The Pacifier

Defeating Bullies, Momma, and Deep Talks

When I woke up the next morning I found myself laying in a bed that wasn't my own. I went to roll over and realized I couldn't. There around my waist was an arm holding me to the person. I looked behind me, and see Clint. I smiled, and slowly worked myself free of him and got up. I turned around to watch him, and leaned over placing my hands on the bed. "Thanks. I love you, Clint." I whispered, kissed him on the cheek, and walked out to get the kids ready for school.

Later that evening, I took the boys and the Fireflies to the store to sell more cookies. As I'm pulling up to the cashier; I look at the security cameras to see the girls literally beating up some boys. I quickly pay, and run outside. I get there in time to hear, "From now on you do things our way. No highway option. Ah!" Lulu tells them, which causes them to flinch.

I smirk, "Alright, untie them, and let's go home." I tell the girls.

"Do we have to, Auntie Nat?"

"Yes, come on. The faster you do it, the faster we can get pizza."

They quickly untied the boys, and ran for the car. We took everyone home, and then stopped at the pizza place. By the time we got home, it was still early in the evening. Clint pulled me aside into the kitchen to help clean up, and pulled out a picture that was hanging in the hallway. He left and came back with Peter in his arms. He sat him on the counter and pulled me over to stand next to him. "Alright, buddy, Daddy has a couple of questions for you. Okay?"

Peter nodded and Clint continued by grabbing the picture and pointing to it. "Who is the lady in the picture?"

Peter looked at it for a second and then smiled, "Mommy!"

Clint smiled and nodded. He then pointed at me, "Who is this?"

Peter reaches for me and not being able to deny him I picked him up. He grabbed my face in his little hands, "my momma." He responded then wrapped his arms around my neck and hugged me.

I held him tighter to me for just a second and let go when he pulled back. He smiled and pointed back at the picture in Clint's hands, "my mommy."

Clint nodded, smiling with tears in his eyes, "yea, buddy, that's mommy. What does mommy call the lady holding you? What did mommy say her name was?" He asked him.

I looked from Clint and back to Peter, who had turned to look at me. "Momma!" He answered with a smile.

I pulled him in for another hug and kissed his forehead with tears in my eyes. "I love you, baby." I whispered to him.

Clint hugged us both kissing my forehead and rubbing my back. "See, sweetheart, I told you he would know the difference. Are you okay now?"

I nodded my head and relaxed against him. Knowing that I'd never be able to have kids and that Laura basically gave me her family and made me a part of it...I swore to her in that moment that I'd do everything in my power to protect them and make sure they never forgot about their mother. Once we both calmed down, we went to the living room to find the rest of the kids sitting around arguing over the television. So we all sat down, put in a movie that everyone agreed on, and just hung out.

Half way through the movie there was a knock on the door. I let go of Lulu, moved Peter off me to Alex, and started to get up. Clint reached for me, and pushed me back down. "Stay with the kids. They all wanted to be next to you, I have this."

I smiled, and retook my seat. I faced the movie, but listened to who was at the door. "Lulu, can you come here please?" Clint hollered from the door.

She looked at me confused, "Come on, I'll go with you." I told her, and reached for her hand.

She nodded, and took my hand. We walked out of the living room and towards the door. "What's going on, Clint?" I asked walking up behind him.