Soupy surprise (disaster)

I look about the kitchen with wide eyes, wondering where I went wrong. With just a quick scan of the room I can see the catastrophe I’ve caused. Across the counters is a splatter of a strange looking mixture that looks nothing like the soup it was supposed to be; not to mention the blackened pot still smoking on the floor. I scratch my head thinking I didn’t leave the kitchen for that long but then again…maybe I did.

I plug my nose as the stench reaches me then I rush to the door shutting it quickly, hoping my wife Islandbabe did not smell that. After all, the soup was supposed to be a surprise.

I take one more look at the mess sighing softly before rolling up my sleeves and getting cleaning tools: several rags, a pail of water, and soap. I whistle a tune softly as I clean the counters first waiting for the pot to cool down before touching it. I carefully mop the floor up hoping the smell leaves soon otherwise Babe would know for sure what happened.

I stand by the door surveying my work before slipping out the door with the recipe box in my hands hoping to find an easier recipe. Mumbling softly I set the box down seeing that the soup I attempted was the easiest of all.

I sniff the air smelling the burnt food mixed with the smell of soap then look up the stairs to our room wondering if my wife smells it yet; hoping she hasn’t. I lean back on the couch closing my eyes softly folding my arms trying to decide what to do next.

I smile softly watching Babe waddle down the steps. As I see her pull out blankets, nails and a hammer I stride quickly to her taking those items in my arms saying, You shouldn't be handling these love.

I tuck the blankets under my right arm, I'll hang these up right away and then help you with the fires. I reach my left arm around her gently helping her up the steps to the top of the staircase. I smile to her reassuringly as I quickly secure the blankets to keep the warmth in upstairs, I'll be back baby, be careful. I kiss her tenderly holding her as tight but gentle as I can.

I chuckle then slide down the banister turning into the kitchen releasing more of the smell into the lower floor. I hold my breath as I find the source of the smell. I bundle it up the take it outside a good bit away from the house.

Turning back to the house I shiver slightly as it has gotten quite cold outside. I enter the front door feeling the warmth of the house as I run up the stairs, carefully going through the blankets. I make sure the blankets are set perfectly before I go looking for my wife, hoping she hasn't over done it. I chuckle finding her in one of the childrens rooms.

.........
Looking up with my eyes filled with tenderness looking to Malion smiling pleasantly to him while he takes the blankets and other items from me. I agree that he should hang the blankets as my tummy might hence my ability to do so. Watch him tuck the blankets under his arm as he left arm extends around me I lean gently into him. I smile meekly to him as we head to the stairs, my hand gracing his back squeezing his shirt trying to keep upright

Before leaving the lien closet I reach over pulling another towel from the shelf in order to cover my mouth attempting to keep the smoke from filtering into my lungs and possibility harming my unborn child. I know I should soak the towel in water however there isn't enough time. I must return to the upper floor check on my babies. I'm slightly relieved knowing that my hubby is going to take care of the matter at hand. Thus knowing he shouldn't have let it get so far out of hand in the first place.

Upon reaching the top step I turn notice that the first floor has almost cleared of the smoke with a cloud still linger about the ceiling while it continues to slowly etch toward the window. The stint that remains is so over bearing and atrocious.

Shifting my weight with the baby bouncing inside as I hold the blankets helping Malion as he hangs them at the top of the staircase. Meet his kiss with my hands perched upon his shoulder feeling his muscles flex under my fingers.

Smiling sweetly to him as he finishing the task, I slide one of the blankets aside seeing him descend using the banister instead of the steps causing me to chuckle.

Hearing the wind whip through the bare trees I say to Malion: If you go out make sure you bundle up it's horrid out there. I remain watching him disappear from my sight, move from the top of the stairs turning walking down the hall to baby J's room.

