Chapter 12
Over my head
Amber
Finally a few moments to myself. Don’t get me wrong, being a mom is my most greatest accomplishment, but sometimes I need to be able to concentrate. With the husband and kids out of my hair, I’m able to make the last few calls I need, then decide to grab a bottle of wine and start a bubble bath.
Even though the family said they didn’t need it, I developed a program of sorts of the event and where all of the activities will be taking place. Then I had flyers made to be handed out for the people who come. We’d talked about having a map, so this will be a little easier to navigate through.
As far as celebrity appearances, I have six people coming from the movie I did a few years ago. Shalan has ten country singers who have opted to perform for the benefit. From what I’m hearing, Conner and Amy have a separate project going with animals now. There’s a activity tent for children twelve and under, and even a petting zoo.
All of the food trucks will be donating half of what they make, and we’ve had a couple local barbeque places come to us asking if they could also provide a service to us. Now with the mammograms going on, it’s turning out to be a two day event.
This thing is going to be so big I can only image how great the donation.
A couple years ago we had a scare with Olivia. One day she became completely unresponsive. We took her to the hospital and they ran all sorts of tests. One of the test was for Lymphoma. I can’t even begin to say how it made me feel to think it could be a possibility. The results came back negative. Instead she’d gotten into some weed outside and had a reaction to it. She was covered in spots after a few days, but without those signs they tested for everything else. So many children, men and women are dying every day from this terrible illness. I just want to help however I can. I’ve recently been offered to be a spokesperson for Saint Jude’s. I can’t remember a time when I was more excited about an opportunity like this.
While soaking in the hot water I hear a ruckus downstairs telling me the family is home. I no sooner sit up and reach for a towel when they come barreling in the room telling me all about their adventure. Jax likes to take the kids to the park. I think he likes it more than they do.
Jax hands me a towel. “We stopped and got a movie out of one of those red boxes.”
“We still have the last one you borrowed. I had to pay for that, you know.”
“I’ll take this one back. It’s about a pony with three legs. It’s based on a true story.”
“Sounds amazing.”
“The girls want to know if they can have a three legged pony. Rocky just wants more fries.”
Rolling my eyes, I watch as the kids chase each other out of the room, the girls proceed to scream as they do it.
Jax gets on his knees and reaches into the water. He grabs some bubbles and covers his face like it’s a beard. “What do you think? I’m a hot old man, ain’t I?”
“You’re something.”
“You know you want it.”
Taking him by the shirt, I pull him close for a kiss, but use all of my might to get him to tumble on top of me, soaking his clothes. Water splashes out the sides, but it takes him a few seconds to balance himself. He presses his wet face against mine. “You suck. You’re lucky my phone is water resistant.”
Olivia comes to stand at the door. “Daddy, what are you doing?”
“I fell in. There was an alligator and I didn’t want it to get Mommy.”
“Daddy,” Rocky says. “You’re silly.”
Jax blows soap suds in all their faces. Rocky comes running toward us, attempting to climb in the tub too.
I sit up, pushing my husband out of the way and reaching for the towel at the same time. Full of suds, I climb out and rush for the door. I hear more splashing and know what’s going on, but I refuse to help. Jax created a monster and he can clean it up.
Liv and Lex come out of the bathroom covered in bubbles, but are somewhat still in order. They’re able to shake off the fuzz before jumping on the bed. “Can we sleep with you tonight?”
Just as they ask we hear Rocky and their father emerging from the bathroom. A trail of water and soap is left behind as they make their way in the room. They tackle us on the bed and the room erupts in screams and laughter.
This is my life.
Model and actress by day, crazy lunatic mother of three by night. Add Jax to that mix and we’d make a great sitcom.
At eleven p.m. Jax comes into the bedroom with one of his famous smirks on his face. He’s up to no good, but since I don’t hear a peep from any of the bedrooms, I want to assume the kids have finally crashed for the night.
I purposely pull the covers up to my chin to hide every inch of skin from his view. After the ending to my bath, I’m reluctant to accept his affection because I know exactly where it will lead.
Crawling on the bed, up to no good, Jax comes up and lays his chin on my chest. His eyes are staring at me, forcing me to give them attention. “What?”
“I need a favor.”
With an eye roll, I sigh, knowing this can’t be anything serious. “What?”
“I need you to start a group chat with the family, like the one we used for the fundraiser.”
“Can’t I use the one we already have going on?”
“Sure, have at it.”
Pulling my phone off the nightstand, I wait for him to tell me what I’m supposed to be sending.
“Okay, type this. We nominate Uncle Limpy for the wet t-shirt contest.”
I stop typing before the words end. “What? Who is Uncle Limpy?”
“Just type it. It’s an inside joke.”
Shaking my head, I finish the sentence and sit my phone on the nightstand. “Happy now? Why couldn’t you do it?”
He rolls off of me onto his side. “I just didn’t want to be blamed in case it’s something bad.”
“Bad?” My eyes widen. “What the hell did you just make me do?”
“Don’t worry, they never blame the hot chick.”
“Oh my God! You asshole.” I kick him until he slides off the other side of the bed. “How could you?”
He’s laughing. “It’s fine. Everyone will laugh. No big deal.”
“Who is Uncle Limpy?”
Jax shakes his head. “The less you know the better.”
After I toss his pillow on the floor, I point to the door. “Go sleep with the dog.”
“Baby, come on. It’s nothing.”
My phone starts blowing up with responses. Most are the cousins asking who Uncle Limpy is, but then one comes through that makes my stomach knot up. It’s from my father-in-law Ty. Nothing he does is taken serious.
LMFAO – Ty
Now I know I’ve done something terrible. Cringing with the idea of someone being angry with me, I turn off my phone. It’s late and I’ll deal with the repercussions of listening to my husband in the morning.