My Only One

Chapter 3

"Love you too. Bye," he said as he shut the door.

The kids were getting their shoes on as I just shook my head, pulling out a brush from the bag. "Jessica, what did we talk about last night?"

"Brush my hair in the morning or you'll get it cut," she said.

"Right. How come you didn't do it today?" I asked as I brushed it gently.

"Because I was too excited to see you today."

I chuckled softly as I pulled it back into a loose ponytail. "I will let this one slide, but you need to remember, okay?" She nodded as I ran a brush through Xavier's hair. "Get in the van, guys. I'll be out after I make sure everything is turned off." The kids ran off and I checked to make sure everything was off.

Hopping in the drivers seat, I made sure everyone was buckled as we drove to Cass' house to the sound of kid's music playing. It was nice, everyone sang along as we had a nice ride. No real heavy traffic or anything, so it was good.

We finally arrived at the house as we all got out and the kids ran to the door, knocking. Zoe answered as they all ran in laughing and smiling. I followed not to far behind as I shut the door behind me. "Knock, knock," I said out loud as I set the bag on the table.

"Hey," Cassadee said. "You ready for today?"

"I am. Is Tay here?" 

"Yeah, she's on the porch watching the kids play. I just came back out to get a drink and saw you pull up."

"Alright. I brought some graham crackers, if that's okay."

"Perfect."

We both headed out the back door and sat around Tay, the kids running around and laughing. There was silence for a while as we all watched our kids play. There was so much activity going on between the kids that just made me smile. Somehow, I missed that part of my life. Might have been because I didn't have any siblings or any carefree environment.

"So," Tay said, sitting forward. "How did you guys take the news?"

It took me a few seconds to register what she was talking about, then I realized what she was talking about. "I think it's good. Jack's been a bit down lately. He really misses seeing all the faces and support. When he told me, he was just so happy. What about you guys?"

"Zack was kind of excited. He kind of loves Cody. Hard to not be around him. You know?" She took a drink and set it down as we looked towards Cass.

"Rian is indifferent. He's excited to interact with the guys in that way again. I mean, that's what he knows. He's so family oriented, but misses the fun. So he's kind of caught. You know?" We all nodded.

Having kids has changed us and our husbands so much. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

After a few different topics from kids, school to every day stress, the topic of Sarah returning came up. I kind of wanted to avoid this conversation, so I just walked away, saying I had to use the bathroom as I sighed, sitting down. I really didn't want to remember that she was coming back. I didn't want anything to happen. I have made a happy family, finally, and I didn't need that to fall apart.

I came back out after a bit to see them just gossipping about their husbands. I sat down and watched my kids as Cass called for snack time. The kids ran up as we walked inside. They sat down as drinks and the crackers I brought were sat down in front of them.

Not much else happened after that. The kids finished their snacks and ran back outside and us girls started talking again. A few hours later, Rian came home as I took that for my queue to leave. I packed up the kids and thanked Cass for the time as she told me to not be a stranger.