Mandy

Chapter 4

If you count the times He says you're forgiven, it's more than the drops in the ocean.
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The next morning, Mandy was up early, ready to get her revenge on Caleb.

She carefully opened the bedroom door, taking time to make sure it didn't hit the couch where Caleb slept.

After selecting one of the ice cold water bottles he had suggested the day before; Mandy ran back up the stairs quietly.

"Caleb." She said in a teasing voice.

"Kelsa?" Caleb whispered, rolling over but not opening his eyes.

Mandy's eyes sparked as she twisted the cap off the water bottle and pulled it off. "You deserve this." She informed him, then turned it upside down, letting the water stream down onto where Caleb slept.

"Stop!" Caleb yelled as he sat up, then wiped his eyes.

Mandy laughed as she watched him look around in confusion.

"Mandy." He said sternly, reaching for her.

She frowned, trying not to laugh. "Caleb, it's Sunday. Go shower and get ready for church." She ordered.

He frowned as he read the digital clock. "Mandy, it's five thirty in the mornin."

She frowned. "So? You've obviously never tried to get a four year old and a twenty one month old out the door by seven before."

An hour later, any doubts Caleb had had about getting up that early had fled. It was very difficult to get the kids ready to go, even with the two of them. He couldn't imagine how Mandy had managed to do it on her own.

Speaking of Mandy, Caleb heard her calling him from downstairs. He picked up Ethan, grabbed Ethan's diaper bag, then walked down the stairs as quickly as he could.

"Finally. That took way too long." Mandy announced when she saw him and her son.

Caleb chuckled as he set down the diaper bag. "Well, I'm obviously not as experienced as you are."

She shook her head, then turned to Amilee, who was finishing her cereal. "Ami, when you are done put your bowl and spoon in the sink, then put on your coat, earmuffs and gloves."

Amilee nodded.

"And I'm suppose to do..."

Mandy frowned. "If you can do it fast enough, please get Ethan into his coat, hat and mittens. And yourself."

Caleb saluted. "Yes Ma'm."

Mandy laughed. "Ok, ok. I'll chill out. But please try to hurry, I wanted to catch Susan before service; and you have no idea how long it takes to get Amilee into Sunday school."

Caleb nodded, taking Ethan's coat from the rack. "You ready to go?" He asked the little boy.

Ethan wasn't interested in Caleb, his eyes were focused intently on his mother. "Mama?" He asked, reaching for her.

Mandy smiled and kissed him on the forehead. "Let Daddy get you ready to go." She told her son, then grabbed the van keys and opened the door to the garage.