Lunch time was finished, the kids all full and now playing among themselves.
Duncan sprawled out on the couch, socked feet in the air with Courtney in the प्यार सीट not even 3 feet away from him.
"I need और clothes. Think I'll be going घर soon." Duncan stated.
"Today?" Courtney asked, looking over at him.
"Yeah, probably in a few. I'll be back though... I mean, if that's okay with you." Duncan said.
Courtney sighed, "It's fine."
"You're gonna miss me?" Duncan said.
That all too familiar sensation in Courtney's दिल made it's appearance and she felt like she had swallowed a ballon.
"Y-you're going to be gone for long?" She asked meekly, trying to play with her fingers to seem casual.
"Nah. I'll probably be back Tuesday if I leave today." He said.
"Alright." Courtney lightly replied, averting her eyes back to the television.
"Daddy, you're leaving?" Alex asked, getting up from coloring in her book.
"Yeah, but I'll be back." Duncan told her.
The young girl's small face completely fell. "Why?" She asked sadly, her eyes tearing up slightly.
"Aww Alex, don't cry." He said, trying to comfort her.
"But we have a washer and dryer and mom has deodorant and stuff for you. Dani has powder in his room and we have plenty of soap dad. Please. We really do." She begged.
He picked her up to stop her from her frantic ranting and sat her on his lap, चुंबन her all over her face to get a giggle from her. It always worked, even since she was a baby.
She half-heartedly smiled at him, sadness still overwhelming her eyes.
"Will आप really be back dad?" She asked.
"Of course I will Alex. I would never lie to you. Remember, you're my queen." He smiled.
Her face significantly brightened up, of course from the nickname he'd दिया her.
"I प्यार आप dad." She said, cuddling into his chest.
"Love आप too Alex." He replied, holding onto her.
Ethan saw the sight in front of him and pouted his lip, highly jealous.
"What about me?" He asked, crossing his arms.
"There's room for आप too." Duncan said, picking his son up with his free hand and laying him down on his chest.
Courtney laughed at Ethan's jealousy. Sibling rivalry never got old.
"That's too cute." Courtney spoke lowly, earning her a chuckle in response from Duncan.
Courtney's POV
Later that day, Duncan announced his departure to the rest of the kids. Alex cried again while Maddie bit back tears. Daniel on the other hand had an entire fit finding out that his father was leaving.
I watched as Duncan picked him up, trying to soothe him. He walked him to the रसोई, रसोईघर and sat him on the counter and cleaned his face off with a moist paper towel. Snot ran out of his nose and his hysterical cries echoed throughout the house. Duncan tried his best to comfort the toddler but it wouldn't work.
"I'll be back, I promise. It'll only be two days Dani." I heard him trying to console.
I sighed, crouching down to Alex and Ethan's level to comfort them.
Duncan told Daniel to blow from his nose but he just fussed and tried to tear away at the paper towel Duncan held at his face.
"Come on Dani, it's not that bad. I promise daddy will be back." Duncan told him.
Dani just yelled louder, kicking and screaming. His entire कमीज, शर्ट was ruined from his tears and snot द्वारा now.
"Do आप want me to just take him with me?" Duncan asked me.
"No, it wouldn't be fair to the others. He'll be okay after a while." I कहा back to him.
It wouldn't be fair though. The others were obviously upset that their father was leaving after being there with them for over a week, so to just take the one that seemed to not be able to calm down wouldn't be right.
"You sure?" Duncan asked me again, continuing to try to clean Dani's now red face with the paper towel.
"Yes." I replied.
"Dani, calm down please. For mommy." I said, trying to soothe him.
"Could आप help me please?" Duncan asked as he was still having trouble cleaning Daniel's messy face through his temper tantrum he was having.
I walked over and held him down, him kicking and screaming even और as Duncan finally got his face clean.
"I'll take him Duncan, आप have to go." I कहा as I picked Dani up from the counter.
Duncan sighed, obviously upset at how much of a fit Dani was in because of him leaving. आप could see in his eyes that he didn't want to leave.
