Subject: New Beginnings... Cradle Time- part 1
From: SamPast <sampast@AOL.COM>
Date: 08/30/1999
New Beginnings... Cradle Time-Chapter 1 Copyright (C) 1999 Sampast; All Rights Reserved.
This story contains spanking of (fictional) children. If this is not your thing, then don't read it. It also contains lots of love and emotional interaction, written as well as the author could manage. If all you want is a spanking scene, with no emotions, this story may not be for you, because you won't find that here.
This story is a work of fiction. The author does not endorse or encourage the actual spanking of real children in any way. All characters are the products of the author's imagination.
Do not copy or distribute this story without written permission from the author. Permission to keep one personal archive copy is hereby granted. Do not write other stories using these characters without permission from the author.
This story is presented in multiple chapters, or parts, due to its length. The copyright notice and disclaimers apply to all the parts. These parts form one entire story, and are not to be distributed separately.
Send any comments to SamPast@aol.com. Praise or constructive comments are always welcome.
------------------Chapter 1 ---------------Maggie looked up at the school building. Summer really was over. It was the first day of school. Maggie was not looking forward to it. She had a wonderful summer. She and her new friend, Pam, had called and written many times since they left the Dude Ranch. Something wonderful always seemed to happen there. Last summer, she had met the twins, which led to her getting a daddy. And this summer, she had helped get Pam's parents back together. Sure, they all got into lots of trouble, but that always seemed to happen, Maggie thought.
Maggie looked up at the school again. The bell would be ringing soon. She had to get to class. This year, Maggie was in fifth grade, and she had the meanest teacher in the school, Mrs. Clarke. Actually, from what she heard, anyway. Maggie was hoping it was all a lot of rumors.
The bell rang and Maggie ran to get to her new classroom. She ran in and took the only available seat left.
"You must be Margaret," the teacher said.
Maggie looked up. Was she talking to me? "Um, yes, ma'am. But my friends call me Maggie."
"Well, I'm not your friend, so I'll call you Margaret. You're late, Margaret. That is not a good way to start off the school year," Mrs. Clarke pronounced. Maggie gulped. Maybe the rumors were true. "Uh, yes, ma'am," she said. "Very well, since it's the first day of school, I'll let it go. But if it happens again, you'll get a note sent home. Is that understood, Margaret?" "Uh, yes, ma'am."
Maggie wished she was back home. Not that things were that wonderful there either. Now that her mom, Heather, was pregnant, things sure were different. Well, not really that much, except that her mom got up and was sick every morning. Maggie was getting tired of hearing the retching noises from her parents' bedroom every morning.
Maggie thought it was going to be a long nine months. Heather had found out she was pregnant over the summer, while they were away at the Dude Ranch. Maggie thought back to that day when she overheard her mom and her Aunt Lisa talking. Maggie had been so mad; she had run away. That was one of many times she had gotten into trouble.
"MARGARET!" her teacher's voice boomed.
Maggie was startled out of her reverie. "Huh? What?" Maggie asked. All the kids laughed. Maggie looked around. The teacher and all her classmates were staring at her. It took her awhile to get back into focus.
Meanwhile, Heather sat in her class at the university. Oh, why had she agreed to go back to school? She and Bob had argued over this. He felt now that she was pregnant, she could stop for a year. But Heather had insisted she would be fine. She would take classes until January, and then take a year off. She had no idea how difficult it would be to get up every morning, and drag herself to classes. The past two weeks had been horrendous. She had had to drop Maggie off at daycare on her way to the university. Maggie resented it, Heather was sure. Maggie probably resented her, too. Heather knew that Maggie was not too thrilled that she was pregnant.
Heather knew she had to do better this semester. She had barely passed her classes last semester. She had finally showed her grades to Bob. He hadn't said much. She knew he was disappointed. Heather was disappointed in herself as well. But all Bob had said was, "It was your first time. You'll do better next term." Heather wasn't so sure.
Back in elementary school, it was lunchtime. Julia, Maggie's best friend, from fourth grade, was waving to her across the playground. Maggie ran into her arms. "Oh, I miss you so much," Maggie said. Unfortunately, they were in different classes this year.
"I miss you, too. At least we get to have lunch together," Julia said. "How's your teacher? Mine is so nice."
Maggie looked around. She had already made her teacher mad twice in one day. She whispered to Julia, "She's really mean. I hate her." "Why?" Julia asked.
"She already embarrassed me twice. And she calls me Margaret. I hate that. Even my parents call me Maggie," Maggie paused. "Except when I'm in trouble." Julia laughed. "It's only the first day, Maggs. It'll get better." At that, Julia linked her arm around Maggie's waist and the two headed off for the swings. Maggie played with Julia all through recess. She was almost sorry to have to go back to her class.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Clarke gave out a handout of classroom rules. Ugh, Maggie hated rules! There were always rules. Rules at daycare, rules at home, rules at the dude ranch, rules at her cousins' house. Maggie daydreamed of a place where rules did not exist. It would be wonderful; no one telling you what to do. No one correcting you when you made a mistake. In fact, there wouldn't be any mistakes.
Maggie's thoughts of her dream place of no rules turned into thoughts of that morning. She had argued with her mother over whether to wear a sweater. Maggie didn't think she needed one, but Heather had insisted. Maggie had cried to her daddy, but he told her she had to do whatever her mother said. Things at home had been very tense since summer ended. Aside from Heather's morning sickness, she had been very moody. Maggie never knew what to expect from her mother from one minute to the next. She was constantly getting into fights with her mother over minor things. She had asked Bob one morning about it.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, sweetie?" Bob asked.
"What's with Mommy? She's very cranky lately."
Bob swooped Maggie up and held her on his lap. "Well, honey, that's what happens to women when they are pregnant. Their hormones are out of whack." "Well, I don't know what hormones are, Daddy. But Mommy is making me nervous. I feel like I can't say or do anything right around her."
Bob said, "Maggs, you just have to be on your best behavior and help Mommy out whenever she needs it, okay?"
"Okay, Daddy."
Hmmm, thinking back on it now, her daddy hadn't really been much help. Maggie would have to do some more thinking. And fast. Her little bottom had gotten smacked many times from her mommy the past few weeks, for really dumb things. It all had to do with rules.
Rules! Rules? Uh oh, Maggie looked up. Mrs. Clarke was staring at her again. Maggie looked away. She was embarrassed. It was only the first day of school, and already her teacher must think she was an idiot. Oh well, only 179 more days to go.
Things would get better. They had to get better.
(to be continued In part 2...)
Subject: NB: Cradle Time-part 2 Date: 09/05/1999 From: SamPast <sampast@aol.com>
New Beginnings : Cradle Time-part 2 Copyright (C) 1999 Sampast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The class started filing out, and Maggie thought, ohhh god, free at last, when she heard, "Margaret, will you please stay for a moment?" Ohhh no, not the first day, ohmigod, Mommy and Daddy are going to KILL me, thought Maggie, as she waited. Some of her friends gave her sympathetic looks as they left, but Maggie felt her stomach falling to her shoes. After everyone else had left, Mrs. Clarke asked Maggie to come closer. Scared, and shaking, Maggie did as she was told.
"Look at me Margaret," Mrs. Clarke told her.
Maggie had problems making eye contact, but she finally did, and was surprised to see concern on Mrs. Clarke's face.
"Okay Margaret, it is just you and me now. I read your student folder, and I must say, you don't seem to be the same young lady your last teacher spoke of. You seemed to be far away today. Is that right?"
Maggie hung her head again, and barely whispered, "Yes ma'am". "Tell me, is something different going on at home?" Mrs. Clarke asked, concerned.
Maggie didn't know what to say, and was silent for a long time. Mrs, Clarke gently put her hand under her chin, and when she lifted her face, she saw slow tears falling down Maggie's face.
The troubled look told Mrs. Clarke that something was definitely wrong, and she intended to find out what it was. She knew she had a reputation for being mean, but she was a champion of children, and couldn't stand seeing them unhappy or possibly being abused.
Not wanting to rush her, Mrs. Clarke told her, "Look, Margaret, I know this was your first day, and I also know that you don't know me all that well yet, but I think you will come to trust me, and I want you to come to me if you are unhappy about anything, okay?"
Maggie didn't have any idea what to say, so she nodded her head. "Is there anything you would like to tell me dear?"
"No, ma'am", Maggie replied in a whisper.
"Okay, run along, but remember, I am here to help, okay?" "Okay," Maggie replied and flew out of the room. She had been sooooo scared, but now she was confused. She wondered what Mrs. Clarke had really wanted her to tell her, but didn't know. Grownups were sure confusing these days. She really felt she had no one to talk to, and felt so lonely and afraid.
Maggie got home a few minutes before her mom, and gave a silent prayer that her mom wouldn't find out she had come home late. Hearing the door open, and Heather calling, Maggie went into the kitchen. Heather was slumped at the table, head resting in her arms. Maggie tried to go to her, and hug her, but Heather pushed her aside, and asked her not to touch her, as she didn't feel well. Coming on top of the bad day she had already had, Maggie fled to her room, and slammed the door. Throwing herself on the bed, she sobbed and sobbed, but no one came in and she finally fell asleep.
"Wake up, Princess." Bob gently shook Maggie awake and told her it was time for dinner. Waking up slowly, she snuggled in her daddy's arms, and hoped he wouldn't push her away like her mom had done earlier. The hurt of that was still fresh, but she didn't say anything to her dad.
"So, tell me all about your first day in school," Bob tried. "Not much to tell, Daddy. I got Mrs. Clarke for a teacher, and everyone said how mean she is, but I think she can be nice," Maggie declared. "That's nice, sweetie. Well come along, and let's have dinner, okay?" Bob asked, holding out his hand for Maggie to take.
She took it and said, "Sure, Daddy."
Once again, she felt put off somehow, as if she weren't really important. During dinner, the conversation was all about Heather, her day at college, the baby, doctors reports, etc, and neither of her parents paid her much attention at all. During dessert, Bob asked Maggie if she would like to go spend the weekend with her cousins, Jennifer and Robin, who were identical twins. Maggie perked right up, and said, "Ohh boy, would I!"
Maggie didn't think the weekend would EVER come, but it did, and on Friday evening, she kept asking her dad how soon they would be leaving. He finally got annoyed enough to turn her over his thigh, give her a few quick swats, and tell her to calm down, or she wasn't going to go at all.
"Am I clear, young lady?" he asked, annoyed.
Rubbing her bottom, she answered, "Yes, sir, crystal clear." "GOOD!"
Knowing how anxious she was, Bob did speed it up a bit, and finally they were ready to leave.
"What about Mommy?"
Bob said, "She is going to rest, sweetie. You know how tired she gets." "Ohh, okay, I guess," Maggie said. Then she added, "Will she be okay?" All of a sudden, Maggie became very concerned, like there was something they weren't telling her.
"Yes, Mommy just needs a lot of sleep right now. Peace and quiet are just what she needs," Bob explained.
Maggie mulled that over, and started thinking that they really wanted to be rid of her for the weekend. Maybe she was too noisy, or a bother, maybe they really didn't want her at all anymore; just the baby.
All sorts of thoughts ran through her head as they drove to her cousins' house. Bob wondered why she was so quiet, and tried to get her into a conversation, but after fifteen minutes of one word answers he gave up.
That night, after lights out, Maggie asked her cousins what they would think if their mom became pregnant.
"Why? Do you know something we don't know?" Jennifer asked. "No, I was just wondering, what you would think," Maggie replied. "It would be okay. Why? What's up?" Robin asked.
Maggie said, "I don't know, just asking I guess."
"No you're not," Jenn replied, "come on, tell us, whats up?" Maggie started to cry and the twins got worried. When Maggie's sobs got worse and they couldn't calm her down, Robin decided it was time to get their dad. Maggie didn't see or hear her leave the room; she was too far gone to know much of anything.
Robin ran into the den and said, "Daddy, come quick." "What's the matter, sweetie? Why are you up?" Worried, Charlie asked if someone was hurt.
"No, Daddy, but Maggie is crying sooo hard. We can't stop her, and we don't know what's wrong, so I decided to come get you.
Charlie rubbed Robin's head and said, "Good girl, sweetie. Come on, let's see if Maggie will talk to me."
Robin followed her daddy back to her room. Charlie saw that his niece was quite hysterical. Scooping her up, he held her in his arms. He had a real soft spot for this little lady, and he hated seeing her so upset. He sat and rocked her until she finally felt his love, and quieted down some. "Okay, Jenn, Robin, get back under the covers and get some rest." "Yes, Daddy," they both replied, eyes wide, wondering what was up with Maggie.
Charlie picked Maggie up and carried her out to the den. Sitting on the couch, he held her close in his lap, and asked her if she was ready to talk. Maggie wanted desperately to spill out her heart, and fears to him, but she just didn't know where to start, so she shook her head no.
Not wanting to leave it there, Charlie kept pushing, but Maggie had put the walls up, and he finally realized she would have to talk to him when SHE was ready, not when HE was. Charlie rocked her until she fell asleep, no more enlightened than before. Carrying her back to bed, he gently kissed her forehead, and hoped that he could find out whatever was causing her to be so miserable by the end of the weekend.
The next morning, the twins let Maggie sleep late. They knew she had had a rough time the night before. They were surprised to see their daddy in the kitchen when they got up.
Robin went to Charlie and hugged him. "What are you doing home, Daddy?" she asked.
"I'm not working today," he answered.
Jenn's eyes got wide. Her father worked every Saturday, mostly, and sometimes on Sundays, too. He was a manager of a local supermarket, Foodtown. The twins had gone to work with him sometimes, and it had been really fun. "How come?" Jenn asked.
Charlie went over to his little girls, and leaned down to them, and said, "Because I took off to be with you two and Maggie."
"You did?"
They all turned around and saw Maggie, standing in the doorway, all sleepy-eyed. Charlie nodded, and said, "Yes, I did. Tomorrow, too." Maggie came over to her uncle and said, "You mean you took off from work because I was coming here?" she asked, bewildered.
Charlie said, "Why are you so surprised, honey? I love when you come to visit. I wanted to spend some time with you."
"You do?" Maggie asked. She was not used to this, at this point. Here she was thinking she had become a burden to her parents, and now she was confused. "I think Maggie's still asleep, Daddy," said Robin.
"Maybe," Charlie said, laughing. "How 'bout we go wake Mommy and have a nice big family breakfast?"
"Can we have sausage?" Robin asked.
"Yeah, and pancakes?" Jenn added.
Charlie smiled and said, "Sure, we'll have both." Then he turned to Maggie, "Anything special you want, sweetie?"
