My Blue Eyed Girl, chapter 6
I shrugged it off as two waitresses came back with our drinks. Everyone began ordering what they wanted but that waitress Claire was still interested in Mattie.
"Um Mattie?" she asked, trying to make herself heard over Billie practically screaming for pizza. "Can I ask what your last name is?"
"Sure... It's Somers" she said as Claire gasped and nearly dropped the pen she was holding.
"I... Um don't know how to say this... But I think I'm your sister... ". Everyone's ears pricked up at that. Especially Billie, Mike and I.
We all looked at Mattie in shock and she looked at Claire in shock.
"Wh... You... You're kidding right...?" Mattie asked trying to get her head around it.
Claire sighed as if she knew this would happen. "Our parents names are Darren and Amanda... We have an older brother named Bradley... And our parents died when you were 12 and I was 16... " She trailed off to see Mattie's reaction. Mattie took a deep breath and added in her own stuff.
"Did you also know that brother dearest Bradley killed our parents, raped and abused me and is now in jail?" she seemed to accept that this waitress was in fact her sister. "Listen I cant really talk now... But do you wanna give your number and maybe we can catch up?" she said gesturing to the shocked table of friends around her.
"Um yeah sure" Claire said scribbling her number down on her order pad. "The top ones my cell and the other 2 are my work and home numbers... You'll be able to get to me on at least one of them" she laughed. Mattie nodded and tucked the paper into her pocket.
"We'll be back soon with your orders guys" the other waitress said. Well I think it was safe to say that every single person at that table was in a state of shock. Thirteen mouths hung open waiting for what Mattie was gonna say. She looked straight at me.
"Baby... I have a sister" she said still trying to believe it.
"I know... " I said grasping her hand. "Me and the other 12 people on the table can't believe it either" The food came over and the subject of Mattie and her sister was dropped.
***
"Jesus Jason... Actually CHEW your food baby!" Anna exclaimed as Jason shoveled pizza into his mouth and attempted to swallow it without chewing. He complied within seconds causing a few of us to cry out happily.
"Halle-freakin-luljah!" I cried throwing my arms in the air. "Finally someone that will keep him in line... " I shook her hand. "On behalf of... Hell everyone at this table!... I'd like to congratulate you for being able to tame Jason White" she giggled and he poked his tongue out at us.
"You're now in the exclusive club of two people" Mattie grinned. "You and I are the only ones that have any effect on him at all!" Everyone laughed at that.
*** ***
Mattie and I headed home several hours later, full of food and sore from laughing so hard.
"That was a good day" I said trying to break the silence.
"Yeah... " she said thinking of all the events of the day. "We had a good game of water tag this morning... The photo shoot... Finding out Adie was pregnant... Photo shoot sex... " she wiggled her eyebrows at this part. "And I found out that I have a sister. This day couldn't be better."
"Oh I'm sure I could make it better... "I said taking her hand and leading her up the stairs to make her already good day, even better.
*2 months later*
Still Tre's POV
"Ewwwww! You can see what we had for dinner last night!" as I watched Mattie puke her brains out and held her hair back. She had been like this, on and off, for a few weeks now.
"Gee thanks babe... I really needed to hear that... " she said sarcastically bringing her head outta the toilet bowl and wiping her mouth.
I had a thought. "What if you're pregnant?" I asked her eyes wide.
"Shit! I didn't think of that... I just thought it was a bad taco" she said biting her lip and gesturing to the toilet. "Would you be able to go out and buy me a test baby? I don't think I could go anywhere just yet." She said holding her stomach and giving me puppy dog eyes.
"Ok, ok... You're lucky the press don't come out much near Christmas." I said getting up and kissing her on the forehead.
I ran downstairs and grabbed my keys. Was I ready to be a dad? Was this kid ready to have me as a father? Will we be able to afford this?... I shook my head to clear it and headed to the drug store. I'd have to think about this later if Mattie was actually pregnant.
*** ***
"Oh my lord... " was all that I heard muttered from the bathroom 5 minutes later.
"What?... What is it Mattie?" I asked. She opened the door a few seconds later clutching the test. She showed it to me. It had two blue lines on it...
"Holy crap!" I uttered. "I'm gonna be a daddy" I think I must have passed out or something because when I woke up I was lying on our bed.
"Morning sunshine" I heard from behind me. It was Billie. "I hear congratulations are in order."
"Yeah apparently" I said getting up. "Where's Mattie?" I asked looking around the room for her.
"Well I'd say for the next few hours at least she will have the phone permanently attached to her ear" he laughed. He knew exactly what women were like when they had something they had to tell everyone in their phonebook.
I wandered into the lunge and lay down on the couch with my head in her lap. She absent mindedly stroked my hair as she listened to her grandmother drone on.
"Yes grandma, of course I'll go to the doctor to make sure... No you can't come down... " She said rolling her eyes. "Because I'm a big girl and I can look after myself that's why!" her grandmother must have hung up because she slammed the phone down and huffed. "You just watch... " she said to me. "She'll be down here by New Years"
I giggled. "So how are ya feeling?" I asked.
"Yeah ok for now" she said. "I wanna book a doctors appointment though... Just to be sure... These things have been wrong before" she said gesturing to the test on the table beside her.
"Don't let me stop you" I said closing my eyes. She let me lay there for a few seconds, but hen she shoved me off. "Hey!" I protested.
"What?" she said all innocently. "You weren't gonna get off anytime soon and I have to pee" she got up and left me sprawled on the floor. I stayed there until she got back. "Are you still on the floor?" she asked.
"Nah!" I said sarcastically getting up. "I'll have you know I booked you an appointment at the doctors while I was down there. It's for tomorrow"
Billie came into the room. "Dude are you still here?... Get the hell outta my house man!" I said. Mattie looked at me. "Fine... OUR house"
"Did you forget or something... Were having a baby shower for Adie tonight... And it'll probably turn into one for Mattie too now that everyone knows. " I scratched my head. "Jeez... You'd think you were blonde under that red hair dye!" he laughed.
I slapped him over the back of the head and went upstairs to change.
*** ***
Matilda's POV
"Ooooooooooooooooooooo!" Chris' girlfriend Emma squealed. "That means there are three of us going through the same thing."
"Mmmmmmmmhmmmmmmmm" Adie agreed. "Pity for Billie there aren't another two boys going through what he has to" she said with a slight frown on her face.
"Oh poor thing. Is he going through a sympathy pregnancy?" I said knowing what Tre would be like if he had to go through that.
Adie nodded and then giggled. "We fight for the toilet sometimes" she suddenly turned green. I looked at Billie and he was a similar shade of green. Emma and I quickly moved out of the way as they both bolted for the toilet.
"Aw! Poor things" Emma sympathized.
Tre came over to me and looked at me with wide scared eyes. "Please tell me that won't happen to me?"
"I can't guarantee it baby" I said kissing him to try and make him feel better. He fake cried and went back to the boys.
Adie returned looking slightly better than she did when she left. "Here have some juice" Emma offered. "It helps... Trust me"
She gulped down the juice and relaxed back in the chair. "Thanks... This whole morning sickness throughout the day sucks hardcore!" She exclaimed.
I giggled. "Tell me about it... Tre likes to tell me what's actually in it!" I said wrinkling my nose.
"Speaking of Tre... " Annaliese said as he came over.
"Baby have we got any mustard?" he asked. "I have this sudden craving to have it on ice cream"
The girls and I laughed at that. "Tre sweetie that's called going through a sympathy pregnancy" Anna said patting him on the back.
He looked at us all with wide eyes. "Really? But I don't wanna be puking all the time!" he whined as he headed towards the kitchen in search of the mustard.
*** ***
The next day at the doctor's
Still Mattie's POV
The doctor came back into the room to give us the news. He smiled.
"I would like to congratulate you both... Mattie you are 2 months pregnant with twins." Tre passed out at that. He came to a minute or so later.
"Th... There's gonna be two of them?" he asked making sure he'd heard right.
The doctor nodded.
"Time to go shopping baby" I said grinning.
*5 months later... At the grocery store. *
Still Mattie's POV
I walked through the little grocery store, 7 months pregnant, in bare feet with Tre trailing behind me.
