C3 The Fight

My eyes widen , and I momentarily forget about packing Clara drops the juicy gossip about my new boss ... ☹️

... Sam’s engaged ?!

I don’t normally read trashy tabloids, but I can’t help scanning through the article,starting with the full page photograph of his fiancee .

Star? Gossip

Here’s the scoop , hot of the presses!

Insider sources tells us Sam Lockwood and

Old fame Judith wheeler , are officially tying

The knot this summer!

Friends close to the couple say they ’ ve

been enjoying their time together as the

‘It’ couple of the business world ,

attending many red carpet events side by side ...

And now it’s really to take their

relationship to the next level in what

some are calling ‘ a huge surprise’!

We reached out to the happy couple,

but they declined our request for

comment. Maybe their still prepping

their ‘official’ announcement, but until

then ... you can read all about it here at

the star ⭐️ !

Blair, are you okay?

Clara ... I told you we weren’t a thing. Just another reason to focus on the job and not the gorgeous boss .

You should confront him .

Over what ? This all but confirms nothing happened . Let’s just focus on packing.I start aggressively wrapping fragile items in bubble paper , telling myself it’s fine and I don’t really care ... (So what if he’s engaged ? It’s none of my business ...) ... But deep down , my heart says differently .

Later that morning ... I returned to the Lockwood residence to find a congenial older man waiting for me in the lobby .

Pleased? to make your acquaintance, Ms. Lawson.

I’m Carson, the Lockwood family driver. I’ll be at your service today to assist with your move.

Wow, I’ve never had my own personal driver before.

Carson smiles and hoists several of my bags . He leads me across the lobby and up to the penthouse.

I hope you enjoy it here. Mr . Lockwood spoke highly of you this morning. Said he feels you’re the perfect addition to this family.

Thanks, Carson. I really appreciate that.

Carson gives me a nod before leaving . I take a deep breath and try to clear my head of the engagement drama as i unpack.

I’ve just picked up some of my lingerie when I hear a knock. Sam peeks his head through the open door with a smile.

I trust you’re settling in okay? He asked.

Sam! I didn’t expect to see you until later! I replied shocked.I’m suddenly acutely aware of the delicate clothing still in my grasp. What do I do?I decided to let Sam see the Red silk Bra i’m holding.I smirk at him, running the delicate silk through my fingers ‘absentmindedly’ as I talk to him.

Oh, am settling in just fine ...

Sam’s eyes linger on my hands before sliding back up to my face ... He clears his throat.

... Good , good . Glad to hear it.

Sam shakes himself from his reverie when I finally drop the lingerie into the drawer.

I hate to do this to you at the last minute, but I was called in to handle an emergency at the office. Can you watch the kids today?

(An ‘emergency’, huh?I wonder if it has to do with his engagement leaking to the press ... )

I Hope it’s nothing too serious ...

just a little PR nightmare to start the weekend , nothing I can’t handle .

Oh, yeah? I find it hard to picture anything you can’t ... handle .

Oh? Have you been picturing me a lot?

I try to ignore the blood rushing to my checks as visions of my dream came flooding back again ... ( more than I should be , that ’s for sure ... )I took a deep breath and gave Sam a careful smile. Wouldn’t you like to know? I asked him.But I can definitely look after the kids today. Whatever you need.

You’re a lifesaver. Now, I have some basic rules ... No pillow fights in the master bedroom. No ‘experiments’ after dinner. No Toaster Tarts, ever. You ‘ll thank me for that one. Oh, and NEVER TAKE THE SUBWAY. Carson will drive you anywhere you need to go.

Okay? , that sounds fair. It ’s our job to keep them safe after all .

Just then , a loud commotion breaks out in the kitchen ! Sam and I shared a look before rushing off to investigate together.

I enter the kitchen to find it covered in splatters of milk ?, cereal ?, and soda ?.

The sticky liquid drips from every surface , and somehow , it ’s already gotten on me .

Oh , kids ... Sam said softly .

Dad we did the pop rock experiment with soda a few days ago , and I said I thought milk ? might explode too !

Come on Mike , you shouldn’t have done that, you know how dangerous it is .

I told him that dad , but it ’s fun to do , you can try it if you want .

No , he won’t Mira , But ... pop rocks don’t actually explode in milk , do they ?