Maggie was still so surprised, she didn't know how to answer her uncle. Finally, she just shook her head no. Charlie was stunned, but didn't say anything. He went in to rouse Lisa and then got breakfast started. During breakfast, the twins chattered on about school, their friends, and Uncle Jack. He was their uncle, and also the school's principal, although no one at school knew that. Maggie tried to follow the conversation, but she was so wrapped up in her own thoughts. At one point, she dropped her fork. It clattered to the floor, getting maple syrup everywhere.
She froze. Charlie started to get up, but Maggie jumped up, and said, "No, it's okay, I'll get it. I'll clean it up. Really. You won't even be able to tell it's sticky when I'm done."
Maggie flew around, grabbing the sponge, and cleaning up the syrup. Charlie and Lisa watched in utter shock. They saw the fear in Maggie's eyes and wondered what was going on.
"There, see, I told you. You can't even tell there was syrup there," Maggie said.
Lisa nodded. "Yes, sweetie, you did a very good job cleaning up. But don't worry, it's okay. I would have gotten it."
Maggie stared at her aunt. She was so confused. At home, if that had happened, Heather would have said something like, "Oh for crying out loud, Maggie, look at the mess you made." She might even have smacked Maggie and sent her to her room. But Aunt Lisa and Uncle Charlie didn't say anything; they kept right on eating.
Maggie started to relax again. She was just getting into the twins' description of this mean girl at school, Lorraine Grimm, when Maggie knocked over her glass. Milk spilled across the table, and started dripping down onto the floor.
Maggie jumped, and cried. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I'll get the sponge. I'll clean it up."
This time, Charlie and Lisa jumped into action. Lisa went and got the sponge and started cleaning up the milk, while Charlie went to Maggie. He lifted her out of her seat before the milk could get on her. He held her to him and said, "Maggie, it's all right." He sat down in his own seat with her on his lap. "Honey, it's only milk, it's okay."
Maggie was crying. Charlie held her tight. Robin and Jennifer just stared at their cousin. They could not figure out what was wrong with her. Charlie shushed Maggie. "Shh, shh, it's all right. Come on, now, tell me what's wrong."
Lisa came back to the table after wringing out the sponge and said, "Yeah, don't tell us you're crying over spilled milk."
Everyone laughed. "Oh, Mommy, that was bad," Robin said, giggling. Even Maggie chuckled. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just clumsy," Maggie said, jokingly.
Charlie reassured her. "Nah, you're not clumsy. It was just an accident. Happens all the time." And to prove his point, he nudged his glass of milk over, and watched as it spilled across the table. "Oooops," he said. Lisa smiled at Charlie and then pretended to frown. "Char-lie!" "What, dear? Accidents do happen," Charlie said, laughing. Maggie finally loosened. Here she was okay. Her aunt and uncle were not as intense as her parents had been the past several weeks. Here she could relax. Maggie, who was still sitting in Charlie's lap, threw her arms around his neck and said, "I love you, Uncle Charlie."
Charlie was taken aback by the sudden change in Maggie's demeanor. When he had overcome his surprise, he held her tight and said, "I love you, too, Maggie."
Charlie turned her around and let her finish her breakfast on his lap. "So, what should we do today, girls? It's pretty nice out. Do you want to do something outside?"
Robin and Jennifer looked at each other. "Could we go to Adventureland, Daddy?" Jenn asked.
Charlie looked at Lisa. She nodded. "Sure, we can. Would you like that, Maggie?"
Maggie nodded. She had never been there, but Robin and Jennifer had told her all about it. It was a little amusement park. They had big rides and kiddie rides, and lots of games. There was also a place to play miniature golf. "Okay, then it's settled. You three go wash and brush, and get dressed. We'll clean up out here, and then get ready. All right?"
"Okay, Daddy," Robin and Jenn said. "All right," Maggie said. The three of them ran into the twins' room to get dressed.
Lisa and Charlie started clearing the dishes. Lisa asked, "What do you suppose that was all about?"
"I don't know," Charlie answered, and told his wife about the night before. "Something's going on with that little girl. We just need to find out what it is."
"Hmmm," Lisa said. "I have a feeling we'll get to the bottom of it by the end of this weekend."
"I hope you're right, Lisa. Bob didn't say anything about Maggie being so emotional. I wonder if he's aware of it," Charlie mused.
When they got to the amusement park, Charlie sat the girls down on a bench and said, "Okay, now, I know I don't have to tell you this, but I'm going to anyway. I don't want to hear that you weren't warned."
"Oh, Daddy, more rules?" Jenn asked.
Lisa turned to Jennifer and said, "If you're going to start the day by whining, we'll go right home, missy."
Charlie continued, "You must stay with us at all times. You must hold someone's hand, even if it's each other's. And you must tell us if you're going anywhere. Do you understand?"
Both Maggie and Robin nodded.
"Hold hands? Daddy, we're in fourth grade. What if we run into people we know?" Jennifer whined.
"Jennifer!" That was from Lisa. She pulled Jennifer up from the bench and took her aside. She turned her around and slapped her bottom hard. "I told you if you whine, that we will go right home. Now, knock it off." Jenn rubbed her bottom. "OW, Mommy." She looked around. She hoped no one had seen that. "That hurt."
"Well, maybe that will be a reminder to you to stop it. Now, are you going to behave yourself?" Lisa asked.
"Yes, Mommy," Jenn said.
"Good." They walked back over to where Charlie was sitting with Maggie and Robin. Lisa gently pushed Jenn back onto the bench. "Now, listen." "I don't want to have to keep reminding you three of these rules. This is a big place, and I don't want anyone getting lost. Do you understand?" Charlie asked.
"Yes, Daddy," Robin said.
"Okay, Uncle Charlie," Maggie said.
They all turned to Jennifer. "Well?" Charlie asked.
"Okay, Daddy," Jenn said, careful to keep the whine out of her voice.
They started out in the kiddie park. Robin wanted to go on some of the rides. She didn't like the big ones. They went on the swings, and Robin actually enjoyed it. She didn't think she would.
When they got off, Robin went up to her parents and said, "That was fun." Lisa smiled. "I'm glad you liked it, sweetie."
"Yes, I'm proud of you for trying it," Charlie said.
Next they went on the mini roller coaster, and the teacups.
"Ugh, I feel sick," Maggie said. "I forgot how dizzy I get on those." Jenn and Robin just laughed at her.
Charlie and Lisa had decided to get each of them the bracelet. It cost more than buying individual tickets, but this way they could go on any ride. They knew they'd want to go on lots of rides, so that seemed to be the best way all around.
"Ooooh, bumper cars, can we go?" Jenn asked.
Charlie looked to see where Jenn was pointing. "Okay, but that's not in the kiddie part. You have to be a certain height. Let's walk over there and see." They were tall enough, so the three of them went on. Afterwards, Robin laughed about how Maggie had tried to bump her three times, and Jenn had done it twice. They were having a great time, and Charlie was amazed they had managed to stay out of trouble. He said as much to Lisa.
"So far. We'll see how long this lasts," she laughed. Charlie laughed too. Whenever the three of them were together, they always got into some kind of trouble.
They went into the restaurant for lunch. It was just like Nathan's. All three girls had sodas, hot dogs and fries. And while Lisa and Charlie finished up their lunch, they gave each girl a dollar and let them go play in the arcade.
"And don't wander off," Charlie told them.
"Stay together," Lisa called after them.
The three of them waved back and ran into the arcade. "What are the odds they'll stay together?" Lisa asked her husband.
Charlie pretended to think. "Ummm, three to one." They both laughed. But they both got a good surprise, when they went into the arcade. All three girls were together. Jenn and Maggie were playing Pacman, while Robin was playing Ms. Pacman, at the machine right next to it.
Lisa and Charlie went over and watched. When the game was over, Lisa asked, "Are these our girls?"
Charlie looked them over. "I don't know. They look like our girls. But it can't be them."
Robin laughed and said, "Why not, Daddy?"
"Because our girls would have separated and wandered off by now," Charlie said, jokingly.
"Oh, Daddy!" Jenn said. "We're being good." "Yeah, can't you just be happy?" Maggie asked.
"Of course, we were just teasing you. Come on, girls, what's next?" "I want to check out some of the bigger rides," Jenn said. "Yeah, me too," agreed Maggie.
"Not me. But I'll play some games. They have those cool games up that way," Robin said.
"Yeah, that cost a dollar or two, and you never win," Jenn said. "Or you win a stupid little stuffed animal, that looks like a mop," laughed Maggie.
Robin laughed, too. "Yeah, but it's fun."
***
So they headed up to the big part of the park. Jenn and Maggie looked around. They saw the swings. Not the ones in the kiddie part, but the big swings.
"Oooh, look, let's go on them!" she shouted, excited. "Yeah," Maggie agreed. "Come on, Robin."
Robin looked up. These swings were much higher than the ones in the kiddie part. "Um, I don't think so. They look scary."
Jenn said, "Aww, come on, Robin, it's fun. You didn't want to go on the other swings, and you loved them."
Maggie said, "Yeah, come with us."
Robin didn't know what to do. On one hand, she wanted to go with them. Jennifer was right; she hadn't wanted to go on the little swings, but had loved them. On the other hand, she was a fraidy cat, and she knew it. "No, I don't think so," said Robin. "I'll sit this one out." Maggie looked at Jenn and Jenn looked at Maggie. They both grabbed Robin's hands and ran toward the ride. "COME ON!" they shouted. Before Robin could protest, she was being helped onto one of the swings. Charlie and Lisa waved from behind the gate. They were amazed in the transformation of Robin. She never liked the big rides.
It was scary, but a little bit fun. Robin felt her stomach buckle under a few times. She was scared. She felt a little bit exhilarated, but mostly upset. She started to cry; she wanted off. But the ride kept going on and on. From Charlie and Lisa's viewpoint, they couldn't tell that Robin was crying. When the ride stopped and she was unbuckled, Robin ran right into her daddy's arms. She was crying pretty hard by then.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Charlie asked, picking Robin up and holding her. "You okay, lovey?"
Robin held tight to her daddy's neck. She had been really scared up in that ride. Lisa stood by and rubbed her daughter's back. "It's okay, Robin, it's only a ride."
Charlie and Lisa sat on the nearest bench, with Charlie pulling Robin into his lap. He continued to soothe and comfort her, when Jenn and Maggie ran up. "Hey, what happened?" Jenn asked.
"Yeah, what's the matter with Robin?" Maggie asked.
Lisa said, "She just got scared on that ride."
"Why?" Jenn asked.
Robin turned around and spat at Jennifer, "I told you I didn't want to go on! You pulled me on."
Jenn looked stunned. She didn't mean to make Robin cry. "HEY! If you didn't want to go on, you should have just said something."
"I DID! I TOLD YOU I WAS GOING TO SIT THIS ONE OUT, BUT YOU PULLED ME ON ANYWAY!" Robin shouted.
"Now, now, there will be no shouting, Robin," Charlie warned, putting his hand on her back.
"But Daddy, she did. They both did," Robin sobbed into her daddy's chest. Charlie looked over Robin's head at Jennifer and Maggie. "Is that true?" Jenn looked at Maggie and Maggie nodded. "Uh, yeah, I guess so. But we thought she was just being, I don't know."
"Silly." Jenn finished for Maggie and Maggie nodded again. Lisa spoke up. "It's not silly to be afraid of a ride. If Robin didn't want to go, you should have respected her wishes."
"Yes, you two know better than that," Charlie scolded, softly. "Are we in trouble, Daddy?" Jenn asked.
Charlie looked at Lisa. She looked at her watch. "Well, mabye you two should have a little time-out."
Charlie nodded. "Yes, good idea, honey. You two sit down right here, for twenty minutes."
"Twenty minutes? But Daddy, that's too long!" Jenn protested. He looked at her. "Do you want to make it a half hour?" "No, sir."
"Good, then sit. Robin, what would you like to do?" Charlie asked. Robin looked around. She pointed to the games. "Okay, let's go." Lisa said to the girls. "I suggest you two don't move. We'll be right over there." Lisa pointed out a game, not thirty feet away.
When the twenty minutes were over, Robin ran over to them and said, "Mommy and Daddy said you could get up now."
Jenn stood up. "Thanks. Look, Robin, I'm sorry we pulled you on the ride." "Yeah," Maggie said. "We didn't mean to make you upset." Robin thought and said, "Yeah, that's okay. Hey, look what I won." She showed them two small fuzzy somethings, that sort of looked like a duck and a rabbit.
"Cool," Jenn said. She looked around. "Where's Mommy and Daddy?" Robin pointed. "They're in that candy shop. They said to meet them there." "Okay, let's go," Jenn said to Maggie. "Maggs?" "What's over there? Where that pirate is?" Maggie asked. The twins looked. Robin said, "Oh, that's where the miniature golf course is. You wanna ask if we can play?"
"How much is it? Can we use our bracelets?" Maggie asked. "I don't know," Jenn answered, honestly. "Usually, we go there separate. We don't usually come here and go there. I don't know how much it is." "Let's go ask," Maggie said.
"Okay, come on, Robin, let's go," Jenn called.
Robin thought for a moment. Should they really go? Robin thought maybe she should tell her parents where they were going. She ran to the candy shop. "Mommy, Daddy, can we go see how much the mini golf costs?" Charlie looked at his watch. "I'm not sure we'll have time for a whole round of golf, Robin."
"But can we just see?"
"Okay, but then come right back here."
"Okay." Robin ran outside. "HEY, WAIT UP!" she called after her sister and cousin.
There was a long line at the mini golf area. The girls couldn't even see the sign with the price from over the fence, where they were standing. "Let's get a closer look," Maggie said.
The twins walked with Maggie closer to the giant pirate that they had seen from far away. The sign read $5.00 per game.
"Wow, five dollars. That's a lot," Maggie observed.
"Yeah, it is. Let's ask if we can use the bracelets," Jenn said. "Okay."
The three of them waited on the line. There was only one person selling tickets, and the line was pretty long.
Meanwhile, Charlie bought Lisa some malted milk balls and some gummy bears for the girls. They walked outside and waited. They looked towards the mini golf area.
"You think they're still over there?" Charlie asked Lisa. "They better be, and they better be together," Lisa answered. Charlie and Lisa walked over there. The girls had just gotten off the line. "It costs five dollars, Daddy. That's a lot, huh?" Robin asked. Jenn and Maggie looked up. It just dawned on them that Charlie and Lisa hadn't known where they were, and they wondered if they were in trouble. "How'd you find us, Daddy?" Jenn asked.
Charlie looked at Jennifer and said, "Because you're sister was smart enough to come tell us where you were going, Jennifer Lynn."
"Oh," Jenn said, smiling. "Then I guess we're not in trouble." "No, not this time."
"Phew!" Maggie said.
Lisa said, "You just narrowly missed being in trouble. You really shouldn't have come over here by yourselves."
