The Hadyns [ON HOLD]

Chapter 9 | Recreation

VALERIE

"I'm so very proud of you all, I really am. And, I'm doing this for your own good," I smiled at all of the kids before slamming an Activity Guide from the city down onto the coffee table in the living room.

They all jumped, then looked at the large book, confused. 

"I know this book!" Josh exclaimed, directing his knowledge at his siblings. "It's from the library."

I nodded, giving him an enthusiastic thumbs up, "that's right, honey! I would like you all to tell me what you want to do. Then, I'll find some of those things in this book and sign you up for classes!"

"Classes?" Nosh questioned, seeming more interested in this discussion than he was a few seconds earlier.

"Yes. For anything; sports, art, dancing, music, writing. Although, since you're young, I'm not sure about the writing classes. But, just tell mommy what you want to do and I'll look for it," I told them.

"Chuck Cheese!" Prim exclaimed, kicking her feet about with excitement.

I sighed, maintaining my smile, "maybe later, hon. How about ballet?"

******

I yawned, stretching my arms and legs out in front of me. My body stretched right off of the sofa, and then I put myself back into the seat. I thought about the different programs I'd registered the kids for as my eyes wandered over to their baby photos.

I'd always laughed when my parents told me it felt like just yesterday I could barely walk, or was extremely obsessed with old kids shows like The Wiggles, Teletubbies, Sesame Street and the like. Memories like our first trip to London as a family when my siblings and I were all under the age of twelve.

And I almost teared up thinking about how quickly time passed by, and how much I wanted to hold on to the present. Be present.

"I am home," Eric announced, walking into the living room and taking a seat beside me. He always waits until he has his shoes and coat off before greeting me. I give him a kiss and a smile, "welcome back."

"Where are the kids?"

"Upstairs. They're enjoying their after-school free time," I told him, looking back at the baby photos.

His arm goes around my shoulders, and he pulls me into his body, "you okay?"

"Yes," I nod, sucking up my tears, "just thinking about how time goes by quickly."

He smiled, then patted my thigh, "kids grow... Did you get them registered for those recreation programs?"

"I did.. But..."

His eyebrows furrowed, a question is in his expression, "but?"

I looked at him, and in all seriousness said, "maybe I should just keep them here, all to myself. If they go, I'll see them less, Eric... I'll miss my babies."

He laughed, wiping away tears that I hadn't realized were even falling from my eyes. "You wouldn't do that."

"How do you know?"

His hands cradled my face as he gave me a sweet, loving kiss. We looked into each other's eyes, and his smile gave me butterflies.

"Because, you and I both know that we have many years and moments to come that we get to spend with them. You want them to flourish in life, and you would never purposely get in the way of that."

I started crying again, this time into the crook of his neck, "I know..."

"You get to plan the twins' birthday party, remember? It's a month away."

I lifted my head and looked him in the eyes, "of course I remember!"