AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And we heard someone being whipped…” Leif sing-songs, wiggling his eyebrows, and I grab a throw pillow, heaving it at him. He catches it in mid-air and flops back on the sofa, laughing.
“All right, I need some food in me before I have to deal with you all.”
Chapter 10
FAREWELL
~Cassandra~
During the week, I had a few episodes. The fear of losing my kids triggered my memories to resurface, but Lucas and Logan managed to help me to deal with it. I also started Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, and the first session was a few days ago.
Laisa is helping me cope with the distress. The therapy focuses on my recollections, to change my negative outlook and help me gain control of my fears. For now, I am so overcome with dark thoughts, I hardly can hear her. The demons resurface, stronger than ever, to torture me.
A ringing phone interrupts my playtime with the twins. I stretch my arm to reach for it on the sofa. Logan’s picture is displayed on the screen and I stop for a moment to collect myself.
“Hi!” The hammering in my chest makes it difficult to concentrate on what he is saying.
“I am coming home. I had few meetings to deal with. You ate already?”
“Not yet, we are about to.”
“See you in thirty minutes!”
“See ya.”
Silent and restless, I wait for his arrival with dread that our time is coming to an end. However, I keep reminding myself that I requested this space and the move is a good choice.
I take both kids to the living room and strap them into their feeding chairs. Then, I get on making salads, as the main course is already done. The soft music playing in the background fills my ears, and the anxiety is a swirling tornado, making my legs bounce and hands shake. I close my eyes, breathing in and out, and looking for the positive memory to center me. After I calm down, I set the table for us, then sit next to my eating munchkins. The tears are streaming down my cheeks.
Something hits me in the face, and Leon shrieks to get my attention. I find him trying to get back the steamed carrot from me.
“I see a food fight is your forte, my boy. How about you eat it?” Then Liane notices the carrot and tries to steal it. Leon pushes all of it into his mouth, making his sister upset.
“All right, you two, I have enough rabbit food, hold on.” I bring broccoli and carrots for each of them, letting them explore and make a mess while eating. Chuckling, I realize my kids distracted me from a panic attack. “Smart kittens.”
The explosive mess left behind makes a canvas of exciting art on the floor and their clothes, and that is how Logan finds us. Cleaning up all the mess from their hair and faces, I try not to trip over the slippery food bits.
“Hello, my fighters, what happened here?” Both twin faces lit up in delight at seeing Daddy.
Lifting their hands and demanding his attention, their raised voices make him comply faster. Logan quickly takes off his jacket and tie as he picks up both dirty kids. Giggles fill up the room as he starts talking to them about keeping the house clean and tidy. Liane watches her dad in fascination, about to taste his cufflinks, and Leon tries to tear off the tie.
“Well, good luck with the team bandits!” Meanwhile, I fill up our plates and make tea. Just before we have a chance to eat, Leif and Lucas join us.
“Did you leave us some food? She made ‘Kiev cutlets’ with the potatoes mash. I canceled a hot date and meeting with a business partner for this lunch with you guys,” he tells me, out of breath, as he surveys the table set for two. “Where is my plate and his?” He points to his brother, who tries to hide his amusement behind a cough.
I roll my eyes. He rubs circles on his belly as he watches our plates with hunger and I exhale a breath. “Sit down and take mine. I’ll load new ones for us, Lucas.”
But Lucas, being sweet and mature, comes to help me with the food instead. Leif wolfs down his food in record time.
“More, please?” He lifts his empty plate as he gives me a puppy face. Shaking my head at him, I load his plate again. We are about to eat as my sisters and niece, Arianna, ring the doorbell.
Girls at least are low-maintenance, as they load their own plates and sit next to us.
“Do we have any sweets, Auntie?” Arianna has a hopeful expression that changes into excitement as I tell her I baked chocolate brownies.
With tea in hand, I walk into the living room to check on the kids and end up with a squad of cheerleaders following me. The little ones get to be spoiled rotten with love and attention as they don’t stay long in one place, and both travel from one person to another. Arianna comes to hug me, telling me all about last week at school and a few girls who seem to be rude to her.
“So, did you tell her?” Leif asks, raising his eyebrows, waiting to confirm something. Logan shakes his head as he looks at me, nervous. I wait for the explanation, but Darren let himsel
