Page 32 of Bunny Be Mine
“Well, they did say they missed the snow.” Fen reminded me that the kids had asked when winter would be coming back. Then when it did, they would ask when the pool could be opened again.
“True. But did they have to do this the day I am waiting for my final grades?” I shifted my weight on the couch so I was sitting up against the back cushion and I tilted my head back so I was staring at the ceiling. I had to dust the fans, it seemed. “I’m stressed enough. And it seems like every time I turn around, I find a new chore to do or a new fire to put out.”
“Well, at least the fires are all metaphorical. Right?” Fen waited for my laugh but I didn’t feel like giving one, so he continued speaking. “I know, sweetie, but we both know you nailed those exams and will get to graduate next month. You’ve got this. Want me to play the mean parent today?”
“Can you? I mean, neither of us are really mean. But can you be the one to give them their consequences. I think JoJo and KiKi need to do laundry.” I thought about other chores that they could realistically help with. “And maybe spend some time in the garden, making sure that the vegetables and fruits are growing.”
“Sounds fair,” Fen agreed. “Any of the others? Do you think any of them need consequences?”
“Not based on what I heard so far. But you know things always come out during discussions, so add to the plan if needed. Those were the only two Lily pointed out.”
“Lily too?”
“No, she was just chasing JoJo as far as I can tell.” Honestly, I was surprised that she didn’t
retaliate in some way. Usually I would have to discipline all the kids involved because they would try to get even.
“Really?” Fen knew that it was strange for Lily to not act out too. “She didn’t punch him this time?”
“Not that I heard.” I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, a headache starting to sneak its way in. I had no time for headaches.
“See, they are learning.” Fen chuckled. “Maybe these meetings will start becoming less and less.”
“Maybe. But I doubt it. Or if they do, they will only start back up again once they all hit puberty. Footsteps sounded from the hallway. “They’re coming, I’ll put you on speaker.”
“We got this.”
Hitting the speaker icon, I placed my cell on the coffee table as the first of our little pack ran in.
“JoJo said we are having a meeting.” Our most serious boy, Simon, sat down next to me. He sounded exhausted for a seven-year-old, even adding a sigh. “What did they do now?”
“We’ll cover that when everyone gets here.” I hugged him closer. There was something about holding Simon that helped my head feel better. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a touch of healing magic.
“Okay, Papa.” Taking out his notebook, Simon started working out a math problem. While his brothers and sisters liked playing outside, my little Si loved staying indoors and learning. “I’ll just finish my homework while we wait.”
“Homework?” I was puzzled at his statement. “You’re on summer break. How do you have homework?”
“I assigned it to myself.” Si answered another question. “I can’t let myself forget how to solve these equations.”
“You are already ahead, Si. Don’t forget to have fun, too. Okay?” I reminded him. “Maybe you can go play some board games after the family meeting.”
“Okay, Papa.” Si smiled at me. “As long as you play too.”
“Deal.” I kissed Simon on the top of his head.
“Papa?” Danny poked his head in from around the corner. “Am I in trouble?”
“Not that I know of.” I patted the seat beside me. “Were you with JoJo and Kiki?”
“No. I was taking a nap in the bushes.” Danny sat and laid his head on my lap. “Then Lily told me I had to come here for a family meeting. Why are we having a meeting?”
“I’ll let Daddy answer questions today.” I ran my hands through Danny’s hair, his eyes falling closed.
“Let’s wait until everyone gets here, okay, buddy.” Fen was amused. After all these years, I could read his emotions by the tone he used and the wording.
“Don’t fret, Danny-boy. We are all here now.” Grandma Tricia walked in with the rest of the squad and winked at my smallest boy. “We’ll get this session over with quick as can be, then you can go back out to nap with the flowers.”
Danny’s face lit up at the prospect of catching more z’s. I had asked the pediatrician about how often the boy slept, worried that he was missing some vitamins or was sick. But all tests came back normal and the doctor was not alarmed. He informed us that some young shifters tended to sleep more and that since it had been a characteristic of our son since birth, and all examinations proved Danny to be a healthy little boy, happy and growing properly, it was just something that his body needed. He also warned that there may be a time when things switched up and he would need less. Once the doctor laid our fears to rest, we decided just to let him follow his body’s natural rhythm. We homeschooled all six kids, so we could work with all their various schedules. Although, I had to admit that most of them flowed together in a harmonious fashion with ours, so it all felt easy to go with the flow.