"Tre sweetie we need Nutella" I called over my shoulder. Nutella was an Australian spread that Emma and Chris had got us onto. Tre liked it with potato chips while I loved it on carrots.
"Yep... Gottit" he called back.
This pregnancy had actually turned out better than I had hoped. My morning sickness was minimal... It was just the cravings that were really bad. I can't tell you how many times Tre and I would meet each other downstairs for a midnight snack. Much to our surprise my grandmother hadn't shown up like predicted so we were left basically to our own accord. Claire was excited to become an auntie and I was forever getting tips from Emma and Adie, who had just a few weeks left of her pregnancy.
We paid for our loot and went back to the car. A little old lady with blue hair stopped us on the way.
"She looks like BJ when he had his blue hair... "I said to Tre before she came over to us.
"When are you due?" she asked.
"July 9th" I replied smiling at her.
"Just the one or...?" Jeez this was gonna turn into 20 questions.
"Were having twins" I said gesturing for Tre to get in the car.
"Well good luck deary" she said walking away.
"Thank you" Tre said. I just smiled.
*** ***
We went back home and both collapsed on the couch with several bags of chips, some carrots and the Nutella.
"We gotta think of names" I said munching on a carrot coated in Nutella.
"Boys or girls first?" he asked.
"Let's do both... Seeing as we could end up having one of each" I said shifting so I was bit more comfortable.
"Ok for a boy how bouts Tre Cool the second!" he exclaimed. I glared at him at that. "Alright maybe not that then... Ryan? Daniel? Christopher?"
"How bout Daniel Ryan?" I said thoughtfully. He nodded.
"It works... Now for girls... Samantha?... Michelle?... Nicole?... Amanda?... Hey how about Amanda Nicole?" he asked looking me straight in the eye. I nodded.
"Yep now we need other ones in case we have 2 boys or 2 girls" I concluded.
After much talking and 'hey why don't we call the kid Cabbage?! ' we came up with Daniel Ryan and Trent Michael for boys and Amanda Nicole and Samantha Maree for girls. Tre had fallen asleep on my lap... Well my legs actually... Most of my lap space had been taken up by my belly. It was obvious he was not gonna get up anytime soon and I needed to pee really bad.
"Tre get up... " I said trying not to be too loud. He didn't move at all. "Dammit Tre! Get up! I have to pee baby!" I yelled at him getting a bit frustrated.
"What! Wassamatter? Are the babies coming?" he said sleepily.
"No" I giggled. "I have to pee... Now gerroff!" I gave him a shove and he landed on the floor.
"Ow! MATTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! That hurt!" he whined, rubbing his head as I headed to the bathroom.
"What?!?!" I yelled back. "You try sitting around with two babies pressing on your bladder" I giggled.
I did my business and waddled back into the lounge. Tre was looking at me waiting with my shoes, a coat and the car keys.
"Where are we going baby?" I asked.
"Adie just went into labor... Billie wants us... Hell, he needs us there now" I nodded and put my shoes and coat on. Poor Billie. He would be feeling the same pain as Adie.
*** ***
We arrived at the hospital about 15 minutes later to find Billie hunched over in pain.
"Are you ok sweetie?" I asked as he sat down and began breathing heavily cursing under his breath.
He nodded. "I'm ok for now... Let's go and see Adie before she has another contraction and I can't speak ok?" Tre and I both nodded and followed Billie into the room. Adie was lying back on the bed, tears mixing with sweat on her face, her brown hair stuck to her forehead.
"I had to leave baby... I'm sorry" Billie said grabbing her hand and kissing it.
She nodded. "Sucks huh?" she said smiling a little bit. She turned to me. "God look at you... You look like you could pop right now!" she exclaimed.
"Can we not think about that just yet?" Tre asked getting a little edgy. "I know we are in the hospital and all... But... " he trailed off looking very scared.
"Whatever you say baby" I said patting his cheek and smiling at him. "How are you holding up though" I said turning back to Adie. A yelp from Billie and the beeping from the monitor next to her told me that I would have to wait for a bit before getting my answer.
I watched as Tre helped Billie into a chair and I grabbed Adie's hand. "Come on... Remember your breathing" I said trying to help her through the pain. I was starting to become a little bit scared. I would have to go through twice as much as she was going to.
*** ***
Two hours later we were introduced.
"Guys I'd like you to meet Joseph Marciano Armstrong" Billie said, tears welling in his eyes.
"Awwwwwwwwwww! He's so cute!" Sammy, Annaliese and I cooed.
"Joey... Meet your Aunties Sammy Mattie and Anna and your Uncles Mikey, Jason and Tre." He made Joey wave at this point.
*** ***
2 months later
Still Mattie's POV
We were sitting on the couch watching a movie when it happened. I got a sharp pain in my stomach and yelped.
"What is it Mattie?" Tre asked a little bit concerned.
"Nothing" I replied, my face contorted in pain a little bit. "They just decided to play soccer with my ribs" I said rubbing where it hurt. I got up to grab some Nutella when Tre stopped me.
"Ummm... Baby?... You're leaking... " He said motioning to the couch where there was a huge wet spot.
"Holy shit!" I mumbled as I doubled over in pain again. Tre knew the drill. He grabbed my overnight bags and the car keys and helped me to the car. We sped of towards the hospital.
"Sweet Mother of Jesus!" I panted as the contraction finished. "That was intense!"
"Do you want me to call anyone?" Tre asked slightly panicky his hands gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles were white.
"Not just yet... " I said, my breathing returning more to normal. "Let's actually get there first ok?" he nodded and continued driving.
We arrived at the hospital a few minutes later. "Holy crap!" I groaned as we went through the front doors. I was ushered into a wheel chair almost immediately.
*** ***
"Alright Mattie now push!" the doctor told me.
"You're hurting my hand baby" Tre said as pushed till my body could push no more. He yelped and zipped his lip imaginarily as I gave him a look that said... 'imagine what I'm going through buddy'.
5 minutes later at 6:25 pm, July 9th, 1995, our daughter, Amanda Nicole Somers was brought into the world.
Tre cried as he held her. "She's soo beautiful" he cooed letting her little fist grasp at his finger. I unfortunately couldn't see my daughter for long as I had another baby to deliver.
20 minutes later, at 6:45 pm, Trent Michael Somers was brought into the world. "Hey there lil buddy" I said rather breathless as the little bundle was placed in my arms. All four of stayed there in our own peaceful joy until the others came into the room. Tre looked up at them with tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Congratulations sweetie" Anna said, kissing his cheek and half hugging him.
Trent and Amanda were taken away from us for a brief moment as they were passed from Uncles Billie, Mike and Jason to Aunties Sammy and Anna.
"I'm so proud of you Mattie "Tre said pressing his forehead against mine and kissing my nose.
"I know you are" I whispered as I kissed him.
Finally our twins were brought back to us. "Hello my beautiful baby girl" I cooed as Jason placed Amanda back in my arms. She smiled and opened her eyes. They were the most beautiful blue like her fathers. That made me tear up.
*** ***
3 and a half years later.
Tre's POV
"But daddysh I don'tsh wanna!" Amanda whined. She had light brown hair and piercing blue eyes. She had Mattie's nose and my chin. She also had a fairly cute lisp.
"But sweetie you have to go somewhere... Mummy and daddy are going out" I said trying to reason with her. "Trent wants to go to see Uncle Jason and Auntie Anna... " I said. Amanda thought for a minute then giggled.
"Okie dokiesh!" she said. "I likesh Auntie Anna... She givesh me a makeoversh"
"Hallelujah" I muttered as I followed her into her room. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids to bits... But sometimes they were a little too much to handle.
I found Mattie on the way with the same exasperated look on her face.
"Come on mommy!" Trent said pulling her hand. "Let's have a packing race against Amanda and daddy!" Amanda laughed and pulled me into her room.
"It's on kiddo!" I said as Amanda and I raced to pack a few things in her Barbie roller suitcase. We finished about 10 minutes later. We walked to Trent's room and listened at the door.
"No sweetie you can't take ALL your Lego" Mattie said a little bit frustrated.
I counted down from three and we burst into the room. "HAHA! We beatsh you!" Amanda said triumphantly dragging her suitcase behind her.
