The Next Chapter

Reasons

Okay, we're starting the sequel for A Fresh Start. This will probably be slow going as I want to make sure I tell Marie's story well and appropriately. I'd like to thank all of my readers from A Fresh Start and their stories about their children with Autism. Your recollections will help me tremendously in Marie's story. I'm an educator and I'm familiar with the educational ramifications of Autism, but not living with a child with Autism on a day to day basis.

Anyhow, Twilight is not mine. Never will be mine. Ever. *WAAAH!* David, Lizzie and Marie are mine in a literary sense. Ren, too.

Chapter Two: Reasons

"Edward, I forgot to ask you yesterday about Emmett's playoff game. We were otherwise occupied. It's tonight. Rose would like us to bring the kids," I said the next morning, sipping my morning coffee.

"That should be fine. I have a meeting at eight, but nothing but administrative bullshit for the rest of the afternoon," Edward replied as he nibbled on some toast. Marie came up and tugged on his pant leg. "You are ruthless, little one." She pointed to the jar. Edward picked her up and put her on his shoulders. She ruffled his hair as he carried her to the swear jar. He handed her the dollar and she put it in the proffered jar. "I'm broke. No more money for Daddy." Marie tugged on Edward's ear. "I love you, too, little one."

"Cool, I'll let Rose know," I smiled. I kissed Edward on the cheek and went to get the rest of our children out of our bed. David was sprawled on my pillow. Lizzie was curled up on Edward's scrub top from the night before. "Wake up, kiddos."

"No, Mommy," Lizzie grumbled. "More sleep." David groaned and burrowed under the covers.

"Don't make me call the tickle monster," I threatened. Edward gave a loud booming laugh from the kitchen. Neither child moved. "Oh, tickle monster?"

Edward hopped into the bedroom with Marie on his back. "I'm going to get the sleeping children," he said as he stalked to bed. He looked absolutely ridiculous in a suit acting like monster, but he was all mine. He wrapped his fingers around David's ankle and pulled him from the warmth of the bed. He attacked David's sides with his fingers. David giggled and kicked at Edward.

"Daddy! Stop! I'm up," David panted. He stood on the bed and hopped into Edward's arms, blowing a raspberry on his cheek.

"Brush your teeth, boy," Edward said as he put David on the floor. "Your breath can kill dragons."

"Can not..."

"Can to," Edward argued. David scowled and stomped off to the bathroom. Edward turned to our sleeping daughter. He handed me Marie and scooped Lizzie up by her legs. She squealed as she hung upside down, being held by her ankles.

"Daddy!" she squealed. She wiggled and swatted at his belly. "You're mean."

"I'm so horrible, Elizabeth," Edward said with a sardonic grin. "I'm a lot nicer than your Auntie Alice."

"Right, Dr. Masen," I snorted.

"She poured a bucket of ice cold water over my head when I didn't wake up," Edward laughed as he put Lizzie down.

"Why?" Lizzie asked her eyes wide.

"Because she's a meanie," I answered. "Auntie Alice has two thrills in her life. Thrill number one: shopping. Thrill number two: torturing your father."

"Oh," Lizzie said. "We should get Auntie Alice back."

"No," Edward said, arching a brow. "You and your brother need to get dressed. Mommy needs to go to work and I'm taking you to Nana's today." Lizzie nodded and ran to her bedroom. I put Marie down and she ambled to her bedroom. "Our children...man..."