"Mommy?"
"Yes Colton" I said to our oldest son
"I don't want to go to school today" he said from across the kitchen. I was making his lunch
"Buddy, there's 3 days left and then you're home for Christmas holidays"
"I don't want to" he whined
"Colton, you're going and you're going to have so much fun okay?" He nodded "can you finish your breakfast please?" He happily ate his cereal again. I finished making his lunch and sent him upstairs to brush his teeth. I gave the twins some Cheerios and started to tidy the kitchen
"Can you go put your shoes on?" I heard Calum talk to Colton as they came down the stairs
"I can all by myself"
"Ok I'll check in 3 minutes" he came into the kitchen "bye little ones" he kissed Decklan and Addison's heads, making them both giggle. Colton looked more like me than Calum. The twins, however, were identical to Calum. Same big brown eyes, same skin tone, same everything. Especially their laugh which made me happy "I love you" his arm gently rested on my waist and he kissed my head "I won't be able to pick Colton up this afternoon, ash said he could though"
"Just let me know however he's getting home from school"
"Ok I'll see you later"
"Bye, I love you" he went off and drove Colton to school and him to work. Colton was 5 now, the twins were just under a year, their birthday is in January. Calum stayed home for the first month they were born, since it was a lot to adjust from one kid to three. I let the dogs in the kitchen to eat everyone that had fallen on the floor. We had to put Duke down last year because he got too old, that was really hard for Calum.
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The day was typical, cleaning and taking care of Decklan and addy. There have been many offers to get a nanny, but for now I'd rather stay with them and the boys are good for looking after them. Michael and Crystal have a son named Austin, he's three. Luke and Sierra just got engaged. Ashton and Kay are still dating. I was folding laundry and the twins were in their room and had just gone down for a nap. I heard the front door open and followed the dogs over to it. Colton was kicking off his shoes
"Hi buddy" I kneeled down to give him a hug
"Hi mommy" he jumped into my arms. Just as they looked, the twins were both suck ups to Calum. Colton was my little cuddle bug.
"How was your day?" I ask him, ignoring Ashton at the door
"Good, I want to show you what I made in class. Uncle Ashton also took me for ice cream after"
"Did he? Did you use your manners and say thank you?" He nodded "good" I stood up and he ran off to play
"Hi ashton"
"How are you? Calum said the families coming here for Christmas?"
"Yeah they are" I nod "and I'm honestly stressing out so much. Do you want to come in?"
"If I'm not barging in"
"Not at all" he took off his shoes and we went into the living room "so Christmas? Cal said you were excited about it"
"I am, I'm just also freaking out. I still have so much stuff do to in not so much time" I continued to fold the laundry in the basket
"Mommy, can I open my chocolates now?" Colton came in
"Yeah, go grab it from under the tree please"
"Chocolates?" Ashton asked
"He can't say advent calendar" he nodded nodded. Colton picked up his Spider-Man calendar from under the Christmas tree "uncle Ashton will help you get it okay?" Colton hopped up on the couch and sat beside Ash
"What day it is today, Colton?" Ash asked him. I finished what was left of the laundry, Colton had gone to his room to play by now.
"What are you and Kay up to for the holidays?"
"My family's coming to LA, so we're having Christmas Day with them and I think we're seeing her family the 27th"
"Nice, Michael and Crystal back in Australia?"
"Yeah. Then Luke and Sierra are with her family I think"
"Hey do you know why cals working so late today?" I ask
"We were writing this afternoon, he said he was writing with Andrew tonight I think. They got studio time and wanted to try out some bass stuff too, I think" I nod in response "I should get going, I'll see you later"
"Bye ashton" I texted Calum 2 or 3 times, but didn't get a response.
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I made dinner and got the kids ready for bed. I had just changed into pajamas and heard the front door click open. Calum came in our bedroom shortly after
"where have you been? It's almost 10" I ask, more worried than mad
"Mads, I'm sorry. I was writing with Andrew and then Jack came too and we had a few drinks"
"And you didn't call me?"
"My phone died. I'm sorry"
"And you had a few drinks?"
"I haven't seen them in a while"
"Don't you think I'd like to go see Brynn or Kay and have drinks sometimes Cal?"
"The past couple days have been a lot, I needed a drink"
"Ok whatever" I got into bed
"No don't do this, you always do this. Don't go to bed mad, we're not going to solve anything"
"Cal" I breathe out "the past week has been a lot for me too"
"I'm sorry baby" he kissed my hand "what's wrong?"
"Your family's coming in less than a week. The house is a mess, I have no plan of what we're having for Christmas dinner, I have so much wrapping to do. I have 3 kids and 2 dogs that rely on me all day and then you're not home on time. I need a break from it sometimes but you're not here, I need you here with me cal"
"Come here" he crawled in the bed and pulled me into his chest "I love you so much mads"
"I love you too" I mutter into his chest. We layed there for a moment until I heard addy start crying
"You go to bed baby girl, I'll go take care of her" Calum removed himself from the bed and I fell asleep.
