I heard them calling me halfway up the stairs so I pulled the quilt up over my head and tried to hold my breath. Depending on how messy the bed is I can sometimes hide in it. I'm not very big.
Ben walked in singing my name, using the song from Bear in the Big Blue House only instead of Shadow, he sang Where oh where oh where is Bridget? And he started crawling across the floor, looking under things. Lochlan's footsteps moved to the side, and I could feel him standing up at the top of the bed near my head. Then all of the sudden Ben's hands grabbed my ankles and pulled and I shrieked as I came shooting out the bottom of the covers.
He says to Lochlan, It's a girl!
Lochlan said, Good! This house is a sausage fest. No more guys! And I laughed and laughed and then I tried to crawl back up into the bed but Ben was having none of that. He draped me across his lap, still holding tight and Lochlan came down to sit beside him at the foot of the bed.
What would you like to do today?
I want to have a good day. A good life. No more fighting. No yelling. No bad feelings. I gesture to Lochlan's head with both hands, upside down as I look up at both of them. I want the glitter. The magic. Music. Cake. Love. Let's make it good. This is so good. We need to keep it that way.
So back to bed for a while?
I have to say goodbye to the kids. They leave for school any minute.
Caleb already took them up.
Oh, really?
Yes, he's being helpful.
What did you do?
Just gave him a couple chores. PJ is really enjoying the break.
Oh wow. Guys. Really?
You want to go back to bed or not? Loch pulls his shirt off over his head and grins at me.
I nod and Ben stands up and throws me on the bed.
I thought I told you to stop doing that!
No way. It's fun to watch.
So I'll throw you.
I will wait here while you try.
I may need help.
Who shall we call? Ben says as he pulls his jeans off.
Okay! Nevermind!
I think you've got your hands full anyway.
I will in a minute, I'm sure.
