I don't know

21

'Daddy,' Sierra said as she trotted out of her bedroom. 'When are we going to get to Georgia's party tomorrow?'

Anthony's face knotted up in confusion as he looked up from his laptop. Oh crap, he had forgotten completely about Sierra's birthday party.

'Sierra, honey, I forgot completely.' Anthony said, looking apologetic.

Now it was Sierra's turn to look confused. 'You can still take me right? You remembered at the right time.'

'Hun, I can't. Grandma has a meeting so Austin and Archie will be here and I have a lot of work to do.' Anthony said as Sierra's face fell.

'Mummy?'

'Mummy has a case tomorrow. Sierra I am so sorry. I'll make it up to you, k?'

'But I've been really, really good!' She exclaimed. 'Georgia's my best friend.' She said as her chin began to quiver.

'You have been good Sierra. I just can't drop you off tomorrow. Maybe we can arrange a play date later on.' Anthony promised as he put his laptop aside and crouched beside Sierra.

'It's not fair! Sydney's gone to 5 parties and Cam's been to 4 parties! You won't even let me go to 1!' Sierra cried as she burst out into sobs.

Anthony held her closer to his chest but she tried to push away but failed terribly so she faced away from Anthony, still sobbing.

'Hey! This isn't a punishment. I forgot and that's my fault. I will set you up with a playdate, later on in the week. Understood?' Anthony said, struggling to keep her still. He really did feel bad; Sierra was always the well-behaved one and understanding. She should be going to that party but tomorrow he had so many things to do. Even though it had been 8 months since his father died, things were still hectic. He had to meet up with a few of Tom's friends in town with Lucia.

Sierra didn't acknowledge his statement and continued sobbing until her energy wore out. She stopped sobbing and began to hiccup. Anthony picked her up and filled up a cup of water and let her sip that gently, that she first refused but ended up drinking as her throat was parched.

'I'm sorry, Si. I promise I'll make it up with you. We can do whatever you want for a whole day next week.' Anthony apologised as Sierra sniffed and nodded. 'Why don't you go sleep it off?'

She scrambled down from his arms and slowly waddled into her bedroom. Anthony smiled gently before sighing and leaning against the kitchen island. He didn't regret any of his decisions especially marrying Ally, as it was that decision that gave him his three children. But it was so overwhelming at times. He was technically a 28-year-old with a full time job and 5-year-old triplets. Many of his college mates weren't even married yet.

He needed to take a day for himself. And soon.

~~~

Sierra was still a bit upset the next day. Cam was in his room, doing random things a five-year-old does. Austin and Archie were meant to be coming over in 10 minutes. Anthony bustled about because the minute Austin and Archie came home he would need to head out to his match. The best bit about being a sports journalist was he went to games for free and got amazing seats. 

But the fact he didn't really enjoy football did not help.

He grabbed his notebook and his trusty pen shoving them in his bag, with his ID card and umbrella. Sierra stared at him, still in her nightdress at 12 in the morning, pouting.

'Cheer up babe. You'll have fun with Archie and Austin.' Anthony said, gently tickling her chin.

'Oh she will alright!' Archie said making his presence known and perching himself on the kitchen island. Austin followed him, shaking his head.

'How'd you get in?' Anthony asked, worried how his teenage brothers got in. If they could get in a robber, definitely could.

'Maybe if you bothered to use this ingenious thing called a lock, we'd be outside the house.' Austin remarked. He was obviously feeling sassy today.

Even though Anthony wished this would've happened without his father dying, he was glad he had a stable relationship with both of his brothers. He never really... bothered about them after moving out. Now, he regretted it. He always knew Archie as a troublemaker but he never realised that he was also really protective of the ones he thought were his. Austin was always silent but now Anthony noticed

'Sierra, what's wrong?' Archie asked, hopping off the island and walking over to his niece.

'I can't go to a party.' Sierra said quietly.

'What did you do?' Archie asked. 'Don't worry, I did lots of naughty things and then climbed out of my window at night. Too bad you can't do it here cuz if you fell you could crack your head open.'

'Archie Oliver, quit that out.' Anthony said half-amused, slapping the back of his head. Archie yelped and clutched the back of his head, whining. 

'Daddy says I can't go cuz no one can drop me off.' Sierra said,stirring her cereal with her spoon.

Anthony sighed and hugged her to the side gently. If this was Sydney or Cam they would've made a whole racket about it and she had been really understanding.

'What about I take you?' Archie asked, as Anthony pulled away from Sierra. Sierra had a huge smile on her face as she looked up at her Dad eagerly.

'I mean, if that's ok with you Archie...' Anthony trailed off.

'I don't have much to do. Austin's got lines to do and I'll probably scroll through my phone the whole time.' Archie shrugged. Anthony sighed and looked at Sierra and nodded. A grin broke out on her face as she leapt down from her seat.

'HURRY UP OR I'LL LEAVE WITHOUT YOU AND EAT ALL THE CAKE!' Archie cried as she ran into her bedroom.

'NO HE WON'T! TAKE YOUR TIME, SI!' Anthony called straight after. Archie threw him an 'are you kidding me' look. 'What? If you say that, she's going to put her shoes on the wrong foot.'

Sierra walked out of her bedroom 5 minutes later, with her shoes on the right way around and smiling widely. She was holding Georgia's present she had bought with her mother a few days ago.

'I'll take that.' Archie said as the two of them left the house, with Sierra giggling. Anthony smiled before turning to Austin.

'Get those done. Mum ain't going to pleased if you don't,' he commented as he slung his bag over his shoulder.

Austin grumbled as he pulled his book out and began writing. Anthony called out for Cam as the boy came tumbling out of the room.

'I'm going to be gone for a while. Austin's going to be here if you need anything. Behave.' Anthony said, his eyebrows raised.

'Austin... do you have time for a therapy session?' Cam asked, sitting next to his Uncle. Austin laughed as he nodded.

'Yes please, Cam.'

Anthony shook his head as he kissed the top of Cam's head and ruffled up Austin's hair before grabbing his set of keys. Now he just had to sit through 95 minutes of absolute boredom. Oh, how he wished this was a cricket game instead.