Open his door finding him sleeping soundly, slip off my slippers tiptoeing further in and over to the fireplace placing another log on the fire bringing it to blaze. Stand walk over to his crib smiling wide as seeing the position in which he has gotten himself. I know I left this tiny lad on his back however he has turned himself over laying on his tummy. His legs are tucked up under him with his head upon his hands and his right thumb being suckled. Carefully lean in taking hold of his blue blanket covering him. Without disturbing move my hand caressing his blonde hair and softly kiss him.

Walk gently leavong his room decide to skip putting my slippers on and continue on down the hall to Jhavanna's room. Slipping into her room I find that the fire within is alight needing no additional logs. Out of my peripheral I see movement thinking that she might be waking instead find her snuggling her teddy bear closer. Still amazed that these perfect little people came from me, they are such wonderful delights to watch grow and experience things for the first time.

As I caress lovingly down her back I hear the whimpering of baby J along with my attention being drawn to the light seeping in through the crack of the wooden blinds. I open the left shutter seeing that the drifting snow flakes are huge and my eyes widen watching them swirling rapidly about.

Check on Beth one last time before dashing back down the hall to Jarrod's room finding him sitting up in his crib with his blanket over his head. I stand watch him for a few seconds as he pulls it off his head then covering himself. I chuckle out loud catching his attention and he stops smiling wide and stands up reaching for me. I walk over picking him up kiss he cheek and whisper: "hi little man I see you're nap time has ended.”

As I carry him into the hall I see Lemuel standing in his doorway half asleep. I walk down to him take his hand in mine help guide him to the library when I hear Beth bouncing in her crib. I place Jarrod on the bear skin rug tell him to stay put as I got get his sister.

Entering Beth's room her little eyes light up seeing her mommy and her bouncing quickens. I walk over to her picking her up kissing her cheek softly saying: "Hi baby girl you ready to go play with your brothers?” Carry Beth to the library her little figure squirming, anguish to get to her brothers and the toys that await.

As we enter the library my force is diverted upon the figure climbing the book case, I have to restrain myself from screaming out. Place Beth on the bear rug then walk over gently pulling Jarrod from the shelf hugging him tenderly telling him that he knows that's off limits. I place him next to Beth and Lemuel along with several toys for them to play with.

As I stand to go sit in the rocking chair Lemuel ask if I could read them a story, smiling lovingly to him I reply: “I would love to read you a story. Which story would you like?”

Lemuel points to the top shelf of the bookcase and I think should have let Jarrod continue on his adventure he could have gotten it for me. I cackles without realizing replying alright The Princess and Prince it shall be. I scoot the step up over in order to reach the book pull it down then sit down in the rocker begin reading.

Begin reading the book.....
One upon a time there was the most handsome prince, he was the ruler of all his land. One day the prince decided that he wanted to adventure about the country with his best mate Prodi. Prince Cody walked down the marble hall of his massive castle to his best mates room.

Pause reading as the french doors open to the Library, look up as I hear Malion chuckling. I nod to him as he winks then exits.


...........

I smile softly seeing Babe and the children together, with Babe reading them a book. I motion for her to continue as I slip back out searching through the house for stuffed animals.

I return to the library with an armful of animals of all shapes and sizes. After sitting down next to the children I pull out a lion from the pile of stuffed animals that i set at Babes feet. I wink at my wife lovingly then hold up the lion as handsomeness and a mountain lion as Prince Cody. I slide onto my tummy then crawl in the middle of the children, tickling them with the lions.

As I listen to Babe I act out all she says in her story, adding sound effects as I go. Eventually I drop the stuffed animals picking up Jarrod with my hands and setting him on my shins before I lift him with my legs high above me. I smile up to him laughing but still listening to Babe as she tells the story of Cody.

I look up to Babe from my upside down position grinning at her innocently as I set a giggling Jarrod on the floor. I scoot up slowly sliding under the rocking chair, making faces at the children, causing them to laugh more.

I stop as I see the rocking chair stop, knowing Babe knows I'm doing something. I peek my head out from under the rocking chair smiling up to my wife innocently.

