Fulfillment Golland, M. (best classic literature TXT) 📖

and Bryce. All three of them stood thereand tattooed their name to my tree. I finished off by writing ‘werehere 2013’.

I smiled.

Charlihappy-danced.

Nate said,“That’s kind of dumb.”

And Brycehummed “Home among the Gumtrees” as he kissed my head and subtlyplaced his hand on my belly.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Family dinnerat the Blaxlo house was always eventful, this particular nightbeing no exception. Every time Jen or Steve placed food in theirmouth, the twins would cry, having some kind of baby radar thatsaid ‘Mummy and Daddy are having me-time, quick intervene’.

Livy sent allthings that were a shade of green from her plate onto the floor,and Nate unsuccessfully tried to roll his Brussels sprout ontoCharli’s plate unnoticed. Charli then vocally expressed that itwasn’t hers and not so subtly tossed it back onto his plate. I hadto laugh when Dad performed the same manoeuvrer as Nate, rollinghis onto Mum’s plate. But unlike Nate, Dad succeeded then basked inhis victory—Mum was none the wiser. I honestly didn’t know why shepersisted in cooking the things, because Steve had passed his toJen—who grudgingly ate them—and Jake had also pushed his aside. Mumand I were the only ones who actually liked them, together withBryce who happily ate three.

Jake—mouthfull and all—voiced his appreciation of Mum’s new style of roastchicken. “Good chook Mum. What’d ya do, buy it from the shopalready cooked?” He gave her a teasing smile.

“No,” shedefensively snapped. “It’s Bryce’s recipe thank you very much. Heshowed me how to do it.”

Jake stoppedhis fork midway to his open mouth. “You cook?” he addressed Bryce,a hint of a mocking smile creeping across his face.

“Yes, hedoes,” I interjected before Bryce could answer, “and he’s very goodat it. Maybe you should get a lesson. You might actually succeed inkeeping a girlfriend if you too, possessed such a skill.”

Steve, Jen andDad burst into laughter.

Mum gave Jakethe ‘your sister has a point’ look.

Livy threwanother piece of broccoli on the floor; thinking we were laughingat her.

“Olivia. No,naughty girl.” Jen scolded.

And, the twinsbegan to cry again.

***

Not too longafter dinner, Jen and Steve took the kids to bed, clearly wantingto get all three of their children safely to the land of nod.

“See you inthe morning,” she called from the bedroom door. “Don’t forget toset an alarm.”

“I don’t needto,” I answered. Then, registering her baffled look, I pointed tomy tummy, indicating that Baby Clark and my frequent toilet visitswere the reason why.

“Ah yes, babybladder,” she smiled.

“Jen!” Iwhisper-growled.

“Sorry,” shewhispered back, then happy-danced and quickly closed the door.

I shook myhead and headed to my room.

Our familyhome had three spare bedrooms, all of which belonged to us kidswhen we had lived here. So Jen, Steve, and their kids slept in theroom that was once Jen’s, Jake slept in his old bedroom, and Nate,Charli, Bryce and I accommodated mine. Bryce and I had been sharinga room for quite some time now, so it was no longer awkward forNate and Charli to see us share a bed.

While the kidsbrushed their teeth, Bryce and I got changed into our sleepwear, mein my usual long satin nightie and Bryce in a pair of boxershorts.

“So, this wasyour bedroom when you were young?”

“Yes,” Ireplied, smiling after registering his adorably sneaky grin.

He lookedaround, scanning the area and seemingly taking in every surface. “Iwish I’d known you when you were young. I would’ve snuck into yourroom and had my fucking way with you.”

I heated atthat thought of it. “I’m not sure my dad would’ve liked that.”

“No...hewouldn’t have.” Bryce winked at me just as Nate and Charli enteredthe room.

“This is justso cool,” Charli squealed, while jumping onto her makeshift bed onthe floor. “We are having a slumber party. I know, I know! Let’splay truth or dare!”

“No. That’sfor you and your friends to play,” I answered while smiling at herattempt.

“No it’s not,”Bryce said with a smirk. “I’ll play.” He had an elated smile on hisface which was infectious.

“It’s yourfuneral then,” I warned him.

Charlihappy-clapped and sat crossed-legged. Nate, who was now lying inhis bed, propped his head on his hand with an amused look on hisface.

“Well?” Igestured to Bryce, “What will it be, truth or dare?”

“Dare,” hesaid confidently, standing beside the bed in all his boxer shortglory.

Nate scoffedand put his hand over his eyes. “You’re nuts, Bryce.”

Charlihappy-clapped again.

“Slap yourselfacross the face,” I commanded, smiling with the knowledge that hewould do it.

He smiled backand obliged, giving himself a decent whack. I burst into laughterand fell back on the bed as he raised his eyebrow satisfactorilythen pulled back the bed covers, climbing in beside me.

“It’s yourturn, Mum.” Nate said, sitting up and crossing his legs like hissister. Crap! How did I get roped into this again?

“Fine,” Icontemplated my choice for a split second then decided I wouldfollow Bryce, not wanting to be outdone, of course. “I choosedare,” I huffed.

“Fart,” Nateblurted out, my typical nine-year-old son seeming quite pleasedwith his suggestion.

“No. I can’t,”I shrieked, embarrassed and honestly telling the truth. Suddenly abottom rumble sounded within the room. Nate and Bryce looked at me,their eyes widening. “That wasn’t me,” I exclaimed, hands in theair in surrender. Bryce chuckled so loudly that I had to playfullypunch him in the arm. “It wasn’t me, I promise.”

“No, it wasme,” Charli chimed in. “I took Mum’s dare.”

“What?” Iasked astounded and now laughing as hard as Bryce. “This game isstupid.”

“No it’s not.If you can’t do a dare or tell a truth, someone else can do it foryou. So, I did it for you, Mum, us girls have to stick together.”Charli was the only one deadly serious and not laughing.

“Oh...thanksSweetheart,” I choked out, trying to be as serious as she.“So...what happens next?”

Quite proudly,she answered. “You get another turn.”

“Oh, okay.” Ibreathed in and looked at her purposely. “Fire away.” And I meanfrom your mouth, not your rear-end.

“You have topick truth or dare, Mum.”

“Oh, sorry.Truth then.”

Charli smiled.“Are you going to marry Bryce?”

Charli-Bear, we’ve been over this. I looked at Bryce who hadplaced both his hands behind his head, a smug smile protruding fromhis face. “He has to ask me to marry him first.”

“Bryce, areyou going to ask—”

“Hey, hey,” Iinterrupted. “That’s cheating. It’s not his turn yet, it’s yours.Truth