"But Mommy, I came and told you," Robin said.
"Yes," Lisa answered, "and that was good. I was just warning your sister and cousin."
Charlie looked at his watch again. "Girls, it's getting pretty late. You probably have time for a couple more rides and then we should get going." "Okay, let's go try the bumper boats," Jenn suggested. "Yeah, I like those!" Robin said.
Maggie was quiet on the walk over to the boats. She had started thinking about Heather again, and had gotten pretty worried. What if her parents really were keeping something from her?
They stood by the boats. Charlie and Lisa were talking quietly. "Yeah, I just feel so bad for her. I've never experienced morning sickness, obviously, but she sounded like she was really in the ringer," Lisa said. "Yes, she did. I hope the doctor is able to find out what's wrong with Heather. I'm really worried about her," Charlie said.
Hearing her mother's name, Maggie's ears perked up. She heard what her uncle said, but not what Lisa had said. Maggie started getting very scared that something was definitely wrong with her mother. Maggie looked around. She saw lots of mothers with young children, and babies in strollers. Maggie was getting very edgy. She practically couldn't stand still. Suddenly, she wanted to speak to Heather right away.
"Girls, we're going to sit over on that bench over there. Find us when the ride is over, okay?" Charlie asked.
"Okay, Daddy," Jenn answered.
Robin and Jenn were so busy watching the other kids on the bumper boats, that they didn't notice Maggie walk away. Then Jenn turned around to whisper something to Maggie and she was gone.
"Hey, Robin, where's Maggie?"
Robin turned around. "I don't know. She was right behind me a second ago. Maybe she went to tell Mommy and Daddy something."
Jenn looked toward the bench. She saw Charlie but not Lisa. "Oh, well, Mommy's not there either. Maybe they went to the bathroom." "Well, she should've told us she was going. Gee, now I know how Mommy and Daddy always feel," Robin expressed.
Jenn nudged her. "You're silly, Robin."
Soon the line moved, and it was their turn to enter the ride. Jenn turned around and looked again for Maggie. "You think we should wait for her, Robin?" "GIRLS! NOW OR NEVER!" the guy yelled.
"Oh, okay," Jenn said, still looking over her shoulder. "She'll find us, Jenn. Or we can always come on again," Robin said, as she ran to a blue bumper boat.
After the ride, the twins ran up to Charlie and Lisa and yelled, "BOO!" Charlie laughed and started to tickle Jenn and Robin. They sat down with their parents on the bench. Charlie looked around. "Where's your cousin?" Jenn was startled. "What do you mean? Isn't she here with you?" Lisa said, "No. She was with you. On the ride."
"No, Mommy, she wasn't. We thought she came back here to you guys." Charlie stood up and looked around. "Where could she be? She knows better than to wander off."
Everyone stood up and started calling Maggie's name and looking around. Lisa said, "This is ridiculous, we can't all look. Robin, Jennifer, you two sit here on this bench in case Maggie comes back here. Daddy and I will look for her."
"Okay, Mommy. Gee, I hope Maggie's all right," Robin said. "Yeah, and if she is, she won't be soon. Daddy's really mad," Jenn added. Robin nodded.
Charlie and Lisa searched all the big rides, but they did not see Maggie. They looked back toward the mini golf, but no Maggie. They also checked the kiddie area, but they still could not find her.
"Where could she be?" Charlie asked, for the fifth time. "I don't know, honey. Let me check the ladies' room," Lisa suggested. They went into the restaurant. No Maggie. Charlie checked the game room. No Maggie. Lisa checked the bathroom. No Maggie. When she came out of the ladies' room, she saw Maggie near the payphones.
"CHARLIE! OVER HERE!" she called to her husband.
"Maggie!" Lisa yelled.
Maggie dropped the phone in surprise and whirled around to come face to face with a very angry Charlie and Lisa. They could tell she had been crying. ~~~~~~~
(to be continued... very soon!)
Subject: NB: Cradle Time-part 3 Date: 09/12/1999 From: SamPast <sampast@aol.com>
New Beginnings: Cradle Time (part 3) Copyright (C) 1999 Sampast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charlie woke up before dawn thinking about Maggie. He knew he had to find a way to talk to Bob and Heather about the problem without seeming to dictate or tell them how to raise their daughter, much as he wanted to. He knew he was pretty angry and upset over how she had been treated, and seeing her turn so inward, blaming herself for things that had nothing to do with her. By seven am he couldn't stay in bed any longer, and went to make coffee and think some more about how to handle things. A few moments later, a sleepy Maggie wandered into the kitchen with her thumb in her mouth, and silently crawled into her uncle's lap, and put her head on his shoulder. "Are you okay, Maggs?" Charlie asked concerned.
"I had a bad dream, Uncle Charlie."
Charlie could feel her little body trembling, and hugged her tight. "Well sweetheart, everything is fine now. You are safe, little one, and very, very loved. Do you feel that?"
"I know YOU love me, Uncle Charlie."
"Sweetie, everyone loves you, especially your mommy and daddy. I am glad you were able to tell me what was bothering you, Maggs, and I promise: things are going to get better."
"How do you know, Uncle Charlie?" Maggie asked, gazing up at him with the widest, most trusting eyes he had ever seen. His heart went out to her, and she had it wrapped in her hand, but he had to make sure SHE didn't know it. "Well, do you trust me? Haven't I always made things okay for you?" he asked. "Yes, Sir, you always have."
"Well then, trust me now, okay?"
Maggie nodded and Charlie gently rocked her until he felt her breathing even out again. Once again, he put her in bed, and hoped she would sleep for a few more hours.
~~~~~~~~~
Charlie decided that he HAD to talk to his brother and Heather, and silently got dressed and started driving over to their place. It was only a half hour drive, so he picked up some donuts on the way, and arrived around eight o'clock.
Knocking on the door, a sleepy Bob finally opened it up and was totally surprised to see his brother standing in the doorway.
"Everything okay?" Bob asked, startled.
"Well, not exactly. We need to talk, little brother. Can I come in?" "Umm, of course you can."
Backing up, Bob let Charlie in, and they headed to the kitchen. "Is Maggie okay?"
"No, she isn't, Bob, and I wanted to talk to you both about it." "Well, Heather had a bad night, and she is fast asleep. Why don't you and I talk, and we can fill her in later, okay?"
Thinking for just a second, Charlie decided that that wasn't such a bad idea. Bob made some coffee and the two brothers sat at the kitchen table with it and the donuts. Charlie sighed. Bob stared at his brother, wondering what could possibly be wrong with his daughter.
Charlie took a deep breath. "Well, to start off with, your little girl is pretty distraught right now."
"She is? Why?" Bob asked.
Charlie blinked. "WHY? YOU haven't seen anything? Are you blind or what?" "Whoa, wait a second."
"No, you wait," Charlie said. "YOU and Heather have a very serious problem on your hands, and you haven't even seen it coming, much less known that it has arrived."
"Okay, Charlie," Bob told him, running his hands through his hair. "Please, start at the beginning, and explain what the hell is going on, okay?" "Well, for one thing, you and Heather have been so wrapped up first in each other, and then with this whole pregnancy, that Maggie feels unloved, unwanted, in the way, the cause of her mom being sick all the time, and that she can't do anything right, or please either of you anymore. She doesn't think anyone cares that she exists, and that you and Heather just want the baby, and would be just as happy if she were to come live with Lisa and I." Charlie paused to gauge the reaction on his brother's face. When Bob didn't say anything right away, Charlie added, "I guess that sums it up in a nutshell, except that she is a nervous wreck, afraid her mother is going to die, and looks like a little refugee from a war torn country."
Bob stared at his brother. When he finally found his voice, he said, "Surely you must be exaggerating. I love Maggie with all my heart. She KNOWS THAT!" Charlie shook his head no. "Really? Well, let me assure you, she doesn't." Hearing the loud voices, Heather came out of the bedroom, holding her stomach, and rubbing her eyes. When she saw Charlie, she was surprised. "Hey you two, what's up? It's the crack of dawn."
"No, it isn't, Heather, it is almost nine am."
"Hmmm, okay, soooo, what's up, anyway?" she asked, sleepily. Bob came around to hug her, and helped her into a chair. He made her a cup of tea and filled her in on what Charlie had already told him.
"Why, that's ridiculous, Charlie."
"It is? You haven't seen what I saw so far this weekend. You two can be in denial all you want, but you have one seriously hurting little girl. And I for one, don't intend to let it continue. YOU two had better shape up!" Hearing that tone in his voice, Heather looked up at him, almost afraid. Charlie was angry, angrier than she had seen him in a long, long, long, long time, and it reminded her of the night, long, long ago, when he had spanked her until she had problems sitting down for days. Surely he had no intention of doing that again, not when she was pregnant. Did he?
Charlie looked back at Heather, and guessed what she was thinking. "You are lucky, young lady, that you ARE pregnant, or I would be tempted to put you over my knee again. And you Bob, where is your head?"
At this point, Bob had heard enough. "Look, you might be older, and more experienced, but that doesn't mean you know everything, so back off! This IS an adjustment period for everyone, and I know Maggie has had a lot to deal with, but we are here for her, and if she doesn't know that, then we will both try harder to show her."
Shaking his head, Charlie told him, "Well, I hope you can."
Later that day, Bob and Heather came over to get Maggie, and Lisa invited them to stay for dinner. Thanking her and declining, Bob told her they needed to get home. Bob had been studying Maggie, and noticed her pale face, shadowed eyes, and listlessness for the first time. He wondered if she had been like that for awhile and he had just not noticed.
All of his protectiveness came out, and he swung her into his arms, and held onto her tightly. "Magpie?" he whispered into her ear. "Yes, Daddy?"
"Are you my precious little one?"
"Ohhhh, Daddy," Maggie cried, and threw her arms around his neck. "I hope so, Daddy."
"Well, you are sweetheart, and you will always be, forever and ever, no matter what."
Bob stood there, with tears in his eyes, hugging his daughter, and Charlie thought that maybe things would be okay. At least for awhile. ~~~~~~~
Bob and Heather took Maggie home. No one said much in the car, but not from lack of trying. Heather kept asking what they did all weekend, but after Maggie told them about the amusement park, she said nothing.
Heather and Bob exchanged glances. Neither of them said anything aloud, but they both knew what the other was thinking. That Charlie had been right, and they had a big problem on their hands. They hadn't seen that a huge change had come over their daughter.
When they got home, Bob made them omelettes for dinner. It was just about the only thing Heather could keep down. Maggie actually chuckled when her daddy put the eggs on her plate.
"Daddy? We're having breakfast for dinner?" she asked. Bob looked at his daughter and smiled. "Yes, I guess we are." After dinner, Heather went to lie down on the couch, while Bob bathed Maggie. While she played quietly in the tub, Bob watched her. He couldn't believe how she had changed, and he hadn't noticed.
Fighting back tears, Bob tried to continue her everyday routines. "Ready for me to wash your hair, Magpie?"
Maggie looked up. "I love that nickname, Daddy. I remember when you gave it to me."
Bob smiled. "So do I. You were visiting me in Chicago, when I was packing to come here."
"Yeah, and you told me it was a kind of a bird. I liked it." "Me, too," Bob said, "Me, too."
Bob worked the shampoo in and then rinsed it off. Some soap got into Maggie's eyes, and she started to cry. Bob helped her get it out, and then lifted her from the tub and onto his lap, wrapped in a towel.
"Magpie, I love you so much. I hope you know that."
Maggie looked at Bob. "I love you, too, Daddy."
Bob dried Maggie off and sent her to her room to put on pajamas. He went to get Heather from the living room.
"Come on, sweetie, wake up, and help me tuck our daughter into bed." Heather barely stirred. Bob kept shaking her. She mumbled, "Not now, Bob, I don't feel well."
Bob raised his hand and landed a giant smack on Heather's rear end. She jumped. "BOB! What was that for?"
"I said, get up and help me tuck our daughter into bed." Heather sat up and looked around. She could not believe what her husband had just done. What if Maggie had seen that?
Bob just stared at his wife. "Didn't you hear a word of what Charlie told us this morning? Didn't you see our daughter?" Bob put his hands on Heather's shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. "Heather, our daughter thinks we don't love her. Come on, help me tuck her in."
Heather had tears running down her face. She finally realized that she had been so wrapped up in her pregnancy, she hadn't paid Maggie much attention. She nodded at Bob, and he helped her up.
The two of them walked into Maggie's bedroom together. Maggie was sitting on the edge of her bed, playing with some of her stuffed animals.
Maggie looked up when she saw both her parents. "Hi, Mommy, how do you feel? Do you want me to get you something?"
Heather shook her head and said, "No, sweetie. I don't want you to worry about or take care of me. That's what I'm here for, for you." Bob and Heather sat down on the edge of Maggie's bed. They held her between them.
Heather said, "Honey, I'm afraid Daddy and I haven't been noticing you or your feelings lately, and we're sorry."
"Magpie, we are here for you. Okay, baby? Anything you want or need, you come to us," Bob told her.
Maggie looked up at both her parents and a small smile came on her face. She thought back to that morning when her Uncle Charlie had told her he would make things all better. And he did, again.
(to be continued in the next part...)
Subject: NB: Cradle Time-part 4 (M/f) Sampast Date: 09/19/1999 From: SamPast <sampast@aol.com>
New Beginnings: Cradle Time-part 4 (M/f) Copyright (C) 1999 Sampast
Standard disclaimers, see part 1.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bob and Heather thought Maggie was better. For a few weeks, things were okay again. Heather was not snapping at Maggie, and Bob was trying to watch for signs of trouble, from Maggie. Of course, he didn't know that Maggie was not doing her school work.
Maggie realized her parents had changed again, but wasn't sure she could trust it. So, she kept her eyes and ears on alert at all times. In class, she daydreamed, and at home, she watched her mother. All the time. Heather would smile at Maggie, from across the room, thinking her daughter was doing homework. But she wasn't.
Maggie was so concerned over Heather's pregnancy and her health in general, that she could not concentrate on anything. Mrs. Clarke became even more concerned. She sent notices home with Maggie for Bob and Heather to sign. But Maggie never gave them to her parents.
Some she threw away; some she forged her mother's signature. Maggie had done that long before her daddy was around. She knew her mother's signature better than her own.
In the meantime, Heather was having her own problems. She knew she couldn't take out her frustrations on Maggie, so she kept them inside. They interfered with her own schoolwork. She was late to her classes because of her morning sickness, which hadn't died down. In fact, she felt nauseous all the time. Heather didn't remember it being this bad when she was pregnant with Maggie ten years before.
She knew her grades were suffering. She knew she should tell Bob, but she just couldn't. He had told her to take the semester off, but she insisted she could handle it. Heather did not want to admit defeat. She told herself she could pursue it; if only the nausea would go away.
