Chapter Fifty-Five: Family Dinner:

I enjoyed the rare moments I got to spend with my family. Tonight was one of those times. I wanted another break from cleaning up the mess. Beelzebub tried to talk me out of this.

“You sure this is a good idea?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “I need this!”

“But…” he said.

“I need this!” I said again. Beelzebub put up his hands.

“Okay, okay,” he said. “I get it.”

“Thank you,” I said. I bowed my head and walked out of the War Room. I wasn’t going to hear anymore from him. My family comes first.

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“I’m home,” I said.

“Daddy!” Camon and Judas shouted. They ran over and hugged me. I held both boys into my arms.

“Boys!” I said. “How have you been? I missed you so much!” I looked at their little smiling faces. Such precious little boys. Aon and their new sibling were going to look just as cute. I let go of my sons.

“Where is your mother?” I asked.

“Napping!” Camon said.

“Ah, I see,” I said. I looked down at my sons.

“Have you eaten yet?” I asked. The little boys shook their heads. The gears started turning in my head. I looked down at their little faces.

“Right,” I said. “Let’s go set the table together.” Camon and Judas looked at each other with confused looks on their faces. I took them by the hands.

“Come with me,” I said. I led them over to the dining room.

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Dinner was simple that night. We had potatoes mixed with onions, mushrooms, leeks, and cheese. I don’t know how I came to this for our dinner. It just kind of happened. I picked up my spoon and dug in.

“This is pretty good,” I said. “Wouldn’t you agree?” I looked at the family at the table with me. Kamon and Judas sat on either side of me. Aon sat in highchair at the table. Madonna sat at the other end of the table. Nobody sat a word. My wife wouldn’t even look at me.

“So, how is everyone today?” I asked. I didn’t get a respond at first.

“We colored and played with toys,” Camon said.

“Is that right?” I asked. “I see.” Judas poked at his potatoes in his bowl. Madonna kept her eyes down on her plate.

“And how are you today, dear?” I asked. She mumbled something to herself. I raised my eyebrow.

“What was that?” I asked.

“Fine,” she said. Madonna’s going to be due in five more months. Even this pregnancy took me for a surprise. I lowered my spoon.

“Are you soon you’re okay?” I asked.

“Yes!” she shouted. I put up my hands.

“Okay, okay,” I said. “Geez.” I noticed her glaring at me. What was going on here? Things had gotten worse between us every time she gets pregnant. I know that I should stop, but I can’t let her go. I love my wife and the kids too much for that. Was my love causing her this much misery?

I shook my head. No, that can’t be right. I picked up my spoon and shoved more potatoes and cheese in my mouth. These are pretty good.

“So, Camon,” I said. Our oldest son looked up at me. I forced myself to focus when I saw his little deep brown eyes.

“You’ll be starting school soon, won’t you?” I asked. He gave me a confused look on his little face.

“What’s a school?” he asked.

“It’s where you go to learn things,” I said.

“Is that good?” Camon asked. I smiled and lowered my spoon.

“I will show you tomorrow,” I said. My wife didn’t say a word. My smile faded away. This was supposed to be a happy time. Where was I going wrong?

I pushed the thought out of my head as I picked up my spoon again. I was going to have work on this next time. The rest of dinner was just quiet.