He studied her for a minute. Mia had gone back to folding laundry, but he’d seen enough to recognize a soldier ready to do battle. He could work with that.
“We’ll figure it out together, then.” After the girls were in bed for the night, he’d pull up a spreadsheet and outline a daily schedule.
“How long will this last?” Mia asked.
Was she thinking she’d be able to move out next week or in a month when her apartment was refurbished? He had to put an end to that kind of thinking. “Until the threat is neutralized.”
“Oh,” she said. “I guess… that makes sense.”
6
Kenton hadn’t liked that the twins went to day care the following day, but he hadn’t seen a better option. He had run a check on the facility and noted its excellent safety record and firm policies about who could pick up kids. He’d deemed it acceptable since Mia had to work. Still, when he was out running some errands, he drove by the day care twice. Each time he parked across the street for a few minutes and watched.
He’d seen nothing to worry him, but while he worked on projects around the house and kept up with communications with his CO, he considered a different option for the coming days. If he kept the twins at home with him, he could guarantee their safety. He would know where they were and what they were doing every minute. There would be no unknowns. With that in mind, he researched how to care for toddlers. He avoided the free-range parenting sites and focused on a more traditional route. After three hours of reading, he concluded that eighteen-month-olds didn’t seem that complicated. Certainly nothing he couldn’t handle as long as he went into it prepared.
After dinner, he helped Mia clear away the dishes while the twins lingered over cookies. He thought it a good time to inform her of his plan to watch the kids. The more he’d thought about it throughout the day, the better he felt. It eliminated a place where the kids were more vulnerable and helped her with a childcare problem she’d mentioned.
“I’ll take care of them tomorrow,” he declared without preamble.
“Huh? What?” Mia had been bent over the dishwasher and straightened up quickly. “Take care of the girls? Why?”
“Didn’t you say you’d have to take the day off tomorrow because the day care wasn’t open?” She’d mentioned this when she got home. The day care was having professional development for their staff, and Mia had forgotten about it. She needed to keep a calendar so those sorts of things didn’t catch her by surprise.
“Well, yeah, but…” She looked toward Emma, who was mushing the remains of her cookie between her fingers.
“I’ll watch them so you can go to work,” he said. “Besides, I think they’ll be safer with me.”
“Have you taken care of kids before?” Her gaze was back on him.
“I’ve babysat some enlisted men. Does that count?” He shot her a grin to which she rolled her eyes. “I haven’t, but I did some online research and downloaded a book about establishing routines with kids. I haven’t read the entire thing yet, but I’ve skimmed most of it.” It had been organized in chapters dedicated to different age groups and activities, making it easy to get through the relevant parts quickly.
“A book.” She drew out the word, her tone more teasing than condescending. “Sounds like you are all set and will whip the girls into shape and out of toddlerhood in a week.” She put the last of the items in the dishwasher, closed it, and pushed the start button.
“Your confidence in me is exhilarating.”
Her lips thinned as she held in a laugh. “I believe that’s just your confidence rousing you.”
“Possibly.” Kenton smirked, undeterred. “I’ve worked out a daily schedule on a spreadsheet, but I’ll print out some quick-glance guides to have with me during the day.” He planned to put those on card stock and place them around the house for easy access. “You might want to use them, too.”
She leaned against the counter. “Your reconnaissance mission sounds like it was a great success. I look forward to seeing you in action.”
He eyed her. Was she agreeing to this too easily? Her face gave nothing away. Which meant either she was being sincere, or she had one hell of a poker face.
“Okay, then,” he said. “I’ve got kid duty.”
The following morning, Kenton checked his watch. He had time to take Emma and Ava for a short walk before their morning naps. He’d seen on the refrigerator the nap, snack, and play schedule that the day care provided and decided to use it as a guide, since they were professionals. So far, he’d been right on with breakfast and morning playtime. He’d even managed to get them dressed without incident. He dressed Emma in red and Ava in yellow. He was pretty certain he knew which twin was which at this point, but he didn’t want to get confused over the course of the day.
Since he didn’t have a play set available, their scheduled outdoor time would have to be accomplished with a walk around the neighborhood.
“Okay, girls, time to get in the stroller,” he said, filling his voice with enthusiasm.
Ava looked up from where she and her sister were playing with blocks but didn’t move. Emma ignored him entirely as she snapped together two colorful, oversized pieces.
“Stroller time,” he repeated. “Don’t you want to go for a walk?”
Why was he asking toddlers questions? He stopped himself. He was the adult in charge, and they should do what he asked. He moved closer to them. Ava got to her feet and toddled toward him, so he picked her up.
“Leave the blocks, Emma.”
“No,” she said.
Kenton had heard that word often enough from her. She’d said no to a pair of socks, to cereal, and even to moving from the kitchen to the living room. She was testing him. He’d read that some toddlers did that. He hadn’t overreacted, which had allowed him to accomplish his goals. She’d put socks on, although not the ones she’d said no to. She’d eaten breakfast, a different kind of cereal. He couldn’t claim victory for the room change, because Ava had taken Emma’s hand and led her twin to the living room.
“Don’t want to,” Emma said, not looking up from her play.
“That’s not an option. Ava and I are going for a walk, and you’re coming.” He stepped closer, and the ball of his foot landed on the edge of a block. “Son of a…” Kenton bit off the rest of the phrase. He wanted to hop around the room holding his foot, but he had a child in one arm and had to be the adult in the room.
Emma’s attention was still focused on the blocks. Jesus, she was stubborn, and he was getting irritated. What had the book suggested he do in this situation? He thought back to the chapter on toddler behavior but couldn’t remember what it said.
“Okay, you in the stroller first,” he said to Ava, making up his mind. He went to the entryway and strapped her in. Before going back for Emma, he checked the bag with water bottles and snacks he’d put in the basket under the stroller earlier. Being prepared and organized were keys to being successful with little kids. With anything, he thought.
As he turned to go back into the living room, he felt little hands on his leg. Emma was using him as a ladder to climb into the stroller.