I wave to her chuckling softly before lifting my hand up caressing her hand then to her tummy smiling as I feel our little one being so active. I turn my head winking at the children before I gently poke her tummy, hoping for a poke back from our unborn baby. Smiling to my love tenderly, I feel our baby poke my finger back, Fiesty one ehh? Must take after her mommy.

After crawling back from under the rocking chair I roll onto my stomach propping my head on my hands, looking up to Babe with a smile on my lips as the children decide to hop on my back for a ride like Prince Cody.

I lift myself to my hands and knees, making sure Lem, Jarrod and Beth all have firm grip on my shirt. Then i slowly crawl around the rocking chair being careful not to drop any of the riders as I circle around the room.

After a few trips around the room, my arms and legs begin to tire. I pause in front of the rocking chair, smiling up to my wonderful wife, I think the children are tired love. I wink at her, trying to hide my owm weariness as I lower myself down to the ground letting all the children off.

I chuckle noticing Lem has his thinking look on his face, knowing he's thinking of something. Meanwhile, Jarrod and Beth seam to be hungry and tired all at once, as well as doing a little dance showing their need for the restroom and soon.

After looking up to my wife, I stand up carefully picking Jarrod up with one arm and Beth with the other. I do believe these two need a little break. I'll take them so you can rest dear.

I walk carefully to the facilities letting Beth go first, saying, Ladies first. Then after she is done I let Jarrod go. After making sure their hands are washed I return to the room saying, I think I had better check the lower floor. I gently kiss my beautiful wife, holding her face in my hands then caressing her tummy softly, I love you.

Leaving once again I step through the blankets immidiately feeling the chill the open windows have brought but no longer smelling the mess that was in the kitchen. I slide down the banister quickly closing all the windows, which was hard to do as my fingers were freezing cold.

I stoke all the fires I can on the lower floor trying to heat it back up in case Babe wanted to eat. After moving into the kitchen I look in the pantry. A slow frown comes to my face as I see the amount of food stored there. I begin counting amounts, knowing there won't be enough this harsh winter for my ever growing family.

I sigh softly, knowing i will need to take a trip to town soon, before it gets any colder outside. I leave the pantry slowly walking to the living room fire where I warm my hands looking upstairsm wondering how my wife will take the news.

After I am warmed completely I straighten my face, adding a small smile as I don't want to worry her tonight. I run up the stairs, through the curtains only feeling a slight change in temperature.

Stepping closer to Babe I caress her cheek softly, All is well on the main floor love. It's warming up quickly and should be fine for you to go down there. I've closed all the windows and the smell seems to be gone. I can watch the children we're going to practice their coloring.

I pause, assessing my wife making sure she feels well. As long as you are careful honey. I can help you down the stairs if you need it.

As I wait for Babe's reply I watch Jarrod and Beth with a smile on my face. I chuckle as they both eat their cookie and drink their milk, knowing they love their mommy's cookies.

I reach over ruffling Lem's hair saying, Can you watch over your mommy for me? I need my little man to take care of her while you're both making us some lunch. I wink at Babe kissing her cheek.

I smile watching Babe stand up slowly then I lean into her soft caresses. I reply, Just make sure to tell me if anything is wrong love. I kiss her fingers as they slide off my cheek slowly, chuckling as Lem takes his mommy's hand, hurrying her out of the room.

I sigh happily watching my wife leave, knowing by her movements that it wouldn't be long before another child would be added to our family. I turn grinning at Jarrod and Beth saying, Are you two ready to have some fun? Hearing their squeals of delight I look around until I find the object of my search, every shade of water colors one could imagine.

I spread them out across the floor after making sure that the children have paper to color on. Smiling as Jarrod immidiately reaches for the blues while Beth goes after the pinks and purples I tell them how to carefully use the watercolors without coloring things I know Babe would not enjoy being colored.

I look about the room with a mischievious smile as I find an empty space on the wall, perfect for a little family picture. I look back to Beth and Jarrod finding them happily splattering colors everywhere in their attempt to make pretty pictures for their mommy. You're both doing wonderful, I know mommy will like her new pictures. Bethie smiles saying she's drawing flowers while Jarrod insists he's drawing a picture of Prince Cody.

