🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙Bedtime Blues in the Munro-Hope House 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙 

 After tucking Amira in, she goes downstairs seeing Clara laughing at Icarly and playing on her tablet. Tay stopped in the doorway a moment watching her little girl have fun enjoying her summer nights from school. With a palm rubbing over her very pregnant belly she steps into the room and smiles at Lala clearing her throat. "Lala, Babygirl its bedtime upstairs and put on your jammies." She said in a sweet voice as she leaned against the doorway. 

Clara Munro-Hope's giggles fill the room, her eyes glued to the screen as the silly characters on iCarly crack her up. Aww, but Mummy Tay! I’m having the best time! She looks up, her big sparkling eyes reflecting a bit of mischief as she wiggles her fingers on the tablet. Can’t we just watch one more episode? She leans back into the soft cushions, trying to look as comfy as possible while her heart races at the thought of bedtime. I promise I’ll put on my jammies super quick right after! Clara pouts cutely, biting her lip, trying to convince Mummy Tay with her adorable charm. Just think of all the fun dreams we’ll have after this! 

Shakes her head and goes toward Lala and takes her tablet from her and then turns off the tv with the smart remote. "No ma'am it's not up for discussion...Do you want me to call Daddy at work? You cannot stay up late in the night just because Daddy is out on a business trip." She folded her arms letting them rest over her belly as she spoke in a mummy voice. 

Clara Munro-Hope's eyes widen as Mummy Tay turns off the TV and takes her tablet, a wave of disappointment washing over her. Aww, but Mummy Tay! She pouts, feeling her little heart flutter in her chest. I was just having so much fun! She bites her lip, trying to muster up all the adorableness she can, glancing at the now-blank screen. Can we please just have one quick story? Her tone is sweet and pleading, trying to find a way to persuade Mummy Tay, her giggles turning into soft whines, hoping her charm might work even just a tiny bit. I promise I won't stay up too late! Clara's determination shines through, her spirit as bright as ever, even with the bedtime battle on the horizon! 

Tay Munro-Hope sighed moving one of her pigtails behind her back arching her back as her palm rested on her back side. "Lala...What did Daddy tell you...When its bedtime its bedtime. Do you want me to call him and tell him you are back talking mummy when you need to get to bed?" Tay knew that Chard was a bit better and faster at put down than Tay when it came to his kids because he always did it since they were babies it was always Daddy put down at nights and naps. "Lala...please go upstairs and get ready for bed.... I promise you can read one book and then go straight to sleep." Knew she shouldn't make deals because Chard told her that she must put her foot down more than they were married and the girls will respect that she stands her ground which is something Tay was struggling with since they have become a blended family. 

Clara Munro-Hope's playful expression shifts a bit as she hears Mummy Tay's serious tone, her heart fluttering just a little. Oh, no, please don’t call Daddy! She giggles nervously, her mind racing to think of a clever way to wiggle out of bedtime. I promise I’ll be a super good girl! She bites her lip, throwing in the cutest smile she can muster. How about we read just one tiny story together? Then I’ll go to bed, I promise! Her eyes sparkle with hope as she tugs gently on Mummy Tay's hand, trying to coax her back into the world of fun a little while longer. What do you say, Mummy Tay? Just one story? Clara's voice is sweet and innocent, full of charm as she dreams of bedtime adventures! 

  Tay Munro-Hope groaned a bit rubbing her belly. She took her phone out of her jean pocket when it vibrated seeing that it was Chard. "How is mummy put down going for Lala, babe?" Tay quirked her lips and didn't know what to answer at first before finely, manicured nails tapped against the screen with Lala's tablet under her arm she replies. "It's going.... Call you in a bit baby..." She darkens her phone screen and refocuses on Lala. "Ok little one. Upstairs in jammies now and I will give you your tablet for 20 mins...But then its lights out no excuses, no more deals..." She took Lala by her hand and marches her upstairs. When Lala was all changed in her pajamas, Tay watched her with folded arms the tablet still tucked between her underarm as she watched Clara climb into bed like a big girl and look back at her with gleaming eyes. "Alright now...Remember the deal.... Tablet time for 20 extra minutes...We don't speak of this to Daddy, and you go to sleep right after the timer goes off on the tablet, deal?" Green eyes looking at Clara with all seriousness before handing her the tablet. Seeing Clara's face light up and take it from her with a grin. Tay leans over on the bed and kisses Clara's cheeks before pulling the covers up closer to her tucking her in and leaving her bedroom dimming the lights to only mostly her nightlight shined. 

