In Omnia Paratus (AU) - Book 2

The trampoline

Since I apologised to Richard about a week later I heard he broke up with Molly. I felt kind of bad like I had something to do with it at the time but now, I couldn't care less. Richard sometimes comes and sits with us at lunch and hangs out when everyone else does.

Even Matt and I have been talking more like friends. Going back to how it was last year before everything screwed up. In English we still joked about and laughed and it felt nice again.

I was really enjoying life except for the fact I was going home for two weeks, for Easter and then after... Came exams.

These exams were pretty important, half of qualification I was going to get next year to get into university. I was nervous but since I'd spent less time with friends and more time studying, I found the exams easier.

Easter was going to rough because dad and Rachel would be in full on wedding mode, ready for the summer when they were getting married. I had to go home as well because I had to try on bridesmaid dresses and help Rachel with violet.

I'd gone home and I'd only been there a night before dad and Rachel were asking for favours.

"Jenna, would you mind looking after violet today? Just for a few hours, your dads working and I have an appointment with the wedding planner." Rachel begged as I sat with Violet watching TV.

"Yeah sure." I smiled looking down at Violet as I had my arm around her.

"You're not doing anything are you?" Rachel asked.

"No. I'm free." I smiled. "We'll have a great time won't we?" I nudged Violet and she smiled up at me.

"Yeah." She giggled.

I took Rachel's advice and ordered pizza for lunch, which I ate most of because Violet is almost 6 years old and doesn't eat much. I understand though I did order a large pizza.

"Shall we go to the park or something? We've been indoors all day." I said to Violet as I was clearing up our mess from lunch.

"Can we go on a bouncy castle?" She asked bouncing up and down on the sofa.

"No, V you know you're going to a friends party tomorrow. You're going on a bouncy castle then." I laughed. She sulked about a little then. "How about I take you into the back garden and you can go on the trampoline? It's basically the same thing." I explained holding out my hand.

"Trampoline!" She stood up on the sofa instantly bouncing up and down as high as she could. I remember doing that too when I was her age.

"Come on." I held out my hand.

"Piggy back." She squealed too excited to even form words she just giggled away.

"No come on, you're a big girl." I said in the hope she wouldn't mind.

"Carry me." She sulked.

"No Violet. I can't alright?" I moaned at her but regretted raising my voice straight away. I went to lift her off the sofa but stopped myself. She was too heavy and I'm sure I'd hurt myself lifting her. "Come on, jump down. Be a good girl." I lightened my tone before she complained again.

She complied and I took her outside to the trampoline. Swept the bits of tree that had fallen over the last few days and watched her climb on all excited.

She was adorable doing little tricks and shouting at me to watch all the time. I sat on one of the garden chairs with my book and every time I looked down at my book for more than a minute she would shout at me look at her.

"Jenna look." She squealed then proceeded to do some weird bounce and it made me laugh as she laughed and sat down for a rest. "I want to show mummy." She panted completely out of breath.

"You can show her when she gets home yeah? And daddy." I smiled across at her.

"Where is mummy?" She asked and it did occur to me why she was taking so long.

"Don't worry. She'll be home soon." I stood up and held out my hand as she jumped down off the trampoline. "Why don't you rest, get a drink and then when she gets home you'll be ready to show her everything on the trampoline yeah?"

"Yes!" She rushed inside ahead of me.

Rachel did get home, but later than I thought. "Mummy, I want to show you something." She pulled at her mums arm until they reached the back door. It was late and getting dark. "Open the door." She said innocently.

"No Vi, it's a little late to go outside. Maybe tomorrow?" Rachel bent down and ruffled violets hair back.

"But I might forget tomorrow. Jenna said I could show you today!" She pouted. Rachel looked across at me and I smiled guilty.

"Did I say that?" I laughed nervously. "Uh Vi, your mums right it is a little late." I said scratching the back of my head.

"But mummy..." She wailed before her eyes filled with tears and she started to cry. I felt so guilty, even though it wasn't my fault. Rachel came back really late.

"Violet come on now, stop crying this is silly. You'll show me tomorrow." Rachel kissed her forehead and took her hand leading her into the lounge. I followed feeling really bad.

"But-- but--" was all Violet was saying through her tears. I decided to make a move.

"V, come here." I said kneeling down to her height. She sniffed her way all the way over to me and then covered her eyes with her hands as she tried to hide her face as she cried. "Hey come on don't cry, I got see you bounce on the trampoline." I smiled at her.

"But mummy--"

"--Will see you bounce tomorrow. But I got to see you and I thought you were fantastic. Now I think you're a little tired, do you want to go to bed?" I asked her pulling her hands away from her face.

"No." She sulked.

"Not even if your favourite sister tucks you in?" I asked poking her and making her laugh a little.

"Okay." Violet said sniffing again.

"Come on then let's go. I'll take you to bed." I stood up and then I looked down at her as she held her arms above her head, waiting to be lifted and I looked at Rachel but she was just staring at me wondering why I hadn't picked her up already. "Come on." I said taking her hand and walking her out of the room.

Rachel and dad gave me a weird look and I knew then I'd be questioned later.

"Night night." I said as I tucked Violet in.

"I love you." She suddenly came out and said whilst lifting her arms out of the blankets and wrapped them around my neck, which really surprised me.

"I love you too kid." I kissed her forehead and she kissed my nose before I went to the door and turned off the lights and went to my room for an early night.