"Oh well... Come on... Lets get you 2 to Uncle Jason's hey?" Mattie said being the graceful loser.
"Yay!" Trent said grabbing his sister's hand and dragging her towards the front door.
"Remind me to tell Jason no sugar for him" Mattie said as we followed them. I nodded. Jason and Annaliese had married the year before... But had not had any kids of their own as yet. They loved babysitting... But Jason often gave the twins too much sugar and then wondered why they ended up running around like loons.
*** ***
"Uncle Jashon!" Amanda screamed jumping into his arms. Trent had a similar reaction but latched onto Jason's leg.
"Hey kiddos!" Jason greeted them. "Mattie... Mr. Cool" he said nodding at us. Anna appeared next to him.
"Auntie Anna!" Trent said launching himself into her arms.
"Oooofff! Hey kiddo" she said ruffling his hair and transferring him to her hip. "Have fun tonight guys" she said winking knowingly at me.
"Bye kids" we said in unison. "Oh and no sugar" Mattie added giving Jason a look.
"We'd better do what mommy says huh?" Jason said to Amanda biting his lip and pulling a face causing Amanda to giggle hysterically.
"Be good... And that means all four of you!" I warned. They all saluted as Mattie and I went back to the car.
"Why does it feel like we have four kids after seeing them?" Mattie contemplated as we headed back home.
"Because basically we do" I giggled.
*** ***
We arrived home and got ready for our night out. I had been planning this for a while and even though every one else knew about it... Somehow it had managed to stay a secret. Tonight was the night I was going to propose to Mattie... And she had no idea.
"Dress nice" I said. "We're going somewhere special." She smiled and gave me a look to try and figure out exactly what I was up to. I pretended in didn't notice and went straight into the shower. When I emerged about 10 minutes later Mattie was dressed and waiting at the door so she could do her makeup.
"Ta dahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she pronounced 15 minutes later. Although she looked beautiful, one thought came to mind. She was wearing eyeliner AND mascara... It was gonna be messy later tonight.
"Come on then... Let's go" I said.
*** ***
After we sat down and ordered our drinks I cleared my throat.
"Mattie, I have wanted to ask you this for a while now, but I put it on hold because of the twins. You know how much you mean to me, and I know how much I mean to you. You are my world Mattie, and I have a question to ask you." I got out of my chair and went to stand near hers. By this stage a lot of the restaurant had turned around to have a look. "Matilda Anne Somers... " she gave me a look but stopped when I got down on my knee. "Will you marry me?" I said opening a small box holding a ring with a diamond in the middle surrounded by blue amethysts to match her eyes. By now she was crying, mascara and eyeliner starting to run down her cheeks. "Come on baby I need and answer... I'm on my bad knee here" I joked. She pulled me up and began nodding her head. Then finally she found her voice.
"Of course I will Tre baby" The restaurant erupted with clapping and cheers at this. I gave her a goofy grin and she kissed me.
*** ***
Jason's POV
"Uncle Jashon?" Amanda asked coming into the kitchen where I was making dinner.
"Yes Manda Panda?" I said picking her up and putting her on the counter.
She giggled. "Where have Mommy and Daddysh gone tonight?"
"Well... " I started and tickled her a bit. "Daddy took Mommy to a special restaurant coz he wanted to ask Mommy a very special question"
"What wash the special question?" she asked.
"Your Daddy was going to ask your Mommy to marry him" I said with an amused look on my face as I saw her reaction.
"Oh... Me and Trent already knew that... Daddy made ush promishe not to tell anybodysh though... Eshpecially Mommy." she concluded puffing her chest out importantly. "Did Daddy make you and Auntie Anna promishe not to tell either?"
I nodded. "Yep... Uncle Billie and Uncle Mike and Auntie Sammy and Auntie Adie knew too and weren't supposed to tell."
She gasped. "Sho everyone knew except Mommysh?"
"Yep... Now go get your brother and Auntie Anna and wash your hands before dinner ok?" I said putting her down. She nodded and hit the floor running.
"Trent!" she screamed. "Uncle Jashon wantsh ush to wash our handsh before dinner... And you too Auntie Anna. " she said as she headed towards the bathroom.
I laughed. She was so much like her father. Unsubtle at the best of times, and the same ball of energy.
*** ***
After dinner we sat down to watch some TV. "Uncle Jashon... Can we go camping tonight?" Amanda asked.
I nodded. "Sure... Go with Trent and get what we need" I said scooting closer to Anna. "Come camping with us baby?" I asked.
"Nuh uh" she said shaking her head. "You drool too much... I don't wanna drown!" she joked. I pouted.
"Well the kids don't seem to mind." I huffed crossing my arms.
She giggled. "That's coz there kids and they drool too!" I fake cried. "Aw diddums!" she said kissing me and going off to get the 'camping food'.
I began setting the furniture up to create our 'tent' when I was met by two whining voices. "Aaaaawwwwwwwww! Uncle Jason! You started with out us! No fair!" I turned around and advanced on them, a smirk on my face. They knew what it meant... 'tickle time'. They both screamed and tried to run for it, but I grabbed them both around the middle and began tickling furiously. A few minutes later I was done.
"Ok NOW we can make the tent" I said letting go of them and grabbing the sheets and blankets. 15 minutes later we had created a cavern big enough for three, with blankets, sleeping bags and pillows inside of it.
"Ok you three... I have popcorn... But you can only have some if you get in your pyjamas and get in your sleeping bags" Anna said to all three of us. We all bolted to get changed.
"Ok ready!" I said a few minutes later.
"Baby I said pyjamas... Not boxers! You're camping with the kids... Not sleeping with me!" she giggled as I came into the lounge room in just my boxers. I frowned and went back to put on some sweats and an old t shirt.
After we ate our popcorn Anna left us to go to bed. "Goodnight" she said moving along the line and kissing us all. "Don't keep them up too late" she said knowingly to me.
"Night Auntie Anna!" the twins chorused as she left the room.
I didn't end up keeping them awake too long. We had fun making shadow puppets... But soon enough they both had fallen asleep on me.
Matilda's POV
"Come on baby... We have to go get the twins" I said throwing a pillow at him to get him up.
"Cant we just stay here?" he said pulling me back onto the bed.
I giggled and looked at my ring sparkling in the sunlight for a bit. "Nope... Get up you lazy oaf!" that made him move. He tried grabbing me but failed.
"I'm downstairs with coffee when you're ready" I said running from the room. After he had his coffee in him he was a little bit livelier.
"Alright" he said grabbing the keys. "Let's go and get the Terrible 2".
We drove to Anna and Jason house and were greeted by Anna herself at the door. "Don't say anything... Just follow me" she said as she tiptoed to their lounge room.
We followed her and were met with what I thought was the cutest sight in the world. They had obviously gone 'camping', and Jason was asleep on his stomach, Trent was curled up in a ball on Jason's back and Amanda was nuzzled into his side sucking her thumb. I motioned to Anna to take a photo. She mouthed back that it was 'already done'. We all giggled and left the sleeping beauties until they woke up by themselves.
Half an hour later Trent came into the kitchen dragging his toy bunny, that he slept with, behind him.
"Hi mommy and daddy" he yawned.
"Morning darlin' " I replied taking him into my lap. "Where's your sister and Uncle Jason?" he pointed to the door and sure enough... Several seconds later Jason came through the door with a half asleep Amanda on his hip, with her head on his shoulder and sucking her thumb.
"Morning" he said setting Amanda down in a chair and heading for the coffee pot.
"Hi daddy... " Amanda said tiredly as she crawled into Tre's lap and rested her head on his chest.
"I hear you went camping last night Manda... " she nodded. "Did you have fun?" he asked trying to keep the three and a half year old awake.
She yawned. "Uncle Jashon showedsh ush how to make shadow puppetsh" she said sitting up a little bit straighter and then changing the subject completely. "Hey mommy can I shee the ring that daddy gotsh you?"
"Sure sweetie" I said shifting Trent so that she could get a good look.
"Itsh very pwetty" she said smiling at her father. "You did good daddy!" she beamed.
"Yeah daddy... You did good." Jason joked as he pulled my hand towards him for a closer look.
