Perfection
Page 61

Johnnie gave her that same smile he gave her when his teacher, who'd been trembling and sobbing at the time, informed her that he believed the twins had been the ones to lock him in the closet with the school's pet snake, "Choppers." She hadn't bought his innocent act then and she wasn't buying it now.
"Remember what your father and I said earlier. If either one of you does anything bad then we're not going to your Uncle Jason and Aunt Haley's today," she said, knowing how much the kids adored Jason and Haley and refused to see them as anything less than their aunt and uncle. It was the same way for Jason and Haley's kids with them, but Jason and Haley's kids didn't scare the holy hell out of them with their innocent little smiles.
"But, we're being good," Jessica said, trying to give her the pouty innocent look that usually worked on her father.
"Really good," Mathew added with a hurt smile that was threatening to break out into a full grin. The boy really needed to work on his innocent act and judging by the scowl Johnnie was sending him he agreed and would probably look into the matter later.
Zoe closed her eyes for a moment. "Please don't let us end up on the ten o'clock news again," she mumbled, wishing she was back home in the large spa-like bathroom Trevor built for her as a belated wedding gift. Over the years it had become her refuge, the one place she went to relax and recuperate after dealing with the twins, both sets. She'd lost count of how many times she'd handed the children over to Trevor as soon as he stepped foot into the house and escaped to her bathroom where she usually stayed for a good three to four hours until Trevor came to get her after he'd put the kids to bed to help her relax in other ways.
"It was the eleven o'clock news," Sebastian proudly pointed out.
She opened her eyes just in time to catch all four children grinning hugely at the reminder of their fifteen minutes of fame. When they realized she was looking at them their expressions once again became innocent, even Mathew's. Hmm, he was learning quickly, she noted, not exactly sure how she should feel about that other than terrified that is.
"We didn't do anything, mommy. I don't know why you don't trust us," Johnnie said, giving her a wounded look as he gave her a little shrug. "We've been-"
"Hey, what the hell is wrong with my cell phone?" a man who'd been standing next to them not five minutes ago demanded loudly.
"There's something wrong with mine, too!" the woman who'd tried to cut in front of them earlier said, sounding pretty pissed.
"Mine, too!" someone else yelled.
"Why the hells are my settings in Japanese?" someone else demanded, but Zoe wasn't looking at them. She was looking at her four children, who if physically possible were looking even more innocent.
"Let's go," Trevor said, suddenly by her side with an armful of white bakery boxes as he herded their children out of the bakery, no doubt already having put two and two together.
No one said a word as they climbed into the minivan and the boxes were placed in the back, minus the large chocolate chip cookie Trevor was nibbling on. He climbed into the driver's seat and shot the children a warning glare. "I don't know what you did in there," he held up his hand in a stopping motion when all four kids opened their mouths, no doubt to protest their innocence, "and I don't care. But whoever acts up tonight will be spending the entire night with your great Aunt Judie and will only be allowed to eat tossed salad and drink water," he threatened and Zoe had to turn her face and bite her lip to stop from laughing, especially when all the children gasped loudly, sounding horrified. To a Bradford a meal based on lettuce, veggies and water was pure hell and her kids were very much Bradfords.
"You wouldn't," Johnnie protested, but didn't sound so sure and for good reason. Trevor never made promises he didn't keep and the kids knew that.
"Try me," Trevor said evenly, making Zoe smile.
He was such a wonderful father, sweet, attentive, but firm when the kids needed it, and boy did they need it often. From the second he held the boys in his arms he'd been a very hands on father. He always did his fair share with the kids and usually more when she needed a break or had work to do. No matter how tired he was he never complained or put the kids off if they wanted to spend time with him.
"B-but she just came back from antique doll convention," Mathew pointed out desperately.
"She'll have pictures! Lots and lots of pictures!" Sebastian cried, sounding close to panic.
"And you'll be spending the entire party with her if you act up or convince any of the other kids to act up," Trevor promised. "Am I understood?"
"Yes, daddy," came the unified muttered response from the backseat.
"Good," Trevor said, wiping the cookie crumbs off on his pants before he reached over and took her hand into his. She placed her other hand over his and absently traced shapes on his hand as he caressed her palm with his thumb.
Even after all these years it still surprised her that he loved her. The fact that he could probably have any woman he wanted and he'd chosen her still humbled her. She would never be thin, gorgeous or sexy, but Trevor didn't seem to care. Actually, when she voiced her opinion on the matter he got really pissed and informed her that she was the sexiest woman he'd ever laid eyes on and then proceeded to prove it to her.
Repeatedly.
It only proved how much he loved her, which was all that mattered to her.
"We're here!" Jessica said excitedly.
Zoe looked over at the large two level dusk grey home and couldn't help but smile as she did every time she saw it even though five years had passed since it was built. The guys had done such a wonderful job building Haley's dream home. It was warm and inviting just like Haley. But as much as she loved the house that her family worked hard to build it was the old Colonial home that Trevor renovated for her that she absolutely adored.
Trevor's deep chuckle drew her attention. "Looks like your cousins are ready to pounce," he said, nodding towards the front of the house where Cole, Elizabeth and Joshua stood waiting no doubt to help "relieve" them of the food. They were so much like their father sometimes it was scary.
"You kids want to play a game?" Trevor asked as he climbed out of the car. The loud excited chorus of "yes" nearly made her head pop, but she was laughing too as she climbed out of the car and helped the kids out. They immediately ran around to the back of the car to learn about the game.
"I'm going to give you each a box," Trevor said, gesturing to the four large boxes of baked goods, "and your job is to get these to your Uncle Jason, whom I'm willing to bet is out back near the grill."
"What do we get if we win?" Sebastian asked, taking a box and shifting excitedly as he eyed his cousins.
"Your uncle's undying love," Trevor said, laughing. "And the knowledge that you won."
"And probably a cookie or two," Zoe added, knowing how the Bradford mind worked.
Johnnie nodded firmly. "Let's go." With that all four children strolled casually towards the side of the house until their cousins narrowed their eyes on them and gave chase. Several excited squeals later and all seven kids were running towards the backyard, leaving them to follow at a leisurely stroll.
*********
"It's so beautiful and peaceful here," Zoe said, sighing contently the way she did every time they came here, which was often. A lesser man might be insulted that his wife got a dreamy eyed expression on her face every time she looked at another man's house, but he knew his wife absolutely adored the house that he'd fixed up for her. The few times he'd offered to build a house for her she glared at him as if he'd said something insulting.
It always made him feel good to know that he made her happy. After the really f**ked up start they had he was glad that he was finally doing something right, well right with a lot of little mishaps along the way. But they were happy, unfucking-believably happy, which still surprised him every now and then. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have found the perfect woman.
She was beautiful, smart, funny, a great wife and mother, a horrible singer, a decent cook and baked things that even their dogs wouldn't touch and she was his and he wouldn't change a damn thing about her. Zoe still didn't bother with makeup or care about the latest fashions, but she still managed to turn him on with very little effort and probably always would.