Dad's Club

In The Job Description

I managed to squeeze out another chapter for you guys. Let me know what you think in the comments.

When my husband called home in the middle of a final production meeting, I knew something was wrong.

Thankfully, it was just Mike who was in my office.

"I apologize, Mike, this should only take a minute." The troubled goth boy nodded his head, still lost in his own thoughts about our previous conversation.

"What happened, Rick?"

I heard him sigh. "I just called the ambulance. Gaia passed out and Chris is going to be stuck in downtown traffic for a bit, would you mind going over to make the kids feel a little safer until their Dad can get there?"

I quickly glanced over at my patient. "I'll head over." I sighed. "I'm starting to think that my job description has switched from counselor to babysitter."

Ricky chuckled lowly. "You and me both, love. I've got to finish up the meeting here, when I get home I'll take you and the kids out or something, okay?"

I couldn't help but smile. There was a damn good reason I fell in love with Ricky. "Sounds good. Don't work too hard."

I hung up the phone and returned my attention to Mike. "I hate to do this to you, but a close friend just passed out and her kids need someone to be there until their Dad can make it back from the office. I can reschedule yo--"

Mike shook his head, standing up alongside me. "I'll just see you next week." He walked out of my office and upstairs to the children's playroom. I followed him with a frown.

His young daughter was playing with a set of blocks next to the twins, but she immediately ditched the toys when she noticed her Daddy in the room.

I smiled at the broken family and waved down my nanny.

"I've got to head over to Chris's house. Gaia blacked out and those seven need an adult to supervise them until the devil himself gets back."

Joanna nodded. "Do you need me to get the kids ready to travel with you?" I sighed and took Maddie from her arms.

"I really need to get going. I only plan on staying until Chris gets there, which shouldn't be long."

Mike cleared his throat. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

I shook my head and sat Maddie back down on her playmat, turning to the door with a sigh. "Chris doesn't like having strangers watch his kids. Trust me, I'm the one who's tried to talk him into getting a nanny. Feel free to hang around though and let El play. James and Jules always enjoy her company."

Mike frowned and watched me run down the stairs.

In one respect, I felt bad. Mike was my patient and friend. The man has been through hell and back, and I know just how hard it is for him to find friends. However, he doesn't need to be Chris's friend. That man was nothing but trouble, and I don't plan on letting him lead Mike into any more misery.

By the time I pulled into the driveway, the ambulance was loading Gaia onto the gurney. One of the paramedics was talking to Mika by the front door, and she smiled when she saw me.

"Aunt Jaime!" I jogged over and wrapped my arms around the young girl, smiling at the paramedic.

"Are the rest of the kids inside?"

Mika nodded. "I tried calling Mom to come but she said she was busy. I'm sorry."

I shook my head, planting a kiss on her forehead. "None of this is your fault, darling." She avoided my eyes, and I turned to the paramedic. "How is Gaia?"

The paramedic sucked in a deep breath. "She stressed out and it caused her heart to overwork itself. She's still alive, but we're unsure of what the impact will be on the baby."

I nodded and ran a hand through my hair. "I'll let Chris know as soon as he gets here."

The team of medical personnel loaded back into the ambulance and sped off, leaving me in front of a mansion full of children.

I stepped inside and immediately felt two little sets of arms wrap around my waist.

"Aunt Jaime!" I bent down and hugged Emery and Graham, happy to see that they were still smiling in such a stressful situation.

I kissed both of their heads. "How are you two munchkins?"

Emery giggled. "We're good! We never got breakfast, though, Aunt Jaime."

I hummed, standing back up so that I could walk to the kitchen. It looked like Gaia had just started making pancakes when shit hit the fan, and knowing that she wouldn't dare put dairy in anything, I figured it was safe to just finish what she started.

"Mika, can you go round everyone up for breakfast?" The young girl nodded and bounded down the different halls to collect her sisters. I turned to the two smaller children. "Graham, can you be big and strong and set the plates on the table for me?"

The little boy nodded, and I handed him one of the glass plates. "Take them one at a time and carefully put one at every chair." I watched him for the first run before turning to his half sister. "Go set a fork at every plate." Emery smiled and did as told, and I turned back to the stove to finish the pancakes.

When the rest of the girls made their way into the kitchen I had them get out juice and almond milk. Coraline sniffled and hugged me tightly.

"Is Mommy going to be okay?"

I nodded and kissed the top of her head. "The doctors are taking good care of her, Cora, don't you worry." I guided her back to her place at the table and gave each of the kids some food.

"Aunt Jaime, when is Daddy coming home?" Celene seemed rather worried. Probably had something to do with being ditched by Sabrina and watching the other woman who cared for her and her sisters pass out, I don't need my degree in psychology to understand that she should be a little shaken up.

"Soon, sweetheart." I made sure all of the kids were eating before I pulled out my phone and sent Chris a text.

Your kids need you. Please don't put them off to sit in a hospital room with Gaia. The doctors have her in good hands. Without you, your children have nothing.

I glanced over the room full of children, letting myself go for a moment before my phone vibrated.

I'm almost there. How are they handling everything?

I smirked and snapped a sneaky photo of all of the kids at the table to send to him.

They'll be fine, they just need their Daddy.

I set my phone back in my pocket as the kids finished eating and began helping clear the table.

"Make sure you all wash your hands and face before you go play!" I called after them, watching Emery and Graham sprint in the direction of the latter's bedroom.

The rest of the girls made themselves comfortable in the living room, and Mika chose a movie.

Not ten minutes later, I saw Chris's car pull into his garage, and the girls were all instantly running to the door to greet him. It made me smile, seeing just how much they loved each other.

This family may be broken, but it's far from being destroyed.