Caleb found her, still soaked but now in the living room. She was huddled on a throne chair. Part of him wanted to yell, to demand she pulled herself together. But something felt different. He knelt as her side, surprised when a soft voice opened to him.
Charlotte yelled, the twins tearing her in two directions, and her patience snapped. She grew angry with their playfulness. What kind of mother cannot play with her children? Caleb clutched the wrench, a lump in his throat. Charlotte wanted to apologise to the terrified girls. They were silent. Autumn hid behind Aurora as Charlotte towered over with a loud, cruel voice. Aurora shared her mothers spirit, yelling back, demanding their daddy. Another step and Autumn ran. Aurora soon followed too tiny to protect herself and her sister from anger. Charlotte sobbed. She was the monster. The girls were right to fear her.
Somehow, Charlotte cooked enough food to feed an army and left it around the house. Damien could sit in the high chair, his eagerness to eat with his sisters apparent. He did not think much about the mashed peas, but he grabbed at the spoon when she offered sweet potato. The memory from the day made her smile, and Caleb slumped beside her, tossing the wrench to one side. He pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair, placing a kiss he hoped would feel reassuring. Her body trembled against his, and this time, it was him filled with apologies. Caleb knew Charlotte was not ready. Three children under four was too much for anyone at the best of times.
Charlotte pulled away, shaking her head. Her mother, Emilie, managed the house. She had a brilliant career as a programmer and raised three children. Charlotte struggled to get herself out of bed. She could not bear to see her children suffer in her care. As a mother, Charlotte felt unable to deliver and meet a child’s basic needs. To be a wife demanded more than she had to give. What good is an eternal life if these are the feelings Charlotte has to live with? She hesitated; when she held Damien, and it was a similar feeling to when he was inside her, Charlotte felt different. It was a small thing, but he seemed to make her feel calm. The words choked with tears; she never wanted to lose him or that feeling.
Charlotte held Caleb’s face, and her blue eyes, red and puffy, pleaded. They needed help. She needed help. Charlotte knew they could not piece her back together alone. Caleb needed her to believe they could love again. Her eyes lowered, unable to make any promises. Love for Damien was all she could manage. She pressed her lips to his. Caleb gripped her hair, drawing back her head to open her mouth. He needed a kiss, a moment he could drown in, to pretend he had her again. Caleb picked Charlotte up and carried her to the bedroom. They shared an intense kiss as they curled up to sleep. Tomorrow, they could heal.
Autumn and Aurora: https://www.patreon.com/posts/toddler-tantrum-86550263
Charlotte: https://www.mediafire.com/file/qe421z71i5221r9/%5BJB%5D+Expression+Animation+Mega+Set.package/file
Charlotte and Caleb: https://www.patreon.com/posts/68435910
By the Grace of Sim Gods 