Subject: The Arcade... a twin story (M/f) Sampast/DLandhill
From: SamPast@aol.com
Date: 1999/08/20
The Arcade... a twin story (M/f) c1999 Sampast and DLandhill
(Regular disclaimers apply... you know the drill.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was taking the girls out to celebrate tonight. Jennifer had woken up to a dry bed and she was so excited. It didn't happen very often, and Lisa and I wanted to show her that we were proud of her. Not that the bedwetting was her fault; we surely didn't blame her, but she felt so insecure about it. After all, she was seven years old already, and still wet the bed, almost every night.
After tossing around several ideas, going to Nathan's was where Jennifer chose to celebrate her big achievement. The twins loved the hot dogs there and of course, the game room, where I was sure to lose a lot of money.
I had come home after a long day of work, very tired, as usual. What I really wanted to do was change into shorts and a t-shirt, eat leftovers and watch the tube. But I couldn't disappoint my girls; I loved them too much.
So, I came home, changed into jeans and a golf shirt, kissed my lovely wife, and waited for the girls to be ready. If only they could be ready quickly.
"Come on, Girls, let's get ready," I said.
"Okay, Daddy," Jenn said.
Robin said, "Oooh, Daddy, can I wear a dress?"
"A dress? Oh, yuck!" Jenn said, wrinkling her nose.
Robin gave Jenn a look and said, "Shut up, Jenn." Then she turned to me and said, "Can I, Daddy?"
Oh, man, it was starting already, and we hadn't even left the house yet. I took a deep breath and said, "If you want to, Robin. But do NOT tell your sister to 'shut up'."
"Yes, Daddy," Robin said, and went to her room to get dressed.
I looked at my other darling daughter and said, "Jennifer, you don't have to wear a dress, but don't say nasty things to your sister about it."
Jennifer replied, "Okay. Daddy? We're gonna go to Nathan's, right? I wanna play video games."
"Yes, baby, that's where we decided to go. That was okay with your sister, wasn't it?" I asked.
"Yes, but it's my choice, anyway, right?" Jennifer asked.
I went to the twins' bedroom and confirmed with Robin that Nathan's was okay. Then I went to the den to rouse Lisa, who had fallen asleep on the couch. Jennifer came in after me.
Jennifer said, "C'mon, Mommy. We're almost ready to go."
Lisa didn't move. I nudged her and said, "Honey?"
She opened her eyes and looked up at me. "Oh, Charlie, I'm not feeling very well. Hon, would you mind if I stayed home?"
"But Mommy, this is my special night out!" Jennifer cried.
"I know, Jenn, but Mommy doesn't feel well. We can all do something together another day. You can have this special time with your daddy."
Jennifer said, "Yeah, I guess." I could tell she was crestfallen.
Lisa continued, "Is that okay, Charlie? Will you be all right with them alone?"
I pulled Jennifer close to me and hugged her. I said to Lisa, "I'm sure I will honey, but will you be okay on your own? Do you need a doctor, or anything? What's wrong?"
Lisa replied, "No, I don't need a doctor. I just feel a bit achy, and my stomach hurts. It's probably just a virus. Really, I'm fine. You go ahead. I'll just rest."
I said to Jennifer, "Baby, go brush your teeth and we'll be ready to go, okay?"
Jenn took one last look at Lisa and then said, "Okay," and bounded out the door.
I looked down at Lisa. I loved her so much. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea. We can just stay home and take care of you."
Lisa looked up at me. "Oh, hon, don't worry. If I feel really bad, I'll call my sister. You know Joan, she'll be at the door in seven minutes with a crock of chicken soup. Besides, I don't want you to disappoint the girls. They've been looking forward to this all day."
I sighed. "Okay. Take good care of yourself, honey, please." I kissed Lisa on her forehead. "We'll be back early. Try to get some rest."
I went into the kitchen, "Okay, girls, are you ready?"
All of a sudden, two beautiful little girls, all dressed up, were beside me. Robin was wearing a blue and green dress with parrots on it. She called it her bird dress. Jenn was wearing a red and white striped shirt, with red pants.
"Well, you two girls look ready to paint the town red. Now, it's just you and me tonight, so I need you to be extra good for me. Okay?"
Robin answered, "Okay, Daddy."
"Yes, Daddy, I promised, remember?" Jenn asked. She was so excited. "Can we go? Can we go?"
I had to laugh. "Yes, we can go. Come with me," I said. I called out to Lisa, "Good bye honey. Feel better. See you later."
