Daniel made it all the way to his new house before he let his emotions take over. He walked up the stairs as his head and shoulders started to get heavier. "Come on Daniel, only one more step", he said while trying to see through already tear filled eyes. When Daniel finally made it to the door he let out a sigh of relief. He turned the knob and then he pulled the door open silently. As he stepped inside the cool and, sadly, quiet house he started to silently cry. "This house is so quiet", He said while thinking of the giggling toddlers and child, who were probably sitting in the living room with his loving wife. "My loving wife", he thought once more while checking out all the rooms, "She is so loving and yet all I did was yell at her".
When he got done looking at the barely furnished house he made his way back to the living room. The house was not empty, but it was emptier then his previous home. "This will take some getting used to", He said while he took a seat on the couch. He sat there quietly and looked out at his new home.
He closed his eyes for a second and started to think. He knew not to think too much though, because that meant he would start to think about Elizabeth... Darn, now he was thinking about her. He opened his eyes, "I keep expecting her to bounce around the corner smiling". He said sliding down onto the couch's crisp upholstery. "And now I am talking to myself", He sighed while closing his eyes once more. He was laying there for almost ten minutes and was about to let himself slide into the dark sad abyss. He had promised himself earlier in the car that if he made it all the way to his new house without shedding a tear then he would let himself fall into the cold numbness. But then when he was about to fall over the edge he realized something. He sat up and his eyes shot open, "I will not let myself be sad", He said while swinging his feet onto the floor, "I will make myself better so that I can get Elizabeth back". And with that Daniel was on a mission.
"First thing first", Daniel said while picking back up his car keys. He knew that he would need to get more furniture; he wanted to make this house his own. First he bought a desk and a computer. Then he went and bought a crib. He knew he would be jinxing himself, but if at all possible he wanted to see his children. As soon as he got home he hooked up his laptop and got on his email... empty. "Of course it is", Daniel said while starting to type. He told himself not to get his hopes up, but of course he did. He had wanted to see an email from Elizabeth begging for him to come home. "Dear Elizabeth...." He started out. He knew he was pushing it, but he wanted to see Elizabeth. No, not wanted he yearned. He basically craved her. It may have only been a couple of hours but Daniel was surprised that he had even made it that long.
Daniel had just pushed away from the computer when his stomach let out the loudest rumble. Considering his house was totally quiet other then the previous clacking of keys he jumped at the noise. "Oh..." Daniel said while remembering that now he had to cook his own meals. He walked to the fridge before he realized that he had no clue how to cook... anything. Not even simple Autumn Salad. So he trudged back into the living room and grabbed Cooking Volume: I off the shelf and flipped it open. He read for a good two hours before he decided that he had learned enough. "I do not think I will be starting any fires today", he said while getting off the couch. He had made his way back into the kitchen before he realized that he was not even hungry anymore. "Great. Now what?"
And so against his better judgment he flipped open a photo album of Elizabeth and his wedding.
Meanwhile at Elizabeth's House:
The rest of Sunday went off without any more problems. Elizabeth was sure as she watched Daniel drive off that she would be in tears all day, but to her surprise she was not. She was much too busy trying to take care of an infant, three toddlers, and a child all by herself. "You are so cute", Elizabeth said while setting Mira in her crib, "But you are so much work". Elizabeth smiled as Claire drifted off to sleep. Elizabeth still was not sure whether or not to call her Mira or Claire, she really liked both.