Ok , aunt Blair . Well, to answer your question , no . We had one bowl of milk and one bowl of soda ...

And one with milk and cereal. Mike said.

Right, because what ’s an experiment without a control?

No control ? That sounds ... More fun. Sometimes you’ve gotta live in the bright side.

I caught Sam ’s gaze over the kid ’s heads and wink. His gaze darkened dangerously ...

That’s ... one way of looking at things .

Then he turns back to the twins. Now kids , clean ? this up and get ready . I have a feeling Ms . Lawson has something special planned for your first day together .

You ’re leaving? But it ’s a Saturday!

I know Mira , but i have to take care of a work emergency . I ’m leaving you in very capable hands though , so be good , okay ?

We ’ ll try , dad ... but that ’s all we can promise ! Right sis ?

Yeah ... right .

The twins threw their arms around Sam’s waist ... soaking his clothes completely in milk ? and soda ? .

Starting now !. Sorry dad.

I step forward and put a hand on Sam’s shoulder .

I ’ve got this . You change and go .

Thanks, Blair . Call if you need anything .

I nod as Sam leaves , then I turn back to the kids .

I know you’re bummed ☹️ your dad had to leave , but if you can clean up fast enough , we can go to the coolest place in the city .

Mike , I ’ve got the counter! , you get the floor!

Later , Carson drops me and the kids off outside the planetarium.

Thanks for driving us , Carson . I ’m not sure how long we ’re going to be .

It’s no matter , Ms . Lawson . Just call me when you ’re ready .

I will - - Wait , Mike , no don’t touch that !

I hurry after the twins , steeling myself for a long afternoon ...

Over the next few hours , I led the kids through the various exhibits , doing my best to explain the Science along the way ...

But how can the Milky Way be one hundred thousand light years across? Mira asked .

Well , Mira . A light year is actually a measurement of distance . It ’s how far light can travel in a year . I answered .

It takes a hundred thousand years for light to travel around the Milky Way ? Mike asked .

C o o o o o o l ... ouch, my stomach .

What’s wrong Mira? I asked .

I’m starving .

Don’t worry sis , I’ve got you covered .

Ouch, what do u mean by that Mike ?

I stashed some Toaster Tarts in my pockets- -

Mike! You know your dad doesn’t let you eat those . Where did you even get them?

It’s a secret . Besides , he lets us eat them on special occasions ! And isn’t our first day together the most special - est occasion of them all. He said .

I hesitated , remembering all the times I ate Toaster Tarts as a kid , and it was awesome , so , I had no right , to deprive them from eating , and experiencing the taste of the Toaster Tarts .

So I let them eat the Toaster Tarts .

... Fine . But just this once ! But , most importantly, am letting u guys eat it cause Mira is in need of it . Okay?

Yes ma’am ? ! They replied .

The twins wolf down the Toaster Tarts , grinning the whole time . A moment later , my phone buzzes . I took it out of my pocket. And I saw ... ? ? ?

Text Message

From : Sam Lockwood

I don’t know if am more shocked , or nervous ? , by just seeing a text from him .

What’s wrong aunt Blair you look nervous ? ? Mira asked .

Yeah , or shocked ... ?

A text from your dad ? Your dad just texted me ? .

? oh ! no ... ?‍♀️ this is bad , do you think he knows about the Toaster Tarts bro ?

What ? ? No , no , of course not , he wouldn’t know . Would he ?

Oh ! He’s gonna be so upset ? with u Mike .

Me ? Why ? But - -

Yeah , cause you took the Toaster Tarts without his permission and then you ate it , knowing he doesn’t let us eat Toaster Tarts .

Uh ! Point of correction sis , ‘ WE ... ATE ... , THE ... TOASTER ... TARTS ’ . So he won’t be upset ? with just ME but YOU okay . He’s gonna be so upset with the both of us . So don’t DARE put the blame on me . Get it ?

? Well , I didn’t tell you to give the Toaster Tarts .

? , are you KIDDING ME right now ? Then why did you take it JOYFULLY when I gave it to you huh ?

Because I was STARVING Mike .

Then why did you say u didn’t tell me to give you the TOASTER TARTS ?

I said I was hungry , but I didn’t say I was hungry for Toaster Tarts .

So then , that’s why you ate it GRINNING ?