As they both put their signs on the page to show that they made it I quietly ask them both if they'd like to color on the wall for mommy. Their eyes open wide, both saying, Mommy said not to color on the walls. I reply, I know but you're only going to color on it a little and we're going to practice on paper first so we get it just right.

I pull out extra pieces of paper instructing Jarrod and Beth to draw pictures of themselves. As they work on their pictures I take out a piece of paper drawing a picture of myself with my wonderful wife. I chuckle as I draw thinking Babe would appreciate it if I didn't draw her tummy as big as it is now, knowing that her tummy is not always that big.

As I draw I accidently splash Jarrod with a little bit of paint causing him to squeal slightly. I look at him innocently pointing at Beth causing her to give me a look that was so very close to the scolding look my wife gives me when I'm doing something mischievious. I grin at Bethie splashing a little at her then chuckling as I see Jarrod sneak up and color my cheek. I turn around looking a little hurt then draw a line across his cheek causing him to laugh.

Soon Beth joins into the water color fight adding her pinks to Jarrods blues on my face, neck and shirt. I laugh softly getting colored the most as our papers are quickly forgotten and moved away to dry.

I catch sight of myself in a mirror as I pick up Jarrod with one arm and Beth in the other saying we better get cleaned up before mommy see's. Jarrod and Beth both squeal happily as I take them to the nearest sink.

Smiling softly I set them on the counter taking a wash rag to Beths face first washing her very carefully so as to not get anything in her eyes. After I am sure I've gotten every color off her face I move on to Jarrod washing his face completely. As I begin to dry Jarrods face I hear the water turn on then feel water land on the back of my neck sending shivers down my back. I turn to Beth chuckling as I see her gasping for breath as she laughs so hard.

I flick a little water at her then lean down kissing her clean cheeks saying, Are you being a good girl? She nods her head with her eyes widening as she watches Jarrod climb up onto my shoulders. I reach up with my hand holding onto Jarrods feet so he doesn't fall then I take Beth in my other arm cuddling her close to my chest.

I jog carefully about the first floor causing Beth and Jarrod to laugh and squeal happily with Jarrod holding onto my hair and with Beth clutching to my shirt as strong as she can.

I make sure they both have a good hold before I move to the stairs, sliding down the banister then running back to the top and sliding down again. I chuckle, taking deep breaths as I hear them saying, Again daddy again! I reply, I don't know if daddy can go again he's getting tired.

But then as they insist on another time I slide down the banister once more before running to the kitcchen and peaking in the door just a little hoping Babe doesn't catch me before I take off back up to the library.

...............


As the sunlight dances through the window the kitchen fills with the aroma of potato's becoming chips with the sound of chatter, laughter and thumbing coming from the upper floor. I can only imagine what they must be into as I cradle Lemuel against my bust.

He opens his eyes as the fragrance fills his senses asking; Are they chippies now mommy?

I smile tenderly to him as the thumbing continues replying; Yes I do believe they are ready, let's do check.

Although knowing my husband and the amount of giggling that is going on, he is most likely sliding the children down the banister. Lemuel slides off my lap as I scoot placing my hand on the table pushing hard in order to stand, wobbly I make our way to the fireplace beside Lem and begin pulling out the pot checking on the potatoes.

I smile asking: Well what you think son, ready?

Lemuel's deep blue eyes look into pot at the golden potatoes then up to me licking his lips; I thinks they are ready to eats.

Chuckle reply; I do believe you are correct! Point to the counter saying: See the bowl the teal one? Bring that over here along with the holey spoon.

Oskay mommy, Lemuel replies as he darts across the room.

He returns with the items smiling wide; Here mommy!

Thank you, now you hold the bowl while I dip the potatoes out of the pot into it, alright. I reply

Lemuel replies: Yes ma'am!