Soon I had a little hand in each of mine. We rode down the elevator and walked to the car. The girls chattered nonstop on the short ride to Nathan's. They talked about their day in school. It was almost like they had their own language between them. I couldn't keep up.
When we got there, the girls ran up to the counter and looked at the menu board. Surprise of all surprises, they both wanted hot dogs. I ordered the food and brought the tray to the table that Jenn picked out. I placed the food in front of the girls and said, "Eat up and enjoy."
After only three bites, Robin announced, "I'm done, Daddy. Can I go play?"
"No. Wait for your sister, and try to eat a bit more than that, please, Robin."
"But I'm fullllllll!" she whined.
Now there is nothing I hate more than whining, and my girls know this. I looked at Robin, actually I stared her down. She hung her head and said, "Sorry, Daddy."
"Now, if you don't want to eat, okay, but you will wait until your sister is finished," I said easily. Robin smiled. Then I warned, "But don't complain later that your are hungry. And I assume you are too full for any dessert."
I was teasing, but Robin didn't know it. She sat up and said, "No, I'm not too full for dessert. Watch, Daddy, I can eat the rest of my hot dog!" She took three more bites and that dog was history.
"But I can't finish my fries, do you want them, Daddy?"
I shook my head no. Jenn asked, "Can I have them? I'm still hungry."
"If Robin is sure she doesn't want them, you may have them, Jennifer."
Jennifer finished off her fries, and then Robin's. I was amazed. I don't think I had ever seen Jennifer eat so much. I guess she was excited about being out and about.
Robin was becoming impatient. "Can we go into the arcade now, Daddy?"
"Yeah, can we? You're not gonna give us a whole bunch of rules, are ya?" Jenn asked.
My girls hated it, but I always gave them rules. Not too many. Just a few to keep them safe. I hate to admit it, but Robin and Jennifer did not follow directions very carefully. More than once I would have to give them gentle or not so gentle reminders. I was not looking forward to letting them loose in this arcade.
"Just a few, girls," I began. "Stay together and don't go anywhere but the arcade without checking with me. Here's two dollars in quarters for each of you, and you may use any money of your own that you have with you, but no asking for more. Behave. No yelling or running. Is that clear?"
Jennifer said, "Yes, Daddy."
Robin said, "Yes, Daddy, but..."
"But what, Robin?" I asked. Was it starting already?
Robin asked, "Only two dollars? Can't we have more?"
Yes, it was starting. I had to remember to stay very consistent. "No, but you can have less if you want to argue about it. Remember, that is two dollars extra, in addition to your regular allowance."
"But I, okay, yes, Daddy," Robin finally said.
Then Jenn pulled her toward the arcade. I stopped and watched. They really were adorable. I watched as they played Pacman, and then Ms. Pacman. Then Robin came to me and asked me to explain the rules of Donkey Kong to her. I looked around for Jennifer. She was playing pinball, but I don't think she was getting the hang of it.
After a few minutes, Jenn came up to me and said, "Daddy, I need to go potty."
I looked at Robin. She was completely engrossed in the Donkey Kong game. "Okay, Jenn, come with me. Robin, stay right here until we get back -- we won't be long."
I took Jennifer's hand and led her to the bathroom. "Okay, sweetie, Daddy will wait right out here for you."
Jennifer went in and was back out not two minutes later. "That was quick, baby. Did you wash your hands?"
"No, I forgot. Be right back, Daddy."
I smiled. She was so cute. I couldn't believe the twins were seven already. They grow up so fast.
When she came out the second time, I took her hand and we walked back over to the Donkey Kong game. I don't know why I was so surprised, but Robin was not there. I started looking around, with Jennifer in tow.
I went through the entire arcade, and didn't see Robin. I was getting upset. I asked an attendant if he had seen her. In describing her, I used Jennifer as a sort of sample.
Thankfully, he had seen her. He pointed me toward the back of the arcade, where the skeeball games were set up. There was Robin happily playing skeeball. My face was beet red. I don't know if I was more angry or relieved. I think even Jenn was shocked that Robin had done this.
She looked up and saw me. "Hi, Daddy, look how many points I have. I'm getting lots of tickets." She was smiling from ear to ear.
I was very upset. I didn't know how I had missed seeing Robin and this perhaps made me even more upset than I should have been.
"There you are. I thought I told you to stay by the Donkey Kong! Why did you come over here? We have been looking all over for you, young lady." I knew I had already lost it. I was angry, upset and irritable.