Because I had no choice and I ... WAS ... REALLY ... HUNGRY , okay ?

Hmm ? WHAT THE HECK IS YOUR PROBLEM MIRA ? ? ? ?

It’s you Mike , YOUR MY PROBLEM . ?

Oh ! Really ? Then tell me , how am I your SO CALLED PROBLEM ?

You’re kidding right ?

This is so serious Mirabel , tell me how the hell am your PROBLEM ?

Wait , hold on bro , hold on . Are you trying to tell me that you have no idea ?

Damn it Mira , yes , yes , that’s why am asking you ? Now tell me ? ? ? .

Well , ever since MOM died ? , you’ve been acting as if you’re older than me ? , And I don’t like it . You cause a lot of trouble Mike , and not just that , but you always find a way to get ME involved with what you do . You get me involved with something I have no IDEA about . Why? Mike , Why? . Do you think that’s funny ? Huh ?

I - -

What ? Can’t talk ?

( this is getting too much , it hurts me to see them fight , and argue like this , but I think it’s best if I keep quiet and give them some space . They both need to get a lot of things off their chest )

It’s just ... ?

It’s just what Mike ? It’s just what ?

Well , I needed to PROTECT YOU.

PROTECT ME ? ? Ha ! From WHAT or FROM WHO ? YOU ? OR PROTECT ME FROM GETTING IN THE TROUBLE YOU GET ME INVOLVED IN?

I knew you wouldn’t understand.

Then make me understand Mike . Make ME UNDERSTAND , Please.

There’s no need to beg me Mira .

THEN ...

Hey ! Guys , GUYS . Stop it ok , just stop it . Your dad’s waiting for me to reply , I can’t watch you guys fight over TOASTER TARTS ok , if Toaster Tarts causes problems between you too , then there’s no use of eating it . so just look for something to do , other than shouting at each other ok , you both aren’t babies anymore . You’re both seven , seven fucking years old. So you guys should calm down and apologize to each other, while I reply your dad. Okay?

Look Mira , am sorry, I didn’t mean to get you involved with anything I do , It’s just that I wanted to protect you from HARM , ok . I don’t want what happened to MOM to repeat itself in your case m. Am just looking out for YOU . Please you have to believe me. Am doing this because I❤️ you ok . I already lost mom ?and don’t want to lose you too.

Well , you should have told me from the start, I had no idea you felt that way. Am sorry I shouted at you . It’s just , after mom died , I’ve been so upset of your behavior . Am really sorry brother . S o o o are we c o o l ☺️ ? ? ?

Yeah sis , we cool ?just know that I love you okay ?

Yeah , I love you too .

Alright kids , since everything is okay now , if you check your time , it’s been fifteen minutes since your dad texted me , and am sure he’s worried sick about you kids . So , I think it’s best if I text him back right now .

Of course aunt Blair , am sorry we put you in this situation .

It’s okay Mira , am okay with you two getting what ever was in your chest out .

No Blair , am also sorry. But don’t tell my dad about the Toaster Tarts?.

Yeah am with mike on this , please don’t tell him .

It’s all good kids , but I ain’t making any promises.

I Smile as I opened the message .

Sam : How is it going ? Are the kids behaving for you ?

Blair : They’re being perfect angels ? ?

Sam : Well , now I know you’re lying . How did they bribe you ? A cut of their allowances ? Ceasefire on pranks ?

Blair : Toaster Tarts. Seriously tho , M&M are having a great time , No need to worry about them .

Sam : Thank you, Blair . That puts my mind at ease . See you at home tonight .

I put my phone away and turn back to the twins , trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing Sam at home ☺️ ? ...

So kids why don’t we look at the Saturn ? exhibit next - -

Just then , my phone vibrates in my pocket again .

( that can’t be Sam again , can it ? )

I brought out my phone again . And this time , it was a text message from my best friend Clara .

Clara : so I know you said to drop it .

But here are the deets on Sam’s fiancee . ?

Judith wheeler , 33 , daughter of ANOTHER

billionaire entrepreneur .

Blair : I can’t deal w / this r n

Clara : sure you don’t wanna know there’s no confirmation about the engagement ? Form her OR Sam ? ?

Blair : ... wat does that mean ? ?

