Children are Your Life

"Alright, I expect the first half of the questions found at the end of the chapter notes done by the time we meet on Thursday." You packed up your textbook into your satchel, glancing back up as your students did the same. "Do rely heavily on the notes you've taken today to answer them. If for some reason what we covered isn't enough for a few, if any, of the questions, you are more than welcome to use the chapter to answer them. However, we did cover all the bases, and any questions I find that are answered through the textbook are only worth half points, unless I discover otherwise that we in fact did not cover that particular topic." You received nods and verbal gestures of understanding before you put your satchel over your shoulders, waiting for the last of your students to trickle out before following behind them, locking up and heading for your car.

At a glance at your watch, you had fifteen minutes to get to the kindergarten, which was how long you usually had. You unlocked the door, getting into your seat after tossing your satchel into the passenger's side.

You hummed to yourself as you drove down the street, glancing into your rear view as a car pulled into the lane behind you. You didn't pay much mind to it, pulling to a stop at the red light, tapping your fingers along to a tune only you could hear.

You hadn't been stopped for five seconds when the vehicle behind you slammed on their horn, making you jump and bash your head on the roof.

"OW FUCK-" You cursed, rubbing the top of your head and turning around in your seat to glare out of the back window. "Excuse you!" You couldn't see through the tinted windows of the violet Porsche, and you seethed. "Clean air destroying, impatient son of a-"

HONK

You scowled, accelerating again as the light turned green.

"I swear, people and their overly expensive, pollusive vehicles and their impatient mannerisms. The light was RED, R E D you impatient fuck!" You knew they couldn't hear you, but it made you feel a little better to vent.

Fucking rich people.

You pulled up into the carpool, getting out and scanning over the top of your bug as children began to leave the doors one by one, groups led by their respective teachers. You beamed as you spotted your five year old, walking around and up to him. His face brightened when he saw you.

"Papa!" You crouched as he bolted over to you, scooping him up as you stood, nuzzling him in your arms. "Hi Papa!"

"Hello, my little bug!" You rubbed noses before you lightly tossed him up into the air, making him squeal in delight. "How was school, love?"

"It was fun! I got to play with the dinos today!"

"You did?!" You gasped, looking as excited as you could. "I wish I could've played with you!"

"Can we get dinos too?"

"I don't see why not! Are you going to make sure they're taken care of?"

"Yep! I can be the dino papa!" You nodded towards his teacher as you headed for your car, nuzzling his cheek. "Like you're our papa!"

"I'll have to see what I can do, my little bug." He giggled as you set him into his booster seat, getting on his seat belt. "Are you ready to see your Gramma and little brother?"

"Gramma and Kay!" He cheered, dropping his backpack on the floor as you closed his door.

"Mr. Beckett?" You paused for a moment, before looking over to find his teacher moving over to you.

"Ah, Mrs. Beran. Everything alright today?" You were usually so good at getting out of there before she was free enough of Arthur's classmates to hail you down.

"Well, for the most part, at least regarding his academics-"

"That's fantastic to hear!" You hated to cut people off, but you were in a time crunch, and tried to make that noticeable as you moved around the front of your car towards the driver's side door. "I hate to cut this short, but I am on a limited break-"

"Yes, I understand, how about I just send you an email? I'd like to have a conference when you have the time."

"Go right ahead! I'll check it when I get home tonight!" You were closing the door and already pulling away. "Have a great night, Mrs. Beran!" Driving off didn't do much to quell the twisting in your stomach the brief encounter had just elicited.

A Conference? About what, you couldn't fathom. He was doing great academically like she said, why would she want a conference? Maybe you could send your mother- No, no that wouldn't be appropriate, you're his father, you need to set a good example-

"Can we have ice cream tonight?" You jumped a bit, having forgotten about the five year old currently fidgeting in the back seat. "Papa?" You took a moment to steel yourself, before adjusting the rear view to raise an eyebrow at him through it.

"Ice cream?" You turned out onto the road, headed for the daycare. "Why?"

"We haven't had ice cream in a LOOOONG time-" You hummed in acknowledgement, tapping your fingers on the wheel in thought. "And I like chocolate."

"I'll think about it, love."

"Okay!"

You hummed, glancing at him in the rear view again as he played with the buttons on his overalls. He usually wasn't one to ask for sweets, which you figured was because of how his stomach reacted to the overage of sugar. Well, there were always sugar free ice creams.

You pulled up into your usual spot, getting out and moving to the back, opening the door. He jumped out seconds later with his backpack.

"All set?" He nodded eagerly, taking your hand as the both of you walked into the daycare.

"Arthur!"

"Gramma!" You smiled brightly as he pulled away, running over and into her open arms as she scooped him up, nuzzling his cheek.

"Don't you look dashing today, my darling!" He squealed as she tickled him before setting him down. "At least one of you has good taste in clothing." You looked away innocently as she gave you a pointed look.

"It's Monday, mother-"

"You should still not let Kayden out of the house like that."

"He can wear whatever he wants on Mondays!"

"Up!" You looked down, thankful for the sudden appearance of your toddler as you reached down and scooped him up, nuzzling noses.

"Hello my little angel!" You beamed at his giggle, wiggling your nose as he grabbed it. "Have you been good?"

"Mhm!" You glanced at your mother, who smiled reassuringly.

"He's been excellent, no biting incidents as of yet."

"Good-" You set him down again as he began to squirm, watching both him and Arthur move over to play with some of the toys. You watched them for a few moments before a gentle touch to the small of your back made you turn your attention to the side. Her jade green eyes were thoughtful, studying. A look that made you lean away nervously. "Mother-"

"Have you been sleeping properly?"

"Yes, of course-"

"Then what are those bags under your eyes?" You sighed wearily.

"I'm a college professor, mother. Late nights will inevitably have to be pulled."

"Carmine."

"Mom, I can care for myself. I've been doing it for years now." You couldn't keep yourself from whining as you moved away a bit, just enough to show you had some form of independence from her. The way she sighed irritably let you know that she'd drop it for now, but no, this conversation was not over.

"Will you be staying for snack time?"

"Of course." You chuckled, moving to sit at the one adult table in the room. "As per usual." You couldn't help but smile as she beamed, gliding around the room to gather up the children to the tables to prepare the snacks. In the meantime, you pulled your own snack from your satchel, smiling happily as you were soon joined by your two sons. You glanced quickly at the clock on the wall as Kayden began to babble and go on about something. You didn't know what it was, but yes, you were interested, and he was happy you were paying attention as you bit into your apple slice.

Arthur wasn't as much for the conversation, but stayed at your side, one hand always clutching at your pants or your sleeve as he did the alphabet practice given to him for homework that night. You were quite proud of how well his handwriting was in his young age, beamed at the thought of him becoming a little genius.

Cabriel would be proud.

He'd be proud of the smart little boy he had helped make, who looked so much like him. You tried not to let the thought sadden you, but damn was it hard, knowing Arthur would never get to meet him, never get to call your brother 'Dad', and it hurt. At least you had the drive back to the school to compose yourself, as you gave both of your perfect little boys kisses and hugs goodbye, reassured them you'd be back to make dinner that night.

You wouldn't let them see you cry as you drove back to work.