Elizabeth finally left Mira's side when she cooed softly in her sleep. Elizabeth went over to her side of the bed and plopped onto the cool, soft sheets. She looked over to Daniel's side and without a word she set her head on his pillow. She snuggled into the fabric, breathed in Daniel's comforting familiar scent, and suddenly that same pang of pain hit her chest. She gripped at her shirt with as much energy as she could muster through the pain. She was desperate not to scream or, let alone, cry. She was not in any state to tend for a cranky woken infant. Then, in the middle of her agony, she heard a quiet knock at her door. She cleared her mind and tried her best to speak. In a raspy gasping sound she said, "Come in". "Mom?" Ryan asking peaking around the door. Elizabeth suddenly felt fine. She thought that seeing her oldest son would make the pain worse, but it made it disappear altogether. She thought it might have been that her motherly instincts took over, they knew that seeing his mother in pain would cause Ryan much more pain then his little child heart could handle. Or maybe it was the fact that he looked so much like Daniel that her need to see him was filled by just seeing his face. Elizabeth straightened herself up and started to get under the covers while Ryan walked into her room and closed the door. "Can I sleep with you?" Ryan said while giving the puppy dog look. He did not mean to, he was just nervous and was looking at his feet. Elizabeth would have let him anyways, but the look made it even harder to say no. Elizabeth pulled down the sheets while Ryan crawled onto the bed. Elizabeth was grateful to her son for sleeping with her; she was positive that once he left the pain would return... and not to mention that she was not ready to have the bed all to herself. Once they were all asleep Daniel dreamt of his siblings who were soon to come and Elizabeth thought of mending her broken heart.
Elizabeth met her #1 Man at the door the next morning. "So you have your..." Elizabeth asked while being interrupted. "Yes Mom!" Ryan said annoyed. Elizabeth knew that she was getting on Ryan's nerves, but she stuck to him like glue. She wanted to look at his face for as long as she could, because before she knew it the pain would return.
And the pain did return, it started as soon as the door shut behind Ryan. As soon as Elizabeth could no longer see Ryan's face tears started streaming silently down her cheeks. "Quit it Elizabeth", She said while wiping away the never ending stream of tears, "I need you to be strong. You are the only real person I can count on". Suddenly Elizabeth's 'Blackberry' beeped, signaling that she had an email. "From Daniel: Dear Elizabeth,..." Elizabeth read it all while wiping her eyes and sniffling. She was embarrassed about the fact that she got butterflies from reading his love filled message. She, just like Daniel, suddenly craved him. She had no choice but to go see him like he had asked her to in the email.
Elizabeth had trust issues, (I mean who would not after her childhood) but she had no choice but to hire a babysitter. It did not really help out her cause when a pink-haired tough kid walked up to her door step. "Hello, is this the Rating household?" He asked nervously. For a tough kid he sure was a sweetie. He talked so kindly that Elizabeth did not feel the need to correct him about miss pronouncing her last name. "Yes, it is. And you are?" Elizabeth said inviting him in. "I am Phillip, and I will be your babysitter" he said shyly smiling. Elizabeth filled him in on the triplets and thanked him politely before walking out to her car.
Elizabeth felt so childish when she pulled up to Daniel's house. She was so nervous, it reminded her of her and Daniel's first date. "Come on Elizabeth breath! This is strictly professional, we need to talk about the children", Elizabeth thought while nervously marching up the stairs. She crossed the porch, took a deep breath, shook out her stress, relaxed her shoulders, and then she stepped forward and lightly knocked on Daniel's front door. Elizabeth thought that maybe Daniel did not hear the light tap that she called knocking and reached forward to knock again for real. But I guess Daniel was patiently waiting for Elizabeth already and opened the door right before Elizabeth could knock again. "Oh", Elizabeth said surprised while pulling back her extended hand. "Hi", Daniel breathed out through a smile. Both Daniel and Elizabeth did not have a clue what happened next, but they had no control. If you were to ask them they would say that their "cravings" took over, because without another word they kissed. Neither would deny though that it was needed. Elizabeth felt complete again, she felt that the constant ache that has pestered at her since Daniel left was gone. And Daniel was thrilled, he had no need to cry anymore.
Elizabeth and Daniel finally let go long enough to make it inside. The loving was not gone for long though, because Elizabeth wrapped him in another hug just inside the door. Elizabeth was totally in heaven until she opened her eyes. There in the corner she saw a crib. She loved Daniel and was happy to stand in his arms, breathing in his scent, feeling his heart beat next to hers.... okay, back to where we were. BUT she was confused about the crib. Elizabeth patted Daniel on the back as a sign that the hug was over. Daniel stepped back and gave Elizabeth a confused look, and all Elizabeth could do was to return it. "What?" Daniel questioned now confused further by Elizabeth's confusion.
"Well, What is with the crib?" Elizabeth asked while innocently pointing to the not so well hidden crib. Daniel did not know where to start. He knew before he even started that Elizabeth would say no, but there is no harm in asking... right?