I begin carefully dipping into the grease pulling out mounds of potatoes placing them into the bowl with Lemuel watching each spoonful as his body sways with excitement and anticipation. As I dip back into the pot pain strikes hard causing me to stop my movement bending over groaning softly while lowering the spoon so I don't drop it.

Lemuel lowers the bowl asking: Did you burn?

No baby, I didn't get burned (rub my tummy)I think baby likes chips too, I reply

After a few minutes the pain releases and I continue to take the chips out of the pot placing them into the bowl. Completing this task I gather the rod moving the hanger back into the fireplace. The bowl is heaping with chips I instruct Lemuel to take them to the counter so that we can add salt. He carries the bowl like a newborn. I move over to the counter gathering up the salt block pull a knife from the drawer begin scraping salt over the bowl of chips. I giggle saying
to Lemuel: I think this might work better if we pour the chips out on a towel.

I lay the towel upon the counter saying to Lemuel: Okay little man pour out those chips.

Lemuel's face wrinkles as he lifts the bowl attempting to tilt it over. The bowl slides on the counter he quickly moves forward blocking the bowl from sliding off the counter. He cackles nervously saying: Oh, that was close.

You're doing fine, I reply

He keeps control of the bowl dumping the chips onto the towel, I scrap the salt over all the chips then grab the edges of the towel begin dumping the chips back into the bowl when I hear the kitchen door creak. I turn seeing the door close knowing it has to be my hubby
and I wonder if he has the twins with him. I turn my attention back to Lem saying: alright time to take this hot chips to the table and let's make some sandwiches.

We both move to the table taking our respective seats when Lem says: I would like both ham, turkey, beef please.

I reply: sounds good to me, would you like cheese too?

He squeals: Yes me likes cheese.

I ask: You think the others will smell the chips, come or shall we call for them?

Before my words exit my lips the kitchen door swings open.

...........

As I wait for Babes instructions about lunch I reach down touching her belly softly with my fingers saying, You need to rest love, it's nearly time.

I look at Babe sheepishly, grinning at her as I see she found some watercolors I missed on the children. I chuckle, We may have found some water colors dear but don't worry we were careful. I wink at Beth and Jarrod, sending them into loud fits of laughter.

I kiss her lips tenderly, looking into her glistening eyes as I rub her tummy. I bend down whispering to our unborn child, Be good for your mommy little one, daddy loves her very much. I smile to Babe then walk to the cellar to find the cheese.

After looking around in the cellar I find the round cheese. Pausing for a moment I sigh softly knowing that a trip to town must be made soon due to the lack of food in the cellar and pantry and with the weather turning bad for the winter.

I return to the kitchen with the cheese in hand, smiling at Babe. I look around the kitchen drawers until I find a knife and a cutting board. I begin slicing the cheese by showing my wife one of the pieces and waiting for her approval of it's size.

After slicing a good amount of cheese, with some extra I look to Babe lovingly saying, What's next? I sneak a littla piece of cheese and chew on it silently.

Grinning at the children I take a slice and then break off a small piece bringing it to my wife's lips. I wait for her to take it before I lean down picking her up in my arms then sit down in her chair with her on my lap. I chuckle then whisper, You need a special chair love, with lots of cushioning. Are we ready to eat now?

I chuckle then return Babe to her seat carefully with a kiss on her cheek. After searching through the cabinets I find the cups, setting them upside down on the table in front of the children and my wife . I find both the juice and the milk in the fridge, quietly asking each of our children what they would like to drink.

I grin at Babe then act like i'm going to pour onto an upside down cup causing all the children to gasp. I wink at them then flip the cups right side up as I pour their drinks. Turning to Babe I ask, What would you like to drink dear? We have milk, juice, and water...possibly tea?

While waiting for her answer I begin to put cheese in the sandwiches, letting Lem help me a bit. After making sure everyone seemed settled and ready to eat I find my own cup and poor juice into it before I sit down in my own chair. I look lovingly to Babe then ask Lem, Would you like to say the blessing for us?