Clara : You tell me , you actually know the man ? O . M . G or ask the twins ! I bet they kno a l l l l l the juicy gossip ? .

Blair : GOODBYE ? CLARA .

Even though my phone continues to buzz repeatedly from clara’s torrent of texts , I put it away and turn back to the twins .

I’m bored ? ! this dumb museum is boring! Mike said .

I think ? fast , feeling a tantrum coming on ...

( I bet Mike would love a more hands - on experience ... I could take them to Central Park to check out the actual night sky ? and get some major nanny points . ) ( plus , if I put them in a good mood ? , the kids might just answer my questions about Sam’s mysterious fiancee ... ) so , I decided to take the kids to Central Park .

You’re right , Mike . All this museum stuff can get kinda boring after a whole day .

But - - Wait , really ?

Absolutely ! What if we check out the real thing ? We can go to Central Park and try to find all the stuff we learned about today in the night sky ? .

A . W . E . S . O . M . E ! Said Mira.

After a short walk , the three of us stretched out in the grass of Central Park , searching the sky for constellations ? .

I think that one is Orion right there ?. I said .

I found one of the dippers ? ! Mike said .

Big or little ! Mira asked .

Well , it looks pretty little from here ...

After a few more minutes of starting up at the sky ? , I turned to the kids .

Hey , I have a question for you ...

I cleared my throat and try to think of the best way to word it .

Mira said ; Ooh , I have a question ! What is the oldest a bug ? can be ?

I answered . Mm , termites live about fifteen years if I can remember my bio class correctly . Though , termite queens can be fifty .

Oh ! ? Me next ! How fast is the fastest second grader ? Mike , asked ?.

Get out your watch , and I’ll show you ? ! Mira , said .

I laughed ? as the twins stick out their tongues ? at each other .

Okay , that’s enough kids . My turn . Does your father ... knows Judith Wheeler ? Rich , super , and beautiful ... ?

Mira answered . Scientifically speaking , I’ve never seen an actual face , s o o o ? she may or may not be beautiful ? .

Ha ! ? Underneath a l l l that makeup , she could be a total blob fish ? .

? ? ? good one ☝️ brother .

The twins grin and high - five each other .

Hey , kids that’s not funny ? . She’s your elder you know , so you’ve got to show some respect , even if what you said may be right . And am sure Judith must be nice if your dad likes her , no matter how much makeup she wears .

One time , we accidentally used all her face cream and she cried ??? .

MIKE ... ‘ Accidentally ’ ?

Don’t mind him Blair . We needed the collagen for an experiment ! ? . It said it would ‘ plump ’ and ... ‘illuminate ’ so we painted a lot of stuff with it .

It didn’t plump or illuminate anything ☹️ . Mike , said .

Ooh ?! I - -

I tried to keep a straight face ... ? but the mental picture is just too much ? .

I asked . Is that so ?

Yes . They answered .

I couched and changed the subject .

When did Aunt Judith first meet ... I cleared my throat and continued ... Your dad ?

I think ? when they were , like , our age ? Right Mike ?

Yeah , Before we were born , that’s for sure . She’s always been around .

Yes brother . But dad didn’t call Judith his girlfriend until , I don’t know ?‍♀️ , last Christmas ?

Yeah , Your right sis , something like that . It wasn’t that long ago .

Wow ? . I guess things developed quickly .

I noticed the twins looked at each other seeming confused ? .

But the wedding - -

Whose wedding ? Mira asked .

Your dad’s wedding to - -

Uh , never mind .

My brain catches up with my mouth , and I cut off quickly .

The last time we went to a wedding , I crawled under the table and tied everybody’s shoes together .

Mike , the Great Shoe Debacle , wasn’t the last wedding we went to . That was Miss Fiona’s . The last weeding we went to was - -

The honey ? in a bouquet ? prank , you’re right ! sis ?

( I gotta remember to stay on their good side ... )

Why’re you asking anyway , Blair ? Mira asked .

Oh ! I just ! Uh ... saw something on the internet about them and was curious . But it’s obviously ? just gossip .

Hey , is that constellation ? Gemini ♊️ ?

Which one ? They’re twins too ! Mike asked .

I distracted the kids by pointing out more stars ✨ , but my mind is somewhere else .

( does that mean Sam and Judith aren’t getting married ? ... or just that they haven’t told anyone yet ? )

Finally , I motioned for the kids to follow me .

