Dear Diary, this is Rosebud Lane, a quiet suburban cul-de-sac in Gladena.
And this is our new home. Look at my beautiful family. Whenever I capture candid moments like this, I can scarcely believe I’m this lucky.
The neighbor kids pretended they weren’t watching us move in. I glimpsed what I supposed was their mother, too. She has the weirdest stare.
This is the neighbor kid to the right of us. I’m glad our girls will have some friends. As long as the boys keep their distance, though. I won’t have them coming around my girls.
George has moved this chair by the fire in the kitchen and decided it’s his alone.
No one, and I mean no one, is allowed to sit there. And who would want to sit in that lumpy, old chair anyways? Sheesh. Old people.
Look! Bae has her own stall in the garage! Isn’t she beautiful? I can’t wait to take her out for a spin and get my bearings on our new digs.
I just can’t stop taking pictures of Sophie…
… and Geeg.
I’m so proud of these kids.
But one day, not long after we were settled in, things changed. Gigi would blow up at me, yelling that she wanted to go back home.
“We are home,” I would inform her.
I didn’t know what to do or say because she’d never acted this way before. It was shocking, making me realize my family was not the perfect thing I’d made it out to be in my mind. There were cracks opening faster than I knew how to repair them.
Even though I told Gigi she was being unreasonable, her pain tugged at my heart.
My poor Sophie was so little, I thought the move wouldn’t bother her at all. But as she watched my argument with Gigi, her lower lip quivered, and she looked like she might burst into tears. I wanted to comfort her, but Gigi still had my attention.
“Daddy, I hate it here.”
“But why, Geeg?”
She stomped her foot and emitted the most woeful sigh. “I miss Wes and Shona! I miss my old room!”
“I know, honey. Let’s just try to make the best of this, okay?”
That was the wrong thing to say.
“How can I make the best of this when my life is ruined? I’ll never have another friend like Wes again!”
“But you will, I promise.” I wondered if she could hear the wavering in my voice even though I meant to reassure her. What was wrong with me? The more I tried to convince her, the less I was convinced myself.
“That’s not true!” she yelled. “He’s my bestest friend ever! I want to go home!”
I held my hands up like stop signs. “I’m sorry, Geeg. This is where we live now.”
“I hate this!” She balled up her fists, then screamed, before running to her room, making sure each step she took on the stairs was stompier than the last.
Her behavior made me question for the first time whether we should have moved at all. I’d blindly agreed to the move because Jade needed it, and we thought it would be best for our family.
I hadn’t taken into consideration how the girls might feel about it, and I never even thought about how I might feel about it. All I wanted was for everyone to be happy.
Why did I always jump in feet first before really thinking things through better?
After several days of this, I was wiped. I tried calling Vincent, but he wasn’t picking up.
“Kai?”
Jade’s voice was soft and full of concern.
I didn’t have the strength to raise my head and look at her. “I just need a minute, okay?”
“You’re scaring me. Are you okay?”
Finally, I was able to stand, although my head was throbbing. I could feel the pulse beating in my temple, thumping so hard, I was afraid it might burst.
“What’s going on?”
I sighed. “You’re out of touch, Jade. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold this family together. No one is happy. It’s just a big mess since we moved.”
“I’m out of touch? What a thing to say to me! Of course, things aren’t the best right now. We all need to adjust.”
My blood boiled under the surface, I could feel my face flush red.
“You really have no idea what’s going on around here,” I spat. “You may have better hours, so you are home more often, but I’m still the one the kids come to. I’m the one the kids dump all their upsets on. And they are more than a little unhappy. You have no idea the mess I am trying to fix since we moved. This whole thing is a disaster! I don’t even have Vincent to talk to or invite over.”
“No, you don’t have Vincent. But you have me. My hours are finally manageable, Kai. I thought this was what you wanted, too.”
“I didn’t want this, Jade. I only wanted you to be happy. It didn’t occur to me in my haste how unhappy and hard this would be. The kids miss their friends. Wes and Shona are like siblings to them. And… and something is going on with Geeg that she isn’t saying. I need you to help me because I’m at a loss.”
Her eyes hardened, but it was too late. I’d gone too far. How had our lives become such a mess? Somehow, this was all my fault. If only I’d learned to think before jumping in, perhaps we wouldn’t be arguing like this.
Later, the girls were playing on their swing set with Jade watching them. I came outside, pulling her into my arms. I couldn’t stand the way things were, so I had to make them better, no matter the cost.
“I’m sorry, baby,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“We’ll get through this together,” she promised.