"He'll be okay Duncan." I कहा to him, patting the side of his face, my hand meeting the coolness of his ear piercing.
"If आप say so." He replied as he walked out of the रसोई, रसोईघर before me.
Daniel screamed and reached for his father, trying to kick and free himself from my strong grip. He coughed roughly, gagging afterwards. I patted his back, he was going to make himself sick crying like this.
When I walked out, Ethan and Alex had both calmed down tremendously. Thank God.
"I'm leaving now kids, I प्यार you." Duncan कहा as he walked around and gave hugs and kisses to Maddie, Alex and Ethan.
I saw Alex's eyes tear up again, but she did a good job holding them back.
They all ran over and embraced him one last time before he picked up his bags and walked over to me and Daniel.
He kissed Daniel on the forehead, him still fussing and fighting in my arms, tiring himself out, his cry weakening. He tried to reach for his father but his body wouldn't allow him. He would sure enough cry himself to sleep if he kept this up.
"I प्यार you." Duncan कहा to me as he looked me deep into my eyes.
My face gave him enough of a response for him to know I wanted to say I प्यार आप too without saying it.
"I'll let आप know when I get in." He कहा to me, before hugging the kids one last time and leaving the house.
The kids all rushed to the doorway, blowing kisses and waving goodbyes to their father as he climbed into his car. Duncan waved back, and with that, pulled off.
The all too familiar climbed back into my throat. That knot. My stomach sank. No matter how much I'd want to deny it, I didn't want Duncan to go. As much as I didn't want him to stay at first, I'd grown accustomed to him with him being here for so long. He'd be back, and two days wasn't long but I couldn't help the feeling. I could only imagine how the kids felt if I was feeling this way. Seeing him pull off with all of his bags in the car made my mind regretfully flicker back to that day. The image wouldn't leave my head. It just kept replaying and replaying. Even though I trusted Duncan enough that he wouldn't do that to us again, I couldn't help but shake the feeling. The feeling of abandonment. At that very moment, I had realized that I wasn't over what Duncan had did to us. It had to be that या an insecurity. The whole incident left me insecure. It was either that, या the overwhelming feeling of being alone that snuck up on me and dug it's nails into my skin.
I was taken away from my thoughts द्वारा a wet hand reaching for my face. I looked down to see Daniel, still crying - weakly now. He sniffled every few seconds, his chest heaving twice every time the noise elicited from his mouth.
"Aww baby." I said, rocking him, pulling him up so that his head was now on my shoulder.
"It'll be okay baby." I कहा in a soothing voice, rubbing and patting his small back.
He continued crying fifteen मिनटों after his father's departure until it finally eased up a bit. I felt his arm shift; always a sign that he had popped his thumb in his mouth. His cries turned into long, dragged out whines. When he, himself had enough, he just quietly, slowly but surely falling asleep.
I took a सीट on the couch, rubbing his back more. My poor baby. If I weren't the person I am today, I'd call Duncan selfish for such an act. He stormed in here, staying here and spoiling the kids rotten for a week straight then just up and leaving without warning. In all actuality however, it was me who was selfish. I didn't let Duncan take Dani even though I knew he needed to. It would only be spoiling him even और but Dani never cries like this unless he's really upset about something, which he very rare because he's such a nonchalant kid. I sighed, feeling a bit guilty as I looked down at my son's wet face. He was beet red and I had let him cry his lungs out for a little over an hour. If I would've just let him go with Duncan, he wouldn't have cried his दिल out like this. He would've been content.
"My baby." I kept murmuring, now rubbing my hand through his soft, curly hair. He'd worn him little self out, crying like that. आप could tell him and Duncan had a strong connection. He'd throw a fit whenever he left.
Once I heard a soft snoring, I got up from the couch, turning the tv off in the process and walking upstairs to Dani and Ethan's room. It felt so weird walking alone and hearing no one else's footsteps along with mine. From the short time he was here, Duncan sure did leave an impact.
