The Wanted Short Stories (Wanted 5.5)

“Look at Libby egging him on!” Josh laughed.

I slowly turned and glared at him. I wanted him to feel my anger.

He peeked down at me and said, “What?” He pointed to the monitor. “You have to admit, that is some funny shit right there.”

I placed my hands on my hips. “So, now that they can jump on their beds like a trampoline, where do you think they’ll want to sleep tonight?”

Josh’s smile faded. “Fuck. I didn’t think about that.”

I quickly turned, walked out of the kitchen, and made my way to the twins’ room. After three more weeks, the house would be done, and we would be moving in. Then, Will and Libby would have their own rooms. I opened the door, and Will continued to jump.

“Hey, Mommy!” he shouted.

Libby sprang up and began jumping, too. I closed my eyes and counted to ten. I opened them and placed my hands on my hips. Will and Libby both stopped jumping. Libby sat down while Will just stood there.

“You both know better.”

“Mommy, are you mad?” Libby asked in the sweetest voice.

My heart wanted to melt, but I refused to let it.

“Yes, Mommy is mad. Both of you, off the beds. We do not play or jump on the furniture at all.”

They both jumped off as I made my way over to Will’s bed. Josh walked into the room just then, and he helped me push Will’s bed back against the wall. I turned and looked down at the twins. Will was resting his chin on his hands, and Libby was twirling her hair with her finger.

“God, look at how cute they are,” Josh whispered.

Ice. Cold as ice. “In a few weeks, the two of you will be in your own rooms.”

Will stood up and did a little fist pump as Libby started crying. Will dropped to his knees and began trying to comfort her.

Oh. My. Goodness. He is just like his father. My heart Flipped my stomach.

I looked over at Josh as he smiled and watched our son comforting our daughter.

I glanced back at them. My sweet little angels.

No, Heather. Must. Remain. Cold. As. Ice.

I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Libby, you’re a big girl now. You and Will get to have your own rooms. Just think of all the extra room you’l

l have.”

“For toys?” Will asked with a smile.

Josh chuckled.

I hit him in the stomach. “Don’t encourage him.”

“Sorry.”

“Maybe—if you are a good little boy and girl. That means, no jumping on beds, no putting mud in Mommy’s shoes, no bringing frogs inside and putting them to bed in Libby’s bed—”

Libby began giggling, which I found funny since she’d screamed bloody murder when she found said frogs in her bed.

Will nodded his head. “Okay, Mommy.”

I smiled as I bent down and wiped away Libby’s tears. “Don’t cry, baby girl. You’re going to love your new bedroom.”