Her professors told her that her grades were suffering; she was already on academic probation. If she couldn't bring her grades up, she would have to take a leave of absence. Then Bob would really be disappointed in her. Heather told herself she had to go on. ***
One Monday morning, when Maggie arrived in school, Mrs. Clarke said, "Okay, boys and girls, I hope you enjoyed the book over the weekend. I'm going to give you a surprise vocabulary test on the words you were supposed to look up." Maggie looked at her teacher, in awe. She thought she denoted a smile on her teacher's face. She couldn't believe it. Not only hadn't she looked up the vocabulary words, she hadn't even read the book. And it wasn't such a long book, either. Maggie had just been too lazy and too upset to read. After school, Mrs. Clarke sat staring at the quizzes. She could not believe that Margaret Clemente had gotten a zero. Most of the answers weren't even filled in, and it was multiple choice. She mulled it over for awhile and then picked up the phone, and dialed Bob at work.
When Bob came to the phone, he was surprised to hear that it was Maggie's teacher. "Yes, Mrs. Clarke, how nice to hear from you. Is there a problem?" "Mr. Clemente, you've gotten my notes, haven't you? There has been no progress in your daughter's work."
"Excuse me? Notes? What notes?"
Mrs. Clarke sighed. "Mr. Clemente, would it be possible for you to come to the school right now?"
"Of course. I'll be there right away, Mrs. Clarke," Bob replied. Bob frowned, and thought all the way from the University to the elementary school, trying hard to stay calm, and listen. Twenty minutes later, Bob sat in shock, as he listened to all that Mrs. Clarke had to tell him. Maggie had been inattentive, had failed several quizzes lately, and had not been turning in her homework.
He assured Mrs. Clarke that he had NOT seen her notes, and although it was possible that Mrs. Clemente had seen and signed them, he felt reasonably sure that she had not, which left only one conclusion. Mrs. Clarke showed him the notes, and although they LOOKED like Heathers signature, he still thought somehow it just wasn't.
It was definitely NOT like Heather to hide things like this from him. "Well, don't worry, Mrs. Clarke, we will certainly get to the bottom of this." Seeing his anger, Mrs. Clarke gently asked him if anything could be going on at home, to cause Maggie to be so inattentive. Bob's anger left in a heartbeat, as he saw the concern in Mrs. Clarke's face, and almost heard his brothers voice telling him that all was not well with his daughter. Sighing, he told Mrs. Clarke, that indeed all was NOT well at home. Maggie had a lot of fears surrounding her mom's pregnancy, not only because of how she herself would then be viewed within the family, but also because Heather had been unwell so far throughout the pregnancy.
"Well, Mr. Clemente, from what you are telling me, it seems that little Maggie really could use some help. Not necessarily academically, because I know she is a good student, and can do the work, but someone who she can really talk to. Now, I don't mean to imply that she can't talk to her parents, but I am recommending that maybe she needs some professional help." "Professional help?" Bob was stunned. Sure, he knew things weren't right, but professional help? "Well, I umm, well, we arrr, will have to think about that. Thank you for your time, Mrs. Clarke." With that, Bob made a hasty exit. Mrs. Clarke stared after him, and decided she might just have to take things into hand herself.
Bob walked into the door and found Maggie covering her mom with a blanket. Heather was fast asleep on the couch, school books and papers piled up on the coffee table.
"Hi, Daddy, you sure are home early," Maggie said as she smiled up at him. "I am just taking care of Mommy for a bit. She was pretty tired after school." Bob took in the scene, and wondered how many afternoons, Maggie was busy "taking care" of Heather, and not attending to her homework. Sitting in his chair, Bob called Maggie over and pulled her onto his lap.
"Tell me, Magpie, what have you done this afternoon since school?" "Well, let's see, Daddy, I cleaned up the kitchen, and made Mommy tea and toast, and then I dusted and took out something from the freezer for dinner, and then I was just getting out that blanket when you got home. Why, Daddy?" "Well Magpie, you sure have been a busy little girl, haven't you?" Maggie smiled up, thinking her Daddy was pleased with her, and was surprised to see him frowning. "Are you angry at me, Daddy?"
"Oh no, sweetie, I am not mad about you taking care of your Mommy so well. But, tell me sweetie, how much of your homework have you done?" "Ohh, that's all done, Daddy."
"Really, Maggs? Okay, go get it and show me. We can go over it together." Maggie started to panic, knowing she had lied to her Daddy. "Well, umm, I had some reading to do, Daddy, and I did that at school, and then ummm, maybe I should check my assignment book and make sure I have done it all." Maggie tried to jump off Bob's lap, but he had none of it. Lifting her chin up, he said, "Maggie, is it important to always tell the truth?" Maggie heard his stern Daddy voice, and knew she was in big trouble. "Yes Sir."
Maggie tried to look down, but Bob had a tight grip on her chin, so she had to look at him. "Tell me then, Magpie, who has been signing the notes that Mrs. Clarke has been sending home?"
Maggie turned pale, and silent, not at all sure what to do. "I want an answer, young lady, and I want it NOW!"
"Well, I, I, I," she began. Maggie just couldn't say it. Even in her mind it sounded awful. She knew what she had been doing was wrong. "Mommy is sooo sick all the time, and you are so worried, that I didn't want to worry either of you more than you already are," Maggie said, and paused. "And Daddy, I signed them myself." The last she said almost in a whisper. "Maggie, you know that answer isn't good enough. I want you to tell me WHY you are doing so poorly in school, and WHY you can't seem to concentrate, sweetie."
Slow silent tears slid down her face, and he felt her pulling away from him. He wanted just the opposite, but he didn't know how to do that. How could he get through to her, while also letting her know that what she did was wrong? He suddenly wished he had called Charlie before he came home.
"Maggie," Bob sighed.
"Yes, Daddy?"
"I love you, sweetheart, with all my heart, and that is never, ever going to change. Do you have that?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Do you really? Maggie?"
Maggie wasn't sure what her Daddy wanted from her. Why didn't he just spank her and get it over with? "I know what I did was wrong, Daddy, and I know you are going to punish me."
"Maggie, life isn't just about doing something wrong, and being punished. Not when you don't really clear the air. Sweetheart, it is just as important for us both to understand WHY you are doing what you are, and find out how we can fix it, as it is just to punish. Do you understand?"
"No, Sir," Maggie said quietly.
Well, at least she was being honest, Bob thought. He sighed. "Okay, let me try again. What do you think about in class all the time, Magpie?" Maggie shrugged her shoulders, not sure what to tell him. "That is NOT acceptable, Maggie. Try again."
Maggie was silent for several minutes, and Bob didn't want to rush her. He tried rubbing her back, and soothing her, waiting for her to open up. "Magpie, do you worry about something?"
Maggie slowly shook her head yes.
"Can you tell me what?"
Instead of answering, Maggie hid her face in his sweater, and he could feel her trembling and crying.
"Shhhh, little one. It is okay, really, just talk to Daddy, please?" Finally calming down, Maggie wiped her eyes on the handkerchief that Bob handed her, and took a deep breath. "I worry about Mommy, Daddy, I just can't seem to help it!"
"Ahhh, okay, what in particular are you worried about, sweetie?" She is sooo sick all the time, and she can't eat, and throws up EVERY morning, yuckkkkk, and I hear her. She can't even sip the tea I make in the mornings. And, she is soo tired all the time, she sleeps a lot. I just want to be here and take care of her. What if I am at school, and something happens? What if she needs me, and I am not here?" Maggie cried.
Bob finally felt the light go on. For so many years, Heather and Maggie really had only each other. Even living with her grandmother, Maggie felt SHE had to be the caretaker in the relationship, and old habits died hard. Bob kept stroking her back, and kissing the top of her head. "Okay, sweetie, I want you to listen to me, all right?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Your mom is having a hard time with this pregnancy. I am not going to treat you like a baby, or lie to you. BUT, she is going to get better; the doctor tells us that she will be much better in the second trimester, which will start in about 2 - 3 weeks."
Seeing her puzzled look, Bob told her what a trimester was, how many weeks a pregnancy took, and how a lot of women had problems like Heather's the first three months.
"You know what, Maggie? I think it would be a good idea for you to come with us next week to see and talk to Mommy's doctor. Would that help you understand more?"
"Ohhh yes, Daddy, it really would," Maggie said happily. "Okay, I want you to keep a list of all of your questions during the next four days, and then when we see the doctor, I will make sure that you have time to ask them all. Okay?" Bob asked.
Maggie threw her arms around her daddy's neck, and told him, "You are the best, Daddy. Thanks."
Bob held her and wished he didn't have to do what he was about to, but knew it was necessary. Taking a deep breath, he pulled her back and made her look at him again. "Okay, now young lady, we need to talk about school." Bob hated seeing her little face fall, but knew he couldn't just let all of this pass. Bob stood her in front of him, and asked her, "All right, tell me what you did that was wrong, Margaret Ann."
Bob really had to steel himself for this, and knew he had to let Maggie know he was serious. Maggie hated this part with a passion, but knew she couldn't get out of it.
"Well, I haven't been paying attention in school, I haven't turned in my homework because I haven't been doing all of it, and I signed Mommy's name on the notes that Mrs. Clarke sent home."
Even to Maggie, that sounded awful.
Bob sighed. "Anything else?"
"No, Sir," Maggie said, putting her head down. Hearing it, it sounded pretty bad.
Bob picked her head up and looked at her. "Well, young lady, is it acceptable NOT to do homework?"
"No, Sir."
"Is it acceptable NOT to pay attention in class? Even if you are worried?" "No, Sir."
"What are you SUPPOSED to do if something is bothering you?" Maggie looked up at her daddy. "I should talk to you or Mommy." "Yes, or another adult who can help you. Right?"
"Right, Sir."
"Even your teacher," Bob suggested. "Now, last but certainly not the least, Why did you even THINK you could get away with signing Mommy's name?" Maggie just shrugged her shoulders, and Bob didn't have the heart to keep lecturing.
"All right, young lady, go to your room, and put on your nightgown." Maggie just stood there, frozen.
"NOW, young lady!" and with that, Bob smacked her bottom, which sent her into motion. "When you have done that, I will expect you to be in the corner, thinking about what you have done, and what you could have done. Clear?" "Crystal, Sir." Rubbing her bottom, Maggie fled to her room. Bob decided to make her wait a bit, while he got himself mentally prepared to spank her. Being a father sure wasn't easy, he reminded himself. Bob walked over to Heather to give her a kiss on her head, and accidentally knocked her Psychology book to the floor. Bending down to pick it up, he saw a probation letter fall out of her book. Opening it, he read that she was in serious jeopardy of being expelled for poor academic performance. Further it stated that she had already been on academic probation, and that unless she pulled her grades up, they would have no choice but to ask her to either take a leave of absence or be expelled.
Bob looked at the date on the letter, and saw that it was about two weeks old. "Hmm, wonder how long SHE was planning to hide THAT from me," he thought to himself. Bob decided to put that out of his mind for the moment, so he could deal with Maggie.
Maggie heard her Daddy's footsteps as he walked towards her room. It felt both like an eternity, and just a heartbeat before she heard him sit on her bed, and call her over.
"All right, we have already talked about why you are getting this spanking. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?"
"No, Sir."
"Okay then, let's do this." He quickly pulled her over his knees, lifted her nightgown, and was surprised that she wasn't wearing any panties. He rubbed her bottom, and asked her, "Maggie, do you know how much I love you?" "Yes, Daddy, I know that you do."
"Good." With that, he began to spank, first one cheek and then the other, soft at first, and then harder, until Maggie's bottom was turning pink and she felt the heat being turned up a notch.
Bob spanked steadily, and started his lecture. "Maggie, {SMACK!}, do you know {SMACK!} how important {SMACK!} Education is?" {SMACK!}
"Ouch, yes Sir."
"Do you know {SMACK!} {SMACK!}, that I will not {SMACK!} {SMACK!} tolerate you lying?" {SMACK!} {SMACK!}
"Owww, Yes, Sir."
"If Mrs. Clarke gives you a note, {SMACK!}, what are you going {SMACK!} to do {SMACK!} in the future?" {SMACK!} {SMACK!}
"Tell you, or mommy," Maggie cried. She knew she was getting a good hard spanking.
"Good girl. Now, {SMACK!}, are you {SMACK!}, going to {SMACK!} pay attention {SMACK!} in school?" {SMACK!} {SMACK!}.
"Ouchhh, Daddy, please, it hurts."
"Spankings {SMACK!} are supposed {SMACK!} to hurt, {SMACK!}, young lady." {SMACK!} {SMACK!} {SMACK!}.
"Ouchhh, Daddy. I will, I will."
"You will, {SMACK!} what?" {SMACK!}.
"Pay attention, I promise, I promise."
"And, {SMACK!}, if you have a problem, {SMACK!}, what are you {SMACK!} to do?" {SMACK!}.
"Talk to an adult. Please Daddy!!!!"
Bob finished her spanking with five hard smacks all in the same place. Her bottom was a fiery red by the time he finished, and he knew she had learned her lesson. Maggie laid sobbing over his knee. Pulling her up carefully into his lap, Bob rubbed her back, and sore bottom, and told her, "Shhhh, it's all over now, sweetheart, you are forgiven."
Maggie threw her arms around her Daddy's neck, and sobbed into his shoulder. "I am soo sorry, Daddy. I really am!"
"I know you are, sweetheart. But neither Mommy nor I can help you if you don't tell us what is wrong. Now can we?" Bob asked, gently. "No, Daddy."
Bob held and kissed her head, and rubbed her back until she quieted. "Okay, little one, why don't you take a nap until dinner?"
Bob pulled down the covers, and laid her on her tummy. Covering her lightly, he kissed her once more, and told her how much he loved her. and then left her to sleep. Walking back into the living room, he wondered just how he should deal with Heather.
Bob sat at the kitchen table, grading papers, and pausing every so often to gaze out the window and contemplate how to deal with his wife. He glanced over and saw her pale face, her hair spread out over the pillow, and felt such an overwhelming feeling of love wash over him, he got choked up.
Over and over he thought of how he should deal with her: her stubborn pride, as well as her errant ways. He knew that he shouldn't just confront her, as he would have if she weren't pregnant. Her emotions were very fragile these days, along with her body from being so sick all the time, and yet, he knew she needed to be put on the right path.
Loving and protecting were HIS job, damn it, and he just HAD to do it. Realizing that it was getting late, he put his papers away, and started making dinner. Maggie had put out chop meat to defrost, and he decided that a meatloaf would be good.
Popping that into the oven, with potatoes, he quickly mixed a salad, and put it in the refrigerator. Tiptoeing down the hallway, he peeked into his daughter's room, to see Maggie fast asleep, clutching her teddy bear, with her thumb in her mouth. He wondered, and silently laughed, if she would still be sucking her thumb on her wedding night.
