Fighter

// four \\

It was finally the weekend, and as a family they decided to spend some of the last warm days at the park.

Tris packed them a nice picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and potato chips, along with water and watermelon. She packed her homemade baby food for Evie, and they were all set.

She played with the children as best as she could with the infant in her arms. It was cute to see Stella wanting to run around with the boys but not be able to keep up. Lyle and Milo would then slow down for her and make sure she was included. They were going to be such gentlemen when they grew up.

She walked to the swings, covering the baby one in a soft blanket before setting Evie down, rocking her incredibly gently while watching the other three run around on the jungle gym.

"I wanna swing too!" Stella shouted, running over to where Evie was giggling with glee.

"Come here and let me put you in the swing," Tris told her, lifting Stella and placing her in the matching swing beside Evie.

"Push me into the sky!"

"Hold on tight," she laughed pushing Stella "high" or as high as her overprotective tendencies would let her.

Milo and Lyle came over also, sitting on the older swings and immediately taking off. She had to teach Milo how to push his legs in and out, but he was a quick learner.

She hadn't realized she had taken up all the swings until someone snarled behind her, "Take all of your kids out of here, you hoe. You're much too young to have four kids. What the hell do your parents say? They need to teach you better."

"I assure you, ma'am that that is none of your business, and I would appreciate it if you would watch your language in front of my children," she said as politely as possible even though she was brewing inside. Insult her all they want but they absolutely will not insult her children or her parents in any way. "Come on kids let's go get our lunch," she said, getting Stella down and holding her hand, carrying Evie steadily with her other hand. It was a skill she had mastered.

They walked to the car where she pulled the stroller, the blanket, and the basket out of the trunk.

"Hello, Ms. Prior," another voice said behind her. It was a voice she new all too well.

"Mr. Eaton, how are you?" she said civilly. Today just wasn't her day.

"Fine, thank you. I see why you couldn't go out with me yesterday. You've got your hands full," he chuckled forcefully.

"Yeah, I've got to go. Kids are getting antsy. Nice seeing you," she moved off of the gravel onto the grass, under the shade of a nice oak tree.

"I'll personally hire a sitter if you still want to go out," he said, still following her.

"I don't think you understand. I'm a package deal, and you have to be completely ready to take on the kids if you want to go out with me."

He walked away then, and she knew it was too good to be true. She spread out the plaid blanket and situated the kids, shaking her head to clear away the depressing thoughts.

It was not a good day.