The Payne Family

Chapter 20.

"I'm home!" I call out, 1...2...3- "Daddddyyyy!" the kids tackle me not even noticing the dog, I knelt down so they hug me better. "What- Oh My Gosh!" Dani says coming out from the kitchen, she drops the towel and rushes towards the dog.

"What's it's name?" Dani asks kneeling down in front of the dog and petting it, "Well, we should all go around and name him." I state setting the kids down, " What gender is it?" Dani asks, "Boy." I reply. "Charlie!" Kate chants, "Lucas!" Lucas adds, "Max." Dani quietly says, "Alex." I say. I was planning to say Loki, but that would wash in the 'feels'.

"So it should be..." I raise an eyebrow, "Lucas." Lucas grins. "That would be confusing, if I call Lucas, which one of you would know?" Dani smiles ruffling Lucas' hair, "Fine." Lucas pouts crossing his arms over his chest. "Oh, what about Bruno? Or Chief? Or Dakota?" Kate babbles while scratching the unnamed dog. "I like Bruno." Dani agrees, "I like Chief, sounds fierce." I state, "Dakota sounds nice..or will that be too confusing?" Lucas says with attitude at the end, "Oi, stop." I scold.

"I like Chief.." Kate adds, "How'd you get all these names?" Dani inquiries to Kate, "Mrs. Peggy has dogs, too." Kate simply says. "Really? I've never seen them." Dani and I both say, we smile at each other in a cheesy way. "I'm hungry." Lucas mutters disappearing in the kitchen, "What's up with Lu?" I point out, Dani shrugs and shakes her head.

"You two talk about the names, I'll chat with Lu." I say before walking into the kitchen where Lucas is struggling to get chocolate pudding from the refrigerator, "Here you go, kiddo." I hand Lucas the small cup, he thanks me quietly and sits down at the table. "What's the matter? Why are you giving 'tude' to mommy?" I ask taking a seat in front of him.

"Mommy hates me, she doesn't like any of my ideas." Lucas pouts angrily, "No she doesn't." I assure him, "Yes she does.." Lucas mutters. "Listen, before you and Kate were born, mommy didn't agree on most things with daddy either, but I still loved her." I warmly smile, he stops pouting. "But why does she keep taking Kate everywhere instead of me?"

"Well, would you like to go shopping for girl stuff?" I ask, he shakes his head, "Neither do I, that's why I take you to sport shops and shoes and other things." I smile.

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"Liam I miss you, when are you coming over?" my mother's sweet voice asks through the phone, "I'm not sure mum, maybe over the weekend." I reply quietly trying not to wake the kids. "Why the weekend?" she asks, her voice filled with concerned. "Lucas has school." I reply, "Oh..well goodnight Liam." my mother says and hangs up.

I feel bad, my dad is the only one that is comforting mom, Nicola and Ruth are camping somewhere around the world. I let out a sigh, "Daddy?" a groggy voice winces, I jump a little until I realize it's just Kate. "Are you okay princess?" I ask slipping the phone into my pocket and walking towards her, she rubs her eyes and yawns. "I'm thirsty." she whispers, I nod. "Okay, go back to your room and bring you water." I assure her.

End of Chapter 20

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Need names for the dog! :D