FOUR YEARS LATER…..
Elizabeth
Who said marriage or starting up your own family is not good? Bring that person to me. He or she is a suspect. I need to show them the good both parties have done for me.
Or probably, they need evidence: I'm example number one.
Everyday, I wake up early as 6am to perform my motherly duties before officially leaving the house for work. As you know, if it was to be before—the old men, I would sleep like the world was never ending and lazily go out whenever I like but now, being a mother of four beautiful kids, things changed.
Yeah. You heard me right. Four kids on deck.
Two years ago, I got pregnant again and had a beautiful baby girl. Amelia Jowita Sebastian Jakub. But sometimes, I call her by her middle name: Jowita which is pronounced: Yo-vee-tah.
My husband got to name her Amelia meaning: Work or industrious because she came into this world at a very busy hour. That day, my mother in-law came over to visit me at the office. I just finished with the fifth meeting of the day and was heading for the fridge to get a bottle of water when I suddenly fell into labour.
Luckily for me, I was not born with bad fate. My mother in-law walked in at that moment and saw my condition. It was too late to drive to the hospital and she didn't want to bother my husband too because he was hell in the middle of a meeting too.
So, she became my doctor at that very moment. She helped deliver Amelia right there inside the office. It was when Amelia was born that we got to call my husband. He was like: wait, he couldn't believe his mom played the role of a midwife on me. We didn't named our baby until he showed up.
Amelia is only a year and three months old but she looks more like a two years old. She has: Medium warm beige skin, silky straight dark hair with a few bangs left hanging on her forehead and deep brown eyes like her father's—my husband.
Unlike my four years old triplets. Szymon, Dominik and Liliana. My husband used to call her Lilly or by her middle name: Klaudia.
Szymon is no difference from my husband. In fact, you don't look for my husband's features when you can see it right through Szymon. He has all his characteristics and traits. No mistakes at all if he grows up one day and becomes exactly like his father. I'd mistake him as his twin.
Szymon has: Medium olive skin, straight long hair that stopped right on his shoulders and warm brown eyes.
While Dominik my second child, I used to call him obedience as his nickname because he does according to his first given name: Aleksy, which meant: Defender or Helper. He's always there helping out and fighting for his brother in school. Most times, the principal has summoned I and my husband to his office concerning Dominik challenging a boy in school.
He respects his brother so much and his brother does too.
Sometimes, I envy how united they could be. They work together, does things together. One time, the both of them beats up five boys in school.
I was like: at the age of four? What would they do when they become teenagers?
I'm not ready for stress, please.
But that was not it.
The worse was when Szymon showed his real colour to all his classmates and dealt with all of them, proving that he wasn't a shy naive boy. He gave them the exact character he exhibits from his father's traits.
Just because he was a quiet boy doesn't mean he's not mean or cruel. Sometimes, I ask myself if I have birth to a devil. Or the devil reincarnated himself through my womb. Because this boy is strange sometimes. But also calm in other times.
Dominik has: Medium light golden skin, dark wavy hair and hazel eyes. A combination of his father's brown eyes and my grey eyes.
While my first daughter which is my third child, Liliana has: Light peachy skin, soft curly dark hair, grey hazel eyes.
She acts like a princess in the castle sometimes. Not wanting to touch things. Even as little as the cutlery, she'll still tell you, it'd stain her fresh palms if she feeds herself.
She styles her hair by herself while other times, she allow me do it for her.
My husband insisted on getting a nanny for them and home lesson tutors but I disagreed with the suggestions. I prefer to take good care of my kids myself. I've carried them nine months in my womb and felt the pain of motherhood, so I don't want whereby someone else coming into the picture to do the duties which am supposed to do for me.
I don't stay more than 4pm in the office because of them. Whenever they closes from school, my chauffeur goes to bring them to the office. There, I'll put them through on their homework and order lunch for them before embarking home together.
Just last week here, we returned from a month holiday we spent with my family in Brazil. Mom has been requesting their presence since a year now. Since it was the summer holiday, my husband permitted the leave.
It wasn't easy to convince him. I have to trick him and plead with him with so many late nights sex involved to warm it all up before he finally gave in. He didn't go with us because he's always busy, travelling around the world and attending to one thing or the other.
We came back and my mother in-law won't allow me breathe. Now it's her turn to request the kids over. I've not told my husband yet because I don't know the dangerous response I'll be getting.
Usually, he's not a man that releases his kids anyhow. He loves returning from work tired and seeing his kids jumping everywhere in the house than coming back and the house is just as quiet as a graveyard.
He's addicted to the noise they make and the tantrums they throw.
He loves having his kids around all the time. So I'm still looking forward to his response later.