The girls played, their faces split wide with grins and giggles.
Maybe things would be okay after all.
A special thanks goes to Bee (Poses by Bee, Stories by Bee) for the beautiful poses! You can find them here: Emotions – Adult and Emotions – Body Language.
Yes, Kai said “stompier.” It’s a Kai-ism. LOL 😂
Thank you so much for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting! I hope you enjoyed today’s chapter! See you next Saturday!
Oh dear! Things are in such an upheaval right now. Moving is never easy, and the kids are having a hard time adjusting. Unfortunately, poor Kai is taking the brunt of it all while Jade sails off to work. He is right that she’s out of sync/touch. I really hope they can work through their issues. Plus, to top it all off, that flirty hussy isn’t helping matters. I sure hope with all the stress and feeling neglected that Kai doesn’t turn to her for comfort. That would be walking a dangerous road, I think.
Ah. I moved around a lot as a kid, so it got easier. But I’ll always remember the first time. We moved two states away and I left the only little town I’d ever known. Not a happy time. Hopefully things get easier for the family.
I moved around a lot as a kid, too, so I get where you’re coming from. Hopefully you’re right about our little family.
I’m sorry that things are so hard for them now. It really has been a mess since the move. Kai is constantly stressed and so are the girls, and Jade just doesn’t realize.
You’re right about Jade. She is kind of in her own world. It’s been very stressful.
My parents moved us often when I was a kid… always a better opportunity ahead. I hated it as a kid. I would just get settled in and then we’d need to move again. That said, I know now that they were just doing what they thought they had to to give us a better life. We adjusted and I am who I am because of it. I think this family will be okay. (Though I may find out otherwise as I catch up!)
Thank you, Nya. I hear you on moving around a lot as a kid. That’s my life, too. When I was little, it felt like an adventure, but as I got older, it kind of sucked.
Gosh, I’m so behind and I’m really sorry about that Kym. 😅 I swear I sat there like ‘oh, I’ll catch up, no biggie’ and suddenly there’s so much to read haha!
I am a little worried about Kai’s family here. It really seems like there’s a lot going on.
Thank you, Louise! You’ve been missed. ❤️❤️ You’re right about Kai’s family. Hopefully, they’ll settle in and sort things out.
I feel so bad for Kai, having to deal with the kids being (understandably) upset. Moving at a young age is quite stressful but I hope they make friends and adjust soon. I also hope that Kai doesn’t end up leaning on his flirty neighbor for support – with Jade being gone so much, it’s seeming like more and more of a possibility.
Thank you, Raymond. I think the kids will adjust in time and hopefully, Kai will, too. I imagine Molly Hill would love it if Kai leaned on her. We’ll know soon.
I don’t think he should be so hard on himself. I know he’s the primary caregiver right now, but he shouldn’t have to feel like he’s doing it alone. But Jade isn’t a mind reader.
Thank you, Jess. What you say is true. I think he should have expected a bit of an uproar right after moving like that. I like that you said Jade isn’t a mind reader. Right on!
Jade indeed doesn’t seem to be around much and without Vincent Kai is pretty isolated. His whole world is the house and the family and as it is his whole world seems to be falling apart. He needs to meet and see new people to get a new perspective of things. Otherwise his emotional outbursts will become more frequent.
Thank you so much. 🙂 You’re right about Kai’s isolation and what he should do to overcome it. I think a new perspective is just what is needed.
I think I’d quite like to live on Rosebud Lane. But poor Sophie, and poor Geeg. Sounds like she’s being affected by the move and missing Wes quite a lot. I hope things settle because it sounds like Kai is pretty miserable and overwhelmed with it all. Jade is such a calming influence though, I think she can keep them together and get through the tumultuous times as they settle in. I think (hope) Rosebud Lane will be a positive new chapter for them. If not, I’ll gladly do a house swap with them! 😉 xx
LOL Thank you, Caz. xo I would love to do a house swap with them, too! The girls are definitely having a hard time, but I think all children (or most) do during a big move like this. I like what you said about Jade. She is calm, as you said, and can probably help them all get through this little bump in the road.
Aww adjustments are difficult! Things will get better .. as a military family we moved lots and once the kids get connected with a few friends it will be better
Thank you, Lisa. That’s so true about adjustments being difficult. You make a great point from your own experience as a military family.
A big move is always a huge adjustment. Even if everyone’s on board. I feel for the kids. But maybe they can meet new people once school starts?
Thank you, Violincat. That’s true about big moves. I think you’re probably right about their attitudes changing when they meet other kids at school.
