Life with three kids has been both wonderful and challenging, they have all had more scrapes, falls and bruises than I can count, they keep things interesting and never fail to let you know when you’re wrong.
Charlotte has been an amazing big sister to the twins, they play, they fight but she has always looked out for them, protected them, even lied for them and they adore her but they have learnt to not disturb her when she’s reading, she’s my little bookworm.
Eliza is an animal lover, she brings home all types of creatures much to her mother’s delight, she begged and begged for a dog, we eventually caved thinking a family pet would be a good thing to teach them all responsibility so one day we brought home a chocolate coloured Labrador who they named Coco. It was all fun and games until the day Eliza and Coco decided to roll around in the mud together after a rainy day then trod through the house with their muddy footprints. Alannah screamed bloody murder at the sight of the carpet.
Kyle is my prankster, he likes to tell jokes and hide behind corners to jump out and scare you, I’m certain Flynn has had a hand in a few of his pranks, there is one day which I very well remember where he swapped the sugar for salt, my morning coffee did not go down well that day.
The only dark cloud that fell over our family was the day we learnt that our son had inherited the heart condition I fucking carry. He fell ill with a virus when he was a few months old and we ended up in the hospital for a week. It was a terrible time. Alannah spent that whole first day crying. She was convinced we were going to lose him. I hated to see my wife hurting and in tears, she somehow felt responsible which was crazy, if anyone was to blame it’s me, I left them at the hospital that night and went home and got drunk, the guilt eating at me for causing this but playing the blame game wasn’t going to help anyone. I pulled my head out my ass, Alannah and I talked and knew we had to be strong for him and each other and we haven’t looked back and let it affect us since.
Growing up he tires a lot easier than his sister but other than that his childhood is as normal as can be, he has yearly doctor’s appointments, he’s tough, he’s a Moore and we don’t let things get the better of us. We’re considering starting him on medication when he hits his teens if necessary, we take it one day at a time, it’s all we can do. As far as he’s aware his heart just works a little differently to his sisters.
My kids may bring me to want to pull my hair out but deep down they’re good and kind and I wouldn’t have them any other way.
I wake up on Saturday to an empty bed and quiet house. Glancing at the clock it tells me that it’s already 9:30am. I can’t believe I slept in past nine. Alannah and the kids are probably done with breakfast by now. I stretch my sore muscles and slowly get up.
I make my way to the kitchen where I greet my family. I get good mornings from the twins and a kiss from my wife however Charlotte ignores me. Good to see she’s still angry from last night.
She’s sixteen and wants to start dating. Over my dead body that’s happening, she’s going to give me my first grey hairs, let me tell you that was not a pleasant conversation yesterday. She brought up the topic over dinner and argued until she was blue in the face, she even tried asking her mother to talk sense to me, but Alannah just agreed that she was too young and to wait another year. Overnight we have become the hated parents who don’t understand. This must be payback for the shit I put my parents through.
There is no denying she is a beautiful young lady just like her mother and if I have to ban her from ever leaving this house in order to protect her from those wormy little boys she goes to school with then I will, no matter how much she argues.
Two hours later I’m standing at the front window, watching Charlie walk down the driveway as she leaves to go to Mel’s place to help her set up for her youngest son’s birthday party this afternoon. She still has not said a single word to me all morning, stubborn female that she is. I recall the first time I saw her in her yellow dress and pigtails, she was the sweetest little girl, she still is and yet so much has changed, boy am I going to be glad when these teenage dramas are behind us.
“Hey, there you are. What are you doing?” Alannah comes into the room and stands beside me wrapping her arms around my chest glancing out the window along with me.
“She’s growing up.” I sadly say as I see her get into one of our cars with security.
“She is but she’s smart, Nick, we’ve done a good job raising her, she won’t do anything too crazy.” I can only hope she’s right.
I let out a deep sigh.
“You know, yesterday while I was at work I was gazing at the photos on my desk and thinking about where I would be right now if I didn’t come for you, would I even know her, we definitely wouldn’t have those other two trouble makers.” I turn to face my wife who has only grown in beauty over the years.
“Everything happens for a reason, honey, maybe it was always meant to turn out like this, who knows? But I’m glad you did come for us, as much I tried to hate and forget you I couldn’t, you were imprinted in my soul, Nicholas Moore.” She stands on her tip toes to reach my lips.
“I’ve got an imprint right here for you.” I pull her to stand in front of me with my arms around her waist as I push my erection into her ass, my lips attacking her neck.
“Oh my God, stop, the kids are around somewhere.” She swats her arms at me taking a step away and spinning to face me.
“I love you.” I tell her with as much sincerity as I can.
“I love you more.”
She rests her head on my chest and we just stand there in our living room, content to hold onto each other surrounded by the sound of our children laughing in the other room.
Sometimes the way we plan our lives out isn’t how they end up. We make mistakes, we learn and grow. Things that are out of our control occur but it’s how you deal with it that shows your strength and character.
After making the biggest mistake of my life I was lost. I was angry and alone but importantly I learned to never take anything and anyone for granted again. After my accident and going through a horrible period where everything was a struggle, I almost gave up but I fought, I fought my body to walk again and I fought for my heart and soul and it was worth every day I spent in pain, whether physical or emotional to get here. Alannah has given me a life full of happiness that I thought was lost to me forever. The love of my family is my greatest blessing.
This is our happily ever after.