Clara Munro-Hope’s face absolutely beams as she takes the tablet, her little giggles echoing softly in the cozy room. Thank you, Mummy Tay! She hugs the tablet to her chest, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world! Your hugs are the best! As Mummy Tay kisses her cheeks and tucks her in, a warm wave of love washes over Clara, making her feel snug and safe under the covers. I’ll dream about unicorns and magical adventures! Her eyes flutter with excitement as the room dims, the soft glow of the nightlight casting a gentle, twinkling light. Goodnight, Mummy Tay! Clara says sweetly, snuggling into her pillow, her heart bubbling with joy as she drifts into the world of dreams, ready for the adventures to come!  

 Clara Munro-Hope's heart flutters with joy as she takes the tablet from Mummy Tay, her grin stretching from ear to ear. Yay! Thank you, Mummy Tay! She hugs the tablet close, her imagination soaring with all the exciting things she can do with it. Oh, and those kisses are the best! She giggles as Mummy Tay tucks her in, feeling all warm and snug in her covers. It’s like being wrapped up in a fluffy cloud! As the room dims to a cozy glow, she snuggles deeper, her eyes sparkling like little stars. Goodnight, Mummy Tay! I’ll have the best dreams ever about our adventures! Clara beams, her excitement bubbling even as she drifts off, thinking about all the magical things they can do together tomorrow. Sweet dreams! Her whisper fills the room like a soft lullaby as she closes her eyes, ready for a night full of glorious adventures! 

Leans against Clara’s closed door her palms pressing against her face covering it as she sighed heavily. Tay slowly slid down her back pressed against the white wooded door turning her head about her neck. She deeply thought to herself about how hard its been since Chelsea, Chard’s oldest daughter, came to live with them since her troubles in England. The girl was 16 and resented the very fact that her father was not only getting married to a girl only 4 years older than her, but pregnant by him as well.  

Tay pulls out her phone and looks at the replied message from Chard,  

“I am stuck at business dinner, but how did put down go, is she sleep?” Tay just bumped the back of her head against the door, her manicured nails flying across the screen as she replied to him listening to Clara’s faint voice on the other side of the door playing on her tablet. She knew that lying to him was not the right option, but with everything going on she was under such pressure. Having Chelsea here with her rebellious attitude toward everyone lately was not helping. Tay groaned getting up from the floor and made her way slowly toward their bedroom her head hanging low as she passed by Chelsea’s room hearing her on her phone looking at something on social media, with a hard close of her bedroom door, Tay questioned everything about herself as a mother. Even with the loving support of her now husband, who always showed his Loyalty and his love and faith in her. She couldn’t help, but wonder in her own young mind...Was she letting down her family before their journey barely began?  

 

 🥡🥠🍤 Family Night 🍤🥠🥡 

The evening was encroaching on to night as Tay continued her work setting up the new Harmony Hill’s public library unpacking more shipments of books with her assistant Claudette who was kind enough to help her knowing that with her growing pregnancy things were getting harder and moving around was getting more of a chore when Chard was not around to help her.  

“Thanks for staying Claudette I really appreciate your help with everything that needs to be done.” Tay said exhaling hard as she stood up holding her belly balancing herself on the side of one of the library tables. When she heard her phone vibrate, she goes over to pick it up sliding up the from her new lock screen that portrayed herself and Chard and their girls in the family room the night before. She smiled proudly at the picture before seeing the text message from Chard.  

‘I am back in town; baby I will be there to pick you up in about 15 mins.” Tay’s lips pursed into a blushing smile as she started stupidly at her phone rereading his message to her. Her heart lifted a thousand leagues into the sky every time she was with Chard and every moment, she was away from him felt like a piece of her was missing. Tay never noticed that her assistant was staring at her with a warm smile on her own face and her arms crossed. When Claudette cleared her throat to get Tay’s attention, she tilted her forehead forward and tucked in her chin to her chest looking at Tay. 

“Chard? Maybe we should pick this up tomorrow, yeah?” She said in a playfully teasing voice watching Tay’s blushing change as she replies to Chard’s text before putting her phone back in her backpack purse. She stepped back toward the box of books she was uncrating and looks over to Claudette moving locks of her hair that covered her face as she bent over the box and exhaled happily.  

“I never thought that we would...” She trailed at first taking three book stack in one of her hand and stopping as she looks down at them noticing what the first title of the book that stared back at her was ‘It Ends with Us, Red, White & Royal Blue’   which was a popular modern love novel that she recently read. She sat the books stack on the floor as Claudette watched her carefully studying her.  

“I just never thought we would really say how we feel about each other and work on becoming a family. I mean, when Chard told me he broke it off with that other girl and showed up at my door at 4 am the next morning I thought it was because he wanted to just spend time with me.” She tried to emphasize their love affair that long sense went on between them as she graced a hand over her pregnancy belly feeling a strong kick tap against her palm.  

