The Perfect Family

Chapter 23: Jack

"Hey, boss. Great work today. You had me in tears. Usually the only person who can do that is my wife" Sean says as I pass by his door with my laptop bag in hand.

"Well, you're welcome" I laugh as I straighten out my tie.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of calling it a day already?" Sean asks as he playfully punches my shoulder.

"I hate to break it to you, buyt yeah. Something happened at the twins' school and Emilie seems really upset about it, I've gotta go" I answer.

"Sounds urgent. Take care, man. See you tommorow?" Sean asks.

"Of course" I respond as I make my way to my parking spot.

The drive seems longer than usual, but I'm thinking its because I haven't been back in a while. As I make a U-turn passed the convenient store on 5th, my heart begins to race and my palms begin to perspire at the thought of what could have possibly gone wrong at school. At every stop light, my mind takes the opportunity to conjure up possible ideas or scenarios. The flu? A missing toy? Lice? What possibly could have happened to the girls that they would have been home early? As I turn my key in the door at 5:45pm I am about to find out.

"Hey, I'm home" I say as I notice Emilie in the kitchen fixing dinner.

"Hey" Emilie responds as she turns around and tosses the Greek salad.

"Greek salad and lamb? Okay, who died?" I ask as I look to th dinning table,  using humor in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"What? I can't cook my favourite man's favourite dinner without there being a reason for it?" Emilie responds as she looks down and bites her lip.

"Well, its not my birthday just yet, although it is fast approaching. Our anniversary isn't for another five months. You're not returning until the  beginning of February. You've got me stumped" I say as I place a hand on my chin while the other arm crosses my chest.

"I just thought it would be nice and it  would keep you calm for our discussion tonight" Emilie replies.

"I see. What's the harm in telling me before dinner? The kids aren't around. Are they all asleep already? They must feel older than we do" I joke.

"Jack, please  just trust me okay? I really think its best we talk about this tonight" Emilie answers.

"Alright. But seriously, are they asleep or was I gone so long they all became adults and moved out?" I ask.

"Its been a long day for everyone. They all went down for a nap when we got home. But they should be up soon" Emilie answers.

"Let's go check on them, then" I say as we make our way upstairs. As we approach the bedrooms, we find that Maddox has climbed out of bed looking for his apple juice.

"Hey, buddy" I say as I bend down to his height. But he shows no interest in me, which I find a tad peculiar because he's always ecstatic when I come home from work. Instead, he looks at Emilie and raises his arms, indictating that he wants to be picked up.

"Now, Maddox what did we learn? If you want something you have to ask" Emilie says.

Maddox takes a while to think about it and he eventually figures it out. "Up" he says, his arms remain raised.

"Good job. Up we go" Emilie responds as she proceeds to carry the toddler.

"Who are you and what have you done with Maddox?" I joke as we make our way to the girls' bedroom door, which is decorated foam stickers representing their initials.

"What?" Emilie laughs as he sets Maddox down.

"Its just unusual for him to not be excited to see me" I reply.