It's also been three years since we moved into our new house. Yeah, the same one he surprised me with. I later discovered that he built it in my name. Making me the rightful owner. That was when I found a few documents in his study room, including the house credentials with my name inscribed on the form.
I talked with my kids godmother who is also my best friend, Natasha. That one now has three kids in a row. Two girls and a boy. She gives birth every year. I don't know if her body is a baby factory because she doesn't get sore of pushing a baby. She and her husband relocated to Hong Kong. They live there now and only comes to town whenever they want to visit a relative or maybe a social gathering.
Bianca, Bianca, Bianca.
Her name keeps ringing in every now and then. Maybe because we live next block from each other now. Yeah. The next compound from ours is her husband's. No stress.
She has three kids too. She first had twins: Tymon and Milena who are same age as my triplets. And later she added one baby boy, Kolins. He is just two years old. I volunteer to be their godmother.
It's the weekend and my kids were in the lounge. Some playing, while some doing homework. At the time I got out of the kitchen to check on them, the ones doing homework were done.
The lounge looks messy and rough. It was the eighth time I've asked the maids to clean it up and I'm tired of punishing them with stress. If I nag at the kids now, my husband would say I'm being to noisy and nagging. But he's not home now and look. The lounge looks like a market square.
They're all sitting on the floor, playing games on their iPad, some watching cartons, another playing colour in her colour book and only Amelia is playing with her lego bricks.
She's trying to form a castle that keeps falling off every time. And I giggle whenever she cursed the damn piece of bricks for falling off.
She's still slow to words. She could only say: Mama or Dada or ice-cream and some petty things that won't stress her tongue from speaking.
I was making Szymon's hair into neat braids when my husband walked in.
"Dada!" Amelia shrieked and crawled her way to him quickly.
"Mama!" He scorch down and grabbed her into his arms. He spread kisses all over her chubby face until she was tired of giggling.
Szymon zoomed off to embrace his father as much as Dominik and Liliana. All three of them jumping on their feet for him to carry them like Amelia.
"Hey, hey, hey. Who do I pick up first?" He faked a disappointed look.
And the triplets jumped on their feets, hands waving in the air, "Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!"
"Pick me, daddy!"
"No, me first!"
"Daddy, I hugged you after Amelia! Pick me!"
I smiled and crossed my legs, enjoying the beautiful moment.
My husband didn't know what to do and I laughed at his tired and confused face. He squatted down and pull them all into a bigger hug. Kissing each of them on the forehead.
Amelia was slapping the triplets heads with a big frown on her face. She babbled words and I knew she was scolding them for stealing her hug from her daddy. Szymon grabbed her hand and kissed it and she giggled.
My husband always interacts with his kids first before coming to give me a kiss. I don't complain. I like how he puts his kids first in everything. They're his first priority.
When he finally lets them be, he strolled to where I was seated with Amelia in his arms. It almost seems like I'd be waiting for him to finish first so he could come over.
"Hello, Sugar." He kissed my lips and Amelia kissed his chin. He laughed and looked at her, "Don't practice everything you see, sweetheart."
Amelia shrieked and babble words.
I laughed, "She's bubbly." I continued where I left off in Szymon's hair. "How is Sharon and the kids?"
Actually, he went out to see his sister and her Quadruplets. It's not easy to be an uncle. Especially, being an uncle and a godfather at the same time.
He took the Quadruplets and their mother out to the kiddies park today since their father was not in town. The kids are same age as my triplets.
I used to chat with Sharon a lot on WhatsApp. We do FaceTime often and I'm used to having her as the best sister in-law in the world.
He sat beside me, sitting Amelia on his lap. Amelia kept playing with his hair strands and he doesn't mind if she plucks them off. "They're fine. Sharon was happy I came. She said I arrived at the right moment that she was actually coming over to visit."
"Oh. Is it? I was thinking of going over next weekend, though." I said.
Dominik looked up from his iPad to his father, "Daddy, there is this schoolbag Tymon has. It has Shazam character on it and I want one like it."
My husband raised his brows, "Is that all?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. Consider it done. Tomorrow is Sunday. When mommy gets back from church, we're all going out. Then you can pick the schoolbag you want."
"Yay! Thank you, daddy! You're the best in the world!" Dominik beamed.
I let out a frustrated sigh because he's always fond of spoiling them. He doesn't mind buying a real house for them if they request it today.
"Daddy," Oh god, now it's Liliana's turn. She doesn't pick on petty things and I'm afraid one day, she'll ask for a make-up kit. "Amelia stomped on my iPad."
"It was an accident. She just couldn't say the sorry word." Szymon chimed in for his baby sister. He's usually protective of them all. Especially, Amelia.
