Caleb had run out of sympathy, and they were low on funds. Since Charlotte was unable to work, Caleb took work with the Ministry. Juliana and Lilith stepped in to assist with caring for the children. It was difficult for them to juggle city lives and trips to Forgotten Hallow. The choice remaining was to leave Charlotte alone with two toddlers and Damien.
In the past few months, Charlotte distanced herself from reality. They missed Eliza and Patrick’s wedding. The milestones achieved by Damien and the twins slipped by unnoticed. But, when Patrick called demanding Caleb and Charlotte help with Daciana, Charlotte broke. She complained of tightness in her chest or committed herself to a vacant stare. Sitting in the nursery watching Damien cry. None of which gave Caleb confidence in her ability to manage. Charlotte performed robotic tasks. She never engaged or seemed present in the world around her. When his sister or daughter visited, Charlotte spoke of the weather or the décor. Nothing she said conveyed her feelings or mentioned the children. Cornelius avoided his mother, saying she was hollow and empty.
Caleb felt it too. They had not been intimate since they conceived Damien. Her meals were from the plasma packs he provided as hunting ceased along with her career. He focused on the twins, giving them the best start to their day. Aurora in a blue dress, her sister Autumn twirled in orange and ran through the kitchen. She hated the high chair, squealing as Caleb picked her up. He blew a raspberry on her stomach, making her giggle, before he imprisoned her in the chair. Charlotte surprised Caleb at the breakfast table. She smiled. Gone was the nightgown. In its place, there was a patterned blouse and skinny jeans. Charlotte breezed through the kitchen. She helped herself to a plate of pancakes with plasma syrup. The babbling twins stopped to watch as Charlotte sat to eat with them. They were going to have a wonderful day. A shaded spot in the garden was perfect for playing and watching them catch bugs.
Caleb refused to believe the façade. He knew Charlotte and her changing mood. This bright and breezy approach to her alone time with their three children could be a disaster. He taught the twins to use the phone stashed in their nursery. If mummy was ill, they pressed the green phone icon. In the days leading up to this, Charlotte broke down. Screaming how motherhood tortured her, scared of the life her children faced. What use was anything she did when none of it mattered? If Charlotte could never love them, what was her purpose? How could she ever be a good wife?
Caleb kissed Charlotte, a reluctance to leave his family behind. She closed the door, forcing a deep breath. Damien stirred, and a soft cry grew in earnest for his father. The girls remained in their high chairs, playing with the remnants of their pancakes. They squished the once-fluffy texture in their chubby fingers. It grew doughy and sticky, covering faces, hair and clothes. Charlotte could tackle one challenge. She placed her foot on the first step. With each move, Charlotte trembled. An earthquake built inside as what she needed to do, and her emotions ground against each other.
Caleb and Autumn: https://www.patreon.com/posts/request-toddler-80569185?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
By the Grace of Sim Gods 