The Perfect Family

Chapter 19: Jack

Days have passed and we are back at home. The kids are more excited for us to be back than we are. 

"Did you have fun?" Julia asks. 

"Did you buy us presents?" Lucy adds.

"Yes to both" I answer as I sit them both down and Emilie enters the room with Maddox, back from putting Kyson down for a nap.

"Yay!" the twins cheer as they looked at each other, held hands and jumped around their bedroom with glee.

As they opened their gifts to discover a fox plush and an Elsa barbie doll, they embraced us each so tightly I swear we could have turned blue for a second. We cherish every moment we can with the kids. Eventually, Maddox drags Emilie downstairs into the kitchen. 

~X~

"You wanna eat, bud?" Emilie asks.

Maddox takes a minute to think about it he leads his mother to the fridge.

"Remember, you have to tell me what you want, or you can use your chart to show me" Emilie reminds him as they continue to stand at the fridge and she patiently waits.

Eventually, Maddox agrees to the term of the deal and says "apple", which indicates that he is looking to enjoy some apple slices and apple juice.

Just as Emilie brings all apple related food items onto the counter, Lucy comes in looking for her container of orange slices.

"Mama, are you sure Maddox really wants that?" Lucy asks, referencing Snow White.

"Of course he does. Apples are his favourite. Just like your favourite is oranges and Julia likes grapes" Emilie laughs as she sets everything in front of Maddox. 

~X~

"So, what should we do today?" I ask as Julia and I come down the stairs.

"I don't know about you, but I need to get some grocery shopping done" Emilie says. I take this opportunity to help Emilie out a bit, even if she doesn't think it will help her.

"Sounds like a plan. How about Target?" I suggest.

"Yay!" the twins shout as Emilie shoots me a look of fear and uncertainty.

"Okay, we've gotta get ready. Go to your room, girls and we'll be right there" Emilie says as we make our way with Maddox upstairs shortly after.

~X~

"Are you going to be alright?" I ask as I help Emilie get Kyson dressed. I never let it slip my mind that there will come a point in every child's life when they hate getting dressed. This little guy puts up quite the fight for someone who is just over a year old.

 "I think so" Emilie sighs.

"Look, we don't have to go if you don't want to. I just thought this would be a good way to help you overcome your anxiety about what happened" I say, referencing Emilie losing sight of Maddox at Target.

"No, I'll go. I guess you're right. It would be silly of me to hide from Target forever just because of something that happened once upon a time" Emilie responds.

"That's my girl. Now, come and help me with this little hulk" I laugh as Kyson squirms and cries while I attempt to get him dressed for the day.

"Kyson Dallas, not today. Its alright. Here, why don't you hold on to Mickey?" Emilie says as she waves Kyson's, Mickey Mouse lovey in his face and hands it to him, after which he places one of Mickey's ears in his mouth and he begins to soothe himself.

 Eventually, we are able to get him dressed and now to deal with the others.

As usual, the girls can never decide what to wear when we come up.

"What do you want to wear?" Emilie asks as she enters the twins' bedroom with Kyson in her arms, while I get Maddox dressed.

"I don't know" the twins respond.

It takes a lot of time, but eventually they decide on long sleeve Fox and Frozen shirts with black sweat pants.

"Ready to go?" I ask as I approach the girls' bedroom with Maddox holding my hand and patiently waiting.

"As ready as I'll ever be" Emilie answers as she picks Kyson up from crawling around with his Mickey mouse lovey.

"Its going to be okay. I promise" I assure her. A promise I am certain I am able to keep.