It’s getting late ... we should probably start heading back home . I’ll call Carson .

I dial the driver , but I got no answer ... I try again , and again , and again , and again . Yet , still no answer .

( crap . This is bad , real bad . Time for plan B ... )

I attempt to hail a taxi , but the few that passed by ignored my desperate attempts to stop them . We stood there for some minutes , taxis passed by a lot but refused stopping . I tried calling Carson again but still no answer . I gazed at the kids and I know they’re getting cold and really want to go home to their father . I became sad ? and depressed about it . They caught me gazing at them sadly ? , then they came over to where am standing trying to get a cab so we can return home .

Mirabel , said ; Blair , I’m getting cold .

I know, Mira , but Carson isn’t answering his phone , and I can’t get a cab , and - - ? Now my phone just died too . Oh ! Kids we’re so screwed .

Carson is probably driving Dad home right now . Why don’t we take the subway ? ? ? We haven’t done that for like ... forever .

The rules Sam gave me from this morning ,came flooding back ...

“ NEVER TAKE THE SUBWAY ? ”

Well , your dad said we weren’t really supposed to ...

( but it’s already getting dark out and cold ? as hell . I’ll try to hail a cab one last time ... )

When the seventh taxi ignores me again , I sigh ? , take the kids ’ hands , then start walking towards the nearest station ? ...

Yeah ! S u b - w a y ! S u b - way ! S u b - w a y ! They chanted .

Soon , the three of us are settled in our seats , and the rush of the subway ? car carrying us home lulls me into a quiet ? contentment . I try not to smile as I hear the kids whispering to each other ...

You see mike ? I told you she ’ s way cooler than our other nannies .

We’ll see mira . Maybe you just got lucky .

You know I’m right mike , your just saying that because you’ve lost the bet . Don’t worry bro , you’re giving me your next allowance . Ha ! ? ...

Shhh ... ?

Sorry ? Blair . They said .

I smiled ( let’s hope our luck continues when we get home and Sam doesn’t catch us fresh off the subway . )

By the time I slipped into the penthouse with the kids , it’s almost passed their bed time , but they run to greet their dad in the living room .

Oh my god Dad , today was awesome ? ! I saw a hologram star ? implode ! Right Mike ? ?

Yeah and I found Venus over Central Park ! ?

Plus we saw a shooting star ? and we made a wish ! said mira .

Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time with with Blair .

Oh yeah , she’s the best ! Dad .

Really ? Mike is that true ?

☺️ Well , I don’t know about all that ... i said .

High praise for the first day ? .

Yeah dad . But the best part was when we had to ride the subway home ! I t . W a s . A w e s o m e !

Sam’s eye snapped over to me , his expression darkening as he realizes I broke one of his rules . And not just any rule but the most important one of them all .

Is that so ? ? He asked .

Wow ? , look at how late it is . We should be heading to bed ! Come on , kids let’s go freshen up okay .

I lead the twins down the hall and into their bedroom before Sam has a chance to respond .

Half an hour later , after the kids are tucked in , i know I have to face the music . Sam waits in the kitchen , drumming his fingers against the counter top in the meanwhile .

What makes you think you can break my rules , Blair ? ?

I don’t think that . ? it was an accident ! Am sorry ? .

Sorry ? Your sorry ? It’s not any better if you ‘ accidentally ’ endangered my children .

In spite of my efforts , my heart ❤️ pumps harder , and my voice raises .

It’s just the subway Sam . And ... I made a judgment call ! At that moment , your rule was stupid!. I tried calling Carson but he didn’t take my calls , not once , not twice . I even tried getting a cab but they all ignored me ? I kept trying Carson’s line , but still no response. What was I supposed to do ? Camp out at the damn park ?

Don’t you DARE raise your FUCKING voice at me. And you don’t get to use CARSON as an EXCUSE to escape what you did . YOU could have called ME . You can always call me. I would have found a way to get you back home safely.

Sam ... we are back home safely .

I reached out to touch his arm , but he pulls away from me and begins to pace .

That’s not the point Blair ! You could have gotten hurt, You have no idea how much pressure I’m under , Blair . The last thing I need is to worry about Mike, Mira and you .

... You were worried about me ?

Of course I was!