Overworked

Harry’s P.O.V
I woke up in a cold bed and was instantly reminded of yesterday’s events. Maddie didn’t deserve to go through all of that. I went downstairs and the kids were sitting at the table dressed. “Can you go to Uncle Louis’ whilst I go and see Mummy?” I asked them. They agreed and I went to get dressed and get Maddie a change of clothes. I went back downstairs and took the kids to Louis’. I got into the car and drove to the hospital in complete silence. It was a nice silence, like the kind when you need a break. I do need a break. Since Christmas, the children have been so hyper. I’m so exhausted so I have no idea how Maddie is feeling, and to think that soon we’re going to have two babies, we are going to get no sleep and then we have to look after all 5 of them during the day. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of my children, they just irritate me sometimes. I pulled up in the car park of the hospital and got out with the bag of Maddie’s clothes in my hand. I went to the baby care unit and Maddie was asleep on a chair in between the twins’ incubators. She looked so peaceful but also uncomfortable. I looked at the twins and they had less tubes on them but still had quite a few. I shook Maddie gently and she woke up and threw her arms around my neck. “What’s the matter baby?” I asked, stupidly.
“My babies are in hospital.” She pouted, “How are the kids?”
“They’re okay, they miss you. Lis wouldn’t let me bath her last night because she said you do that.” I told her. She nodded and let go of me. “What about the twins?”
“Well the nurse said they’re getting better even just overnight and should be okay to go home by the end of the week. They’re nowhere near as bad as Lis was.” She answered. I nodded and she looked at the twins. “What are we going to call them?” She asked.
“I don’t know, you’re the expert with names babe.” I said and she smiled.
“What about Freya Lily for this one,” she pointed at the slightly bigger baby, “and Amelia Hope for this one.” She pointed at the other one.
“Perfect, Amelia and Freya.” I smiled and she smiled back. I gave her the change of clothes I had brought with me and she went to change. “Welcome to the family Freya and Amelia.” I sat down in between them. I sat looking at them for a while and Maddie came back in with her clean clothes on.
“The nurse said that we should go home and come back in a few days because there isn’t much point in us being here at the moment.” She said. I stood up and we went home.
-Skip 3 days-
Maddie shouted at me to get up and I groaned and got out of bed. I got dressed and Maddie came in. “Have you forgotten what today is? We get to bring the twins home today. You should be happy.” She said.
“I am happy.” I told her. The twins have rapidly improved over the last few days and the nurses have said that they can come home today. We’ve been everyday even though they said there was no point. Maddie couldn’t just leave her babies. Seeing her hold them, even if they do have some tubes on them, makes my life so much better. Just the way she smiles down at them in adoration, plays with their tiny hands or does anything else showing that she is the perfect mother that I know she is. She would go to the end of the earth for her children and she shows that every day when she gets no rest and still makes the effort to play with them. I don’t get why the media beat her up through their articles, she really is the most perfect human being and I’m lucky enough to call her mine. Just the thought makes me smile.
“I’m going to get the kids ready.” My perfect wife interrupted my thoughts about her. I just smiled and went into the nursery. I picked up the two baby seats and went down to the car putting them in. All the kids have car seats now; I put Brooke and Adam’s in the very back of our car and then Lis’ in the middle of Amelia and Freya’s. They all got into the car and we drove to the hospital, all excited. This is the day we’ve been waiting for since the moment that Maddie found out that she was pregnant. I honestly do love my family. They’re amazing and perfect. I can’t imagine my life without Maddie. It would be shit. I pulled into the hospital car park and the kids started getting really excited. Everyone got out of the car and we went inside and to the baby care unit where the nurses were sorting out Amelia and Freya.
“Hi,” they turned to us. The kids looked so anxious to see their new baby sisters. One nurse handed Freya to me and the other one handed Amelia to Maddie. Maddie smiled down at the bundle of joy she was holding in her arms, the bundle of joy that we worked to create.
“Thank you,” Maddie said.
“You’re welcome, congratulations.” The nurses smiled. We smiled back and walked out with the kids behind us. They were looking at Amelia and Freya for the whole time we were walking to the car. Brooke, Adam and Lis got in and Maddie and I put the twins in and then got in ourselves. About half way home, one of the babies, I think it was Amelia, started to cry.
“Mummy, which one is crying?” Melissa questioned and Maddie turned around.
“Amelia,” she said straight away.
“Amelia be quiet, we’ll be home soon.” Lis hushed.
“I don’t know why you’re talking to a baby, it’s not like she’ll understand you.” Adam spat. Oh god, here comes the argument.
“She will.” Lis said sternly.
“No she won’t. No one understands you anyway because you talk in such a babyish voice.” Adam said. Kids are such hard work! I sighed and kept my eyes on the road but Lis started to cry.