Daniel decided to get right to the point and ask, no demand that she let him see his children. "I was thinking maybe Mica or one of the triplets could stay with me one night". Ok, so that was more innocent then he wanted it to be, but he could not be mad at her after everything he has put her through. "Mica?" Elizabeth asked confused. "Mira Claire is a bit of a mouthful. And Mica is a cute name... wait, answer my question", Daniel demanded. He was suddenly gathering more courage. "No", Elizabeth said in an 'are-you-stupid' voice. "Mica, is kind of adorable, I like that", Elizabeth thought while waiting for Daniel to retaliate. "She is my daughter Elizabeth!" Daniel said matter-of-factly. Elizabeth noted that he raised his voice a little. She did not want another fight to start so she decided to speak in a calm and composed voice, "Daniel she is your daughter, not technically, but you are now just another man in the 100 Baby Challenge. You decided that when you moved out. And the rules state that the babies have to live with me. You may visit her but that is it". "But you have broken the rules before", Daniel said getting upset and out of breath. "Yes, but I am not breaking this one", Elizabeth said ending the conversation. "Well then I will see you later I guess", Daniel said opening the door. Elizabeth took this as her que to leave. "Good bye", she said while sauntering out the door.
Elizabeth acted in charge at Daniel's house but inside she was nothing near that. She was a wreck, and the screaming in her head was not helping,"Run back and kiss him stupid. What are you doing? Apologize and tell him you love him!". "No. I love Daniel, but he is not behind me in my challenge", Elizabeth thought quickly. Elizabeth was hurt at Daniel's anti-challenge approach, but what else could she expect. If it were the other way around she would have had the same reaction. The screaming in her head had stopped, but the ache had returned as soon as she stepped out onto Daniel's porch. Still, through her pain, all she could think about was the challenge, "I need to find a dad. The kids need to grow up. I want twins. I hope I can find some men with really cool skin". She knew that she had to age the kids up so that she could continue with the challenge. Sure it was short notice, but she ran to the grocery store right then and bought the cakes anyways.
When she got home Phillip was in the living room holding Mica (Elizabeth liked the name). "She just woke up from her nap, the triplets have been down for only twenty minutes though", Phillip said while handing Mica back to Elizabeth. Elizabeth thanked Phillip, payed him, and walked him to the door. Once Phillip was gone Elizabeth held her adorable little mini-me. She was so tiny and her skin was so soft. She smiled up at Elizabeth and cooed. Elizabeth loved to hold her little clone. She did not know how she got her, but she was glad she did. She could feel the warmth coming through Mica's blanket, it warmed Elizabeth to the core. It made it so that she could not feel the ache anymore. Elizabeth did not want to but she knew that she needed to age up Mica first. So she brought her out to the cake and helped to blow out the candles.
Mica was so cute. She looked just like Elizabeth. She had the same eyes, hair, and skin. She literally was a clone of Elizabeth. Almost as if she were a koala Mica would not let go of Elizabeth for anything. She was always in Elizabeth's arms; she would not even let Elizabeth put her in the girl's nursery. So she slept in the same crib that she did when she was an infant.
Elizabeth was waiting for Ryan by the time he got home. When he walked through the door it took him only a moment to spot Mica. He looked shocked for only a second and then sadly said, "Does that mean that I have to grow up too?" Elizabeth decided to turn motherly then because Ryan tried once again to do the puppy dog pout (on purpose this time), "Yes, but it is not a bad thing Ryan. You are the oldest and this is one of your many responsibilities. Not to mention... You will get a car". "Really?!" Ryan asked overly excited. Elizabeth knew that that would change his mind.