“I am very proud of you, Boss Lady...” Claudette cooed playfully at her and it made Tay’s cheeks blush red as she shook her head and got up from the box placing her hands on her hips looking around at the progress they made since the beginning of the afternoon. After being wrapped up in meetings and paperwork all day for the city council, Tay was truly exhausted, but everything seemed to melt away when the thought of Chard coming to pick her up and they ride off home together. Tay snapped out of her daydream when she saw headlights flashing outside and looked pass Claudette recognizing Chard’s SUV.  

“Thanks love, lets meet up in the morning around 8 a.m.? Chard will drop me off as he has business out of town again.” Both women nodded in agreement and started to clean up and collect their things. When the women walked out of the library, Tay couldn't help but walk fast toward her boyfriend who was leaning up against the black SUV his arms opening wide to embrace her. When she came into his arms it was like a fire was lit deep inside of her as she looked up to him, green eyes locked into the deep ocean blues ones as they locked lips the kiss passionate. 

🥡🥠🍤 Family Night 🍤🥠🥡 Part 2

It wasn’t long after she reached her room, she heard Chard come through the bedroom door softly closing it behind him.  When he came around the corner, Tay was already laid out on the bed on her side looking at him with seductive green eyes she pats the side of the bed for him to come join her.  

She could see in his eyes he was admiring her first as he took off his jacket and shoes and stepped closer. Knee pressing into the mattress the bed dipped at his weight when he crawls to her on the bed leaning in kissing her lips feverishly.  

“I missed you so much.” He whispered against her lips as they savored the passionate moment between them. She pressed her palms on his chest as she embraced the kiss drawing back taking one of her hands and stroking the side of his face feeling the scruff of his beard. “I always miss you, baby when you are not with us.” She replied to him her forehead bumped against his as she tugged at the hemline of his shirt slowly revealing the lower half of his body up toward his belly button and his abs. They wasted no time removing each other’s clothes as they graced each other’s bare skin with tender kisses. Chard’s large, hard hands embracing Tay ‘s curves as she presses herself against him her baby bump taking up all the room between them. Chard laid Tay down on the bed on her back looming over her his eyes deep and trained on her face when his hands squeezed her breasts. She winced, sucking air between her teeth as her nipples, perked and harden reacted to his touch. He trailed kisses down her neck as she writhed underneath him when he positioned his waiting mouth over her first nipple taking it between his teeth suckle it with purpose.  

It was like a nude slow dance between the two as they pleasured each other, when their love making was done, the two sated laid in each other’s arms. Beads of sweat turned cold in the heavily air-conditioned room; a protective arm snaked around Tay’s waist stroking her baby bump. They shared another passionate kiss staring into each other’s eyes when the moment was disturbed by a voice knocking on her bedroom door. The two scrambled as they quickly changed into pajamas and kissed each other again before Tay casually as she could answered the door.  

🥡🥠🍤 Family Night 🍤🥠🥡Part 3

When she opened Amelie the Au Pair was standing on the other side looking at her with widen eyes seeing Chard place his robe over his shoulders his bare chest still exposed a bit as he came up behind Tay kissing her cheek. When they both noticed Amelie just stare at the two of them mainly Chard, Tay smiled and looked up at him as he spoke to her.  

“You alright?” His clear British accent made both swoon a bit just by him simply posing a question in his disheveled state. Amelie at first said nothing and just nodded her head and with a quivering voice she stated her business.  

“Did you guys' order food because we have a bunch of takeout downstairs?”  She looked between the two of them confused and Tay just nodded and sighed heavily looking to him. “We will be down in a minute.” Tay dismissed the confused and dazed girl watching her turn on the ball of her heels to scoot back downstairs to the girls. Chard pulled Tay into a passionate kiss and nuzzled her face as he spoke, “You go and eat dinner with the girls, I am tired, and I am going to go to bed early as I have to travel again in the morning after dropping you off.” She nodded as they shared another kiss, and he broke it drawing back kissing her lips and whispering to her. “I love you, baby.” 

She smiled big stroking his cheek as she answered him. “I love you too and so does our girls all of them...I will tell them good night for you.” She watched him climb into bed and immediately fall asleep as she turned and ascended downstairs to see Clara and Amira already at the table waiting for her and that Amelie was just leaving herself for the night. Tay said her goodbyes to the nanny before turning back to the table listening to Clara talk about her day while trying and failing to eat her dumplings with chopsticks and Amira making a mess eating her food. Tay just looked around her table her face and heart full of such and happiness that she couldn’t ask for anything better than this.