"She did it on purpose!" Liliana snapped. She's harsh. She has a bad temper, originated from her father. This is his female version. "Daddy, I need a new one. An iPhone tab this time not Samsung."
"Liliana?" She's getting picky and too demanding these days. One day, she'll wake up and request for her dad's credit card. "That is too much. An iPhone tab? Really? Was it that broken? It was just a scratch and—"
"Consider it done by tomorrow, Lilly." My husband interrupted me.
"What?" I turn to his side, "Honey, this is not fair. You're spoiling them and I don't like it."
"They're my kids and were are my responsibilities if I can't provide them their needs?" He said.
I sighed, "Babe, that's an answer for a different question. I'm not denying you of your responsibilities but attending to all their demands without shutting them out sometimes is not nice."
"Relax, Sugar. They're just kids. I want them to be happy."
Arguing with him is no use. I just let it be.
Later, it was Amelia's turn. She was bouncing and constantly tapping her father's head.
My husband laughed, understanding her gestures, "What does my princess wants too?"
Amelia shrieked, happy that she managed to gain her father's attention. "Jowita... Ice-cream!"
My husband understood her baby talks even though it was crazy. "Jowita wants ice-cream, right?"
Amelia beamed and nodded, finally feeling victorious for pronouncing her middle name successfully.
"Okay, honey. I'll get you that." He kissed her chubby cheeks. She squealed and hugged his neck.
I look down at the one person who hasn't requested anything yet. He's always like that. Feeling pompous and egoistic. Most times, bossy and strict. He doesn't ask for things. Instead, things ask for him.
And now, I was asking on his behalf, "Sweetheart, everyone picked on something. Won't you request too?"
He wiggled his finger at me and I leaned down to eavesdrop.
When he was done whispering, I leaned back to my former posture and faced my husband. "Szymon wants a toy gun, a bicycle and a new watch."
My husband shrugged and nodded. "Okay, big guy. Noted."
I sensed my son Szymon holding back a big smile.
He doesn't name his request out especially when the others are there. He does things codedly. You can highly tell how smart and intelligent he is from the way he magically choose, speak and does things wisely.
I was taken aback when my husband finally asked me something. He always does but only when the kids demands something. He doesn't want me excluded.
"What does my baby wants?"
I chuckled. The urge of requesting something didn't actually cross my mind. "Well….nothing. I'm good."
"Frugal and too contended." He gracefully winced, placing his hand on his chest. "But I'm not gonna take that. It's better you make a request, you know my penalty." He winked on the last one.
He'll tie me up in bed and all throughout the night till the next morning, it'll be sex-till-dawn until I'm sore. That's his penalty.
I wasn't ready for that. I'm still taking birth control pills to avoid a fifth baby.
"Okay, fine." I finally gave in and he grinned. "I don't need something big, okay? A onesie is fine."
He looks a bit disappointed because that's not exactly what he expected from me, "Onesie jumpsuit?"
I nod, "Yeah,"
"I thought you were going to say: a car or a house." He teased.
I sigh heavenwards, "Hell no. I'm not greedy."
Besides, tomorrow is marking it our fourth wedding anniversary, which is also the kids official four years birthday: that's another reason I wasn't against their heavy requests. I don't want him to spend too much beyond the normal budgets of outings.
"Then in that case, I'll get both of us the same onesie. Couple match." He chuckled and turn to Amelia. "Right, honey?"
She giggled and he kissed her forehead.
Something flung into my head and I asked myself if I should do it right now?
I looked at him but he wasn't looking at me. His attention was diverted to the untidy lounge. Baby snacks littered everywhere, the TV remote control laying flat on the floor, some pillows scattered everywhere, Amelia's Lego bricks flaunting on random places, orange juice spilled with the pack still laying on the floor, biscuits down too, particles of Slovenian bread everywhere, piece of crumbled papers and pencils down too.
Sincerely, the whole place looks like a refuge dump.
But my husband did not say anything. In fact, he is used to it. We are used to it.
I took a deep breath, attempting to deliver one bothering message. "Honey,"
"Hmm?" He looks at me although I didn't look back because I'm anticipating his response later, but I felt his eyes fixated on me.
"Your mom called today. She said she wanted the kids over for the week." I gulped.
I never expected his response to be fast. "At least, could anybody allow my kids have a break." God, I knew it. "They spent a month in Brazil and now, they'll be going on a two hours journey to see my parents for a week. When will I spend quality time with them?"
If it were to be our former house, the drive would have been closer. Highest, a thirty minutes ride.
I knew he's whining right now but I still dare to look, "Baby, it's just for a week. Moreover, the summer holiday is fast approaching. Maybe you can let them go over during that time."
I'm trying my best to reason out. Hoping I'd convince him, even knowing it'll be difficult without luring him to bed first.