"Jackass... " Tre mumbled to himself.
"Oi!" I exclaimed slapping him over the back of the head causing both twins to laugh when they saw his reaction. "Watch your language around the 3 year olds thanks" I said giggling also.
"Hey! Were almost 4 mommy!" Trent protested.
"Right you lot... Hometime" I said causing Amanda, Trent, Tre AND Jason to whine 'Awwwwwww! '
"Awwwww!" I mocked. "Don't you wanna go see Uncle BJ and Aunt Adie?" I asked.
"What aboutsh Joey and Jakey?" Amanda asked.
"Yes they'll be there"
"Ok I'll come" she said giggling and running out of the room.
"Hey don't we have recording today?" Jason asked looking at Tre. Tre then looked at me and Anna.
We laughed. "Yes you do" I said. "Joey and Jake was the pulling point for the kids ya see"
"Ahhh." Jason said, getting the point and going upstairs to change.
About a half hour later we were heading off to the studio.
"Sho are we gonna watch daddy and Uncle Jashon and Uncle BJ and Uncle Mikey and Uncle Jashon number 2 and Uncle Ronnie practishe?" Amanda said from her car seat.
"Yep" I said nodding. The boys had left a bit before us in Jason's car leaving me, Anna and the twins in the SVU.
*** ***
"Ladies and gentleman... May I present... Mini Green Day!" Billie said giggling as we watched the kids muck around. They had a whole lot of kids instruments set up... So it looked like they were playing everything that 'Big Green Day' had.
"Looksh daddy! I'm being you!" Amanda exclaimed as she banged away on the children's drum kit. It was quite cute actually. Amanda was on the drum kit. Trent was bashing away on the keyboards, Joey was on a guitar, Jake was 'la la la-ing' into a mic and Mike and Sammy's twins Bianca and Emma were being the bass guitar and the trumpet.
I went to go and get our camera... But saw that Anna had already beaten me to it. "Jeez your quick at that!" I exclaimed.
"Well when you don't have any of your own... You learn to gets lots of photos of the nieces and nephews" she said.
"It's not like we aren't trying for some of our own!" Jason pouted.
"Hey, who wants to go and watch Uncle BJ in a box?" Adie asked completely changing the subject. All the kids giggled hysterically and yelled 'Me! I'll come! '.
The kids watched Billie lay down some vocals, giggling all the while but then they got bored.
"Go and watch daddy play... " I said to Amanda, hoping to distract at least one of the 6 from being annoying. She nodded and ran off.
Seconds later there was a crash and a long wail from Amanda. I rushed in to find Tre rocking a wailing Amanda in his lap.
"Shhhhhhh baby... Its ok... Daddy's here... " he said to her trying to get her to calm down. Damn. He could be so cute when he was with the kids.
"Da... Daddy... Can... You... Pleashe... Kissh... It... Better?" she asked, hiccupping between sobs and pointing to her knee. Tre kissed the carpet burn better and then whipped out some Spongebob band aids from his pocket. I walked out of the room and left father and daughter to bond.
Tre's POV
"Do you feel better now?" I asked my 3 year old. She nodded.
"Shpongebob alwaysh makesh it better" she grinned wiping the tears from her face.
"Good girl" I laughed picking her up. "Now are you staying here with me and Uncle Jason and Uncle Mikey?... Or are you gonna go back to mommy?"
"I'll shtay wif you" she said as I sat her down on one of the amps near a wall.
I placed a pair of the large studio headphones over her ears. They slipped down and ended up near her chin. "There ya go" I said as I adjusted them. "You're a real rock star now" I said as she giggled.
"We'd better watch out Mikey... " Jason said, biting his lip and pretending to look scared. "She could take our jobs." Mike looked at him and started biting his fingernails.
"The Cool's are gonna take over!" he exclaimed hiding behind Jason.
We all laughed at that and then I went and sat down behind my kit to begin to play.
"Go crashy daddy?!?!" Amanda asked bouncing up and down.
"You want me to go crazy?" I asked, making sure that I'd heard right. She nodded frantically. "Alright then... " I said preparing to 'Go Crazy'. Ever since she was a baby, if I wanted to make her stop crying I'd take her down with me to the basement and go completely mental on the kit. She loved it. It made her smile and laugh every time.
I paused for several seconds.
"Daddy jusht do it!" she basically screamed, frustrated at me. Finally I let loose arms flailing madly, legs tapping furiously on the pedals. Jason and Mike joined in playing random fast melodies. Amanda loved it. She sat on the amp laughing and clapping her hands madly. Billie came in a minute or so later along with Ronnie and Jason F.
"Did we miss 'go crazy' time?" they all asked pouting. The rest of us stopped abruptly.
"Uncle BJ, Uncle Jashon 2 and Uncle Ronnie!" Amanda said suddenly realizing why 'go crazy' had stopped.
"Manda Panda" Billie exclaimed rushing over and scooping her into his arms. "Stay back or the kid gets it" he joked. "So are you keeping us company today Manda?" she nodded.
"Mommy and the others are boring" she said just as her mother walked in.
"Ok then... No Mc Donald's for you" she said pretending to be hurt.
"Noooooooooooooo! Mommy!... I'm shorry!" she said squirming out from Billie's grip and rushing over to Mattie. "You jusht had really, really, REALLY bad timingsh! Pleashe don't be mad mommysh... I wantsh a Happy Meal" she said grinning sweetly and majorly sucking up to her mother.
She caved. I had taught Amanda the look that always got her mother to give in to me.
"Damn you to hell Tre Cool! You know I can't resist when you or her do that look!" Mattie said a bit flustered picking Amanda up from the floor. Both Amanda and I giggled.
"So what do you boys want?" Mattie asked moving Amanda to her hip.
"Nuggets... And lots of 'em" Jason F and Ronnie said.
"Do you want fries with that?" Mattie giggled.
"HA! No... Just super sized drinks thanks Mattie" Ronnie grinned.
"Fillet of fish meal thanks Mattie" Mike replied.
"Big Mac meal and cookiesh pleashe" Jason W said imitating Amanda's lisp.
"Don't be mean Uncle Jashon!" she complained pouting. He poked his tongue out at her.
"Happy meal!" Billie and I both said, bouncing up and down, as she turned to us.
"Plus a Big Mac too please baby" I said giving her the same look that Amanda had given her minutes before.
"Yeah ok... Are you boys giving me money so I can pay for all this? Coz I'm sure not shouting you all!"
"Aaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!" everyone in the room whined as they got money out of their pockets.
She left with Amanda and a substantial amount of our money before we actually started to practice.
About half an hour and 3 songs later Amanda rushed back into the room.
"Daddy!... And... All my Unclesh!" she said not wanting to say all their names. "Mommysh back wif the Mc Donaldsh" she grabbed my hand and we all follwed behind her.
"Holy hel... Heck that's a lot of Mc Donald's!" I exclaimed making sure I didn't swear in front of the children.
Mattie had returned from Mc Donald's carrying enough for 16 of us. There were 8 Happy Meals, 2 Big Mac meals and an extra Big Mac for me, 2 fillet of fish meals, 2 Mc Chicken meals, and about 30 billion Chicken Nuggets for Ronnie and Jason F. There were also and assortment of 16 different sized and different flavored drinks for all of us.
"Don't just stand there looking at it... Eat for heavens sake!" Anna exclaimed.
We all dove for the Mc Donald's and about 45 minutes later we were done.
"Alright you lot... " Mattie said motioning to the kids. "Say goodbye to your daddy's and uncles, its home time."
They all replied with a resounding awwwwwwwwwwww!
"No awwwwwwwwwwwwwws! Mommy, Auntie Adie, Auntie Anna and Auntie Sammy have a wedding to plan" she said kissing me goodbye.
"Bye daddysh" Amanda said hugging me very tight. It was obvious she didn't want to go home.
"Come on you... " I said as I pried her out of my arms and into her car seat. "You'll get to see me later... And then we can have ice-cream" I said knowing that would make her feel better. She nodded.
"Ok daddysh... We have an ishe cream date" she giggled as I clipped her into her car seat.
"Have fun wedding planning... " I said grinning and waving as they left the car park in three separate cars.