I opened the door to his room where I saw Ethan knocked out and nearly hanging off of his bed. I smiled and walked over to प्रॉप Ethan up so he wouldn't fall. I tucked him in and kissed him on the forehead. I closed the door quietly, Dani still contently sleeping in my arms.
I peeked in Maddie's room, then Alex's. They were both asleep too. I knew none of them had done their daily routine of brushing their teeth before bed, but I'd let it slide this time.
I walked down to my room, not realizing how exhausted I felt the tingling sensation in my arms, warning my body that they would give out on me soon. I was completely tired. I yawned, placing Dani in my बिस्तर and then climbing in myself. I didn't bother turning my tv on that night. I was sure that I'd fall fast asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. And I did.
I woke up to 3 missed calls. Duncan. I was way too tired to talk so I sent him a text instead.
"Sorry, I was exhausted. I fell asleep as soon as I hit the sheets. Dani wore me out cold."
It was 8:30. I tried to pull myself up but my body wouldn't allow me. I groaned. I hadn't felt like this since a long दिन of the kids having school.
I just let my head fall back down on my तकिया with a thud, my hair messily all over the place I'm sure. I looked over at Dani who was sprawled out, much like his dad, with his thumb creeping out of his mouth. I smiled at him. He had such a rough दिन yesterday, I felt in my दिल that I had to make it up to him. Maternal instincts I guess.
I moved my weak hand over to stroke his face. He cuddled into it. Before I knew it, my eyes had closed again and I pulled my youngest son close to my body to cuddle with him before falling back asleep.
I woke up once again, 10:00 this time. I shot up frantically. I never sleep this late. My phone began to ring. I picked it up to see it was Duncan. I answered.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey Court." his gruff voice replied.
"Hey Duncan." I said, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"I got your message." he said.
"Yeah, sorry I missed your call last night. I was beat." I replied, honestly.
"It's cool. Well look, I've got some good news." He told me.
My eyebrow lifted in anticipation before asking "What?"
"I'll be back before I intended. Tomorrow most likely." He said.
My दिल fluttered and I got तितलियों like I was a teenager all over again.
"W-what happened?" I asked, all tongue tied.
"Well everything's been taken care of over here. Mom dropped द्वारा and took care of the place." He said.
"Well that's good." I replied.
"How's the little man?" He asked me, referring to Dani.
I turned over and looked at him, surprised that he was even still asleep.
"He's sleeping." I replied.
"Still?" He asked.
"Well, he did cry himself a house out a home." I said.
"Aww. Well he should feel better when he wakes up. He's never mad for too long." Duncan said.
I chuckled at his comment.
"One और thing Court." he added.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Well, my mom's kinda having problems with taking care of Diesel." He said.
"And?" I pressed, waiting for what I just knew he was going to tell me.
"Well I'm not moving in या anything but I'm over there a lot, and will be a lot more. Diesels only 8 weeks, he needs a stable घर and he's my pup. I have to take care of him." He said.
I just knew he wasn't inferring what I thought he was.
"Aaaaand?" I pressed even further.
"Well if I'm going to be over there. Shouldn't he be too?" He asked.
I scoffed loudly, rolling my eyes so hard that he could've probably heard it.
"First you, then the dog. Heck no. That thing poos everywhere!" I कहा defiantly.
"Please Court. The kids प्यार him. My mom can't take care of him anymore." He begged.
I was so sure of my answer. No. I was already letting a "dog" stay at my house, now he wanted his to come along. Oh no. Hell no. Then the damn thing isn't even potty trained.
"No Duncan. The dog's not coming." I said, and that was final.
"Come on Court, आप know आप can't say no to him. He loves you." He tried to plead.
My mind wandered to how little Diesel would jump up on me, wagging his little tail and lick my face everytime he'd see me. He was a baby Siberian Husky, and Duncan was right, he was in प्यार with me... for some reason.
I sighed before regretfully saying the words "Ok" out of my mouth.
