𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒⸼ 𝗈𝖼

01. first day

NATALIE'S — POV

"MADS? Baby girl? Please open the door. It's your first day of school, sweetie. You need to get ready. You only have three hours left. We'll be waiting downstairs." My hands twisted on my daughter's doorknob, trying to open it, but to no avail.

I sighed and finally gave up, throwing my hands in the air dramatically, then putting my left hand on my hips and my right hand on my temple to massage it. Maddie's been acting strangely, and I'm worried about her, all of us are. I hope she'll talk to us; I'm her mother after all...

When I was about to leave her door, she opened it, revealing her in her uniform. I smiled at her and hugged her, caressing her shoulders, then kissing her forehead.

Together we headed downstairs and greeted the others. I went to my daughters' chairs and kissed them one by one on their foreheads, then did the same for my sons and, lastly, for my husband. Then, I sat down contentedly on my chair, enjoying the view of my kids eating, laughing, and having fun.

Even though not all of them are my biological children, I would like to think of them as mine. But either way, I'm still thankful to have a family like this.

Charlie and Joe were the first children Tom had with Christina. But sadly, Christina died due to a heart attack, taking Ava, Tom's supposed second daughter with her, Millie being the first. My children are Maddie, Grace, and Johnny. Their father was a cheater who I suspect is married to another woman, generally speaking.

Sadie is Millie's cousin on her father's side, Brown.

Lilia is my niece, my brother's daughter, but he died, so I adopted her.

"So, Mom, are you driving me to school?" Johnny asked.

"Of course, darling..." I answered. But then I remembered something.

"Uhmmm... Johnny, are you still dating that redhead? What's her name again?" I asked.

"Nadia..." his face frowned as he mentioned her name.

"So, that's her name... Are you still dating her?" Millie asked, looking at her brother curiously.

"No."

"That's sad to hear, Johnny... But I know you'll find someone better," Tom consoled, whispering the last part and sending Johnny a sad smile.

Then we continued eating, talking about everything but avoiding sad topics. This is what I love about my family; we open up to each other, and I don't want that to change.

"Okay, kiddos! I'm going to work," Joe announced, rising from his seat. His gaze lingered on Johnny, imparting a few last-minute instructions before turning to address the girls.

"Johnny, my brother, don't cause trouble this time, okay?!" he instructed, earning a solemn nod from Johnny, who vividly recalled the incident from his first day of school.

"Millie, Sadie, don't punch a guy's face this time because I'll punch them for you, girls," he said, pointing a stern finger at the two girls.

"Maddie, Lilia, Grace, I know the boys of your school are idiots, but I suggest you guys not help your sisters fight. I'm sure they can handle it. Alright? Am I clear?" Joe's tone held a mixture of concern and authority as he addressed the girls.

"Got it, Joe," they chorused in response.

"Oh, and don't fl--" Joe's sentence was cut short as the girls finished it for him.