believe it's just a toddler phase.", the neurosurgeon replied. "I want us to let him attend Seattle Waldorf pre-school, kindergarten and school."

"Okay. That is a statement, please tell me more about why you think this is the right school for him and what makes you think he fits in there.", her husband requested and noticed that she looked relieved about his reaction, probably because she had expected him to judge her.

"Well, look at Logan and Layla. They come home and when we ask them what was great in school, they tell us about their friends, sure, but the only other thing they ever name are the grades. The normal-considered schools they attend focus mostly on performances and achievements, aka good grades. I know their teachers are nice and I'm not judging them, they have a lot to do. But I feel like, the children are seen as a big mass of performers, which must achieve perfection, instead of individuals that are more than just a good or bad grade. Leo has such strong personality traits and I want him to be supported in who he is. I want his strengths to be seen and accepted as much as his weaknesses. I don't want him to hear that he can't do something just because it is not the perfection his teacher expects. And while I think that Logan is attending the school he fits best, I kinda regret that I haven't done this research earlier, because Waldorf school seems so perfect for Layla. Children get to try out so many things there without being rushed to amazing grades and without being judged for not being perfect at everything there is.", his wife shared. "Now to the cons?", she questioned, hoping for him to say he'd consider it.

"Wow, that's a lot of input. How about we leave it at your excitement for now and we ask the headmaster of the school to give us a tour, explain everything and after that, you can name the cons? Because I am quite uptight and once I know the cons before I know all the pros, I might not be open for it anymore. For now, what you've said sounds really great, though.", the trauma surgeon suggested.

"Not you being all self-reflective all of a sudden.", the brunette joked and giggled when he frowned. "Sorry, had to.", she grinned. "This sounds like a really fair plan. And once we've made a decision, we can talk to Leo before we actually put him somewhere.", she added.

"Perfect! Now those were two topics that need to be thought about more clearly, and I am super tired.", Owen announced and kissed his wife passionately. "I love you, honey. And I love you, too.", he told the dog and kissed her. "You gonna stay up here with us?"

"Obviously.", Amelia informed him and put the blanket on top of the dog, causing Eleanor to look like a human with all her body parts under the sheets and only her head sticking out. "Nighty. Sleep well, angel.", she said and kissed the dog.

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a/n: This was the last chapter before my Easter break, so have a great Easter, you guys! Also, I am not trying to bash the schools known as the regular ones. I just hate that they are designed to focus on people's achievements instead of concentrating on the different personalities and what those kids learn in the process of achieving something. I am simply trying to add diversity, even in school systems, to my story – this does not mean that I hate regular schools. There are always pros and cons to consider with everything. Love you! :)