It's really funny how much things have changed in just a short period of time. It's even funnier how life sends the hugest curveball right when you're at the peak of happiness.
"What do you mean Piper's been hurt ? Hurt like what ? Hurt like she got a little scrape ?" Henry says to the phone.
"No Henry. She got into a fight." Mama Hart says.
"A fight with who ? Where ? Ma! How is she ?" Henry asks becoming frantic.
"Damn. Okay she didn't want me to tell you but she got jumped. It was actually by all her friends, she had no idea it was happening. She wasn't getting bullied or anything I guess they just didn't like her and well they did what they did." Mama Hart says making us both go into shock.
"What the actuall hell? Man I hate middle schoolers. Why would you not just tell someone straight up that you don't like them ? No need to plot against them and be fake about it." I rant off, starting to huff like it was my own sister.
"Nah, no way. Let me know who did it. I want to know why." Henry says but he says it with a twinkle in his eye that is not happiness.
"Um no, you are going to chill out for a bit. Go change Aaron's diaper." I say pulling him away from the phone a little. He looks at me and rolls his eyes.
"Ma we'll talk later when there are no intruders around." He shoots at me but goes to get Aaron out of his little walker chair.
"Boy ain't no intruders around here but you. Buh bye." I say and he just shakes his head.
"I'm so happy you two are friends again." Mama Hart says.
"Ha, tryna be more than that." I mumble and I hear a big "ooooooop" from the phone. Aw damn she heard me.
"Did I hear you right ? You like my son?" She asks.
"Of course. How can I not ? Have you seen him ?" I say trying to downplay it.
"Oh no, you're not into this one for looks. Tell me what's up." She about demands and I just smile at her antics.
"Alright well yes. If I may say so myself I am smitten with your son. He's just such a hard worker, a big help around the house, he may be a little dense but he tries to the best of his ability to understand my issues and emotional mess. He's so passionate about this project and the kids. I like the positivity he's been radiating and it's like I can finally breathe again. His smile makes me melt, his scent makes me weak, I want nothing more than to just cuddle up with him and stay there forever." I admit.
"Oh my, that's so cute. You gotta tell him that honey. Please he needs to hear it." Mama Hart says and I sigh.
"Maybe I will." I respond thoughtfully.
"CHARLOTTE !" Henry bellows from upstairs.
"Aannd that's my cue. Henry will call back later, love you Mama." I say.
"Love you guys! Be good!" She calls out and then hangs up. I leave Henry's phone and just head upstairs.
"Henry, what did you do now?" I ask and as I get closer to the top of the stairs I hear giggles and whispers to "shh". Oh lord, what are these fools doing ?
" Oh my goodness." I say immediately as I enter my bedroom to find the boys all piled up on Henry, Aaron included. They're all cuddled up together.
"Group Cuddle!!" They all yell at me. Aaron just kind of closes his eyes and goes to sleep before yawning and opening his eyes during all this.
"What do y'all want?" I ask unable to stop the big smile fron my face.
"We wanna cuddle Mommy!" Aiden yells. I laugh lightly and climb in bed with my family. I snuggle up with Aiden and as soon as I do I hear the boys all sigh.
"Mommy, Daddy. I have a question." Ashton says in a small voice.
"Yes Ash, go on" Henry says.
" Will you guys visit us when we go back ?" Ashton asks.
"Ah buzzkill." Avan mutters and I have to stop from laughing. Henry however chuckles but fakes it into a cough.
"Ah bud, who said you were leaving us?" Henry says and I reach over to smack his head.
"Don't listen to your father. Yes we will definitely visit you. One day you guys might get adopted for reals but we'll still like to visit you guys." I say and Aiden hugs me tight.
"Um, no matter what you guys will always be Mommy and Daddy." Avan says and I start to tear up.
"Wow, you boys are something." Henry says and he hugs them all more.
"We've still got time left together. Hopefully, we can just adopt you guys ourselves. We'll visit twice a week. Just keep an eye on Aaron for us. " Henry sums up.
"Aye Aye Cap'n" the boys all say at once and salute.
"Alright mateys, it's time for Mommy to do some school work with you while Daddy cleans up a bit." Henry says.
"Aww." Ashton says and the other two sigh. We all get up and I start to set up the boys with some writing worksheets in the living room.
"Hen." I call when I see him about to go take out the garbage.
"Yes ?" He says and walks over to me. I peck his lips and he smiles then kisses me again.
"I love your lips. I'll be right back." He says and then walks out the front door, locking it behind himself.
" Math ?" I ask the boys and they all groan.
"Yeah you guys are my kids alright." I laugh lightly.
" Wait Mommy, do we really have to leave you ?" Avan asks which shocks me because Avan is usually the one telling everyone else to " man up ". It shocks me even more that he immediately bursts into tears and the boys just look at each other before engulfing him in a hug.
"Av, it's okay." I say crouching down to his level which for me, is really not too far down.
" Come here you guys." I say and they all stand in front of me.
"Look, we don't want to leave. But we will have to separate. I will call everyday and we will visit as often as we can. We will come back for you when we are grown up and able to. Don't forget that ever. Both Daddy and I love you so much." I say, trying not to burst into tears myself.
"You guys will have to be strong for each other. Trust me, you can't get rid of your parents that easily." I say to them. Well yours never had a problem ridding themselves of you so why you lying to them for ? No, not today Satan. I decide to push away the naggy negative thoughts begging to resurface and get me all moody. Sure it hurts my parents haven't called not once since I been away, especially since I take out the time to text both of them every morning and I watch as they read my messages and never respond.
"Okay. Please don't leave too long." Avan says as he sniffles and wipes his tears away with his hands. I just wrap all 3 boys up in my arms.
" I can't promise that but I can promise that I will be back. I do promise to visit and I do promise to see you as soon as I can. Okay boys ?" I say and I feel them all nod. I hear the front door open.
"Whoa, I leave for all of 5 minutes and you guys are having a family hug without me? Looks like I'm gonna have to make some cookies to win some love for myself." Henry jokes causing the boys to pull away.
"COOKIES ?" they yell simultaneously.
"Yup." Henry says, popping the "p".
"YAY!" they yell again.
"If you boys do all your work, I'll do cookies and get some milk. We can probably watch Young Justice if Mommy is up for it." Henry suggests and he turns to me, searching for any sign of uncomfort with the idea.
"Sounds amazing to me. Let's go work." I say and Henry nods then goes to the kitchen as the boys erupt into excited chatter. Henry knows just how to cheer them up without even knowing what's up. He'll really make a good father. Our kids will be blessed to have him. Wait, what ?
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A/N teehee, I'm back. I had some major setbacks in life but writing has always been my outlet so here I am again. I can't wait to to close out this book and work on the next best thing. This book will be hitting its end in about 5 more chapters. TRUST THAT THINGS ARE GONNA PICK UP, IT WILL BE NICE AND THEN NOT SO NICE BUT IT WILL BE A GLORIOUS END TO A GOOD LIL TALE. 😉 then imma get started on Part 2 of " Just the Babysitter" 😊 thanks for sticking around if you did ❤