Coming back into the living room, he gently shook Heather awake. Heather slowly opened her eyes, and looked up into his loving eyes.
"Hi, sleepyhead," he greeted her.
Lazily, Heather stretched, and finally wound her arms around his neck, and pulled him down for a kiss. Bob savored her kisses for several minutes, before remembering what he was supposed to be doing.
Mentally shaking himself, he sat down on the couch, and brought Heather to sit on his lap. Heather nuzzled his neck, putting her head on his shoulder. Ahhhh but that felt good. Bob wondered briefly, if Heather knew what he wanted to talk about and was trying to distract him.
DAMN, but it was working. In a moment they would be naked, in bed, and all his good intentions would be out the window. Once again, he took a deep breath, and put his hand under her chin.
"Okay, little one, we need to talk."
"We do?" Heather asked.
"Yes, young lady, we DO!"
Hearing that tone, Heather got nervous. There were so many things that tone could mean, and she got nervous. Bob felt her tensing up, and knew he had to handle this delicately.
"Look, little one, I know how much you want to make me proud, and I am, really, really proud of you. But when I agreed to let you go back to college this term, I didn't think you were going to be so sick, and drained." Bob paused, wanting this to sound sincere.
"And I have decided that I want you to take better care of yourself, and stop trying to do too many things at once. School will wait." Heather started to say something, but Bob cut her off. "I know what you want to say, that you feel you can do it, but this time, young lady, I am putting my foot down. No arguments, no discussion. DO YOU HEAR ME?"
Heather had never been so relieved in her life, but wondered if she should just give in, or fight a bit, for pride's sake. Pride won out. "But Bob, you know how much I want an education. What if I am too tired and busy AFTER the baby is born? Shouldn't I take all the credits I can now?" Bob had to bite his inside lip to keep from smiling, and telling her that he knew what game she was playing. It was written all over her face, and reflected in her impish eyes.
"NO, young lady, I have made a decision and it is FINAL. IS THAT CLEAR?" Heather had to smile to herself. "Crystal, Sir."
Snuggling back into his shoulder, she whispered, "I love you soo much, Bob. Don't ever stop caring."
"I won't, baby. I promise. I will always love you, with all of my heart, my soul, my being."
Wanting to carry her off to their bedroom, but knowing that he had to wait, and tell her about Maggie, he once again struggled to get composed. After quickly filling her in, he told her that they both had to reassure Maggie that it was OK for her to be a kid, and not mother her mom.
Heather wasn't sure what to do, but knew that she HAD to be a better mom for Maggie. Bob said, "Okay, go wake her up, and I will check on dinner." "Dinner?" Heather asked, surprised.
"Yes, sleeping beauty, I made it while you rested," laughed Bob. Heather said, "Mmmm, smells kinda good."
"Kinda?" Bob playfully smacked her bottom. Pretending to be hurt, Heather pouted up at him, and said, "HEY."
"Hey??? Hey???" The two of them started to tease and flick towels at one another, when suddenly they looked up and saw Maggie, shyly smiling at them. "Are you feeling okay, Mommy?"
Heather said, "Yes darling, I am. Come here."
Maggie flew into her mother's arms, and Heather held her and stroked her hair murmuring just how much she loved her, and appreciated her taking care of her. "But, guess what, Maggs?"
"What, Mommy?"
"Well, Daddy has decided that he doesn't want me to go to school this semester. So I am going to be home when you get here, and hopefully not as tired all the time."
Frowning at first, and then smiling a bit, Maggie told her parents, "You know, I think NOT going to school is a great idea! Let's stay home together, Mommy." Maggie was giggling, and Bob felt relieved seeing the impish look on her face. "Ohhhh No, Magpie, YOU are going to go to school, pay attention, and grow up to be anything you want to be. GOT IT?" Bob said, mock sternly.
"Got it, Daddy," Maggie giggled. Bob tossed her high into the air, and loved listening to her squeal.
"Okay, everyone, dinner is now served!"
~~~~~~~
(to be continued...)
Subject: NB: Cradle Time-part 5 (Sampast) Date: 09/30/1999 From: SamPast <sampast@aol.com>
New Beginnings: Cradle Time (part 5) Copyright (C) 1999 Sampast Standard Disclaimers, see part 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, after seeing Maggie off to school, Heather called Lisa, and asked if they could have lunch.
"Sure, Heather, what's up?"
"Well, I am having some problems with Maggie, and sure could use an ear." "Okay, you can have both. You want me to come there? We can go to the diner by you."
"Yeah, thanks, Lisa, that would be great. See you at noon?" "Okay, see you then," Lisa said. She hung up wondering what was up with her niece, now.
After they had ordered, Heather began explaining to Lisa what was going on with Maggie. She filled her in on how Maggie hadn't been doing her schoolwork, and not doing well in class. She told her about the forged notices. Lisa was surprised. This was not like her niece at all. "So, did you find out why?"
Heather nodded her head. "Yes, and it's all my fault. The poor little dear was so worried about ME, that she couldn't concentrate on her work. She was taking care of me. Oh, Lisa, this pregnancy is terrible. I've been feeling so poorly."
Lisa put her hand on her sister-in-law's arm. "I know, I'm sorry. I'm sure it will get better in a few weeks, though."
Heather said, "Yeah, I know. We're seeing the doctor in a few days. I just can't wait to actually have the baby and hold him or her in my arms." Lisa smiled. The food came, and the conversation died down. Heather noticed that Lisa was barely eating her lunch. She was just pushing it around on her plate.
"What's wrong? Doesn't it taste okay? Want to send it back?" Heather asked. "No, I'm just not that hungry," Lisa said.
Heather looked at her sister in law, and felt such love and compassion for this woman. Lisa had been there for her when it seemed like the lowest point in her life. She had helped Heather through some difficult times and had been a real friend.
"Lisa, what's wrong? You can tell me," Heather encouraged. Lisa looked up and said, "Oh, Heather, it's nothing. Really. I just haven't had much of an appetite lately. I've been feeling very poorly." Heather became instantly concerned. "Maybe you have the flu. I mean, I know it's a little early for flu season, but. . ."
Lisa shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I mean, I haven't been vomiting. I don't have a fever, the chills, or shakes. I just haven't been feeling right. You know, not myself. I've been nauseous a lot, too." Heather looked down at Lisa's plate, and said, "Well, ordering tunafish was a great way to cure that!"
Both women laughed. "I know," Lisa said. "I couldn't help it, though. I love tuna. I had a CRAVING for it."
"A CRAVING? Oh, Lisa, you don't think you're. . ."
Lisa nodded. "I think so. I'm not sure."
Heather grabbed Lisa and said, "Really? Oh my god! Why didn't you tell me?" "Well, I'm not sure yet. I actually have a doctor's appointment this afternoon." She paused. "Oh, Heather, will you come with me?" "Are you kidding?" Heather gushed. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Hey, you were there with me when I found out."
"That's true," Lisa answered. "But if I am, we're not stealing another golf cart."
Heather and Lisa both laughed aloud, thinking back to that day. They looked around. Thankfully, no one was paying them much attention.
Heather said, "Wow, wouldn't it be wonderful? You and me both being pregnant at the same time?"
Lisa laughed and said, "Oh, yeah, great. We can take turns running to the bathroom and throwing up."
The two women laughed some more, and went on to talk about other things. But somehow the conversation kept going back to babies and pregnancy. And suddenly, Lisa was very excited at the thought of her first pregnancy, and having a baby with Charlie.
Later that day, after the doctor's appointment, Lisa and Heather sat in the park, feeding the ducks.
Lisa said, "Wow, Heather, I just can't believe it."
Heather nodded, and touched Lisa's arm. "I know, it's wonderful. Oh, Lisa, I'm so happy for you and Charlie."
"Yeah, we've been married for over three years. The twins are wonderful but we've wanted a baby of our own for so long."
"Yes, I know what you mean. Even though Bob and I haven't been married that long, I'm so excited to be having a baby with him," Heather gushed. "I just had no idea that Maggie would be so jealous."
"Hmmm, I wonder how the twins are going to react to the news. Oh, Heather, you don't think they'll be upset like Maggie, do you?"
"I don't know, Lisa. I hope not. I didn't think Maggie would become so out of control. I can't imagine if both the twins started acting up like her," Heather said.
"Yeah, Charlie and I have enough trouble with them now," Lisa laughed. "So, have you thought about how you're going to tell him?" Heather asked. Lisa thought. She turned to her sister in law. "Well, it'll be hard to top the way you told Bob." They both laughed. Then Lisa added. "I'm not sure, but I think I want it to be a bit romantic. But I also have to tell the twins. Hmmmm. . ."
The two women put their heads together, and soon came up with a great plan. "Oh, I love it, Heather. It's so perfect."
They parted company at their cars, and Heather impulsively hugged Lisa. "Oh, call me tonight or tomorrow, and let me know how it went. Okay?" Lisa chuckled. "I will." Then she had a thought. "Oh, Heather, I know it will be hard, but don't tell Bob the news. I think Charlie will want to tell his brother."
"Okay, Lisa, no problem."
Later that night, when Charlie came home from work, he leaned over Lisa while she was cooking, and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Good timing, hon. Dinner's just about ready."
"Okay. Just let me wash up and change," Charlie answered. He was back ten minutes later and the family went to sit down. Charlie looked at how nicely the table was set and complimented the twins. After all, it was their job to set it.
Jennifer turned to Lisa and said, "Now will you tell us?" "Yeah, Mommy, you said you would tell us who the fifth plate was for when Daddy got home," Robin expressed.
Charlie looked at the table once more and noticed it was indeed set for five. "Are we having company, hon?" he asked.
Lisa smiled at her husband from across the table and said, "Yes, but not tonight."
"I don't understand," Charlie said.
The girls looked at each other confused. They looked at Lisa.
When she had everyone's attention, Lisa said, "There will be someone else at the table, in not quite nine months." As she said this statement, she rubbed her belly.
Charlie's face turned to mush. He looked at his wife and said, "Oh, honey, you mean it? We're gonna have a baby?"
Lisa smiled and nodded. Before the twins could realize what was happening, Charlie ran across the room and swooped Lisa off her feet and swung her around. Lisa screamed and laughed.
"Oh, Lisa, that's wonderful. I'm so happy!" Charlie expressed. Charlie put Lisa down and kissed her full on the lips. "How far along are you?"
"About two months."
Charlie smiled. He was thinking back two months and realized the time the baby must have been conceived. Lisa smiled, too. She was thinking the same thing.
Robin caught her breath and looked at Lisa and said, "Mommy? You have a baby in your tummy?" She went over and touched her mother's stomach. Lisa smiled and said, "Yes, sweetie, isn't that wonderful?" "Well, I don't think that's so great. I think it sucks!" "Jennifer!" Charlie warned.
"Well, I do!" Jenn stated.
"Jennifer, why would you say that? You apologize right now!" Charlie uttered. "No, I won't. Who wants a stupid baby, anyway?" Jenn yelled and ran from the room.
Charlie called after her. "Jennifer! Jennifer Lynn, you come back here right now!"
But Jenn didn't come back. Charlie stared after her and looked at Lisa. "She'll be right out to apologize, if I have anything to say about it." Charlie started to undo his belt as he walked toward the twins' room. Lisa caught up with him and put her hand on his arm. "No, Charlie, don't. She'll be okay. She just needs time to adjust to the news."
Charlie looked at Lisa. "I don't care. She has no right to speak to us, or you, that way. She's going to be a very sorry, little girl." He yelled through the door, "Jennifer! You come out here right now! You apologize for the way you spoke to your mother, or I'll wash your mouth out with soap!" "NO!" came the reply.
Lisa stopped her husband from charging into the girls' bedroom. "Charlie, no! Please, let's just sit and eat dinner. We'll go in and talk to her afterwards. She's entitled to her feelings."
Charlie looked at Lisa and said, "You're right, hon. She's entitled to her feelings. And we will talk to her, together." He put his belt back on. "But we're a family, and she will come out here and eat with us." Charlie went to the bedroom door and said, "Jennifer Lynn, you come out here right now and eat your dinner. If you don't, you'll be eating with a sore bottom."
Not thirty seconds later, the door opened, and Jennifer came out. Charlie pointed to the table and said, "Now, go sit down."
Jennifer opened her mouth to say something, but Charlie silenced her. "Not another word out of your mouth, young lady. You're already in big enough trouble. Now let's eat."
The family was quiet as they began their meal. After some silence, Charlie and Lisa started talking quietly. Robin spoke up a few times, but Jennifer just looked into her plate. Once, when Charlie gave her a look, she ate, but mostly she just pushed her food around her plate.
"You have to eat, sweetie, or you'll be hungry later," Lisa said, sweetly. Jenn shook her head from side to side.
"Eat, Jennifer Lynn. There will be no snacks later," Charlie warned. After pushing her food around to the point of playing with it, Charlie announced, "All right, that's enough, I've had it. Jennifer, you may be excused. Bring your plate in and go to your room. Mommy and I will be in, in a few minutes to talk with you."
Jenn got up and brought her plate to the kitchen. Without a word, she walked to her room. Charlie finished eating, and threw down his napkin. He looked towards the twins' bedroom and sighed.
"Mommy?" Robin asked.
Lisa felt the tension in the room. She turned toward Robin and said, "Yes, sweetie?"
"You know what? You copied Aunt Heather," she said matter-of-factly. Lisa looked at her and then at Charlie. They both smiled. "Yes, I guess I did," Lisa said. Everyone laughed. It was just what they needed, to break the ice.
Charlie stood up and kissed Robin's forehead. "Lovey, maybe you can clear off the table. Mommy and I need to talk to your sister."
"Sure, Daddy."
"Good girl. Then you can watch a little t.v. Okay?" "Yes, sir."
Charlie and Lisa knocked on the twins' door, and then walked in. Jennifer was curled up on her bed, facing the wall. They couldn't tell if she was crying or not. Lisa sat on the edge of her bed, while Charlie pulled over her desk chair.
"Jennifer. Turn around. We need to talk," Charlie said, gently. For Lisa's sake, he tried to keep the annoyance from his voice.
Jenn turned around and looked up at her parents. Her eyes and nose were red from crying. "C'mere, baby," Lisa said, holding out her arms. Jenn climbed into them and let Lisa hold her for a few minutes. "Why don't you tell Daddy and I what's wrong?"
"I don't know," Jenn said.
Jenn looked up at her daddy. He frowned. "Jennifer Lynn, you know that is not an acceptable answer. Mommy and I want to know why you reacted the way you did to the news about the baby."
