Faith Family Football

Chapter Four

Dedicated to @lauren_eli

"Daddy's home!" Avery clapped from the backseat of the Escalade as I pulled up our long driveway. The back end of JJ's truck was visible due the open garage door and I was quite surprised to see him home earlier than usual.

"He is." I confirmed Avery's observation and parked the car in the driveway and cut the engine.

Noah had quickly sprung from his seat in the way back eager to see for himself that his dad was actually home. The kids were crushed this morning that they didn't get to see him and I had to get them out of the house in order to distract them. JJ normally cooked them pancakes the mornings he spent with them and that was something they looked forward to. No matter how many times I offered to make pancakes they always declined, apparently JJ excels at more than just playing football.

"He's probably gotta go back to work anyway." Noah's shoulders slumped at the words that left his mouth and my heart crushed at the look on his face. I couldn't even confidently assure him that his dad was home for the night because I wasn't completely sure that he was.

"Hey!" JJ emerged from the front door and began to descend the stairs. I looked at him briefly not really acknowledging him and returned my focus to the kids I had to get out of the car.

I opened the car door to let Noah jump out before unbuckling Avery and placing her on her feet. While Avery ran right to the arms of her daddy, Noah walked right by JJ who had his arm held out waiting to pull him into their group hug the way he always did.

"Noah!" JJ called out to him as he watched Noah walk away from him and straight into the house. He quickly looked to me for some kind of answer and I shook my head before proceeding to get Piper's car seat unhooked.

"Can you grab the groceries?" My words came out more as a statement than a question as I passed JJ on my way into the house.

"Can I get a kiss?" JJ asked as he watched me pass by, he obviously didn't realize he had landed himself in the dog house this morning but he was starting to figure it out rather quickly.

"Grab the groceries!" I called back to him before closing the front door in order to tend to Piper who was starting to get fussy in her car seat.

Piper's whines had turned into a full out angry cry and I couldn't get her out of her seat fast enough. I knew she was hungry, she hadn't eaten at her normal time because she had fallen asleep and I didn't bother to wake her up for the sake of being able to finish my grocery shopping in peace. The morning had been rough, dealing with a colicky infant is stressful enough, but then having to deal with two kids that were acting out and upset because their dad wasn't around this morning had pushed me over the edge. I hated being the bad guy, I hated having to deal with the backlash of it all. My nerves were shot.

It was a matter of minutes before JJ appeared in the kitchen with his hands full of groceries and set them on the island, Avery following closely behind him carrying a package of paper towels nearly the same size as her. After setting them on the bar stool she skipped off to her playroom the way she always did while she waited for dinner.

"What happened? Is she okay?" JJ rushed to my side to make sure we were alright and honestly I was spent. As Piper cried, I cried and I knew my stress had gotten the best of me.

He took Piper from my arms and I handed him the bottle I had just prepared. It took a moment before he was able to get her settled and before I knew it the house was quiet. He looked at me, his blue eyes widened with concerned and I covered my face with my hands as I cried, I felt stupid. I felt like I was failing at being a mom because I couldn't handle the stress at times and I had never actually broken down before but the fact I was fighting with JJ on top of it all just threw me over the edge.