Madeline and I

Chapter Five:

 

I awake to the sound of someone viciously throwing up from the bathroom that is opposite my bedroom. Clearing my vision by rubbing my eyes to get a better sight of the reading of my alarm clock, I notice that it is already seven in the morning and Leo hasn’t left for work as he remains snoring, loudly may I add on his side of the bed. He must have the day off then if has slept in without his alarm clock going off. Oh well, time to see who is sick in the Taylor household today. Please Lord don’t let it be Jace! He is like an old woman when he is ill; he lies in bed all day even if he has a cold declaring that he dying. Honestly, that boy would have gotten an A* if he took drama for a class. However, to my surprise it is Matthew who is hugging the toilet as if it is his new best friend.

“Matthew?” I ask as I tighten my dressing gown around my body to keep me warm. “Are you okay sweetie?”

“Yeah, probably just something I ate” He shrugs me off, but that doesn’t stop me from doing my motherly duties and walking towards him to help him clean up the mess he has made.

“I’ll ring you in sick” I state as I bleach the toilet once he has finished puking up the remaining’s in his stomach, but as I turn myself back round to face him. I find him staring at me with a questioning look, making me feel uneasy.

“Whose is that?” He asks, making me divert my gaze to the positive pregnancy stick that I forgot to throw away yesterday. Damn! Out of all the things I always seem to forget to do, that is the one thing that I really had to take care of.

“Alright, but you can’t tell anyone yet” I warn as I prepare myself to come clean to my eldest about his new growing sibling. “As you know me and your dad went under an IVF treatment and thank the lucky stars it paid off” I finish causing Matthew to have his father’s signature smirk forming on his face.

“Congratulations Mum, now don’t take this the wrong way but I’m going to go back to bed for a few hours” He states and judging by the greenish colour his face is turning, I don’t blame him. “Alright then sweet heart, see you later” I say as I place a kiss on his cheek before he excuses himself to bed. Guess I better go wake the others up now and make them breakfast as well as an extra bowl as Josh obviously stayed over last night. Bless Rebecca; I wonder how Zack took the news of her illness.

“Right everyone up and downstairs in ten!” I shout making all the Taylors and guest wake up and before long Jace, Jessica, Madeline and Josh are down stairs all dressed and fed ready for school.

“Mummy, can we watch a Disney film tonight please?” Madeline asks me and just as I am about to say “Sure thing sweetie” My eyes catch sight of the calendar and notice that today’s date has a big circle around it, followed by the words Meeting with Sally. Of course! How could I forget? Today is the day that I and Leo have an appointment to meet with our social worker, meaning that the court date for custody of Madeline is drawing closer and closer. That’s obviously why he got today off, to attend the meeting with me.

“Not tonight sweetie, but I tell you what if I give Jace and Jessica some money why don’t you all go to the cinema and watch a film and go somewhere for tea?” I suggest but my eyes divert from Madeline to Jace to make sure he is okay with it to which he gives a thumbs up sign.

“Yay, can we watch the Princess and the frog?” She asks Jace with puppy dog eyes.

“Can’t we watch something less girly?” Jace answers back, but only earns an elbow in the gut from Jessica.