Elizabeth brought Ryan out to the birthday table at 4:35 p.m. She felt bad that no one was there to help celebrate. She had tried to invite Victoria, but she was once again busy. It turns out some big shot had heard her singing on 'Open Mic Night' down at the bar. So she now is working on a record deal. Elizabeth had little time to talk to Victoria, but she had filled her in on everything that had happened. Victoria was just as shocked as Elizabeth had been about Daniel actually leaving. But Elizabeth was determined and tried to throw the best party ever for Ryan. She blew her horn with all the air she could muster through her aching chest. Ryan smiled, looked at his mother, closed his eyes, and blew out the candles. "What did you wish for?" Elizabeth asked curious. She had never seen Ryan look like that before, he must have really been concentrating. "For that car that you promised me", Daniel said while he started to be surrounded in gold and sparkles. He did not want to tell his mother, but he was actually wishing that one day she and his dad would get back together. Though his dear mother was trying to hide it he knew that she was in pain. He caught her early yesterday morning gripping her chest, no her heart in agony. It hurt Ryan so much that he started to feel a similar ache, not as strong but it was enough for him to be mad at his father. He could not forgive him for putting such a strong hurt on his mom.
Ryan, as a teenager, was stunning. He had muscles (well... the start of some), and he had bright green eyes just like Daniel. And (as if he wasn't already a carbon copy) his hair had gotten lighter so it now matched the exact shade of brown as Daniel's. It took Elizabeth everything she had to not just want to stand there and stare at him.
After only about five minutes of Ryan being a teenager the triplets woke up. Elizabeth, with the help of Ryan) picked them up one by one and helped them to blow out the candles. Elizabeth was shocked. They were identical in facial features, but polar opposites in everything else. Calista had bright green eyes and brown hair, making her the girl version of Daniel. While Jenna still had her random blond hair. She and Ian shared Elizabeth's teal eyes though. While Ian had his head covered by a toboggan. Elizabeth was a little confused my Ian and Jenna's fashion choice but she was not going to fight with them over clothes. Jenna dressed up no matter what the occasion, while Ian liked to be comfortable... sometimes a little too comfortable.
It was nearly 6:00 p.m. by the time everyone was aged up and the atmosphere calmed down a little. Ryan was in the kitchen finishing his homework by the time Elizabeth finally found him.
"Ryan?" Elizabeth said trying to get her son's attention. Ryan was so focused on working that he did not even notice Elizabeth or Mica. "Huh?" Ryan yelped. He definitely had not noticed, because Elizabeth just scared the pants off of him. "Sorry. I know you are doing your homework, but I need you to watch the kids for a few minutes", Elizabeth said with an apologetic expression displayed on her face. "Actually I just finished", Ryan said while cramming his journal back into his backpack. Then he pushed away from the table to make room for the triplets, who were just now all pushing their way into the kitchen and loudly taking their seats at the table. "Are you going to find a father for the challenge?" Ryan asked while gladly taking Mica from Elizabeth. "Actually, I was going to look at a lot that is for sale down the road from here. I think that you and I both know that there is not enough room in this house for all of us", Elizabeth said while passing around pencils to the triplets, who were now quiet and ready to do their homework.
By the time Elizabeth turned her attention back to Ryan the triplets were happily doing school work and talking about the seeds that they had planted in class that morning. "Anyways, they should not be too bad. The triplets need to finish their homework and then they may watch television. And all you need to do is watch Mica", Elizabeth said taking Mica back once more to give her a hug. "It is fine Mom", Daniel said while practically pushing Elizabeth out the door, "I am more then happy to help you!" Ryan was glad that his mother was so in love with her children and that she wanted more. He was more then happy to help her out in any way he could.
It was dark by the time Elizabeth finally made it to the lot. The sun was setting and all of the street lights started to flicker on. Elizabeth checked her phone 6:20 p.m. It took twenty minutes to walk from the house to this lot. "This is beautiful", Elizabeth thought while walking up the tree lined road that led to the house. It was a short road and there were no other houses on it. Elizabeth kept thinking about how the children would be able to ride their bikes there without them having to worry about dodging speeding cars.
Elizabeth stopped when she finally reached the empty lot. "Wow. I need to work out more", Elizabeth huffed in between trying to catch her breath and taking it all in. The lot was beautiful... and empty. The view was spectacular and even though it was dark Elizabeth knew that she loved it. And after a night of squeezing kids into sleeping bags, and the triplets fighting over who got to sleep with Elizabeth, she was more then ready to get started on the moving process. So early the next morning, before Mica woke and squirmed her way into Elizabeth arms, Elizabeth went ahead and emailed the Realtor. She payed directly from her bank account and construction was started that morning on their new home.
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