A Little Sane

Chapter 5

Jerome had been dreading this day for a while now. He remembered the day clearly. He knew there was no way Mercedes didn't remember it. It was the day he kidnapped her, but it that wasn't what he worried about. It was the day he had killed her brother. It was also the day that TaTyana and Ed were moving away. He didn't expect this day to easy. Jerome heard music blasting in the kitchen. He walked in, and Mercedes was dancing around with TaTyana making breakfast. She seemed so happy. That worried him the most. Mercedes turned around and smiled. She grabbed Jerome by the hands and pulled him into the kitchen dancing. The babies were both in their infant highchairs with toys. Jerome laughed.

"You're just in time for waffles my handsome husband."

Jerome smiled and twirled Mercedes around. He had noticed that Mercedes was staring at herself in the mirror every morning. He knew that Mercedes didn't like the way her body had changed after having the babies. He that she was still absolutely beautiful, but he knew she would soon go back to working out. Jerome patted Jessie on the head. 

"Hey little buddy good morning!"

Jerome stood in front of Aislinn and her face lit up. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"Good morning my beautiful baby girl!"

Ed walked into the kitchen and Mercedes grabbed his arm.

"Stop packing the truck and come eat. Jerome can help pack when you guys are done."

Ed gave in and set at the table. Jessie let out a cry. Mercedes turned around.

"Awe is my baby boy hungry? Well give me just a second."

Mercedes pulled out a bottle and the formula powder. Ed looked at her funny.

"What the heck is that stuff anyways?"

Mercedes heated the water and poured the powder in, shaking it up.

"It's soy formula. It's gentle on his stomach. It has everything he needs and it is gentle enough for him to keep it down. I'm not against formula, I just wanted to breast feed. One because it is really healthy and two... my boobs hurt like shit! But, you know Jessie couldn't keep it down. So whatever gets my baby eating."

"Makes sense, but what is that weird machine Jerome stole and in your room?"

TaTyana laughed.

"That's her pump."

Ed looked at her lost. Jerome tapped his arm.

"Bro, she puts a part of it on her boob and it sucks the milk out."

Mercedes continued feeding Jessie.

"The fact that we are having this conversation right now..."

Jerome looked over and smiled. He grabbed the bottle. Mercedes looked at him weird. He nodded to her shirt.

"You definitely still respond to his crying. I'll feed him. You go change."

Mercedes looked down and playfully rolled her eyes. She left the kitchen. TaTyana stared at Jerome.

"Are you guys going to be okay...?"

Jerome sighed.

"To be honest... I'm scared... I know we can do this... it's just... I don't want to fuck up my kids like our parents did... I definitely have to control my anger.. I don't want them seeing me angry.."

Ed cleared his throat. He set up straight. TaTyana gave him a concerned look. Ed had his worries about the babies being left with them, but he also felt that they would take care of them and protect them.

"You know.. you and Mercedes aren't perfect..."

TaTyana raised her eyebrow telling him to shut up.

"But.. no parent really is.. and I honestly don't see you guys being anything like your parents or hers. So you are already doing a better job. Remember that."

TaTyana smiled. Jerome looked at Jessie and the bottle was empty. 

"Dang! Were you hungry?! You sucked it down."

Mercedes walked back into the kitchen. She took the bottle from Jerome and Jessie.

"He usually does drink it fast."

Jessie started to cry. Mercedes gave him a jokingly pityful look. She pulled him out of the chair. 

"You drank it all. Life is so hard as a newborn isn't it."

Mercedes gently patted his back until he burped. Jerome laughed.

"He sounds like a grown ass man."

Mercedes laid him on her shoulder and rubbed his back.

"My sweet baby. Come on. Let's go play with our toys. Maybe daddy will bring Aislinn in the living room with us."

Mercedes was trying to distract herself. She did know what day it was and she felt the best way to not think about it was giving all her attention to her kids. Jerome and Ed finished loading truck while Mercedes and TaTyana played with the babies. 

Mercedes stood on the sidewalk holding Aislinn while Jerome held Jessie.

"I love you."

TaTyana huggged Mercedes tightly.

"I love you too. Bye bye baby Aislinn."

TaTyana walked up to Jerome. She looked him straight in the eyes.

"You better take care of her... and these kids.. don't make me have to come back and kill you."

TaTyana smiled and Jerome returned her smile. TaTyana rolled her eyes and pulled Jerome into a hug. She ran her fingers down Jessie's cheek.

"I think I'll miss you most of all sweet baby boy."

Jessie smiled and blinked with stars in his eyes. Mercedes stared at her best friend driving away. She didn't feel anything. She finally looked at Jerome.

"Let's get these babies back inside."

"Mercedes..? Are you okay..?"

Mercedes gave Jerome a smile.

"I'm fine." 

Jeremiah stared at his phone. The pictures he had received by text after the babies were born were pulled up. Uncle Jeremiah. He knew it would be hard to get used to that. He knew that Mercedes would called him Uncle Miah. He hadn't her actually call him Jeremiah in a long time excpet if she was angry. It was very rare. He thought the babies were cute only because their mother was Mercedes. Ecco quietly walked into the study.

"What are you looking at...?"

Jeremiah sighed.

"The babies. Would you like to see them?"

Ecco had never seen the babies. She only knew they were born. She smiled.

"Sure." 

Jeremiah showed Ecco the pictures and she smiled. She may have hated Mercedes and Jerome, but she she loved babies. More than anything she wanted a baby of her own. 

"They're adorable.. I love babies."

Jeremiah gave her a look.

"Do not get funny any ideas. You are not getting a fucking baby from me."

Ecco quietly stepped back. She looked away. Jeremiah cleared his throat.

"Do you not have work to do?"

"Yes sir I do."

Jeremiah reached over and smacked her butt.

"Then get to work for daddy."

Jeremiah watched Ecco sadly leave his study. He thought it was very ridiculous of her to want a baby.