"Oh we will" Mattie said grinning out the window.
"Um Mattie?" she asked, trying to make herself heard over Billie practically screaming for pizza. "Can I ask what your last name is?"
"Sure... It's Somers" she said as Claire gasped and nearly dropped the pen she was holding.
"I... Um don't know how to say this... But I think I'm your sister... ". Everyone's ears pricked up at that. Especially Billie, Mike and I.
We all looked at Mattie in shock and she looked at Claire in shock.
"Wh... You... You're kidding right...?" Mattie asked trying to get her head around it.
Claire sighed as if she knew this would happen. "Our parents names are Darren and Amanda... We have an older brother named Bradley... And our parents died when you were 12 and I was 16... " She trailed off to see Mattie's reaction. Mattie took a deep breath and added in her own stuff.
"Did you also know that brother dearest Bradley killed our parents, raped and abused me and is now in jail?" she seemed to accept that this waitress was in fact her sister. "Listen I cant really talk now... But do you wanna give your number and maybe we can catch up?" she said gesturing to the shocked table of friends around her.
"Um yeah sure" Claire said scribbling her number down on her order pad. "The top ones my cell and the other 2 are my work and home numbers... You'll be able to get to me on at least one of them" she laughed. Mattie nodded and tucked the paper into her pocket.
"We'll be back soon with your orders guys" the other waitress said. Well I think it was safe to say that every single person at that table was in a state of shock. Thirteen mouths hung open waiting for what Mattie was gonna say. She looked straight at me.
"Baby... I have a sister" she said still trying to believe it.
"I know... " I said grasping her hand. "Me and the other 12 people on the table can't believe it either" The food came over and the subject of Mattie and her sister was dropped.
***
"Jesus Jason... Actually CHEW your food baby!" Anna exclaimed as Jason shoveled pizza into his mouth and attempted to swallow it without chewing. He complied within seconds causing a few of us to cry out happily.
"Halle-freakin-luljah!" I cried throwing my arms in the air. "Finally someone that will keep him in line... " I shook her hand. "On behalf of... Hell everyone at this table!... I'd like to congratulate you for being able to tame Jason White" she giggled and he poked his tongue out at us.
"You're now in the exclusive club of two people" Mattie grinned. "You and I are the only ones that have any effect on him at all!" Everyone laughed at that.
*** ***
Mattie and I headed home several hours later, full of food and sore from laughing so hard.
"That was a good day" I said trying to break the silence.
"Yeah... " she said thinking of all the events of the day. "We had a good game of water tag this morning... The photo shoot... Finding out Adie was pregnant... Photo shoot sex... " she wiggled her eyebrows at this part. "And I found out that I have a sister. This day couldn't be better."
"Oh I'm sure I could make it better... "I said taking her hand and leading her up the stairs to make her already good day, even better.
*2 months later*
Still Tre's POV
"Ewwwww! You can see what we had for dinner last night!" as I watched Mattie puke her brains out and held her hair back. She had been like this, on and off, for a few weeks now.
"Gee thanks babe... I really needed to hear that... " she said sarcastically bringing her head outta the toilet bowl and wiping her mouth.
I had a thought. "What if you're pregnant?" I asked her eyes wide.
"Shit! I didn't think of that... I just thought it was a bad taco" she said biting her lip and gesturing to the toilet. "Would you be able to go out and buy me a test baby? I don't think I could go anywhere just yet." She said holding her stomach and giving me puppy dog eyes.
"Ok, ok... You're lucky the press don't come out much near Christmas." I said getting up and kissing her on the forehead.
I ran downstairs and grabbed my keys. Was I ready to be a dad? Was this kid ready to have me as a father? Will we be able to afford this?... I shook my head to clear it and headed to the drug store. I'd have to think about this later if Mattie was actually pregnant.
*** ***
"Oh my lord... " was all that I heard muttered from the bathroom 5 minutes later.
"What?... What is it Mattie?" I asked. She opened the door a few seconds later clutching the test. She showed it to me. It had two blue lines on it...
"Holy crap!" I uttered. "I'm gonna be a daddy" I think I must have passed out or something because when I woke up I was lying on our bed.
"Morning sunshine" I heard from behind me. It was Billie. "I hear congratulations are in order."
"Yeah apparently" I said getting up. "Where's Mattie?" I asked looking around the room for her.
"Well I'd say for the next few hours at least she will have the phone permanently attached to her ear" he laughed. He knew exactly what women were like when they had something they had to tell everyone in their phonebook.
I wandered into the lunge and lay down on the couch with my head in her lap. She absent mindedly stroked my hair as she listened to her grandmother drone on.
"Yes grandma, of course I'll go to the doctor to make sure... No you can't come down... " She said rolling her eyes. "Because I'm a big girl and I can look after myself that's why!" her grandmother must have hung up because she slammed the phone down and huffed. "You just watch... " she said to me. "She'll be down here by New Years"
I giggled. "So how are ya feeling?" I asked.
"Yeah ok for now" she said. "I wanna book a doctors appointment though... Just to be sure... These things have been wrong before" she said gesturing to the test on the table beside her.
"Don't let me stop you" I said closing my eyes. She let me lay there for a few seconds, but hen she shoved me off. "Hey!" I protested.
"What?" she said all innocently. "You weren't gonna get off anytime soon and I have to pee" she got up and left me sprawled on the floor. I stayed there until she got back. "Are you still on the floor?" she asked.
"Nah!" I said sarcastically getting up. "I'll have you know I booked you an appointment at the doctors while I was down there. It's for tomorrow"
Billie came into the room. "Dude are you still here?... Get the hell outta my house man!" I said. Mattie looked at me. "Fine... OUR house"
"Did you forget or something... Were having a baby shower for Adie tonight... And it'll probably turn into one for Mattie too now that everyone knows. " I scratched my head. "Jeez... You'd think you were blonde under that red hair dye!" he laughed.
I slapped him over the back of the head and went upstairs to change.
*** ***
Matilda's POV
"Ooooooooooooooooooooo!" Chris' girlfriend Emma squealed. "That means there are three of us going through the same thing."
"Mmmmmmmmhmmmmmmmm" Adie agreed. "Pity for Billie there aren't another two boys going through what he has to" she said with a slight frown on her face.
"Oh poor thing. Is he going through a sympathy pregnancy?" I said knowing what Tre would be like if he had to go through that.
Adie nodded and then giggled. "We fight for the toilet sometimes" she suddenly turned green. I looked at Billie and he was a similar shade of green. Emma and I quickly moved out of the way as they both bolted for the toilet.
"Aw! Poor things" Emma sympathized.
Tre came over to me and looked at me with wide scared eyes. "Please tell me that won't happen to me?"
"I can't guarantee it baby" I said kissing him to try and make him feel better. He fake cried and went back to the boys.
Adie returned looking slightly better than she did when she left. "Here have some juice" Emma offered. "It helps... Trust me"
She gulped down the juice and relaxed back in the chair. "Thanks... This whole morning sickness throughout the day sucks hardcore!" She exclaimed.
I giggled. "Tell me about it... Tre likes to tell me what's actually in it!" I said wrinkling my nose.
"Speaking of Tre... " Annaliese said as he came over.
"Baby have we got any mustard?" he asked. "I have this sudden craving to have it on ice cream"
The girls and I laughed at that. "Tre sweetie that's called going through a sympathy pregnancy" Anna said patting him on the back.
He looked at us all with wide eyes. "Really? But I don't wanna be puking all the time!" he whined as he headed towards the kitchen in search of the mustard.
*** ***
The next day at the doctor's
Still Mattie's POV
The doctor came back into the room to give us the news. He smiled.
"I would like to congratulate you both... Mattie you are 2 months pregnant with twins." Tre passed out at that. He came to a minute or so later.
"Th... There's gonna be two of them?" he asked making sure he'd heard right.
The doctor nodded.
"Time to go shopping baby" I said grinning.
*5 months later... At the grocery store. *
Still Mattie's POV
I walked through the little grocery store, 7 months pregnant, in bare feet with Tre trailing behind me.
