Maxerica

Strawberry Struggles

Eadlyn sits on my lap. Ahren's laying his head on Maxon's lap next to me. We're all watching a cartoon in the living room then going to bed.
Tomorrow's their fourth birthday. I'm also almost 6 months pregnant. We're going to find out the baby's gender as a gift before their party tomorrow. They're both ecstatic. They don't really want the party, but it needs to happen.
"Bed time," I announce when the movies over.
"No!" they both yell in protest.
"Yes. Tomorrow's a very special day," Maxon reminds them.
"Can we watch another movie?" Ahren asks.
"No," Maxon says seriously.
Ahren pouts at me and I can't help but melt.
"How about one more," I say.
"Yeah!" Eadlyn agrees.
Maxon sighs.
"Fine. But just this once. Then right off to bed."
"Thank you daddy," Ahren says, laying back down.
I hold Maxon's hand as we watch the next movie.

"You sure you got it?"
"Yeah yeah."
Maxon's balancing the breakfast trays for the kids with his arms while I carry the bag of gifts.
My hormones have been horrible for days, so if he drops anything I'm gonna blow up on him.
We get to the kids door.
"Are they up?" I ask the guard.
"Yes ma'am. They've been up for about two hours," he explains.
Maxon and I look at each other.
"So they were up at six," he says.
"They're gonna be grumpy," I complain.
"Like you?"
I growl.
"Kidding!"
We knock then go in. Eadlyn and Ahren are playing on the floor. They both look at us and smile.
"Happy birthday!" Maxon and I yell.
They both giggle and give us hugs.
"You two are up early," I say.
"We weren't tired," Eadlyn says.
"Alright. Time to eat."
They sit on the floor and we hand them their trays.
"What do you want my dear?" Maxon asks.
I consider what I want until the perfect food pops into my head.
"Strawberry tarts please," I say.
He smiles and leaves.
"Where's daddy going?" Eadlyn asks.
"To get his breakfast, and my breakfast," I explain.
"Oh. You can have some of mine mommy," she offers.
"Aw thank you honey," I say, tearing up.
A few tears slip and I wipe them.
"Mommy?"
I look at Ahren who looks concerned.
"I'm fine honey. I just love you two so much."
I give them both a kiss.
Maxon comes back and gives me my tray.
"You ok?" he asks, sitting next to me.
"Fine. They're just being so sweet," I say, leaning on him.
The kids start talking.
"Strawberry tarts huh," Maxon says quietly to me.
"Yep. I had a big craving for them."
"That's kinda funny."
"My strawberry struggles are not funny," I say while grinning.
He laughs and kisses my cheek.