Maxerica

Growing Up

"They're growing up so fast," I say.
Maxon and I are watching Eadlyn and Ahren play in the garden. They're seven now. Kaden's running around and distracting himself. He's three.
I remember when Eadlyn would come out here with her plastic crown and pretend to be a garden princess and all the flowers were her people. Now she's running around with her brother pretending their being chased by monsters.
"Soon enough they'll be kings and a queen," Maxon says.
"Don't say that. I'm not ready."
He laughs lightly.
I shiver and snuggle up against him.
Christmas is in five days. It's cold, but sadly we don't get snow here. Christmas is my favorite so I'm excited. I know the kids are too.
Maxon wraps his arms around me. I hug him.
"You're warm," I mumble.
He kisses the top of my head.
Ahren runs over with a bug.
"Look!" he yells, holding it up.
"Ew, put that down Ahren," I scold.
He frowns and drops it.
Eadlyn comes over.
"Ahren keeps putting bugs in my face," she complains.
"Ahren. Is that true?" I ask.
He rolls his eyes.
"Be nice to your sister," Maxon orders.
"Fine."
"Mama!" Kaden yells.
I look over at him. He's sitting on the ground by the fountain with a rock.
"Come here honey," I say.
He gets up and runs over.
"Lookie!"
He holds up a muddy rock.
"How cool," I say.
"E, look," he says, holding it up to Eadlyn.
He started calling her E because he can't pronounce Eadlyn.
"It's just a dirty rock," Eadlyn says.
Kaden pouts. I pick him up. Eadlyn and Ahren continue to play.
"Let's go clean it off," I say to Kaden.
He nods. I carry him over to the fountain. I sit him on the ledge, then sit on the ledge in front of him myself.
"Can I see the rock?"
He holds it out. I take it and clean it off in the fountain water. I pull my cloth tissue out of my pocket and wipe it off.
The rock is smooth gray with black speckles. A little heart is engraved in it.
I look at it for a moment.
"Maxon," I say.
"Coming darling!"
He jogs over.
"Yes love?" he says.
"Look," I say, showing him the heart.
"How cute."
I look at him.
"I wonder where it came from."
"I don't know. Probably a guest dropped it or something."
"Maybe..."
I hand it to Kaden who sits on the ground and plays with it with other rocks.
Maxon stands by me and holds my hand.
We watch the kids play for another hour then head inside for dinner.

I turn off the lights as I close the twins bedroom door.
I go to Kaden's room and slowly open the door. The lights are already off. I look at his bed and find that he's asleep already.
I go over and kiss his forehead.
"Good night Kaden," I whisper.
I pull up his blankets more and grab his glass of water.
I fill it in his bathroom then put it on his nightstand. When I put the water down I see the rock from outside. I smile and pick it up.
I rub my thumb over the little heart.
I look at Kaden then put it back.
"Love you baby," I whisper while standing up.
I smile at him then go to my room.
Maxon's already laying in bed reading a book. I go over and lay next to him.
He puts the book on the night stand then looks at me. He smirks.
I smile.
"What's that about?" I ask, poking his cheek.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
I peck his lips.
"That's all I get?" he asks with a pout.
"For tonight. I'm tired."
"Oh come on. Real quick?"
"No Maxon."
"Ugh."
"Sorry babe."
"Tomorrow?"
"Maybe," I reply with a grin.
He rolls his eyes and turns off his light. He hugs me close. I kiss his neck a bit.
"Oh now you're gonna start?"
I laugh. He laughs too.
I turn around so I'm facing the other way and scoot closer to him. He pulls me against him.
We go to sleep.