Everyone is having such a rough time adjusting. Kai’s heart is in the right place. And i think Jade sees that. Poor gege will take awhile to get used to the place. I do hope Kai and Jade manage to patch things up. Seems like there’s wiggle room for Ms Neighbor mom to squeeze through and break the stitches 😱
Thank you so much! And, goodness sakes, let’s hope not.. 😱😱 I think Jade sees that Kai’s heart is in the right place, too. And, I think it is. The move was never going to be as easy and simple as Kai thought it would be. But hopefully, they all settle in soon.
This is so very true!
Thank you so very much. 🙂
You’re welcome.
I’m sure Kai feels like taking a few stompier steps of his own! He needs to go for a long ride and let Jade manage the kids for a bit. Maybe it would open her eyes to the issues.
Loving the emotion you’re inserting into these characters, Kymber- they leap off the page <3
Awww goodness, thank you so much. That means so much to me. ❤ I think you have a brilliant idea there about Kai taking a long ride and letting Jade manage the kids. She might be surprised how things go. lol
Hmmm. It seems like Kai could benefit from learning about emotional intelligence. It might help him be OK with his own and others’ difficult emotions. It’s not the end of the world to feel sad, lonely, confused, homesick, and angry. And emotions don’t last! Jade seems to have a fair amount of emotional fortitude and resilience, and I think she has a lot to offer to the whole family as they figure out how to move through transitions together.
Thank you, Cathy. I think you are right that Kai could benefit from learning about emotional intelligence. I like what you said about how feelings are not the end of the world because they don’t last. I also think you are right that the family is just in the process of learning how to move through this transition.
I gagged, again. You know why! Uck
this version was so much better! well done. I am happy Kai is finally getting his voice heard because if he doesn’t learn to speak up, they won’t make it as a family. Jade is not wrong for wanting better. She worked hard to get them where they are, so Kai can be stay home dad and give the girls this kind of security. Huge life changes are hard. It will either work or not. We shall see…….
LOL! Yes, I definitely know why, my sweet editor. 😀
You’re right about Kai needing to speak up. Perhaps he should even evaluate why he lets the women in his life rule his every move. lol But, yes, Jade has definitely worked hard. It’s difficult to be in a situation where resentments can build even though everyone is doing their best as they know how.
That is a very good way to put the situation.
I think what’s helped me is our talks about this situation and what it means to each of them.
The new house looks very neatly arranged and clean. School is nearby and even a cozy place for grandpa is made out.
But it isn’t home yet. I’m curious, if it will ever become.
Kay is trying under high pressure to hold things together, against his own will, only to make all happy? How will that work out ?
At least he admitted, he can’t manage alone.
Can Jade grasp, how important especially Vincent is to Kay ?
She’s his wife, and he loves her dearly, but does she really believe, she can replace his mate from prison ? After work of course ?
It seems to me, as if he has forgotten how to perceive his needs at all.
I already wondered a little about his reddened face in the last chapters.
Meanwhile I think, his blood pressure might be far to high.
With all the dangers that this entails, if it won’t be treated in time.
One way or another.
I enjoyed this chapter, especially when Gigi said, her life is ruined.
Of course it isn’t, but it feels like it in this moment.
My son said a similar thing, when he was little and had a quarrel with his older brother. At least, it’s a warning.
I’m looking forward where it will lead to.
Thank you so much. I think you’re right that Kai is not taking into consideration what he needs, and that Jade really doesn’t understand how important Vincent is to him. That’s an interesting point about his reddened face, too. Good thinking! Perhaps he should have that checked out by a doctor.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this chapter. It’s interesting how children react and what they will say. I remember one of my children saying that before, too.
It’s really hard for kids in school to adjust to a move. They know their place in their old school and are comfortable. Trying to become accepted in a new one is difficult to say the least and they often become the butt of jokes and bullying. I hope that’s not what’s happening with Gigi. 😬. And Jade is out of touch. She isn’t there when the girls have their breakdowns. She’s the one that needs to try harder. Kai is carrying a lot more on his shoulders than she gives him credit for. I see a blonde neighbor in his future. lol.
Thank you, Audrey. Uh-oh to the blonde neighbor. You didn’t happen to peek at next week’s chapter title, did you? LOL 😀
I agree that it’s hard for kids to adjust for all the reasons and scenarios you listed. Let’s hope Gigi isn’t the butt of jokes or bullying.
I think you’re right that Kai is carrying way more than Jade realizes. Hopefully, they can get this straightened out soon.