"But not for a month, या a couple of weeks, but until the end of this week. द्वारा then, आप can have his caregiving plans taken care of." I said.
I heard Duncan whisper "yesss" through the phone. I rolled my eyes.
"Thanks Court, प्यार you."
I breathed for a मिनट and replied "I प्यार आप too."
It felt like the Devil had come up from the ground a grabbed me द्वारा the throat the way those words burned to come out of me. I hadn't कहा those three small words since Daniel was born. It was when I kissed Duncan when I had finished pushing and they placed a bloody Dani on me with a sheet showering me with congrats. I don't know why, but I felt something was either going to go very badly या positely from me finally responding to him telling me "I प्यार you". I took a deep breath, relieving me from the knotting feeling in my tight chest and continued the conversation.
"See आप tomorrow." He said.
"Can't wait." I कहा sarcastically, even though deep down inside, there was some truth in that statement.
It was around 3 noon now, and the kids were all playing amongst themselves. Maddie sat on my lap, watching tv as I played in her long, ebony hair.
"I want my hair curled mom." She told me.
"Curled how?" I asked.
"Not like Dani's hair, but curled with the curlers. Long and pretty like how आप do yours before important stuff. Like Aunt June's funeral. I liked it." She told me.
I smiled, flattered. "Oh really?" I asked inquisitively, raising an eyebrow.
"Yup! And I want mine just like it." She said, grabbing a lock of her hair that stopped just past her shoulder blades and twirling it around her finger.
"That's no problem, but what ever happened to आप wanting it cut like Veronica's?" I asked.
Veronica was a little friend of hers. If Maddie wanted to be vegan, Veronica wanted to be vegan. If Veronica was going to डिज़्नी World, Maddie had to go to there too. They were those kind of friends. It became sort of a pain at times.
"Well, I don't think it'll be a good look on me anymore. Besides I like the curls better. Can आप do them tomorrow?" She asked enthusiastically, looking up at me with those big टील, टीला, गहरा हरिताभ नीला orbs.
I began laughing, telling her she looked just like her father.
"Sure." I told her, as I continued fiddling in her hair.
"Mom, why haven't आप been to work lately?" She asked me out of nowhere.
"Well, I have a seasonal job Maddie. When important holidays या events come up, I work. When it's not, I don't." I told her.
"So how do आप maintain this big ole house if आप only work sometimes?" She asked me.
I gaped at her question, trying not to be surprised at the advanced words that came out of her mouth for such a young age. I never told the children that after their great grandfather, my father's father, died he left us with everything. He gave us acres of land down in Florida where he resided that we never traveled to until the Summer. We inherited everything. I was his favorite. He promised me the world and he gave it to me. I missed him so much, but he was in a better place now, which is what I'd tell the children. He was a millionaire, filthy rich. Not snobby at all like most people would judge at first glance. I loved him to death, and he left us with money that'd have us set for a life time. He died when a 6 months after the twins were born. Lung cancer. The kids' college funds were taken care of in my savings account and everything. I'd never let them know any of this though. I didn't want them becoming spoiled and dependent on the money they had. I didn't want them to feel as though they don't have to work for anything in life because already have it. Whatever they wanted, they'd earn.
I smiled at her curiosity before answering her question.
"I have my ways. Your mother is a brilliant person आप know." I said, tapping a finger on her noggin. She giggled, grabbing it.
"I hope I grow up to be like you." She told me.
Me, being the emotional blob I was, teared up at her statement. It felt good to be someone's role model. Someone's idol. My first, and oldest daughter looked up to me and wanted to become what she saw her own mother be. Successful द्वारा her damn self.
"You will be like me honey." I corrected her, pressing my warm face against hers.
She giggled again.
"I प्यार आप Maddie." I said.
"I प्यार आप too Mom." She replied, before leaning back onto my chest and watching TV.
My pov: this is the last chapter they पोस्टेड I'm sorry btw anyhow I just wanted to say because I know the story didn't have an end that I surveyed some people about how they would handle it and they all कहा that they would let him हटाइए back in with ground rules. Anyway srry again

Duncan sprawled out on the couch, socked feet in the air with Courtney in the प्यार सीट not even 3 feet away from him.