"Tre sweetie we need Nutella" I called over my shoulder. Nutella was an Australian spread that Emma and Chris had got us onto. Tre liked it with potato chips while I loved it on carrots.
"Yep... Gottit" he called back.
This pregnancy had actually turned out better than I had hoped. My morning sickness was minimal... It was just the cravings that were really bad. I can't tell you how many times Tre and I would meet each other downstairs for a midnight snack. Much to our surprise my grandmother hadn't shown up like predicted so we were left basically to our own accord. Claire was excited to become an auntie and I was forever getting tips from Emma and Adie, who had just a few weeks left of her pregnancy.
We paid for our loot and went back to the car. A little old lady with blue hair stopped us on the way.
"She looks like BJ when he had his blue hair... "I said to Tre before she came over to us.
"When are you due?" she asked.
"July 9th" I replied smiling at her.
"Just the one or...?" Jeez this was gonna turn into 20 questions.
"Were having twins" I said gesturing for Tre to get in the car.
"Well good luck deary" she said walking away.
"Thank you" Tre said. I just smiled.
*** ***
We went back home and both collapsed on the couch with several bags of chips, some carrots and the Nutella.
"We gotta think of names" I said munching on a carrot coated in Nutella.
"Boys or girls first?" he asked.
"Let's do both... Seeing as we could end up having one of each" I said shifting so I was bit more comfortable.
"Ok for a boy how bouts Tre Cool the second!" he exclaimed. I glared at him at that. "Alright maybe not that then... Ryan? Daniel? Christopher?"
"How bout Daniel Ryan?" I said thoughtfully. He nodded.
"It works... Now for girls... Samantha?... Michelle?... Nicole?... Amanda?... Hey how about Amanda Nicole?" he asked looking me straight in the eye. I nodded.
"Yep now we need other ones in case we have 2 boys or 2 girls" I concluded.
After much talking and 'hey why don't we call the kid Cabbage?! ' we came up with Daniel Ryan and Trent Michael for boys and Amanda Nicole and Samantha Maree for girls. Tre had fallen asleep on my lap... Well my legs actually... Most of my lap space had been taken up by my belly. It was obvious he was not gonna get up anytime soon and I needed to pee really bad.
"Tre get up... " I said trying not to be too loud. He didn't move at all. "Dammit Tre! Get up! I have to pee baby!" I yelled at him getting a bit frustrated.
"What! Wassamatter? Are the babies coming?" he said sleepily.
"No" I giggled. "I have to pee... Now gerroff!" I gave him a shove and he landed on the floor.
"Ow! MATTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! That hurt!" he whined, rubbing his head as I headed to the bathroom.
"What?!?!" I yelled back. "You try sitting around with two babies pressing on your bladder" I giggled.
I did my business and waddled back into the lounge. Tre was looking at me waiting with my shoes, a coat and the car keys.
"Where are we going baby?" I asked.
"Adie just went into labor... Billie wants us... Hell, he needs us there now" I nodded and put my shoes and coat on. Poor Billie. He would be feeling the same pain as Adie.
*** ***
We arrived at the hospital about 15 minutes later to find Billie hunched over in pain.
"Are you ok sweetie?" I asked as he sat down and began breathing heavily cursing under his breath.
He nodded. "I'm ok for now... Let's go and see Adie before she has another contraction and I can't speak ok?" Tre and I both nodded and followed Billie into the room. Adie was lying back on the bed, tears mixing with sweat on her face, her brown hair stuck to her forehead.
"I had to leave baby... I'm sorry" Billie said grabbing her hand and kissing it.
She nodded. "Sucks huh?" she said smiling a little bit. She turned to me. "God look at you... You look like you could pop right now!" she exclaimed.
"Can we not think about that just yet?" Tre asked getting a little edgy. "I know we are in the hospital and all... But... " he trailed off looking very scared.
"Whatever you say baby" I said patting his cheek and smiling at him. "How are you holding up though" I said turning back to Adie. A yelp from Billie and the beeping from the monitor next to her told me that I would have to wait for a bit before getting my answer.
I watched as Tre helped Billie into a chair and I grabbed Adie's hand. "Come on... Remember your breathing" I said trying to help her through the pain. I was starting to become a little bit scared. I would have to go through twice as much as she was going to.
*** ***
Two hours later we were introduced.
"Guys I'd like you to meet Joseph Marciano Armstrong" Billie said, tears welling in his eyes.
"Awwwwwwwwwww! He's so cute!" Sammy, Annaliese and I cooed.
"Joey... Meet your Aunties Sammy Mattie and Anna and your Uncles Mikey, Jason and Tre." He made Joey wave at this point.
*** ***
2 months later
Still Mattie's POV
We were sitting on the couch watching a movie when it happened. I got a sharp pain in my stomach and yelped.
"What is it Mattie?" Tre asked a little bit concerned.
"Nothing" I replied, my face contorted in pain a little bit. "They just decided to play soccer with my ribs" I said rubbing where it hurt. I got up to grab some Nutella when Tre stopped me.
"Ummm... Baby?... You're leaking... " He said motioning to the couch where there was a huge wet spot.
"Holy shit!" I mumbled as I doubled over in pain again. Tre knew the drill. He grabbed my overnight bags and the car keys and helped me to the car. We sped of towards the hospital.
"Sweet Mother of Jesus!" I panted as the contraction finished. "That was intense!"
"Do you want me to call anyone?" Tre asked slightly panicky his hands gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles were white.
"Not just yet... " I said, my breathing returning more to normal. "Let's actually get there first ok?" he nodded and continued driving.
We arrived at the hospital a few minutes later. "Holy crap!" I groaned as we went through the front doors. I was ushered into a wheel chair almost immediately.
*** ***
"Alright Mattie now push!" the doctor told me.
"You're hurting my hand baby" Tre said as pushed till my body could push no more. He yelped and zipped his lip imaginarily as I gave him a look that said... 'imagine what I'm going through buddy'.
5 minutes later at 6:25 pm, July 9th, 1995, our daughter, Amanda Nicole Somers was brought into the world.
Tre cried as he held her. "She's soo beautiful" he cooed letting her little fist grasp at his finger. I unfortunately couldn't see my daughter for long as I had another baby to deliver.
20 minutes later, at 6:45 pm, Trent Michael Somers was brought into the world. "Hey there lil buddy" I said rather breathless as the little bundle was placed in my arms. All four of stayed there in our own peaceful joy until the others came into the room. Tre looked up at them with tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Congratulations sweetie" Anna said, kissing his cheek and half hugging him.
Trent and Amanda were taken away from us for a brief moment as they were passed from Uncles Billie, Mike and Jason to Aunties Sammy and Anna.
"I'm so proud of you Mattie "Tre said pressing his forehead against mine and kissing my nose.
"I know you are" I whispered as I kissed him.
Finally our twins were brought back to us. "Hello my beautiful baby girl" I cooed as Jason placed Amanda back in my arms. She smiled and opened her eyes. They were the most beautiful blue like her fathers. That made me tear up.
*** ***
3 and a half years later.
Tre's POV
"But daddysh I don'tsh wanna!" Amanda whined. She had light brown hair and piercing blue eyes. She had Mattie's nose and my chin. She also had a fairly cute lisp.
"But sweetie you have to go somewhere... Mummy and daddy are going out" I said trying to reason with her. "Trent wants to go to see Uncle Jason and Auntie Anna... " I said. Amanda thought for a minute then giggled.
"Okie dokiesh!" she said. "I likesh Auntie Anna... She givesh me a makeoversh"
"Hallelujah" I muttered as I followed her into her room. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids to bits... But sometimes they were a little too much to handle.
I found Mattie on the way with the same exasperated look on her face.
"Come on mommy!" Trent said pulling her hand. "Let's have a packing race against Amanda and daddy!" Amanda laughed and pulled me into her room.
"It's on kiddo!" I said as Amanda and I raced to pack a few things in her Barbie roller suitcase. We finished about 10 minutes later. We walked to Trent's room and listened at the door.
"No sweetie you can't take ALL your Lego" Mattie said a little bit frustrated.
I counted down from three and we burst into the room. "HAHA! We beatsh you!" Amanda said triumphantly dragging her suitcase behind her.
