Poor Little Things {ON HOLD}

Chapter Three

When I open my eyes, the room is dimly lit. I can already tell today is going to be overcast and rainy. I look across the room to see that the bedroom door is open. I can hear three familiar voices from downstairs, thanks to the open floor plan. I find myself smiling some as Corey's high-pitched laughter resonates right to the room.

I rise and prepare myself for the day, throwing my hair up in a careless bun and putting on my most casual clothes. I make my way downstairs. It takes the twins a moment to notice my presence. They are both sitting up on the bar stools on one side of the counter with bowls full of cereal. Maisie is a lot more focused on eating than Corey is. He keeps talking to Elias, who leans on the counter across from them and listens with exaggerated interest.

When they do notice me, beautiful little smiles light up their faces.

"Mummy!" Maisie cries, holding her hands out to me.

In her excitement, she forgets that a spoon is in her hand and some cereal falls to the floor. I don't fuss over it as I come over and give her a hug.

"Hi, Maisie. Did you have a good sleep?" I ask.

"Um, yes," she affirms with surety, averting her attention back to her cereal for a moment. She then looks back up at me, her hazel eyes gleeful. "We have new cereal now!" she exclaims happily.

"That's good, isn't it? How about you, Corey? Did you sleep well?" I ask.

Corey lifts his head, his spoon still in his mouth. He nods vigorously before continuing to eat. I smile some and lower myself onto one of the bar stools between them.

"Hungry?" Elias asks me, moving from where he leans on the counter.

I shake my head.

"No," I answer, sounding as if I am in a daze.

He sighs and shakes his head.

"You hardly eat in the morning."

"Well, I'm hardly hungry in the morning," I counter.

He smiles, surprising me. Usually, he'd be defensive. He'd argue until I caved. I furrow my brows, trying to figure him out for the umpteenth time. Coffee? Maybe he had coffee.

"Mummy, we're going outside today," Maisie informs casually.

I laugh at first, thinking she's telling one of her stories.

"Are you?" I say, looking over at Elias with questioning.

"Yes, daddy said so," she defends.

I try to keep my jaw from dropping. Never have the twins been outside. Never. In fact, it feels like I never have been either. It will be stranger for them, if this is true.

"Yep! Daddy said that we can play outside if he can see us!" Corey chimes, adding to my shock.

"Elias," I whisper, my tone making it evident that I am very unsure of what's a lie and what isn't.

"Hm?" he responds, looking at me innocently.

I'm not sure what emotion I feel right now. It's a mixture of many; annoyance, confusion, fear...the list goes on. Why would he suddenly decide to let them outside? This makes no sense.

"I got them coats, Mikaela, they're by the door," he explains passively.

"Can we go now?" Corey asks eagerly with wide eyes.

Elias shrugs.

"Don't see why not," he turns to me, "will you help them with their coats and shoes? Those should be there too. And your coat."