Jenn didn't answer. Lisa said, "Sweetie, you know you can tell us anything." "Can I?" she asked, looking first at Lisa and then at Charlie. "Of course you can, baby," Charlie said, his voice now softening for real. "Well, I, uh," Jenn began.
"Yes?" Lisa prompted.
"Well, I don't know why you would want another kid. I mean, you already got me and Robin," she stated.
Lisa overlooked Jenn's incorrect grammar and said, "Right, but this baby will be mine and Daddy's together."
Jennifer jumped at Lisa's statement. Her face said it all. "You don't love us! You don't think we're your REAL kids!" Jenn shouted.
"Jennifer!" Charlie warned.
Jenn looked at her father. "What? You said I could tell you anything. This is how I really feel." She turned to Lisa and said, "You don't love me and Robin like this baby that's yours and Daddy's together!"
Lisa looked as though she'd just been slapped. Surely, she didn't realize that that's how Jenn would take her statement. "No, sweetie, of course not. I do love you and Robin, very much."
"No, you don't!" Jenn cried. "You just said, that this baby will be yours and Daddy's together."
"Jennifer, listen," Lisa tried, putting her arms around Jenn. "No, don't," Jenn said, pushing her away. She turned back toward the wall and cried.
Lisa looked at Charlie helplessly.
"Baby," Charlie began.
Jennifer just looked at Charlie and cried harder. "You see, BABY, you call ME baby. But not in nine months or whatever. I won't be your baby, anymore!" she accused.
Charlie and Lisa realized at that point what was really upsetting Jennifer. She was jealous. Charlie got up and went to the bed. He leaned down and pulled Jennifer into his arms. "Oh, Jennifer, you will ALWAYS be my baby." Jenn let Charlie hug her to him. He sat down on the bed, and pulled her into his lap. Jennifer rested her head on his shoulder and cried. She put her arms around his neck and squeezed. Lisa sat watching this tender moment, and felt her heart break.
"Shhh, shhh, there, there, let it out," Charlie crooned, as he rubbed her back. Jenn cried like a baby on Charlie's shoulder for a good five minutes. He shushed her and reassured her. "That's it, let it out. It's okay." "Daddy, I want to be your baby, ALWAYS!"
"Yes, sweetie. Yes, Baby. You always will be. I love you, Jennifer," Charlie said.
"I love you, too, Daddy," Jenn said through her tears. "And I love you, also. Both you and Robin," Lisa cried. As if on cue, Robin walked into the room at that time. Lisa waved her over and Robin sat and cuddled up with Lisa. Charlie turned Jenn around so that she was facing her mother.
Lisa took a deep breath. She turned to the twins and said, "Girls, listen. Just because I didn't carry you inside me, like this baby, I still love you as my own. I have watched you grow up to be beautiful, caring, sweet girls. I wouldn't give up my role as your mother for anything in the world." "Really, Mommy?" Jenn asked.
Lisa started crying. "Really, baby. I love you two, so much." "We love you, too, Mommy," Robin said, squeezing Lisa tightly. Charlie and Lisa both looked at Jennifer. She nodded. "I do, Mommy, I do love you. I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that the way I did. I wasn't being sensitive to your feelings, sweetie. I'm sorry," Lisa cried. The four of them got into a group hug and held each other for a long time.
(To be continued in part 6...)
Subject: NB: Cradle Time-part 6 Date: 10/10/1999 From: SamPast <sampast@aol.com>
NB: Cradle Time-part 6 Copyright (C) 1999 Sampast and Don A. Landhill
A special thanks to Don A. Landhill for helping us write this chapter. {Hugggggggggssssss to Don!}
This chapter contains the spanking of two young girls. If you're not into that kind of thing, well, then, you shouldn't be here anyway. Enjoy! Comments are always welcome and appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 6~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Heather had a fitful night but was finally sleeping soundly, when suddenly she heard "Mommy, Mommy".
Jumping out of bed, she ran to Maggie's room, and saw that she was tossing and turning, but was still asleep. She didn't know whether to wake her up or not, and as she was trying to decide, she felt Bob's presence beside her. They both looked into each others eyes, and Bob hugged her tight, whispering to her that Maggie was just dreaming, and then he walked over and kissed Maggie's forehead, covered her up tightly, and stroked her back until he felt her relax in sleep. When Heather woke up the next morning, she was very grateful that she didn't have to rush off to class. Bob forbidding her to go to school anymore was the greatest gift he could have given her, even if HE didn't know it, she thought, and giggled to herself. She realized suddenly that it was really late, and hurried out to the kitchen.
There she found a big note on the kitchen table. "Hey, sleepyhead, Maggie and I are both fine and off to school. See you tonight. Get some rest. That's an order! We love you. Bob." Maggie had scribbled a quick note too. Heather felt really loved, and sat sipping herbal tea and suddenly thought about all the times lately she had not paid a whole lot of attention to Maggie. She knew she had to do something BEFORE the baby came to cement their relationship. She also knew that Bob was right, and she had to be a better mother, but HOW? How could it all come naturally to Lisa but not to her? And the twins weren't even really hers! Life was sooo unfair. Heather decided to go back to bed, and alternated between dozing and moping until Maggie got home.
Rushing into the house, Maggie was surprised not to see or hear anything. She tiptoed into the bedroom, and realized her mom was asleep, so she did what she had been doing, and went to defrost something for dinner and started picking up the house. Before she knew it, her dad was walking through the door. "Hi, Magpie, what are you doing? Where's Mommy?"
"Ohh, she's sleeping, Daddy."
Maggie rushed into her daddy's arms, and felt his love surround her like a cloak. "Well, let's wake Mommy up. I have news for the two of you." "You do? What is it, Daddy? Tell me! Tell me!"
"Whoa, hold up, Magpie," and with that admonishment, he lifted her up in the air and threw her until she giggled. He was still holding her in his arms when they walked into the bedroom. Bob walked over, dumped Maggie on the bed, and said, "Wake up, sleepyhead!"
Heather slowly opened her eyes and looked at both of them, slightly confused.
"What did you do all day, hon?" Bob asked.
"I guess I slept," Heather replied with a guilty laugh. "It's okay, sweetheart, pregnant women need lots of sleep. Trust me, I have been reading lots on the subject."
Heather rolled her eyes. Just like an academician to READ all about things. "Sheesh," she said playfully. Maggie giggled as she watched her parents tease each other. Then suddenly she remembered.
"DADDY! You SAID you had news. Come on, Daddy, tell us, tell us!" Bob smiled. "Well, Charlie called me at work today and guess what?" "What?" Maggie cried.
"They are having a baby, too!" Bob announced.
Heather just smiled, and as Bob looked at her, he could see that she already knew. Leaning over, he whispered in her ear, "Hmm, keeping secrets from me, young lady?"
Batting her eyelashes at him, she replied, "Who me?" Tugging on his shirt to get his attention, Maggie asked if she could go call the twins. "Sure sweetie, go ahead."
Maggie ran out to call, and waited impatiently for someone to answer. Robin picked up the phone. She had barely said hello before Maggie rushed, "Hey Robin, it's me."
"Hey Maggs, did you hear the news?"
"Yeah, I sure did. How do you feel about it?"
"Well, I think it's great, but Jenn had a full blown tantrum," Robin explained. "She did?" Maggie asked. "Wow, did your daddy spank her hard?"
"Nope, Mommy said she was entitled to her feelings." Maggie thought about that. "I do kinda know how she feels, Robin, but I have had more time to get used to the idea."
"Well, I think having a little brother or sister to take care of and play with is neat," Robin expressed.
"I guess," Maggie replied softly. "Is Jenn around?" "Yeah, but she is doing homework so she can't talk on the phone. I can have her call you later if you want me to."
"Sure, Robin, talk to you later."
Maggie hung up the phone and thought about what Robin had said about Jenn. She wasn't sure if she felt more like Robin did, or more like Jenn. What she DID know was that things were different, and it didn't make her all that happy.
The next weekend, Charlie called and invited them over for a barbeque. Everyone was excited for different reasons. Maggie was still watching Heather like a hawk, and Heather found she liked being waited on hand and foot. She liked not having to work, or go to school, and just sitting home all day. She was starting to feel less nauseous all the time, and that suited her just fine. But, she was still worried about Maggie, and wanted to talk to Lisa. Bob couldn't wait to see Charlie and really congratulate him on the news, and Maggie sure wanted to see what was up with Jenn.
Arriving there early afternoon, Jenn immediately grabbed Maggie and rushed into her room. Robin wasn't home yet, as she had gone to a friend's house for the morning, and had called to say she would be a little late, because her friend's mom had to do some errands before she could drop her off. Jenn was grateful to have her cousin to herself for a bit, as she was tired of Robin's too sweet attitude. Jenn was upset, and no amount of telling her she would still be her Daddy's baby was going to pacify her. She had talked to kids at school and all of them had told her that things would be a lot different, and she would be thrust aside as everyone oohed and ahhhed over the new baby.
Jenn related all of this to Maggie, who got paler by the moment. She hadn't told any of her friends about Heather having the baby. She was so scared her mom would die and leave her, that she hadn't really given a whole lot of thought to being pushed aside in favor of a new baby. She suddenly started realizing that maybe they were all lying to her, that her daddy wouldn't really love HER when he had his OWN real kid.
"Ohh Jenn, what are we going to do?" Maggie wailed. Jenn was equally clueless and unhappy.
Meanwhile, Heather offered to help Lisa in the kitchen, while Bob and Charlie went out on the patio to start the grill.
"You know, Heather, I was sooo busy with my own news the other day, we never did get to talk much about Maggie. How is everything going with her?" Lisa asked.
"Ohh, fine. Things have settled down, and are great. How about the twins?" "Well, Robin is really happy and wants to be a big sister, but I am worried about Jennifer. She didn't take the news well at all. And I am afraid I didn't handle it well either," Lisa admitted. "You?" Heather asked incredulously. "YOU always handle things exactly right!" Lisa laughed and thanked her for the compliment, undeserved as it was. "Look, all the girls need is for us to be extra loving, but still firm in what the rules are. That way they will feel loved, and nurtured. What is Maggie doing that is upsetting you so much?" Lisa asked.
"Well, she can't seem to concentrate in school, and worries about me all the time," Heather replied.
"Heather, I'm sure you and Bob are doing a fine job in reassuring her. These things just take time. Now come on, and help me with this salad."
Meanwhile, Jenn and Maggie were in the twins' bedroom, talking and playing. "I just don't think it's fair," Jenn said. "She already has me and Robin. What does she want with another kid around here?"
"Beats me. You'd think with all the trouble I get into, my mommy and daddy wouldn't want another kid around, either," Maggie said.
"Wish we didn't have to stick around all day, for the stupid celebration. I don't want to celebrate two more babies," Jenn said, moping. "Yeah, I know. Me either. Robin's lucky that she's at her friend's house," Maggie said.
"She'll be home soon. And probably telling Mommy and Daddy how WONDERFUL it's going to be to be a big sister!" Jenn said, jumping across the room. Just then, the telephone rang. Jenn ran to get it. It was just as well, since all the adults were out on the patio.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Jenn? It's Robin."
"Hi. What's up?" Jenn asked.
"Listen, is Mommy or Daddy there?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Jenn, I need to talk to one of them. Stacy's mom is going to the mall. And she wants to know if I can come with them, and then she'll drop me off a little bit later."
Jenn paused. "Okay, hold on, Robin, I'll go ask for you." Jenn put the phone down. Maggie had been standing there trying to figure out the conversation. Jennifer started to run for the patio doors, but Maggie stopped her.
"What's going on, Jenn? Where's the fire?" Maggie asked. Jenn explained the whole thing to Maggie, on the way over to the patio. Through the doors, both girls watched as their parents raised their glasses of sparkling apple cider. They got there just in time to hear Charlie making a toast.
"And here's to both new babies. May they be happy and healthy and grow up wonderfully together!"
"CHEERS!" Everyone shouted.
Heather hugged Lisa and said, "This is going to be so great!" Jenn and Maggie stood there dumbfounded. Jenn forgot what she was there to ask. When she recovered, she reached for the handle on the door, but Maggie stopped her.
"What?" Jennifer snapped.
"Stop. Think about this, Jenn. This could work to our advantage. Listen, here's the plan," Maggie whispered.
Jennifer ran back to the phone. "Robin?"
"Jennifer! Why didn't you get Mommy or Daddy? Stacy's mom needs to go!" Robin whined.
Jenn smiled to herself, thinking how her dad would react to her sister's whining. Into the phone she said, "Relax, Robin. I spoke to them. They're kind of busy right now. They told me to tell you that it was fine. We'll see you later."
Robin sighed and said, "Okay, thanks, Jenn."
Jennifer hung up the phone and turned to Maggie. "Come on, let's go get ready!"
The two girls ran back to the twins' room. They started getting all dressed up and put on makeup. After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door. It was Charlie.
"Girls, what are you doing in there? Jennifer! Who was on the phone?" Jennifer opened the bedroom door. "It was Robin, Daddy. She's getting dropped off and she wanted me and Maggie to meet her at the corner. Is that okay?"
Charlie looked at both Jennifer and Maggie's outfits. He looked at their faces. "What's with the clothes and makeup, girls?"
"Oh, well, we were playing dress up, Uncle Charlie. Can we go meet Robin?" Maggie asked.
Charlie said. "You're not going out like that. Wash off that make-up and then you can go."
Jenn and Maggie looked at each other, and then at Charlie. "Okay, Daddy," Jenn said. "Okay, Uncle Charlie," Maggie said.
As soon as Charlie went back out onto the patio, Jenn told Maggie the coast was clear. They ran for the apartment door, calling back to the adults that they were going to meet Robin.
Maggie stopped. "Wait, do you have money?" she asked Jenn. Jenn reached into her pocket and pulled out a wad of singles. "Yeah, I took it out of my money stash."
Maggie looked around and said, "Hold on."
She walked over to Heather's purse, which was draped around the back of a chair and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. She held it up to Jenn, who's eyes got real wide.
"Okay, now I'm ready," Maggie whispered.
They ran out the door and onto the elevator. By the time they reached the bus stop outside the building, they were hysterically laughing.
"Wow! I can't believe we made it!" Maggie said.
"I know. That was incredible. This is such a great plan, Maggs," Jenn praised her cousin. "Of course, you know, we're going to get into SO much trouble."
Maggie looked at Jenn and said, "Nah. They probably won't even notice we're gone. They're too busy with talk of the NEW BABIES!"
The two girls were all dressed up and had on loads of makeup. Anyone looking at them would think they were playing dress up. But they weren't. They were waiting on the corner for the bus that would take them to the Sunrise Mall, in Massapequa.
Upstairs, the party was just beginning. Charlie, Lisa, Bob and Heather had no idea what was going on.