"I need और clothes. Think I'll be going घर soon." Duncan stated.
"Today?" Courtney asked, looking over at him.
"Yeah, probably in a few. I'll be back though... I mean, if that's okay with you." Duncan said.
Courtney sighed, "It's fine."
"You're gonna miss me?" Duncan said.
That all too familiar sensation in Courtney's दिल made it's appearance and she felt like she had swallowed a ballon.
"Y-you're going to be gone for long?" She asked meekly, trying to play with her fingers to seem casual.
"Nah. I'll probably be back Tuesday if I leave today." He said.
"Alright." Courtney lightly replied, averting her eyes back to the television.
"Daddy, you're leaving?" Alex asked, getting up from coloring in her book.
"Yeah, but I'll be back." Duncan told her.
The young girl's small face completely fell. "Why?" She asked sadly, her eyes tearing up slightly.
"Aww Alex, don't cry." He said, trying to comfort her.
"But we have a washer and dryer and mom has deodorant and stuff for you. Dani has powder in his room and we have plenty of soap dad. Please. We really do." She begged.
He picked her up to stop her from her frantic ranting and sat her on his lap, चुंबन her all over her face to get a giggle from her. It always worked, even since she was a baby.
She half-heartedly smiled at him, sadness still overwhelming her eyes.
"Will आप really be back dad?" She asked.
"Of course I will Alex. I would never lie to you. Remember, you're my queen." He smiled.
Her face significantly brightened up, of course from the nickname he'd दिया her.
"I प्यार आप dad." She said, cuddling into his chest.
"Love आप too Alex." He replied, holding onto her.
Ethan saw the sight in front of him and pouted his lip, highly jealous.
"What about me?" He asked, crossing his arms.
"There's room for आप too." Duncan said, picking his son up with his free hand and laying him down on his chest.
Courtney laughed at Ethan's jealousy. Sibling rivalry never got old.
"That's too cute." Courtney spoke lowly, earning her a chuckle in response from Duncan.
Courtney's POV
Later that day, Duncan announced his departure to the rest of the kids. Alex cried again while Maddie bit back tears. Daniel on the other hand had an entire fit finding out that his father was leaving.
I watched as Duncan picked him up, trying to soothe him. He walked him to the रसोई, रसोईघर and sat him on the counter and cleaned his face off with a moist paper towel. Snot ran out of his nose and his hysterical cries echoed throughout the house. Duncan tried his best to comfort the toddler but it wouldn't work.
"I'll be back, I promise. It'll only be two days Dani." I heard him trying to console.
I sighed, crouching down to Alex and Ethan's level to comfort them.
Duncan told Daniel to blow from his nose but he just fussed and tried to tear away at the paper towel Duncan held at his face.
"Come on Dani, it's not that bad. I promise daddy will be back." Duncan told him.
Dani just yelled louder, kicking and screaming. His entire कमीज, शर्ट was ruined from his tears and snot द्वारा now.
"Do आप want me to just take him with me?" Duncan asked me.
"No, it wouldn't be fair to the others. He'll be okay after a while." I कहा back to him.
It wouldn't be fair though. The others were obviously upset that their father was leaving after being there with them for over a week, so to just take the one that seemed to not be able to calm down wouldn't be right.
"You sure?" Duncan asked me again, continuing to try to clean Dani's now red face with the paper towel.
"Yes." I replied.
"Dani, calm down please. For mommy." I said, trying to soothe him.
"Could आप help me please?" Duncan asked as he was still having trouble cleaning Daniel's messy face through his temper tantrum he was having.
I walked over and held him down, him kicking and screaming even और as Duncan finally got his face clean.
"I'll take him Duncan, आप have to go." I कहा as I picked Dani up from the counter.
Duncan sighed, obviously upset at how much of a fit Dani was in because of him leaving. आप could see in his eyes that he didn't want to leave.
