The Perfect Family

Chapter 24: Emilie

The next day I am woken up by the sound of Let it Go playing a few doors down, which could only mean that the twins are awake. I assume that they are both getting ready to go back to school. But its not until I walk into the room that I am proven wrong.

"Good morning, mama" Lucy says as she runs into my arms wearing her long sleeve purple Frozen shirt with Olaf and Anna and the lavender sweat pants.

"Good morning, Lucy. Are you getting ready for school?" I ask.

"Yes. But Julia doesn't want to come. Can we braid my hair to look like Elsa?" Lucy responds.

"Of course" I reply. I don't even bother asking why Julia would refuse to go. As a mother, I wouldn't need some fancy degree to tell me when my child has been traumatized. Well, motherly instinct and the fact that she is lying in bed with the iPad watching The Fox and the Hound.

As Lucy sits in my lap and I begin to braid her hair, Jack comes in with Maddox to cheer Julia up. 

"Hey, how's my girl?" Jack asks as he sets Maddox down and heads over to Julia. But she doesn't respond.

"She's still having a hard time, Jack. I don't think she's ready to go back" I say.

"Okay" Jack replies. "She can take as much time as she needs". 

"Papa, look, I'm Elsa!" Lucy says as I finish her braid and she runs into Jack's arms.

"Are you the reason it snowed so hard last night? Please Queen Elsa, don't hit me with your ice powers on the way to the bus" Jack responds as he picks her up.

"Papa, you're silly" Lucy laughs.

"That I am. Come on, we'll get some breakfast and its off to school. Hey, Jules, I'm feeling kind of down and I think one of your special cuddles will make everyrthing all better when I go to work" Jack says, attempting to get a smile out of Julia.

Julia doesn't say anything, she simply grants her father's wish by engaging him in a long embrace, all the while discreetly placing a fallen tear on his shoulder.

"Much better. Don't you worry your youthfully beautiful head, Julia Belle. Everything is going to be okay. Kaden won't bother you anymore" Jack assures her as they each release their grip.

"Promise?" Julia weeps in response.

"I do. Lucy, what do you want for breakfast this morning?" Jack says as he heads down with the highly decorated Disneyphile.

"Waffles!" Lucy exclaims without hesitation.

"Your wish is my command, my fair ice Queen. Let's go" Jack says as they make their way down to the kitchen.

"Don't you mean let it go?" I joke.

"See you down there" Jack replies.

Just as I leave the room to check on the boys, Julia gets out of bed, pauses the movie and says "Mama, is papa right?"

"What do you mean, sweetie?" I ask.

"Is everything going to be okay? Will Kaden never hurt me again?" Julia asks. She begins to tremble as she struggles to say his name.

"Of course it is, baby. I promise you that we will do whatever it takes" I say as I pull out my phone and look for the school's contact information and make my way to check on the boys.

When I check on them, Kyson is still asleep so I gently close the door. As I approach Maddox's room, I hear him giggling as I open the door. He has gotten up earlier than usual. Something tells me he wanted to catch his father before they left.