He let out a deep breath and focused his attention on Amelia. He caressed her long dark hair. "I don't know yet. I'll think about it." Was all he said.
If he'd let the kids out, it'll be a big miracle because he barely does. The time he allowed us to leave for Brazil, he sent more than fifty bodyguards to go with us. He doesn't want to hear a scratch coming on the kids or me.
Then, he puts Amelia down to play when she initiated to grab a brick.
He peck my cheek when I was almost done with Szymon's hair and stood up, "God, I'm tired. I need to shower."
Afterwards, he disappeared into our bedroom.
Szymon touched his hair when he suspects I'm done. "Mommy, are you done?" He wants to confirm even though he knew.
"Yeah." I put the comb away and hand him a small mirror.
He grinned at his little reflection and new look. "Thank you, mommy."
"Mommy, I'm hungry!" Liliana snapped.
I remembered I had put something on the gas stove earlier but it was still cooking.
"It's okay, Lilly. You don't have to shout, okay? You're a girl, remember?" I stood up and made my way towards the kitchen.
Amelia crawled her way to the kitchen when she didn't see me in the lounge. I picked her up and carried her on my side.
I was stirring the soup when I suddenly heard my husband's loud voice coming from the bedroom.
"Holy moly! Mother of fuck!"
I rushed out of the kitchen with Amelia with me, attempting to go check on him but he was already running down the stairs, wearing a white bathrobe and holding bunch of ripped files. His long dark hair damped and still dripping. He just finished with shower.
"Szymon? Dominik? Liliana? Which of you entered my room and tamper with these documents?" He gave the triplets daggering eyes.
All three of them started shivering, staring at their father wide-eyed. If there's one person they're scared of in the house, is my husband. They dare not do something when he wasn't in approve of it. He'll spank them until they see stars.
"You want me to repeat myself?" He yelled when he got no response.
He was scaring the kids to death and I swear if by now Liliana is not peeing in her pants.
I quickly went to his side, Amelia sucking her thumb. I'm suspecting her. "Honey, please keep it down. You're scaring the kids. What is really the issue? What happened?"
I'm confused. All I saw was ripped files and nothing more.
He turn to me and I don't mind if he lays all his burning anger on me instead of the kids. "Look at these. These are bunch of contracts deals worth trillions of dollars. I'm supposed to work on them in the study now, only for me to find them torn to pieces. Can you imagine that?"
I let out a deep breath and faced my triplets who were already jumping out of their skin in fear, "Sweethearts, did anyone touched daddy's stuff? I promise he won't do anything if you're candid."
The three of them shook their heads vigorously. "Not me." They said.
I looked at my husband who was already wearing out in anger, "Honey, do me the favour of checking the CCTV."
He raised his brows, "CCTV? You thought I planted one in our room so everyone could see us making love? Come on, Elizabeth. I didn't put a CCTV in our bedroom because it's our privacy."
All of a sudden, Amelia bounced in my arm, "Jowita….did!"
Seb and I exchanged look for what seems like forever thereafter, turn back at Amelia who seemed innocently happy about the situation.
Sebastian sheepishly smiled at me and I gulped because I know it's not genuine. "What did you say again? My mom wants them to come over for the week? Ah, don't worry. You have my permission now because they'll be staying there for two weeks. Including Amelia."
The smile dissipated immediately and he walked pass me to the stairs. Fuming hard.
Getting to the first stair, he halted and spun to face me again. "And secondly: she'll be starting school after they've returned from my mom's place."
My eyes popped, "Sebastian, she's just a year and three months old. She doesn't know anything yet."
"She does." He stated firmly and I kept quiet. "Last week after you guys returned from Brazil, she spelled her middle name on my white sofa, using a red permanent maker."
It's true. Amelia is intelligent and smart just like her other siblings. She knows how to identify numbers, colours and alphabets even without tutoring her.
"Two months ago when we went to the beach, she scribbled the twenty-six alphabets on the white clay sand with her fingers, separated the vowel sounds and also marked out the consonant sounds." He added. "Even when she hasn't visited school yet and you tell me she doesn't know anything?"
"Honey— I understand but she's still too young."
"Elizabeth, education does not have age interference." He said. "I started school when I was just a year old. My mom would drop me off at the daycare before going to school. And she's just a year and three months old."
I sighed. I don't know what to say back. I'm lost of words.
"I've made my decision and my decision stands." He stated firmly and I saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Amelia is starting school two weeks from now and that's finally."
He stormed into his room, shutting the door hard. I let out the breath that felt like I've been holding it for too long.
I stare at Amelia who was smiling at me. I sighed, "Honey, Dada says you'll be starting school soon. Better get ready."
She shrieked, sharing her excitement alone.