"Oh well... Come on... Lets get you 2 to Uncle Jason's hey?" Mattie said being the graceful loser.
"Yay!" Trent said grabbing his sister's hand and dragging her towards the front door.
"Remind me to tell Jason no sugar for him" Mattie said as we followed them. I nodded. Jason and Annaliese had married the year before... But had not had any kids of their own as yet. They loved babysitting... But Jason often gave the twins too much sugar and then wondered why they ended up running around like loons.
*** ***
"Uncle Jashon!" Amanda screamed jumping into his arms. Trent had a similar reaction but latched onto Jason's leg.
"Hey kiddos!" Jason greeted them. "Mattie... Mr. Cool" he said nodding at us. Anna appeared next to him.
"Auntie Anna!" Trent said launching himself into her arms.
"Oooofff! Hey kiddo" she said ruffling his hair and transferring him to her hip. "Have fun tonight guys" she said winking knowingly at me.
"Bye kids" we said in unison. "Oh and no sugar" Mattie added giving Jason a look.
"We'd better do what mommy says huh?" Jason said to Amanda biting his lip and pulling a face causing Amanda to giggle hysterically.
"Be good... And that means all four of you!" I warned. They all saluted as Mattie and I went back to the car.
"Why does it feel like we have four kids after seeing them?" Mattie contemplated as we headed back home.
"Because basically we do" I giggled.
*** ***
We arrived home and got ready for our night out. I had been planning this for a while and even though every one else knew about it... Somehow it had managed to stay a secret. Tonight was the night I was going to propose to Mattie... And she had no idea.
"Dress nice" I said. "We're going somewhere special." She smiled and gave me a look to try and figure out exactly what I was up to. I pretended in didn't notice and went straight into the shower. When I emerged about 10 minutes later Mattie was dressed and waiting at the door so she could do her makeup.
"Ta dahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she pronounced 15 minutes later. Although she looked beautiful, one thought came to mind. She was wearing eyeliner AND mascara... It was gonna be messy later tonight.
"Come on then... Let's go" I said.
*** ***
After we sat down and ordered our drinks I cleared my throat.
"Mattie, I have wanted to ask you this for a while now, but I put it on hold because of the twins. You know how much you mean to me, and I know how much I mean to you. You are my world Mattie, and I have a question to ask you." I got out of my chair and went to stand near hers. By this stage a lot of the restaurant had turned around to have a look. "Matilda Anne Somers... " she gave me a look but stopped when I got down on my knee. "Will you marry me?" I said opening a small box holding a ring with a diamond in the middle surrounded by blue amethysts to match her eyes. By now she was crying, mascara and eyeliner starting to run down her cheeks. "Come on baby I need and answer... I'm on my bad knee here" I joked. She pulled me up and began nodding her head. Then finally she found her voice.
"Of course I will Tre baby" The restaurant erupted with clapping and cheers at this. I gave her a goofy grin and she kissed me.
*** ***
Jason's POV
"Uncle Jashon?" Amanda asked coming into the kitchen where I was making dinner.
"Yes Manda Panda?" I said picking her up and putting her on the counter.
She giggled. "Where have Mommy and Daddysh gone tonight?"
"Well... " I started and tickled her a bit. "Daddy took Mommy to a special restaurant coz he wanted to ask Mommy a very special question"
"What wash the special question?" she asked.
"Your Daddy was going to ask your Mommy to marry him" I said with an amused look on my face as I saw her reaction.
"Oh... Me and Trent already knew that... Daddy made ush promishe not to tell anybodysh though... Eshpecially Mommy." she concluded puffing her chest out importantly. "Did Daddy make you and Auntie Anna promishe not to tell either?"
I nodded. "Yep... Uncle Billie and Uncle Mike and Auntie Sammy and Auntie Adie knew too and weren't supposed to tell."
She gasped. "Sho everyone knew except Mommysh?"
"Yep... Now go get your brother and Auntie Anna and wash your hands before dinner ok?" I said putting her down. She nodded and hit the floor running.
"Trent!" she screamed. "Uncle Jashon wantsh ush to wash our handsh before dinner... And you too Auntie Anna. " she said as she headed towards the bathroom.
I laughed. She was so much like her father. Unsubtle at the best of times, and the same ball of energy.
*** ***
After dinner we sat down to watch some TV. "Uncle Jashon... Can we go camping tonight?" Amanda asked.
I nodded. "Sure... Go with Trent and get what we need" I said scooting closer to Anna. "Come camping with us baby?" I asked.
"Nuh uh" she said shaking her head. "You drool too much... I don't wanna drown!" she joked. I pouted.
"Well the kids don't seem to mind." I huffed crossing my arms.
She giggled. "That's coz there kids and they drool too!" I fake cried. "Aw diddums!" she said kissing me and going off to get the 'camping food'.
I began setting the furniture up to create our 'tent' when I was met by two whining voices. "Aaaaawwwwwwwww! Uncle Jason! You started with out us! No fair!" I turned around and advanced on them, a smirk on my face. They knew what it meant... 'tickle time'. They both screamed and tried to run for it, but I grabbed them both around the middle and began tickling furiously. A few minutes later I was done.
"Ok NOW we can make the tent" I said letting go of them and grabbing the sheets and blankets. 15 minutes later we had created a cavern big enough for three, with blankets, sleeping bags and pillows inside of it.
"Ok you three... I have popcorn... But you can only have some if you get in your pyjamas and get in your sleeping bags" Anna said to all three of us. We all bolted to get changed.
"Ok ready!" I said a few minutes later.
"Baby I said pyjamas... Not boxers! You're camping with the kids... Not sleeping with me!" she giggled as I came into the lounge room in just my boxers. I frowned and went back to put on some sweats and an old t shirt.
After we ate our popcorn Anna left us to go to bed. "Goodnight" she said moving along the line and kissing us all. "Don't keep them up too late" she said knowingly to me.
"Night Auntie Anna!" the twins chorused as she left the room.
I didn't end up keeping them awake too long. We had fun making shadow puppets... But soon enough they both had fallen asleep on me.
Matilda's POV
"Come on baby... We have to go get the twins" I said throwing a pillow at him to get him up.
"Cant we just stay here?" he said pulling me back onto the bed.
I giggled and looked at my ring sparkling in the sunlight for a bit. "Nope... Get up you lazy oaf!" that made him move. He tried grabbing me but failed.
"I'm downstairs with coffee when you're ready" I said running from the room. After he had his coffee in him he was a little bit livelier.
"Alright" he said grabbing the keys. "Let's go and get the Terrible 2".
We drove to Anna and Jason house and were greeted by Anna herself at the door. "Don't say anything... Just follow me" she said as she tiptoed to their lounge room.
We followed her and were met with what I thought was the cutest sight in the world. They had obviously gone 'camping', and Jason was asleep on his stomach, Trent was curled up in a ball on Jason's back and Amanda was nuzzled into his side sucking her thumb. I motioned to Anna to take a photo. She mouthed back that it was 'already done'. We all giggled and left the sleeping beauties until they woke up by themselves.
Half an hour later Trent came into the kitchen dragging his toy bunny, that he slept with, behind him.
"Hi mommy and daddy" he yawned.
"Morning darlin' " I replied taking him into my lap. "Where's your sister and Uncle Jason?" he pointed to the door and sure enough... Several seconds later Jason came through the door with a half asleep Amanda on his hip, with her head on his shoulder and sucking her thumb.
"Morning" he said setting Amanda down in a chair and heading for the coffee pot.
"Hi daddy... " Amanda said tiredly as she crawled into Tre's lap and rested her head on his chest.
"I hear you went camping last night Manda... " she nodded. "Did you have fun?" he asked trying to keep the three and a half year old awake.
She yawned. "Uncle Jashon showedsh ush how to make shadow puppetsh" she said sitting up a little bit straighter and then changing the subject completely. "Hey mommy can I shee the ring that daddy gotsh you?"
"Sure sweetie" I said shifting Trent so that she could get a good look.
"Itsh very pwetty" she said smiling at her father. "You did good daddy!" she beamed.
"Yeah daddy... You did good." Jason joked as he pulled my hand towards him for a closer look.
"Jackass... " Tre mumbled to himself.
