Man what a night, it was
almost like she was new; Bliss would wake almost every hour because of that
tooth. I know for a fact that she's developing faster that she should. Only five months and starting to crawl. That’s shouldn't be
happening yet that I know of.
I walked over to the normally
happy child, and took her into my arms; I put her under my chin, and started
walking around again. I got an idea, and left a note on the table for Dar if
she went to find me.
And took the baby with me out
to a spot I use to go to when I wanted to get away from the farm I took her there it was soothing. Together we
sat there; well she ate her bottle while I took in the sight. The crystal clear
blue lake so clear you could see straight to the bottom. I've always wondered what’s
kept that up I had never known it to dull, only once for about a few months.
But that was years ago. I never saw it like that again. I look to my infant who
seemed to have fallen asleep with milk trailing down her chin. I took the bottle
and managed to get another look at the tooth, it was coming in fast. But there
was no doubt that she was miserable from it.
"My
poor little Lamb." I said as
I pulled her closer, and nuzzling my head into her.
There was no doubt in my mind
that I loved these kids, and I would kill anyone that even came near trying to
mess with any of them. They were mine, and I wasn't bout to let it be any other
way.
When we got back, I was glad
to see Sky back to her old self again, flying about and being and imp. I
watched as she ran up to her sister, took the cooking utensil Darlita was
using, and ran with it. I watched as Darlita walked over calmly and took the
spoon away from her then walked over to the stove and continued what she was
doing before. The little girl spotted me and ran over showing me the little
bag.
"Look what I have!"
She said holding it up.
"Skyla, you’re not eating
them yet are you?" I asked seeing the traces of crumbs on her shirt.
"I won't take them this
time, but you know the rules, you're not supposed to do that before breakfast. The
next time I'll put them up." Before she had the chance to find out if I
would take them, she took off with the treats.
I shook my head and put the sleeping baby down, then took over of my
daughter telling her she could tell Shanda to get the table ready.
"Mama Selena, are you
alright,"
"I'm fine dear just a
little tired, that’s all," I thought for a moment, say after we eat, why don't you kids go get you swimsuits on and we'll spend the
day up at the lake. All eyes stared at me.
"I mean it, we'll go
swim up there." I told them as I set about setting breakfast about.
Once we got to the lake, I
watched as the faces of my children lighten up as the laid eyes on the biggest
playground they had ever seen. Six swings, two regular slides, a twisting one,
a fire pole, tire swings, seesaws, a rock climbing wall, a tree house, . A trampoline in the middle of the whole thing. And to top it
off there was a latter and series of rope that hung over the water so they could
drop into the water if they'd like, or climb. They stood there mouths hanging
"Well go on girls."
I told them. The three took off running over there. Me I took the baby over to
the water and let her try to crawl again. I placed her in one spot and I sat in
another calling to her. That didn't go the way I wanted it to. Bliss looked
straight at me and started crying.
"Oh Bliss," I laughed
as I walked over picked her up.
"That’s not how that’s supposed
to work. You're supposed to crawl to me! Not cry!" As I spoke, the baby
managed to grab my face. She started to nuzzle into me.
"Oh you," I said as
I started tickling her. I looked up to see what my other daughters were doing;
Shanda to my surprise was hanging on the ropes, a long with Skyla. Skyla let go,
letting herself drop in.
I called her in real quick,
"I want you to put this
life vest if you’re going to do that."
"Why?"
"Because
of you being so small."
"I don't want it."
"Then you can't play on
that part." I grabbed her as she turned to go back over to the ropes.
"I said no, unless you
put that vest on." Skyla wrinkled her nose, and put the unwanted object
on, as I looked to see what Shanda was doing, she was still hanging there,
"Let go, Shanda you'll
drop in." She shook her head and looked at me like she was scared to
death.
I called Darlita to come over
and watch the baby a moment while I went into the water, trying to get the
child to let go. After a lot of coaxing, she finally let herself drop. Once I
took hold, that child held onto me so tight I could barely breathe.
"Hey there little one,
there's nothing to worry about now were on dry land." I told her sitting
down. Her still sitting on my lap. Dar had already
headed back to the tree house part.
"You can go play now,
Shanda," She shook her head.
"Alright, but the baby
needs me," I said as I stood up
Shanda made this squeal like sound as I reached to pick Bliss up, she
batted my hands away, I turned looking at her sternly.
"Now, that’s enough! You
do that again you'll find yourself sitting on the stool when we get home,"
I warned her.
Seeing the sunset, I told the
children that it was time to go. They did with a lot of protest, but still
followed. As we walked I explained they could come here on their own but were
not permitted in the lake, or on the rope with out my being there.
"Mamma, look what I
have!" I turned to Skyla; in her hands was a little spider,
"Skyla, it’s nice,"
"Can I keep it?"
"No, it needs to stay
out here; this is its home, not a jar."
"But I want it."
"I said put it
down." She stomped her foot, and wrinkled her nose,
"Don't you start that." She gave me and odd look, but put the thing
down.
I hated speaking like that,
but I knew I had to start putting my foot down with that act, even if I thought
it was cute. I also knew that it was also her version of a tantrum and those
have to stop.
"Everyone, I want you to
start getting ready for bed." Shanda tugged on me and pointed to the sky
shaking her head.
"I know it’s not dark
but I think we all need to sleep." I told her. She shook her head and
folded her arms,
"Yes, now go on." I
guided her to the stairs. That child sure can put the breaks on when she wants
to. She stomped her feet hard into the floor,
"Alright," I took
her over to the stool and told her to sit. Then went and started to put the
baby down. When I went back into the room Shanda had taken off and the front
door was hanging open. I ran outside called her name, looked in the hayloft.
She wasn't there. I ran back inside climbed up to the where the girls slept
"I hate to wake you,
Dar, but I've got to go look for Shanda she took off again. You just keep your
ear out for the baby."
"Alright."
"Shanda!" I called out. "Shanda!
Come on Honey!" I was starting to get worried. It was dark, and I had been
looking for her for over two hours.
"Shanda! Get over here!" Deciding it would be good to
check at home. I headed back. Besides I had to check on the other children.
Sure enough, Shanda was
sitting on the porch when I got there.
"Shanda where were you?
You scared me out of my mind." I scolded after checking her over to make
sure she was alright.
"Get to bed right now, we’ll
talk about this tomorrow morning, it’s late, and I'm too angry. Now Get!"
Thinking I picked her up and carried her into her bed, upstairs in the loft.
"You sleep here
tonight." She reached for me.
"No, when you run off
you don't get to be in mine. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow." I kissed
her goodnight. I did the same for the other two. Then headed
down. I looked over at the three, I noticed the tears running down
Shanda's face, and it took all that I had to leave the room.