"He'll be okay Duncan." I कहा to him, patting the side of his face, my hand meeting the coolness of his ear piercing.
"If आप say so." He replied as he walked out of the रसोई, रसोईघर before me.
Daniel screamed and reached for his father, trying to kick and free himself from my strong grip. He coughed roughly, gagging afterwards. I patted his back, he was going to make himself sick crying like this.
When I walked out, Ethan and Alex had both calmed down tremendously. Thank God.
"I'm leaving now kids, I प्यार you." Duncan कहा as he walked around and gave hugs and kisses to Maddie, Alex and Ethan.
I saw Alex's eyes tear up again, but she did a good job holding them back.
They all ran over and embraced him one last time before he picked up his bags and walked over to me and Daniel.
He kissed Daniel on the forehead, him still fussing and fighting in my arms, tiring himself out, his cry weakening. He tried to reach for his father but his body wouldn't allow him. He would sure enough cry himself to sleep if he kept this up.
"I प्यार you." Duncan कहा to me as he looked me deep into my eyes.
My face gave him enough of a response for him to know I wanted to say I प्यार आप too without saying it.
"I'll let आप know when I get in." He कहा to me, before hugging the kids one last time and leaving the house.
The kids all rushed to the doorway, blowing kisses and waving goodbyes to their father as he climbed into his car. Duncan waved back, and with that, pulled off.
The all too familiar climbed back into my throat. That knot. My stomach sank. No matter how much I'd want to deny it, I didn't want Duncan to go. As much as I didn't want him to stay at first, I'd grown accustomed to him with him being here for so long. He'd be back, and two days wasn't long but I couldn't help the feeling. I could only imagine how the kids felt if I was feeling this way. Seeing him pull off with all of his bags in the car made my mind regretfully flicker back to that day. The image wouldn't leave my head. It just kept replaying and replaying. Even though I trusted Duncan enough that he wouldn't do that to us again, I couldn't help but shake the feeling. The feeling of abandonment. At that very moment, I had realized that I wasn't over what Duncan had did to us. It had to be that या an insecurity. The whole incident left me insecure. It was either that, या the overwhelming feeling of being alone that snuck up on me and dug it's nails into my skin.
I was taken away from my thoughts द्वारा a wet hand reaching for my face. I looked down to see Daniel, still crying - weakly now. He sniffled every few seconds, his chest heaving twice every time the noise elicited from his mouth.
"Aww baby." I said, rocking him, pulling him up so that his head was now on my shoulder.
"It'll be okay baby." I कहा in a soothing voice, rubbing and patting his small back.
He continued crying fifteen मिनटों after his father's departure until it finally eased up a bit. I felt his arm shift; always a sign that he had popped his thumb in his mouth. His cries turned into long, dragged out whines. When he, himself had enough, he just quietly, slowly but surely falling asleep.
I took a सीट on the couch, rubbing his back more. My poor baby. If I weren't the person I am today, I'd call Duncan selfish for such an act. He stormed in here, staying here and spoiling the kids rotten for a week straight then just up and leaving without warning. In all actuality however, it was me who was selfish. I didn't let Duncan take Dani even though I knew he needed to. It would only be spoiling him even और but Dani never cries like this unless he's really upset about something, which he very rare because he's such a nonchalant kid. I sighed, feeling a bit guilty as I looked down at my son's wet face. He was beet red and I had let him cry his lungs out for a little over an hour. If I would've just let him go with Duncan, he wouldn't have cried his दिल out like this. He would've been content.
"My baby." I kept murmuring, now rubbing my hand through his soft, curly hair. He'd worn him little self out, crying like that. आप could tell him and Duncan had a strong connection. He'd throw a fit whenever he left.
Once I heard a soft snoring, I got up from the couch, turning the tv off in the process and walking upstairs to Dani and Ethan's room. It felt so weird walking alone and hearing no one else's footsteps along with mine. From the short time he was here, Duncan sure did leave an impact.