* * *
Once at the mall, Maggie and Jennifer looked up at all the stores. The mall seemed so big to them, being there by themselves. They didn't know what to do first.
Jenn stated, "Um, I'm kinda hungry, let's go to the food court." Maggie eagerly agreed. "Okay, let's get some cinnabuns -- my daddy never lets me have a whole one."
"Yeah, that sounds good. "Or Nathan's. I love their hot dogs," Jenn said. "Let's get both!" Maggie shouted.
The two girls ran to the food court, and got a large cinnabun each, a hot dog and a large coke.
After eating half the hot dog and half the cinnabun, Jenn announced, "I'm stuffed." She sipped her coke. She was so excited because at home she was never allowed to have soda with caffeine. It affected her bladder problems. After eating, the girls decided to look around in the toy store. Both of them had greasy, sticky hands from their lunch. In each aisle, Jennifer pointed out the things she wanted to Maggie. Maggie showed Jenn what items she wished she could have. At one point, they knocked over an entire display table.
They looked around. They didn't see anyone so they quickly ducked into a different aisle. Maggie looked at Jenn and the two of them burst out laughing. Just then a store manager came along. "Girls, where is your mother or father?"
Jenn looked up at the man and said, "Oh, he's uh, um," She looked at Maggie. "Oh, he's over in Macy's -- he told us to keep ourselves amused while he tried on his new suit." Jenn stared agape at her cousin. That lie came out so naturally to her. And she thought she lied well.
The store manager walked away and the girls burst out laughing again. "C'mon, let's go to the record store," Maggie said.
Meanwhile, back at home, Lisa returned to the patio, and said, "Charlie, where are Jennifer and Maggie?"
Charlie looked up from the grill. Something was wrong with it and he and Bob were trying to fix it. "Oh, they went to meet Robin at the corner." Lisa asked, "Well, how long ago did they leave?"
Charlie glanced at his watch. "Hmm, had to be at least a half hour ago, come to think of it."
"I want them to come and set the table."
Charlie chuckled. "Knowing those three, they're probably down in the playground, hoping we don't notice they're missing." Too bad Charlie was kidding when he said this. If he only knew!
"Well, I need them to wash up and everything," Lisa said. "I'll go down and get them, hon," Charlie said, standing up. "The grill is fixed and ready to go."
"But Charlie, I need you to put the extra leaf in the table!" Lisa begged. "I'll go, Lisa," Bob said.
Bob took the elevator down to the first floor and headed out to the playground. He saw a group of kids on the swings and smiled as he walked over to them. His smile turned to a frown when he realized that Maggie and the twins were not there.
"Hmmm, where could they be?" he wondered aloud.
Bob did a quick check of the apartment grounds and even walked around the block. There was no sign of Robin, Jennifer, or Maggie. He started to run back towards the building. Right outside, he spotted Mrs. Pingle. "Hello, Mrs. Pingle. Nice day out today," he called. Mrs. Pingle was a little hard of hearing.
"What's that, sonny?" she asked. Mrs. Pingle was a tad old, too. After repeating his statement about the weather, Bob asked her if she'd seen the twins and Maggie. She told him about seeing one of the twins and another little girl, all dressed up.
"Oh, that must have been my daughter, Maggie. Where did you say they went?" Bob asked.
"I'm not really sure. Just told me they were going to meet Robin. They sure were dressed up, with gobs of make-up on, to boot," the old woman replied. Bob thanked Mrs. Pingle and ran upstairs to let the others know what was going on.
Back at the mall, Robin walked around with Stacy and her mom. "Okay, girls, last stop, I promise. I know you have to get home, Robin," Stacy's mom said.
"It's all right, Mrs. Harrison," Robin said.
"Mommy, can we wait out here?" Stacy asked.
"Yes, but stay near the door where I can see you," Mrs. Harrison said. Robin and Stacy hung out at the rail of the second floor. Stacy was looking down over the fountain. She pointed and said, "Robin, look there!" Robin looked to where Stacy was pointing. "What?"
"Doesn't that girl look like your sister?"
Robin looked. The girl did sort of look like Jenn. But this girl was much older. She had on a lot of makeup and was wearing fancy clothes. Also, it was pretty far away. Robin squinted but she could not make her face out. She called down, "JENN!?"
Stacy laughed and pulled Robin back. "I can't believe you just did that!" Downstairs, Maggie heard Robin's voice and pulled Jenn away from the fountain. She looked up and saw Stacy pull Robin away from the railing.
"Whoa! That was a little too close, Jenn. Come on, let's go!" Maggie said.
They ran into the record store, giggling. Soon they were trying out CDS on the demo headphones.
Jenn said, "Oh, I love this song, listen to this." She held the headphones up for Maggie to hear.
Maggie started to sing along. Several people stared at the two girls.
Back at home, all the adults were frantic looking for the three girls. Lisa called the Harrisons' house, but no one was home. She left a message on their answering machine. Charlie and Bob went door to door in the apartment building, asking the neighbors if any of them had seen the girls. Lisa tried calling all the twins' friends' houses. They were almost at the point of calling the police, when Robin walked through the door.
"Hi, Mommy," she said. "I'm home."
"I see that. Where have you been?" Lisa asked, hands on her hips. "What do you mean, Mommy?"
Charlie and Bob returned at that point, about to explain they had had no luck when they spotted Robin. "Robin! Where is your sister and your cousin?" Charlie inquired.
He was so glad to see his daughter, that he almost knocked her down while hugging her. When she recovered from the hug, she looked up at her aunt and uncle and her parents. She was confused.
"What do you mean, Daddy? Stacy's mom just dropped me off." "She just dropped you off? You called, what, two hours ago and asked Jennifer and Maggie to meet you at the corner? Did you three dawdle on the way back here? Where are Jennifer and Maggie?" Charlie yelled
Robin started to cry. "Daddy! I don't know what you're talking about. Didn't Jennifer ask you if I could go to the mall with Stacy and her mom?" "To the mall? What do you mean? I never heard about any trip to the mall," Charlie said.
Robin was crying pretty steadily then. Charlie took a deep breath. "Okay, lovey, calm down. Come, let's go into the den."
Robin followed her dad into the den. Heather, Bob and Lisa followed them, too. Charlie motioned to the couch and told Robin to sit down. "Now, tell me what happened, please."
Robin sobbed, and wiped some tears away. Bob handed her his handkerchief. She took a deep breath and began. "Daddy! When I called, I asked Jenn to put you on the phone. Stacy's mom had to make a stop at the mall and asked me to ask you if I could come and then she would drop me off. So she wouldn't have to make two trips. Jenn said you said it was okay."
Charlie said, "I see. Robin, are you sure? Will this check out if I call Stacy's mom?" He knew that someone was lying and suspected who but he wanted to make sure.
"Of course, Daddy. I'm not lying, honest. Where's Jenn and Maggie? Why aren't they here?"
Charlie sighed. "That's exactly what I want to know, lovey. Don't worry, you aren't in trouble -- but I think I know someone else who tried to get you in trouble."
He looked at Lisa and Heather and Bob. "What are we going to do about this? Where could those girls be?"
While the adults were trying to figure out what to do, Robin was trying to calm down from her crying escapade. Then she had a thought. "Daddy?" Charlie looked at Robin. "What is it, lovey? We are kind of busy trying to find Jennifer and Maggie."
"But Daddy, you know what?"
Charlie was getting impatient now. "No, I don't, Robin. Please just say what you have to say."
Robin waited until she had everyone's attention. "But Daddy, the strange thing was, me and Stacy thought we saw Jennifer at the mall!" Suddenly Charlie started paying a lot of attention. "You did? I wonder if," Charlie paused. "You said that you told Jennifer that you were going to the mall, lovey? Is that right?"
"Yes, Daddy. But the weird thing was, when I was with Stacy, I called out Jenn's name but the girl didn't answer. And this girl looked a lot older. She had on fancy clothes and makeup."
Bob started putting two and two together. So did Charlie. "So that's why they were all dressed up. Bob, you had better come with me. Our little demons are loose at the mall and who knows what they are getting into, besides trouble. And lots of it. Robin, where in the mall were they?" Robin tried to think. "It was by one of the fountains. I think it was near the food court, Daddy, but I'm not sure. Want me to come with you?" "No, I think you had better stay here. I am sure we will be able to find them. Thank you, sweetie," Charlie said to Robin, kissing her on the cheek. He turned to Lisa and said, "We'll be back, with two naughty little girls in tow."
Charlie and Bob made mild chitchat on the twenty minute ride to the mall. They were both thinking how much trouble their daughters were in. Just as they pulled up to the mall, the cell phone rang. It was Lisa from home. After hanging up, Charlie turned to his brother and said, "They are in Tower Records. The store just called home looking for a parent." Bob smacked his hand to his forehead. "God only knows what for!" Charlie and Bob did not waste any time going towards the record store. As they approached the store, Jennifer came barreling out. She ran smack dab into Charlie. It seemed that the coke had caught up with her and she needed to use the bathroom desperately.
She was startled to have run into someone. Also, she could hear the record store manager shouting at her to stop. Jennifer had just one agenda and she wanted to make sure she made it.
Charlie put out his hand. "Jennifer Lynn Clemente! You stop right there!" Jennifer froze. Hearing her daddy's voice scared the daylights out of her. She looked up at him and her lip started to tremble. "Daddy! What are you doing here?"
In a deep voice, Charlie boomed, "I am looking for you. The question is, young lady, what are YOU doing here? I don't recall giving you permission to go to the mall."
"I, uh, I, oh," Jenn stammered. She looked back at the store and saw Maggie standing in the doorway with Uncle Bob and the store manager. She knew they were both in a lot of trouble.
Charlie looked to see what Jennifer was looking at. "And what is the store manager so upset about?" he shouted. Charlie started to lead Jenn back towards the record store.
Then Jenn remembered why she was in such a hurry. "But, wait, Daddy, I gotta go pee." She started jumping up and down and holding herself. Charlie knew this was a sign that she meant business. He hated when she waited until the last minute. Even though she was nine years old, she often had daytime accidents.
"Well, all right, but I am going right with you," Charlie stated, leading Jenn towards the bathrooms.
Halfway there, Jenn began to cry. "I'm sorry, Daddy." Charlie looked down and saw the puddle. He saw that Jenn's clothes were all wet. "Oh, Jennifer!"
They walked the rest of the way to the bathroom. "Go in and try to clean yourself up the best you can."
Jenn came out a few minutes later. Her eyes were red and she was crying. "I'm sorry, Daddy. Are you very mad?"
"I am not happy with you, young lady. Not about the accident, although we'll talk about that later. But with everything else you did today. Now let's go back to the record store. I want to hear what that's all about." As they approached the store, Charlie could see the store manager talking and motioning wildly as he explained things to Bob. Jennifer and Charlie caught the tail end of the conversation. The manager seemed frantic.
"They have gotten sugar or something over quite a few displays and several CDS. We don't usually allow kids in the store without parents at their age, because of this kind of thing."
"I understand," Bob was saying. He looked up as his brother neared. He said to Charlie. "Our girls have been quite busy, bro." Bob went on to explain to Charlie what Maggie and Jenn had been up to.
The girls were scared. They knew they were in big trouble. They hadn't really thought how they were going to get home and explain where they'd been, but they didn't think their day would end like this, either.
Charlie looked down at Maggie and Jennifer. "Is that the truth, girls?" "Yes, Daddy, I guess so," Jenn admitted.
"Yes, sir," Maggie said, looking at the floor.
"That was very naughty, Jennifer." He turned to the manager, "How much are the damages, sir?"
The manager swayed from one foot to the other and looked down at the two little girls and their fathers. "Well, nothing was stolen or smashed. I'm sure that some time cleaning will do it. But I don't want to see either of these two in my store again, without an adult present."
"Thank you, sir. Don't worry, you can be sure about that. I will call tomorrow and find out if you were able to clean everything off. Come along, girls."
Bob led a very unhappy Maggie out, while Charlie steered Jennifer along. "We are going home and we are going to have a very serious discussion about your escapades, young ladies."
* * *
In the car on the way home, Maggie looked as miserable as Jennifer felt. No one said a word. As they pulled up to the apartment building, Jennifer said, "I'm sorrrrrry, Daddy."
"You will be, Jennifer. I don't know what you two were thinking. . ." Charlie began.
And Bob finished, "But you're both in a lot of trouble." As they walked to the door of the apartment, Charlie heard his name. He looked and saw Lisa, Heather, and Robin in the playground. They detoured so that Charlie could talk to Lisa.
She said, "I see you found them."
Charlie nodded. "Yes."
Lisa looked at Jennifer. "Jennifer Lynn, what are you wearing? I am so disappointed in you, young lady. You should be ashamed for the worry you caused all of us." Then she looked at Maggie. "You, too, Maggie." "Yes, ma'am," Maggie said sullenly.
Heather looked down at her daughter and said she was ashamed of her, also. Lisa started to lecture Jennifer, but Charlie put up a hand to stop her. "I need to get her inside, hon. She's wet and needs a bath."
Lisa shook her head. "Again? I see. Okay, you go do what you need to do. Heather and I will stay out here with Robin for awhile."
Bob said, "That's a good idea. We're going to be quite busy upstairs." Charlie and Bob led the girls into the apartment. "Jennifer, I'm going to run a bath for you. Go into the bathroom, and put those clothes in the hamper." He walked into the bathroom and turned on the water.
Bob looked at Maggie and said, "I want you to go into the twins' room and change out of those clothes. Then I want you to use the bathroom in Uncle Charlie's room and wash off as much of that makeup as you can. If you can't do it, young lady, I will come in and scrub it off of you. Then I want you in the corner in the den. Do you understand? I want you to be thinking about what you did today and what you are going to tell me in a few minutes." Maggie looked up at Bob. He had spoken to her very sternly. He wasn't yelling, but Maggie knew he was awfully mad. "Yes, sir," she said. Charlie pulled Bob aside. "I'm going to give Jennifer a quick bath. Feel free to use my bedroom or the den to punish Maggie."
Bob said, "Well, how do you want to do this? Divide and conquer? Or question them together?"
Charlie took a moment to think about it. "Well, it wouldn't make much sense for either of them to lie now. So we might as well question them together. Jennifer, for one, would know better than to lie to me at this point." "In that case, we'll wait for you guys," Bob said.
Charlie nodded and returned to the bathroom to bathe Jennifer.
Awhile later, Jennifer came into the den freshly clean, in a purple jogging outfit. Maggie stood, nose pressed into the corner. Charlie and Bob sat on the couch in the den and called the two girls over.
"Okay, I want you to start from the beginning and tell us everything. Don't leave a single detail out. And don't lie. We've pretty much figured it all out anyway," Charlie began.