“Adam, apologise.” Maddie ordered turning to them both. I looked in the rear view mirror in time to see Adam roll his eyes. He gets that from Maddie.
“No. It’s true. She’s such a baby. She’s 4 not 2. I’m just telling the truth, aren’t you always telling us to do that?” Adam tried patronizing Maddie but she wasn’t having any of it.
“Remind me why we had 5 kids again?” Maddie whispered and I chuckled lightly.
“I have no idea.” I admitted and she laughed. Amelia and Lis continued to cry and then Freya started crying too. God I have such a headache right now.
“Lis just shut up. They don’t care if you’re crying or not. The babies are always going to be more important than you now. You’re not the youngest.” Brooke said. That hurt. She’s suggesting that we don’t pay attention to the others when there’s a baby around? Surely that’s not the case. Lis started to cry harder and I finally snapped.
“Will you all just shut up? We won’t stop caring about any of you but making each other cry isn’t the best way to go about it. Brooke and Adam apologise to Lis and Lis can you try and make Amelia and Freya be quiet please?” I said trying to stop myself from shouting.
“Sorry.” Brooke and Adam mumbled and then Lis attempted to calm the twins down. They got quieter but didn’t stop crying all together. We got home and Maddie and I got the twins out of the car. The kids got out and went inside. We followed after them and they ran upstairs.
“I knew they’d feel like this.” Maddie sighed and looked down at Amelia who was now fast asleep in her arms. Freya is just wriggling about in my arms right now. Maddie walked into the living room and put Amelia down on the couch. “I’m going to go and get their Moses baskets.” She said. I nodded and she went upstairs. She came back down a few minutes later carrying the twins’ baskets. We put the babies into them and then I went to check on the kids. First I went into Brooke’s room and she was sitting on her laptop.
“You know, this is the third time that you’ve completely ignored me. I hate being the oldest. The younger ones are always more important.” She told me not looking up. I guess she didn’t care which one of us she said it to and knew that Adam or Lis wouldn’t go in her room when they’re all in bad moods.
“What do you mean?” I sat down on her bed.
“Look,” she pushed her laptop to me. She was on Google images. The first picture was of Maddie and I leaving hospital with Brooklyn in her car seat. I remember that day so well, walking into the hospital room and seeing my two gorgeous girls waiting for me. The second picture was leaving hospital with Adam and Brooklyn hiding in my shoulder. I remember that day too, when she’d just woken up and I was going to make her walk until I saw all of the paps and decided to pick her up instead. The third picture was leaving hospital with Melissa and Adam and Brooke trailing behind. That was definitely a good day, after a month of her being in an incubator; she finally got to come home. The last picture that she had up was of earlier today. “You always ignore me when there is a baby around. That’s why I said what I said to Lis. It’s true. You forget all about us. Suddenly there’s no time for Brooklyn or Adam or even Lis. It’s all about Amelia and Freya. We’ve seen Uncle Louis more than you and Mum this week.” She pointed out.
“Amelia and Freya need us more than you do. You can do things by yourself but they can’t.” I explained.
“No dad, we need you too. I miss spending time with you. I want to talk to you but if I try you push me away. Has it never occurred to you that maybe I’m having a hard time at school or I’ve fallen out with one of my friends and I want to talk to my parents? Adam doesn’t want to move to California because he’s scared of leaving all his friends and he can’t tell you because you don’t listen. Lis needs you and mum. She needs the most support. She isn’t a typical 4 year old and she does act as if she’s 2 but that’s because she wants your attention. You don’t realise that your family is falling apart right in front of you dad.” She told me. I was left speechless by that. Maybe we do forget about them. I haven’t realised how they’ve all been feeling.
“I’m sorry.” I hugged her. She nodded and I went back downstairs.
“Are they okay?” Maddie asked rocking Freya.
“Brooke just gave me some home truths.” I said and repeated what Brooke had said to me.
“That’s awful, I feel really bad.” Maddie said.
“So do I. We don’t realise what this does to them…” I sighed and sat down. Maddie put a now sleeping Freya into her basket and sat down next to me. I put my arm around her. “I love you so much. Never ever forget that.” I said.
“I love you too.” She smiled. “Our lives would have been so much easier if we stuck to just 1 child.” She laughed.
“I know, but it’s a challenge now and I like challenges.” I replied. She looked deep in thought before replying.
“Is that why you married me?” She asked.
“Partly, but the other part is because you’re gorgeous and lovely and I fell in love with you.” I told her and she giggled. “Your giggle still turns me on after 12 years.” I confessed.
“Why? It’s not even cute,” She looked up at me with her gorgeous brown eyes gazing into my green ones.
“I know, but it’s hot. Just the way you look when you giggle.” I said looking into her eyes. She leant up and kissed me and then put her head back on my chest. I really do love this girl. She’s my everything.
“Mummy, I’m hungry.” Lis sniffed. Maddie sat up and picked her up.
“What do you want for lunch then Princess?” Maddie asked her. I smiled at my adorable girls.
“Pancakes!” Lis answered and Maddie laughed.