I opened the door to his room where I saw Ethan knocked out and nearly hanging off of his bed. I smiled and walked over to प्रॉप Ethan up so he wouldn't fall. I tucked him in and kissed him on the forehead. I closed the door quietly, Dani still contently sleeping in my arms.
I peeked in Maddie's room, then Alex's. They were both asleep too. I knew none of them had done their daily routine of brushing their teeth before bed, but I'd let it slide this time.
I walked down to my room, not realizing how exhausted I felt the tingling sensation in my arms, warning my body that they would give out on me soon. I was completely tired. I yawned, placing Dani in my बिस्तर and then climbing in myself. I didn't bother turning my tv on that night. I was sure that I'd fall fast asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. And I did.
I woke up to 3 missed calls. Duncan. I was way too tired to talk so I sent him a text instead.
"Sorry, I was exhausted. I fell asleep as soon as I hit the sheets. Dani wore me out cold."
It was 8:30. I tried to pull myself up but my body wouldn't allow me. I groaned. I hadn't felt like this since a long दिन of the kids having school.
I just let my head fall back down on my तकिया with a thud, my hair messily all over the place I'm sure. I looked over at Dani who was sprawled out, much like his dad, with his thumb creeping out of his mouth. I smiled at him. He had such a rough दिन yesterday, I felt in my दिल that I had to make it up to him. Maternal instincts I guess.
I moved my weak hand over to stroke his face. He cuddled into it. Before I knew it, my eyes had closed again and I pulled my youngest son close to my body to cuddle with him before falling back asleep.
I woke up once again, 10:00 this time. I shot up frantically. I never sleep this late. My phone began to ring. I picked it up to see it was Duncan. I answered.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey Court." his gruff voice replied.
"Hey Duncan." I said, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"I got your message." he said.
"Yeah, sorry I missed your call last night. I was beat." I replied, honestly.
"It's cool. Well look, I've got some good news." He told me.
My eyebrow lifted in anticipation before asking "What?"
"I'll be back before I intended. Tomorrow most likely." He said.
My दिल fluttered and I got तितलियों like I was a teenager all over again.
"W-what happened?" I asked, all tongue tied.
"Well everything's been taken care of over here. Mom dropped द्वारा and took care of the place." He said.
"Well that's good." I replied.
"How's the little man?" He asked me, referring to Dani.
I turned over and looked at him, surprised that he was even still asleep.
"He's sleeping." I replied.
"Still?" He asked.
"Well, he did cry himself a house out a home." I said.
"Aww. Well he should feel better when he wakes up. He's never mad for too long." Duncan said.
I chuckled at his comment.
"One और thing Court." he added.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Well, my mom's kinda having problems with taking care of Diesel." He said.
"And?" I pressed, waiting for what I just knew he was going to tell me.
"Well I'm not moving in या anything but I'm over there a lot, and will be a lot more. Diesels only 8 weeks, he needs a stable घर and he's my pup. I have to take care of him." He said.
I just knew he wasn't inferring what I thought he was.
"Aaaaand?" I pressed even further.
"Well if I'm going to be over there. Shouldn't he be too?" He asked.
I scoffed loudly, rolling my eyes so hard that he could've probably heard it.
"First you, then the dog. Heck no. That thing poos everywhere!" I कहा defiantly.
"Please Court. The kids प्यार him. My mom can't take care of him anymore." He begged.
I was so sure of my answer. No. I was already letting a "dog" stay at my house, now he wanted his to come along. Oh no. Hell no. Then the damn thing isn't even potty trained.
"No Duncan. The dog's not coming." I said, and that was final.
"Come on Court, आप know आप can't say no to him. He loves you." He tried to plead.
My mind wandered to how little Diesel would jump up on me, wagging his little tail and lick my face everytime he'd see me. He was a baby Siberian Husky, and Duncan was right, he was in प्यार with me... for some reason.
I sighed before regretfully saying the words "Ok" out of my mouth.
"But not for a month, या a couple of weeks, but until the end of this week. द्वारा then, आप can have his caregiving plans taken care of." I said.