Robin, apparently noticed this. She looked up at me all innocently. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I lost at Donkey Kong, and I only had three quarters left of the money you gave me, and I wanted to play skeeball." She hesitated, and then her lower lip began to tremble. "I'm sorry, Daddy."
I took a deep breath. I knew that Robin didn't mean to run away, and she hadn't left the arcade. I calmed down a bit. "All right, we've found you now. Let's let it go for the moment, and discuss it later at home if we need to. Jennifer, what do you want to play now?"
Both the girls stared at me, wide-eyed. I think they were shocked that I did not punish Robin. I guess, in the past, I have been quick to spank, and ask questions later. I tried to calm myself down mentally, and smiled at them. "Hmmm?" I asked.
Jennifer got over her shock, and decided she wanted to play skeeball, too. I played, as well. It had been years, but I found that I was still pretty good. I gave the girls some tips, and we all got high scoring points.
After awhile, and lots of tickets later, I realized it was getting late. "Okay, girls, it's time to go, now. Choose your prizes at the prize desk. How many tickets do you each have?"
"But Daddy, I don't wanna go! I haven't spent all the money yet!" Robin whined. She opened her hand and showed me the quarter she had left.
My patience was gone. "Robin! That's quite enough out of you. I said it is time to go, and I meant it." I turned her around and gave her one hard smack on the rear.
"Ow, Daddy!" she cried.
I said to both girls, "Now go pick out your prizes and do it quickly or we will go home without any prizes."
Jenn ran off to the prize counter. Robin started to follow her, but I pulled her back. I got down on one knee and looked straight into her eyes. I put both my hands on her shoulders and said, "And you and I, young lady, will definitely have a 'discussion' about behavior when we get home. Now scoot!"
I sat down on a bench, not far from the prize counter. I rubbed my face with one hand and tried to get myself to calm down. I know I should not let my little ones get to me the way they do.
Before I knew it, Jennifer was at my side. "Daddy, look what I got!"
I looked at the prizes. They were all these little, dinky, plastic toys. They probably cost about a dime to make. But I'm sure Jenn would treasure them for a while. A very little while, anyway. "Is that what you picked, Baby? Where is Robin? Has she picked her prizes yet?"
Jenn said, "I don't know, Daddy. She wasn't next to me when I chose them. I thought she was here with you." She paused when she saw my reaction. I guess she realized she had probably just gotten her sister in big trouble. "I mean, I think she went to the bathroom," she said hurriedly.
I wasn't buying it. "Where could she be? You didn't see her? Your sister has just gotten herself into BIG trouble unless she has a VERY good reason."
I got up and looked around. I said to Jennifer, "Baby, you sit right here on this bench while I look for Robin. Okay?" She nodded.
I looked around the arcade, thinking that Robin had gone back to play one final game with her left-over quarter. I knew I should have taken it away from her. After checking the skee ball game again, I tried the bathrooms. Robin came out a second later.
"Uh, hi, Daddy, sorry I didn't tell you I had to go potty after I got my prizes!" she said.
I looked right into Robin's eyes. "Did you go back and play another game first, young lady?" I asked sternly.
I guessed what the answer was. Then when Robin couldn't even make eye contact with me, I knew for sure. I waited. Finally, she looked at the floor and slowly shook her head. She knew she couldn't add another lie. And she wouldn't have the quarter anymore. "Yes, sir."
Simply, I said, "I see. You are in trouble, Robin." I took her wrist firmly and again gave her a single hard swat on her rear.
She began to cry, and put her hand back to protect her bottom. We went to retrieve Jennifer from the bench.
"Okay, let's go, Jennifer. Robin, we are going straight home and you and I will continue our discussion there."
Jenn just sighed and stared at Robin, and shook her head, like Lisa did. I had to chuckle to myself.
All the way home, I looked in the rearview mirror. Jennifer was feeling sort of sad, and I knew how Robin was feeling. Guilty. She had disobeyed me not once, but twice.
When we got home, I was surprised to find a note on the kitchen table. It said: Hi, hon, Joan stopped by and thought I looked terrible and made me go home with her. I'll probably just sleep, so I'll call you in the morning. Sorry to leave you with the girls like this, but I probably wouldn't be much help anyway. I hope they behaved for you, and that you had a good time. Talk to you tomorrow. I love you, love Lisa.
After reading the note, I said, "Mommy isn't here tonight, girls. Jennifer, please go to your room and get ready for bed. Robin, come with me. We have some things to discuss.
Robin followed me to my bedroom. She knew what was going to happen and began to cry. I gave her a quick, firm hug. Then I stepped back and sat on the edge of my bed. I pulled her close. "Robin, what did you do wrong tonight? Why am I going to punish you?"