“Okay munchkin, just this once.” She said and walked into the kitchen carrying Lis. I listened as Maddie talked to her and then went into the kitchen. Melissa was sitting on the counter swinging her legs back and forth.
“I want to be a vet when I grow up,” Lis said.
“Why’s that?” Maddie questioned mixing the batter for the pancakes.
“Because I like animals and I want to make them better when they are poorly.” Lis replied.
“Ah okay,” Maddie poured the batter into the frying pan and began making the pancakes. After about 10 minutes she had made both. She put them on a plate and picked the plate and Lis up and walked into the dining room. She put Lis down at the table with the pancakes in front of her and came back into the kitchen. She poured Lis a cup of juice and took it out to her. Just as Maddie got back into the kitchen, Brooke and Adam walked in. “Is it true that you don’t want to move to California?” Maddie looked at Adam.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, I’m just scared. What if I don’t like it?” He told her.
“I’m sure you will, and if you don’t then we’ll come back here.” She replied and one of the twins started to cry. I walked into the living room and picked up Amelia. I rocked her in my arms and she didn’t stop crying.
“Mads, I think Amelia wants feeding.” I said.
“Okay,” she came in and took Amelia off of me. She went upstairs with her and I went into the kitchen.
“Do you see what I mean? They’re way more important than us.” Brooke moaned.
“No they aren’t. What do you want for lunch?” I asked them.
“A cheese sandwich and crisps,” Adam answered and Brooke agreed.
“Go and sit in the dining room then and I’ll bring it out to you.” I said getting the bread out. It’s a hard job being a parent but I wouldn’t have it any other way, I love it. I love my children. I made the kids sandwiches and picked out a few packets of crisps and took them to them. Lis had just finished so I took her plate and cup and washed them up and then got Adam and Brooklyn some juice. Maddie came back downstairs carrying Amelia.
“Right, that’s Amelia fed. How’s Freya?”
“Okay I think.” I told her and took Amelia from her. I rocked my baby girl to sleep in my arms. She looked so cute. I helped make this baby. Just then Freya started crying bringing me out of my thoughts. Amelia woke up but I rocked her to stop her from crying. I don’t think I could deal with them both crying at the same time.
“Harry, can you change Freya? She stinks.” Mads held Freya out to me. We swapped them over and I went upstairs with Freya. I changed her diaper and then went back downstairs. All the stairs in this house are good exercise. I put Freya into her basket and sat down on the couch. “I’d forgotten how much effort babies are.” Maddie admitted.
“Me too,” I spoke, exhausted.
“And it doesn’t help that we have 3 more kids to take care of too.”
“They’re right you know. We’re not going to have any time with them. It’s all going to be about Amelia and Freya.”
“Well we’ll have to make time for them then won’t we?” She said.
“Hmm, I’m gonna take them up to the nursery and put them to sleep.” I picked up Freya in one arm and Amelia in the other.
“Okay babe,” she said and I went upstairs. I put them into their cribs and they went to sleep quite easily. I stood watching them for a bit and then someone came upstairs.
“Daddy?” I heard Lis say. I turned to her.
“Yes baby?”
“Mummy said you’d take me to see Auntie Belle and Uncle Niall.” She told me.
“Did she now?” I got the baby monitors out of the drawer. I turned one on and left it upstairs and picked Lis up and went down to Maddie. “Did you say I’d take Lis to see Belle and Niall?” I asked giving Maddie the baby monitor.
“Nope, but it’s a good idea.” She kissed my cheek and smoothed out Lis’ hair.
“Well then I’ll take her. Do the others want to come?” I asked. She shrugged and I went into the living room asking who wants to come. Both Adam and Brooklyn jumped up. “Let’s go then. Get into my car.” I told them putting Lis down. I put my shoes on and went into the kitchen. “Call me if you need anything baby. I’ll see you soon.” I kissed Maddie and went out to the garage. The kids were already in the car and I got in and drove out of the garage shutting the door behind me.

Notes

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY FREYA LILY STYLES AND AMELIA HOPE STYLES. (Amelia was originally called Kylie but then I realised my main character in another story is Kylie so I changed it to a name that I like even better!) What do you think of the names?

I just want to let you know that I have planned out exactly how this book is going to go now, I know what I have to write before I end it, and don't worry, there will be at least 50 chapters including the ones already on here. At the end of the book, I'm going to write an epilogue and then give you a few facts about me. You only know my name at the moment, so when I end this, I want you to know more. THERE WILL NOT BE A SEQUEL.

As much as I love writing this story, I can't see it going anywhere further. I may change my mind whilst writing but I doubt I will. I have 2 other stories that I'm working on so I'm going to focus on them. I hope all of you lovely people appreciate that and I want to thank you for the continued support that you give me. Sorry for the really long authors note!

Day 20
Day 21


CHAMPIONS! My football (soccer) team were presented with their trophy welcoming them back into the league today so I'm hyped, which is the reason behind the double update that I'm going to do! I love you alllll!


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