I heard Duncan whisper "yesss" through the phone. I rolled my eyes.
"Thanks Court, प्यार you."
I breathed for a मिनट and replied "I प्यार आप too."
It felt like the Devil had come up from the ground a grabbed me द्वारा the throat the way those words burned to come out of me. I hadn't कहा those three small words since Daniel was born. It was when I kissed Duncan when I had finished pushing and they placed a bloody Dani on me with a sheet showering me with congrats. I don't know why, but I felt something was either going to go very badly या positely from me finally responding to him telling me "I प्यार you". I took a deep breath, relieving me from the knotting feeling in my tight chest and continued the conversation.
"See आप tomorrow." He said.
"Can't wait." I कहा sarcastically, even though deep down inside, there was some truth in that statement.
It was around 3 noon now, and the kids were all playing amongst themselves. Maddie sat on my lap, watching tv as I played in her long, ebony hair.
"I want my hair curled mom." She told me.
"Curled how?" I asked.
"Not like Dani's hair, but curled with the curlers. Long and pretty like how आप do yours before important stuff. Like Aunt June's funeral. I liked it." She told me.
I smiled, flattered. "Oh really?" I asked inquisitively, raising an eyebrow.
"Yup! And I want mine just like it." She said, grabbing a lock of her hair that stopped just past her shoulder blades and twirling it around her finger.
"That's no problem, but what ever happened to आप wanting it cut like Veronica's?" I asked.
Veronica was a little friend of hers. If Maddie wanted to be vegan, Veronica wanted to be vegan. If Veronica was going to डिज़्नी World, Maddie had to go to there too. They were those kind of friends. It became sort of a pain at times.
"Well, I don't think it'll be a good look on me anymore. Besides I like the curls better. Can आप do them tomorrow?" She asked enthusiastically, looking up at me with those big टील, टीला, गहरा हरिताभ नीला orbs.
I began laughing, telling her she looked just like her father.
"Sure." I told her, as I continued fiddling in her hair.
"Mom, why haven't आप been to work lately?" She asked me out of nowhere.
"Well, I have a seasonal job Maddie. When important holidays या events come up, I work. When it's not, I don't." I told her.
"So how do आप maintain this big ole house if आप only work sometimes?" She asked me.
I gaped at her question, trying not to be surprised at the advanced words that came out of her mouth for such a young age. I never told the children that after their great grandfather, my father's father, died he left us with everything. He gave us acres of land down in Florida where he resided that we never traveled to until the Summer. We inherited everything. I was his favorite. He promised me the world and he gave it to me. I missed him so much, but he was in a better place now, which is what I'd tell the children. He was a millionaire, filthy rich. Not snobby at all like most people would judge at first glance. I loved him to death, and he left us with money that'd have us set for a life time. He died when a 6 months after the twins were born. Lung cancer. The kids' college funds were taken care of in my savings account and everything. I'd never let them know any of this though. I didn't want them becoming spoiled and dependent on the money they had. I didn't want them to feel as though they don't have to work for anything in life because already have it. Whatever they wanted, they'd earn.
I smiled at her curiosity before answering her question.
"I have my ways. Your mother is a brilliant person आप know." I said, tapping a finger on her noggin. She giggled, grabbing it.
"I hope I grow up to be like you." She told me.
Me, being the emotional blob I was, teared up at her statement. It felt good to be someone's role model. Someone's idol. My first, and oldest daughter looked up to me and wanted to become what she saw her own mother be. Successful द्वारा her damn self.
"You will be like me honey." I corrected her, pressing my warm face against hers.
She giggled again.
"I प्यार आप Maddie." I said.
"I प्यार आप too Mom." She replied, before leaning back onto my chest and watching TV.
My pov: this is the last chapter they पोस्टेड I'm sorry btw anyhow I just wanted to say because I know the story didn't have an end that I surveyed some people about how they would handle it and they all कहा that they would let him हटाइए back in with ground rules. Anyway srry again