"Well, then why don't you just spank us and get it over with?" Maggie suggested.
"Margaret Anne! There's no need to be rude. You apologize this instant!" Bob warned.
Maggie looked up at her daddy and her uncle. "I'm sorry." "Okay, now, let's go. We want to hear everything," Charlie said. Jennifer looked at Maggie. She wasn't sure where to begin. But she did. She told them about Robin's phone call. Then Maggie confessed that the idea to run off had been hers.
Charlie looked at Jenn and said, "So, you lied to your sister? And then you lied to me?"
Jenn looked down. "Yes, Daddy."
"You will get a good mouth soaping for that, young lady." He paused. "And then you directly defied me by not removing the make-up, didn't you?" Charlie questioned the two girls. They both shook their heads in affirmation. "Okay, continue, please."
Maggie continued to tell them about their bus ride to the mall and going to the food court.
"I cannot believe that you two thought it would be okay to take a public bus and go to a huge mall by yourselves. What were you thinking?" Bob questioned them.
"Well, truthfully, Daddy?" Maggie said. Bob nodded. "We really didn't think you'd notice that we were gone."
"What do you mean, Maggie?"
"Well, you were so busy talking about the babies that we didn't think you'd remember us," Maggie explained.
"Yeah, we saw you. You were drinking wine and saying how great it was going to be. That's when I was supposed to ask you about Robin. I just got so, so," Jenn couldn't go on.
"Jealous?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, I guess. I was mad, Daddy," Jenn said.
"Well, Jennifer, you can be mad all you want, but your mommy and I are having this baby and there's nothing you can do about it. We both love you and have told you that many times. I'm sorry you feel so bad about it. But you may not, I repeat NOT, just go off and do whatever you want. What you two girls did was very naughty," Charlie stated.
"Any number of things could have happened to you while you were off by yourselves. You don't ever have permission to go off on your own. Do you understand that?" Bob asked.
Both girls nodded.
"Now, Jennifer, Maggie, we love you very much. You're both going to have to start dealing with these babies in a better way," Charlie cautioned. " Girls, I can promise you, we will love you just as much after the babies get here as before. Parents can love each child lots and lots without taking ANYTHING away from the others. Do you understand that?" Bob asked. Both girls nodded again. They were feeling pretty bad already. "Now let's continue. You took the bus to the mall. What did you do when you got there?" Charlie asked.
Jenn looked at Maggie and she nodded to Jenn. So Jenn said, "Well, we walked around and had lunch and went to the toy store and the record store, Daddy." Jenn looked at her daddy and wondered when he was going to explode. She knew she had left out a few major details, but she hoped not to have to say them unless asked. Maggie was unusually quiet on the couch next to her. Bob looked at his daughter and asked, "Maggie, would you care to elaborate on this?"
"No, Daddy," she said, looking at the floor. "I know you're probably really mad at us."
"Well, I am not happy. Now what did you have for lunch?" Bob asked them. Maggie looked at Jenn, and wondered to herself if she should lie. Thinking that was probably not a good idea, she told the truth, "A hot dog, and a coke, and um, a sticky bun."
Charlie looked at Jennifer. "You drank coke, too, young lady?" "Yes, Daddy," Jenn said, trying not to cry.
"You know you're not allowed to have caffeine, Jennifer Lynn!" "Yes, I know. I'm sorry, Daddy," Jenn cried. She could not hold back the tears now. She felt terrible for doing something she knew she shouldn't have. Charlie just shook his head. "That's why you . . . never mind, we'll discuss this later."
Meanwhile, Bob was speaking to Maggie. "I asked you, Margaret Anne, where did you get the money to buy all that? You were just saying the other day you had no money."
"Well, Daddy, I. . ." Maggie began. She couldn't go on. She began to cry and turned away.
Bob went over and put his arm around her. "Maggs, you know that I love you, no matter what. But now I need you to tell me the truth."
Maggie looked up at her daddy. "I'm afraid to tell you. You're gonna be really mad."
Bob put his hands on Maggie's shoulders and turned her so that she was staring straight at him. "I need you to tell me right now."
"Yes, sir. I, well, uh, oh," Maggie cried. She paused and started again. "Daddy, I took a twenty dollar bill out of Mommy's purse. I'm sorry." As soon as she said it, she turned away and cried into the sofa cushions. "Oh my, Maggie." Bob waited for Maggie to recover a bit. "You know that that was very wrong to do, Magpie, but I love you, anyway. But just because I love you, I am going to have to punish you now."
"Yes, sir. I know," Maggie sobbed.
Bob caught Charlie's eye and Charlie winked at his brother. "Come along, Jennifer. You and I need to take care of some business in my bedroom." Charlie led Jennifer out of the den, while Bob stayed behind to deal with Maggie. As soon as Charlie brought Jennifer into his room, he pulled out his dressing chair and sat down on it. He pulled Jennifer in front of him and made her look into his eyes.
"Let's get this straight. You lied to Robin, and to me. You defied me by not removing the makeup, you went to the mall without permission, you had food that you knew we wouldn't approve of, you messed things up in the record store, and Maggie stole money. Did you know that she stole it, Jennifer?" Jenn nodded. "Yes, sir."
"So you are in trouble for that, too. I think I've heard enough, unless there is something more that you want to say right now?"
"Just that I'm sorry, Daddy," Jenn said.
"Well, you will be. Let's go!" Charlie said, pulling Jennifer closer to his right side. He pulled down her purple jogging pants and then lowered her panties. He then pulled her over his lap and started to spank. {Smack} {Smack} {Smack} {Smack} {Smack}
Then he began his lecture. {Smack} "You will not {Smack} go off {Smack} without getting permission." {Smack}
"Yes, Daddy."
{Smack} "You will not {Smack} make messes {Smack} in stores. {Smack} You will not {Smack} eat sweets without permission." {Smack}
"Yes, sir!" Jennifer cried. Her bottom was already heating up. Charlie picked up a hairbrush. "And now for the most serious things. {WHACK!} You do not,{WHACK!} ever {WHACK!} lie to your sister. {WHACK!} {WHACK!} You do not {WHACK!} fail {WHACK!} to pass on messages to us." {WHACK!}
"OW, Daddy! I didn't mean to!" Jenn wailed.
"Excuse ME? {WHACK!} {WHACK!} {WHACK!} Yes, you meant to. You did it {WHACK!} on purpose, {WHACK!} telling her {WHACK!} that I said she could go to the mall, {WHACK!} when you knew I had said nothing of the sort." {WHACK!} "Yes, Daddy, you're right, I'm sorry!"
{WHACK!} "And you do not EVER {WHACK!} steal {WHACK!} or help a thief. {WHACK!} Is that understood, Jennifer Lynn?"
"Yes, Daddy, I'm sorry!"
{WHACK!} {WHACK!} {WHACK!} {WHACK!} {WHACK!} "Very well. I think this spanking is over. But you have got a mouth soaping coming for your lie, Jennifer, and I will talk with your mother about any additional punishment -- you were WAY out of line this time."
Charlie stood Jennifer up and told her to step out of her panties and pants. Jennifer started rubbing her bottom and jumping all around. She could not get the fire out of her poor rear. The tears were coming steadily down her face. When she finished dancing around, Charlie pulled her close to him and comforted her. He pulled her into his lap, so that she was on her knees, and rubbed her back and bottom. Jennifer put her head on his shoulder and cried into his neck.
"I'm so so so so so sorry, Daddy."
"Shhh, there, there. I forgive you now."
Charlie soothed and comforted Jenn for awhile until she calmed down. Then he stood her in front of him and said to her, "Now, Jennifer, you have been punished, and are forgiven. BUT, it is going to take me a long time to trust you again. You are grounded for three weeks."
He paused to gauge her reaction. She knew better than to whine or complain at the length of her grounding.
"Baby, I love you very much, but what you and your cousin did today, for whatever reasons you felt you had, was completely out of line. And you are never to act this way again. I suggest you use the next three weeks to earn back my trust."
"Yes, Daddy," Jenn said.
"Now, come along with me. We still have your mouth soaping to do, for those lies."
* * *
Meanwhile, in the den, Bob had pulled Maggie close to him and put his arm around her.
"Maggie, you know I love you, don't you?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"But what you did today was completely inappropriate. You know that, don't you?"
"Yes, sir," Maggie said, meekly.
"You left the house and went to the mall without permission. That alone was unacceptable. But lying to Robin and to us about Robin, was the icing on the cake. Who knows what could have happened to her? And Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lisa wouldn't have known where she was."
"Yes, Daddy. But Daddy, we did have permission to leave. Just not to go to the mall."
"Maggie! You know what I meant. You lied about where you were going. Now don't get mouthy with me."
"I'm sorry, Daddy."
"And you STOLE money from Mommy's wallet! I still cannot believe you did that!" Bob exclaimed.
"Yes, Daddy, I know that was wrong. I'll pay it back," Maggie cried. She was so upset that she had disappointed her daddy. The whole day's events came crashing down around her. She suddenly felt so sorry for what she had done, and what she had helped Jennifer to do.
"Yes, you will. I am suspending your allowance until the twenty dollars is paid off."
Maggie nodded. She knew better than to protest any type of punishment. "And you are grounded for three weeks. No t.v., no phone, no friends. I want you to really think about what you did today! Is that understood?" Maggie cried. "Yes, Daddy."
"I suggest you save that crying, young lady. It's time." Bob pulled Maggie to his side, and pulled down her jeans. He made her step out of them. Then he lowered her panties and laid her across his lap. He began to spank with his hand, alternating cheeks.
While he spanked, he lectured her. "Maggie, I don't ever {spank!} want you to do anything {spank!} like this again. {spank!} {spank!} Do you understand {spank!} me?"
"Yes, Daddy!" Maggie cried.
Bob continued spanking Maggie and lecturing her on everything she had done that day. Then suddenly, he picked up a paddle and continued with that. Maggie had no idea where that thing had come from.
{Whap!} {Whap!} {Whap!} "Your mother and I have told you {Whap!} a million times {Whap!} how much we love you. {Whap!} And that is not {Whap!} going to stop {Whap!} after this baby is born. {Whap!} You had better {Whap!} start accepting things, Margaret Anne. {Whap!} {Whap!} Or you're going to find yourself {Whap!} in this very place {Whap!} over and over {Whap!} again. Am I making myself clear?" {Whap!} {Whap!} {Whap!}
"Crystal, Daddy."
"Good, then we are done here. Bob laid down the paddle and pulled Maggie to her feet. He hugged her close to him and started rubbing her back and bottom. Maggie couldn't see the tears that had already formed in her daddy's eyes. "I'm sorry, Daddy, I truly am," Maggie cried.
"I know you are, sweetie. And I'm sorry I had to punish you so hard," Bob said, trying not to cry himself.
But Maggie heard the sound in his voice. She remembered back to that time, at the dude ranch, after her daddy had fallen into the rapids. She remembered how he had cried after spanking her. And she felt TERRIBLE. She didn't say anything this time, for she knew how embarrassed he had been the last time. "I'm so sorry, Daddy. I will never, ever, do anything like this again. I promise," Maggie vowed.
Bob just held her tight and said, "I hope so, Magpie." Hearing her nickname, Maggie knew that her daddy truly forgave her. The two stayed like that for a long time.
Later, after dinner was finally eaten, and dishes were put away, Jennifer and Maggie sought out Robin. She was in the den watching television. She hadn't spoken to them the entire afternoon.
They walked into the den and said, timidly, "Robin?"
Robin looked up from the t.v. and said, "Oh, hi."
Jenn asked, "Can we talk to you?"
"What about?"
"Well, um, can you turn the t.v. off?" Maggie suggested. Robin looked at her cousin. "Why?"
"Well, we want to talk to you. And also, um, my daddy put me on restriction. I can't watch any t.v.," Maggie announced.
"Yeah, me either," said Jenn.
Robin said, "Yeah, I guess so." She picked up the remote and turned off the set. Then she sat and stared at her sister and cousin.
Jenn and Maggie carefully eased themselves onto the couch. They were still very sore from their earlier spankings.
"Robin, I'm sorry I lied to you on the phone," Jenn said quickly. "Yes, and I'm sorry I told her to. It was all my idea," Maggie stated. Robin jumped up. "That's it? You're sorry? Do you have any idea what you did?"
Maggie and Jenn just stared at Robin. They didn't know what to think. Robin looked at them incredulously. "Do you have any idea what could have happened to me? First of all, Mommy and Daddy didn't know where I was. Second of all, Mrs. Harrison thought I had permission to be at the mall with her. Anything could have happened, Jennifer, and Maggie."
Maggie had heard all of this earlier, from her dad. But now, hearing it from Robin, who was just a nine-year-old girl, made it seem that much more real. She started to cry.
"I'm sorry, Robin. We just didn't think. Honest," Maggie sobbed. Jenn looked at Maggie crying and couldn't believe it. Sure, she was sorry, but she wasn't THAT sorry. She went over to Maggie and put her arm around her shoulders and squeezed.
"Don't cry, Maggs."
Robin looked at Maggie. "Why are you crying, Maggie?" she asked, a little impatiently. She was the one who should have been mad, and crying. Maggie said, "Because. I feel bad, Robin. I'm sorry that what we did was so bad that you can't even forgive us."
Robin didn't answer. She needed time to think. "Well, can you tell me why you did it?"
Maggie looked at Jennifer. She nodded.
Maggie said, "Robin, we just needed to get outta here. Your phone call was just the means to an end."
Robin stared at Maggie. "WHAT!?"
"What I mean is, your phone call just came at a good time. Jenn and I were trying to think of a way to get out of here. I know what we did was stupid, but. . ."
Jenn said, "It was nothing personal, Robin. I mean, I wasn't trying to get you into trouble. It just worked with our plan. I'm sorry!" This time it sounded like Jennifer actually meant it. Robin looked at her sister and then at her cousin, who was still sobbing a bit. Her heart softened.
"Wellllllll," she said and paused. "I don't really understand why you did it."
"But?" Jenn asked.
"But I forgive you for using me and trying to get me into trouble," she said. Maggie shook her head.
Robin stared at her. "What?"
"I want you to understand why we did it, Robin. It's just that. . . you weren't here. You didn't see them. They were standing around drinking, and toasting to the new babies."
"They were totally ignoring us, Robin. We didn't even think they would miss us," Jenn explained.
Robin got up then, and stood in front of Maggie and Jenn. "Guys, I forgive you, okay? But you know, you're going to have to get used to the idea of a couple of new babies around here. Jenn, Mommy's gonna have the baby in like eight months. And Maggs, your new baby brother or sister will be here before that. I suggest you deal with it."
Robin left the room then. Jenn and Maggie just sat on the couch, thinking about it.
(Stay tuned... for part 7)