Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{72}

Joanne had things to do today. So, it was the perfect opportunity to do exactly what I've been wanting to do for her. Shes had her eyes set on this real cute grey and white pitbull mix and she's been asking me constantly about getting one. It's gotten to the point where Joanne had the kids ask me.

Daphne waited on the couch as I sat in the living room floor with Clover and River, putting their shoes on and tying them. Joanne was doing things inside the house, to be clear. She had a few interviews from home for Phantom Of The Opera, she practically begged me to clean the house because of her OCD. That alone, would take three hours. I heard the steps creak, and I glanced over. Joanne had been walking down the steps, laptop open in hand and she was scrolling on it. She looked over at me, eyebrows furrowed, "uhm. What're you doing?"

I finished tying Clovers shoe and patted her leg lightly, "takin' the kids out while you work around the house."

Joanne closed the lid of her computer slightly, "and what are you taking our children to do, exactly?"

I shrugged, getting up. Clover put her arms up, "up dada!"

I looked down and laughed a bit, "okay, pumpkin." I mumbled and leaned down, picking her up and propping her on my hip.

"So, what are you taking our children do to?"

River wrapped his arms around my leg, hugging it. I rubbed his hair, messing it up a little, "Just to the mall for a little. They'll be fine, darling."

Joanne tilted her head at me and walked into the living room. She set her things down on the coffee table and placed her hands on her hips, "are you...possibly—getting the dog?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. I had to make it seem like I wasn't on board with another dog, "We'll talk about the dog when I get home, okay? I don't want to waste anymore time."

Joanne pouted and her eyes were wide. I placed my hand on her cheek and caressed it, "we wont be long."

Joanne embraced me and I rubbed her back. When she pulled away, a smile appeared on her face and she gasped at Clover, but in a good way and kissed her cheek. Joanne leaned down and hugged River, giving him a kiss on the top of the head. I watched as she walked over to the couch, leaning down and hugging Daphne, "have fun and be safe," Joanne began, "and behave for your dad, please."

I kissed her quickly and she grabbed her things, walking upstairs quickly. I watched her. My eyes trailing her every move until I couldn't see her. I walked us to the door, opening it, "C'mon. Out the door, out the door."

River stayed beside me. Daphne climbed into the middle seat, buckling herself. River would probably be a handful today because he was clingy—a lot more than normal. I set Clover down on the ground and picked River up and put him in his seat. I glanced back at Clover, "stay right here, sweetheart. Don't go into the street, alright?"

Clover looked up at me, putting her arms up and asking to be picked up. I mean, how could I say no to my little girl? I leaned down, picked her up and propped her onto my hip—finishing River's seatbelt. I took a breath and closed the door. I adjusted Clovers bow on her head while I walked to the other side and opened the door. I took her off of my hip and placed her into the car seat and buckled her up. I double checked her seatbelt, pulling it to make sure it was safe, then reached my hand out across Daphne and pulled on his. I shut the door and walked back around the car, getting into the front seat.

I appreciated Joanne and her patience with the kids and how she can handle three at a time. How she does it, is beyond me and everyone else. And I know she wants at least one more—as do I, but I struggled to think that we could handle four at a time and the new dog. I really was glad that Joanne hadn't looked in her car recently, because if she had, she would've known I was getting a dog because of all of the dog supplies in the trunk. I made her use my car this whole time and she only ever questioned me once.