She started to beg me. "No, Daddy, please, don't punish me!"
"Why not, Robin? Don't you think that you acted naughty?"
She nodded her head and continued crying. "Yes, Daddy, but I know I was wrong. Please don't spank me!"
"I am going to spank you to help be sure that you remember what you did later, and don't act that way again. Now, so I know you understand, what did you do wrong tonight?"
Robin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She began, "I, I, I didn't listen to you and went to play another game." She then paused, and then continued, "Two times."
"That's right, Robin. I told you to do something, and you deliberately went and did something else instead, going where I didn't know where you were. That is always against the rules. You also whined several times."
She just nodded.
I continued, "Now I am going to punish you so that you won't act like that again."
Robin nodded again. I could tell my little girl was trying to be brave. I took off her dress and laid it on my bed. Then I pulled down her panties and laid her over my lap. She began to sob.
And I began the spanking. <SMACK> <SMACK> <SMACK> "You will do <SMACK> as you are told. <SMACK> You will <SMACK> not <SMACK> run off <SMACK> without permission, <SMACK> much less <SMACK> against <SMACK> orders." <SMACK>
Robin cried out, "Yes, Daddy, I promise I won't."
<SMACK> "You will not <SMACK> whine at me. <SMACK> You will be behave better, <SMACK >particularly when we are out on a treat." <SMACK> <SMACK> <SMACK> <SMACK> <SMACK>
"Okay, I promise!" Robin cried. "I'm really sorry, Daddy."
I raised my hand to end the spanking. Just then, Jennifer peeked into the room. "Daddy?" she asked, quietly.
I looked at Jenn. Then I gave Robin three final spanks. <SMACK> <SMACK> <SMACK>
"Okay, your spanking is over, Robin," I said. I pulled her into a hug and let her kneel on my lap. She put her arms around my neck and cried on my shoulder.
I looked at Jenn again. "What is it, Jennifer?"
Jenn walked tentatively into my bedroom. "Daddy? Robin seemed so sad, and I hated hearing her cry," she said. Jenn came over to Robin and gave her a big hug. I pulled Jenn into my lap as well.
My heart went out to both of them. Twins really are special. They have this unique bond, which I will probably never understand. I said, "I'm glad you feel for your sister, Jenn. Robin acted naughty, and that means a spanking, as you know. But it is all over now, and I am sure you will both act like GOOD girls for me from now on, right?"
I had tears in my eyes. I loved these little girls so much. And it killed me to have to spank either of them. But it's what I was brought up with, and felt that they needed to become responsible, well-behaved girls.
"I love you girls," I said.
Jenn cried, "We love you, too, Daddy!"
Robin nodded and held on to me tighter. I gave her an extra squeeze.
I looked up at the clock. It was getting late. I gently pushed Jenn off me, and stood up, still holding Robin. "Jennifer, go get into bed. I will be right there to tuck you in."
I hugged Robin to me. "There, there, lovey, it's all over. I know you are a good girl, but sometimes you don't act that way. Then I have to set you straight."
Robin said, "Yes, Daddy."
"Come on, now. Let's get you ready for bed."
I sent Robin in to wash and brush and went to get Jenn all ready.
She asked, "Daddy? Where's Mommy? I miss her."
"I miss her, too, baby. She wasn't feeling well and went to stay with Aunt Joan tonight. She will be back tomorrow," I explained, as I fastened Jenn's pantsies on her.
Just then, Robin came into the room and slipped on her pajamas. I gave them each a kiss and pulled the covers right up to their chins. "Good night Robin, Jennifer.
Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite."
I went to the door and waited for the familiar rhyme to continue. Jenn said it, "But if they do, take your shoe, and beat them til they're black and blue." Then she added, "I love you, Daddy."
From Robin's bed, I heard, "Me, too, Daddy. Sorry I was naughty tonight."
I went back into the room, and knelt down next to Robin's bed. "I'm sorry too, sweetie, that you ACTED naughty, but you've been punished, so now it is all over. I hope we won't have to do that again, because I know that you are really a good girl at heart."
I gave Robin another hug and kiss. Then I went over to Jenn's bed and did the same. "You too, Jennifer."
"Good night, girls. I love you. See you in the morning."
I turned on the nightlight, switched off the room light, and closed the door firmly behind me. No one ever said taking care of twins was going to be easy. But I wouldn't trade my job as daddy to them for all the money in the world.
Good night!
the end.