The supermarket loomed large; an hour slipped by unnoticed. Homeward bound, dusk painted the sky. Grace, surprised by their grocery haul, looked flustered. "Rest," Hayden smiled, reassuring her. Grace, however, worried silently, Will my job be safe now that he’s family? She retreated.
Hayden expertly prepped dinner, Stacey watching intently, learning quickly. Even Jeremy, Lillian, and Kevin crowded around, captivated. Ninety minutes later, the meal was a masterpiece. Grace gasped. Mr. Hoggard’s a culinary genius! Am I really at risk? I need better plating! Anxiety gnawed at her. The Carter job was lucrative, less demanding, and the Carters were kind. Years of good treatment made the thought of losing it terrifying.
Lillian and Kevin stared, awestruck. "How pretty!" they exclaimed in unison. Jeremy nodded enthusiastically, "Yes!" He envisioned Becky’s delight.
"Let’s eat," Stacey beamed, adding to Hayden, "Thank you for all your hard work."
"You worked hard too," Hayden chuckled.
Dishes done, Stacey sent Gwen and Marie to tidy the children, then joined Hayden and the kids for cartoons. Lillian and Kevin’s conflicting preferences erupted into a squabble. Stacey, head aching, eyed Jeremy’s calm demeanor before fetching three slips of paper from her study.
"Let’s draw lots!" she announced. "The dot picks the show."
Lillian and Kevin, momentarily diverted, watched as Stacey demonstrated. Jeremy, already familiar with the concept, looked to Becky before grabbing a slip. Lillian and Kevin scrambled for theirs. Kevin won. "I won!" he shouted.
"Kev wins the remote," Hayden chuckled.
Lillian and Kevin’s comprehension was slow. Lillian, defiant, declared, "I want 'Fairy Princess'!"
"‘Ugly Duckling’!" Kevin countered. Stacey firmly placed the remote in Kevin’s hand, patiently re-explaining the rules. Lillian ignored her, dissolving into tears. Jeremy, flustered, stood helplessly by. Hayden, though surprised, understood. He’d dealt with Jeremy’s own meltdowns.
Kevin’s grip faltered. He moved to give Lillian the remote. Stacey stopped him, placing it back in his hand. She knew giving in would spoil them. Lillian struggled for the remote. Stacey held her firmly. "Lily, we drew lots. The winner chooses. Remember?"
"I don't want to! I want 'Fairy Princess'!" Lillian wailed.
"Only one TV," Stacey stated calmly. It wasn't about access to the show, but about respecting rules. This applied to all.
"Let me try," Hayden offered, seeing Stacey’s struggle. She nodded, surprised. Hayden gently lifted Lillian. "Stacey, stay downstairs. I’ll talk to Lily."
Stacey nodded, stunned. Lillian, still crying, resisted, kicking and pushing. I want ‘Fairy Princess’! she thought.
Hayden soothed her. "Lily," he said softly.
Lillian paused, aggrieved, tears streaming. "Daddy, I want ‘Fairy Princess’!"
Hayden kissed her forehead. "Yes, Lily, you’re a good girl. But not right now."
Lillian's sobs lessened. But not now? she mused. "When?" she asked, confused.