Chapter 1. Introductions
Chapter 1. Introductions
Mackenzie POV
Before we get started allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mackenzie Noelle Patel. I just turned 18 and I am a single mom to my two year old identical twin boys, Carter and Cade. Their father has never been in the picture and never will be, I won’t get into that now though.
Now back to the present. I wake up to the twins babble from beside me and I smile as I look into their vibrant sage green eyes that are identical to mine. I slide out of bed and a quick glance at my alarm clock shows its 6:50 am meaning I have a little over an hour until I have to be at work. I get dressed in my work uniform which is a typical servers uniform consisting of black pants a black shirt and an apron. I also pull my long caramel brown hair up in a high ponytail.
Once I’m ready I take the twins to the kitchen to eat before getting them ready. I finish getting the twins dressed and get them into the car without too much fuss. Which I’m extremely thankful for because getting them into the car can be a nightmare some days. We reach my parents house 15 minutes later and I get them both out of the car along with their diaper bag. Once we are inside we head to the kitchen where my parents are drinking their morning coffee. “Morning.” I say as I set my kids down. “Morning, sweetheart.” My mom says as my dad gives me a quick bear hug before going to play with the twins. “Well I better get going, thanks again for watching them.” I say sincerely. “Sweetheart, as we told you when you decided you wanted to move out, we are always happy to watch the twins, you don’t have to thank us for it every day.” My mom says softly and pulls me into a hug. I leave my parents house soon after and as always I feel extremely grateful that they’re able to watch my kids, and that I get to see how much my parents love them. Especially my dad because despite the fact he’s not mine or any of my brother’s biological father, he has always treated us like his own, for that he is an amazing man and an even better father.
I sigh as I pull out of my parents driveway and head toward the diner. I have worked at the Countryside diner since I found out I was pregnant with the twins. The owners of the diner, Camille and her husband Oliver, have been together for nearly 60 years and are the sweetest people I’ve ever met. They never once judged me when I told them I was pregnant and needed a job. For that I will forever be grateful.
Once I arrive at the dinner and clock in I immediately get to work. Nearly 8 hours later, I’m exhausted and can barely stand, but at the same time I'm beyond thankful that it was another non stop shift. Which means I had no time to think about my kids who I miss dearly when I’m at work. It also means I made more money today. I’m staring at my final sales and tips in shock. I knew I was busy but I didn’t think I sold almost 1000$ worth. The real kicker though was that I made a little over 200$ in tips today. I’m still standing there frozen in shock when Camille walks over. “Great job today.” She says looking over my shoulder at my sales record, effectively snapping me out of my shock. “Thank you.” I say with a smile gradually taking over my face. “Go home to your boys and enjoy your days off, you’ve earned them.” Camille says before walking away. I grab my stuff and once I’m in my car I head straight for my parents house. I arrive at my parents house 10 minutes later and head inside.
I head straight to the living area where I find my dads arm wrapped around my mother, and my kids passed out in their arms. A smile forms on my face at the sight and I quietly take a seat in a chair across from them. “Hey.” I whisper. “Good day, I’m guessing.” I say quietly, pointing to my sleeping kids. “Yeah, it was a really good day, and we know it’s a little late for them to be sleeping but they were exhausted.” My mom says apologetically. “It’s ok I have the next couple days off so if they end up staying awake half the night it’s not that big of a deal. Besides, it means I get to spend more time with them.” I say and my parents smile at me. “Do you know how many parents would be pissed if they came home to this?” My mom asked, the smile never leaving her face. “Um, I don’t know but I’m going to guess a lot.” I say and my mother nods. “The majority actually. Anyways considering the twins are passed out your dad and I were wondering if you’d like to stay for dinner, a couple of your brothers are coming?” My mom asks hopefully and honestly there is nothing I’d rather be doing tonight then having dinner with my parents, besides snuggling my babies of course. “I’d love to.” I say with a smile. I spend the next half an hour enjoying quality time with my parents. Well, my twins sleep peacefully in their arms. Two of my brothers and their significant others whom I have yet to meet, arrive about 10 minutes later and thankfully they were quiet coming in although I know I’ll have to wake the twins shortly as its quarter to 6 pm.
I launch myself into my older brother’s arms as soon as they enter the living room. They both wrap their arms around me tightly. “Hey.” I whisper “I missed you guys.” I say quietly. “I’ve missed you too sis.” They whisper back before letting me go. I step back and my eyes go to their girlfriends who are eyeing me up but not saying anything. “Kenz, this is my girlfriend, Ella. Ella, this is my little sister Mackenzie.” Jackson says introducing us. I’m about to shake her hand when I notice my parents trying to stand with the twins asleep on their laps. I gently take the twins from them one at a time and take a seat snuggling with them on the couch as my parents head to the kitchen to start on dinner. “It’s nice to meet you Ella.” I say softly once I’m situated. I expect her to say something similar but what she says next shocks me to my core. “Are they yours? If they are, you really should have had an abortion or put them up for adoption.” Ella says casually as if it’s no big deal and I’m too exhausted to even try to hold the tears back. I’m silently sobbing trying not to wake my kids up but it wouldn’t have mattered because Rowan’s girlfriend snapped at Ella in my defense which I am thankful for but I was hoping the twins would sleep until dinner was ready. They both start to cry from the raised voices. I manage to calm them down by rocking back and forth. “Mama, what’s wrong?” Carter asks in his tiny voice. “Nothing my sweet boy, let’s go upstairs for a bit, ok.” I say and he nods his head. I settle Carter on my right hip and he lays his head on my shoulder. I then settle Cade on my left hip and once I make sure they’re both secure I send a death glare in Ella’s direction before I head upstairs with both Noah and Jackson on my heels.
I lay the twins on my old bed and change their diapers in silence. Once they’re changed I set them on the ground so they can play and then I throw myself into Noah’s arms. “I am so sorry Kenz.” Jackson says suddenly, and I glance up at him. “Jackson, why are you apologizing, you didn’t do anything wrong. I say softly. “I brought her here, I didn’t realize she’d talk to you like that.” He says sadly his voice barely audible and my heart breaks hearing my brother like that. “It’s not your fault.” I say softly as I pull him into a hug. After a little bit of reassuring my brother my dad comes upstairs to tell us it’s time for dinner. I contemplate leaving but quickly come to the conclusion that leaving would be letting Ella win and that was not going to happen, at least not tonight. Jackson grabs Carter, I grab Cade and we head downstairs for dinner, my dad following with the diaper bag.
We enter the dining room and I ignore Ella's scornful gaze on me as I get the twins into their highchairs. Once we are all seated Noah introduces me to his girlfriend. "Sis, this is my girlfriend Calista, Calista this is my little sister Mackenzie.” Noah says. “Hi, it’s nice to officially meet you.” I smile shyly and reach my hand out to shake hers. “It’s nice to meet you too.” Calista responds softly as she shakes my hand. We eat dinner in relative silence and I’m grateful that Ella didn’t have the guts to say anymore about my kids. At least I thought she didn’t. My parents told us to all head to the living room once the table was clean as there isn’t room for more then three people maximum in the kitchen. Ella waits until we are settled before she starts ranting again. “Like seriously why would you wreck your body having kids.” She goes to say more but I cut her off. “My kids are my everything and my body is the furthest thing from ruined.” I finish speaking well, gesturing at my now mostly flat stomach. “Clearly whomever the father is didn’t think so.” Ella taunts and I see red.