"Oi!" I exclaimed slapping him over the back of the head causing both twins to laugh when they saw his reaction. "Watch your language around the 3 year olds thanks" I said giggling also.
"Hey! Were almost 4 mommy!" Trent protested.
"Right you lot... Hometime" I said causing Amanda, Trent, Tre AND Jason to whine 'Awwwwwww! '
"Awwwww!" I mocked. "Don't you wanna go see Uncle BJ and Aunt Adie?" I asked.
"What aboutsh Joey and Jakey?" Amanda asked.
"Yes they'll be there"
"Ok I'll come" she said giggling and running out of the room.
"Hey don't we have recording today?" Jason asked looking at Tre. Tre then looked at me and Anna.
We laughed. "Yes you do" I said. "Joey and Jake was the pulling point for the kids ya see"
"Ahhh." Jason said, getting the point and going upstairs to change.
About a half hour later we were heading off to the studio.
"Sho are we gonna watch daddy and Uncle Jashon and Uncle BJ and Uncle Mikey and Uncle Jashon number 2 and Uncle Ronnie practishe?" Amanda said from her car seat.
"Yep" I said nodding. The boys had left a bit before us in Jason's car leaving me, Anna and the twins in the SVU.
*** ***
"Ladies and gentleman... May I present... Mini Green Day!" Billie said giggling as we watched the kids muck around. They had a whole lot of kids instruments set up... So it looked like they were playing everything that 'Big Green Day' had.
"Looksh daddy! I'm being you!" Amanda exclaimed as she banged away on the children's drum kit. It was quite cute actually. Amanda was on the drum kit. Trent was bashing away on the keyboards, Joey was on a guitar, Jake was 'la la la-ing' into a mic and Mike and Sammy's twins Bianca and Emma were being the bass guitar and the trumpet.
I went to go and get our camera... But saw that Anna had already beaten me to it. "Jeez your quick at that!" I exclaimed.
"Well when you don't have any of your own... You learn to gets lots of photos of the nieces and nephews" she said.
"It's not like we aren't trying for some of our own!" Jason pouted.
"Hey, who wants to go and watch Uncle BJ in a box?" Adie asked completely changing the subject. All the kids giggled hysterically and yelled 'Me! I'll come! '.
The kids watched Billie lay down some vocals, giggling all the while but then they got bored.
"Go and watch daddy play... " I said to Amanda, hoping to distract at least one of the 6 from being annoying. She nodded and ran off.
Seconds later there was a crash and a long wail from Amanda. I rushed in to find Tre rocking a wailing Amanda in his lap.
"Shhhhhhh baby... Its ok... Daddy's here... " he said to her trying to get her to calm down. Damn. He could be so cute when he was with the kids.
"Da... Daddy... Can... You... Pleashe... Kissh... It... Better?" she asked, hiccupping between sobs and pointing to her knee. Tre kissed the carpet burn better and then whipped out some Spongebob band aids from his pocket. I walked out of the room and left father and daughter to bond.
Tre's POV
"Do you feel better now?" I asked my 3 year old. She nodded.
"Shpongebob alwaysh makesh it better" she grinned wiping the tears from her face.
"Good girl" I laughed picking her up. "Now are you staying here with me and Uncle Jason and Uncle Mikey?... Or are you gonna go back to mommy?"
"I'll shtay wif you" she said as I sat her down on one of the amps near a wall.
I placed a pair of the large studio headphones over her ears. They slipped down and ended up near her chin. "There ya go" I said as I adjusted them. "You're a real rock star now" I said as she giggled.
"We'd better watch out Mikey... " Jason said, biting his lip and pretending to look scared. "She could take our jobs." Mike looked at him and started biting his fingernails.
"The Cool's are gonna take over!" he exclaimed hiding behind Jason.
We all laughed at that and then I went and sat down behind my kit to begin to play.
"Go crashy daddy?!?!" Amanda asked bouncing up and down.
"You want me to go crazy?" I asked, making sure that I'd heard right. She nodded frantically. "Alright then... " I said preparing to 'Go Crazy'. Ever since she was a baby, if I wanted to make her stop crying I'd take her down with me to the basement and go completely mental on the kit. She loved it. It made her smile and laugh every time.
I paused for several seconds.
"Daddy jusht do it!" she basically screamed, frustrated at me. Finally I let loose arms flailing madly, legs tapping furiously on the pedals. Jason and Mike joined in playing random fast melodies. Amanda loved it. She sat on the amp laughing and clapping her hands madly. Billie came in a minute or so later along with Ronnie and Jason F.
"Did we miss 'go crazy' time?" they all asked pouting. The rest of us stopped abruptly.
"Uncle BJ, Uncle Jashon 2 and Uncle Ronnie!" Amanda said suddenly realizing why 'go crazy' had stopped.
"Manda Panda" Billie exclaimed rushing over and scooping her into his arms. "Stay back or the kid gets it" he joked. "So are you keeping us company today Manda?" she nodded.
"Mommy and the others are boring" she said just as her mother walked in.
"Ok then... No Mc Donald's for you" she said pretending to be hurt.
"Noooooooooooooo! Mommy!... I'm shorry!" she said squirming out from Billie's grip and rushing over to Mattie. "You jusht had really, really, REALLY bad timingsh! Pleashe don't be mad mommysh... I wantsh a Happy Meal" she said grinning sweetly and majorly sucking up to her mother.
She caved. I had taught Amanda the look that always got her mother to give in to me.
"Damn you to hell Tre Cool! You know I can't resist when you or her do that look!" Mattie said a bit flustered picking Amanda up from the floor. Both Amanda and I giggled.
"So what do you boys want?" Mattie asked moving Amanda to her hip.
"Nuggets... And lots of 'em" Jason F and Ronnie said.
"Do you want fries with that?" Mattie giggled.
"HA! No... Just super sized drinks thanks Mattie" Ronnie grinned.
"Fillet of fish meal thanks Mattie" Mike replied.
"Big Mac meal and cookiesh pleashe" Jason W said imitating Amanda's lisp.
"Don't be mean Uncle Jashon!" she complained pouting. He poked his tongue out at her.
"Happy meal!" Billie and I both said, bouncing up and down, as she turned to us.
"Plus a Big Mac too please baby" I said giving her the same look that Amanda had given her minutes before.
"Yeah ok... Are you boys giving me money so I can pay for all this? Coz I'm sure not shouting you all!"
"Aaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!" everyone in the room whined as they got money out of their pockets.
She left with Amanda and a substantial amount of our money before we actually started to practice.
About half an hour and 3 songs later Amanda rushed back into the room.
"Daddy!... And... All my Unclesh!" she said not wanting to say all their names. "Mommysh back wif the Mc Donaldsh" she grabbed my hand and we all follwed behind her.
"Holy hel... Heck that's a lot of Mc Donald's!" I exclaimed making sure I didn't swear in front of the children.
Mattie had returned from Mc Donald's carrying enough for 16 of us. There were 8 Happy Meals, 2 Big Mac meals and an extra Big Mac for me, 2 fillet of fish meals, 2 Mc Chicken meals, and about 30 billion Chicken Nuggets for Ronnie and Jason F. There were also and assortment of 16 different sized and different flavored drinks for all of us.
"Don't just stand there looking at it... Eat for heavens sake!" Anna exclaimed.
We all dove for the Mc Donald's and about 45 minutes later we were done.
"Alright you lot... " Mattie said motioning to the kids. "Say goodbye to your daddy's and uncles, its home time."
They all replied with a resounding awwwwwwwwwwww!
"No awwwwwwwwwwwwwws! Mommy, Auntie Adie, Auntie Anna and Auntie Sammy have a wedding to plan" she said kissing me goodbye.
"Bye daddysh" Amanda said hugging me very tight. It was obvious she didn't want to go home.
"Come on you... " I said as I pried her out of my arms and into her car seat. "You'll get to see me later... And then we can have ice-cream" I said knowing that would make her feel better. She nodded.
"Ok daddysh... We have an ishe cream date" she giggled as I clipped her into her car seat.
"Have fun wedding planning... " I said grinning and waving as they left the car park in three separate cars.
"Oh we will" Mattie said grinning out the window.
