Sydney Changes Things 3/?
Title: Sydney Changes Things
Author: princess2000204
Warning: Adult Content, Kid!fic,
Rating: PG-13
Summary: What are you suppose to do when your girlfriend gets pregnant and then goes hysterical about it, not to mention no one is happy about it.......Just move on and do what you can to survive, it's not the child's fault.......
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
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OMG!!! This chapter about killed me, this took me forever to get edited!
I really hope you all enjoy it, withoutacounts88 this chapter wouldn't exist!
~*~*~*~
The rest of the week ran pretty smoothly, despite running around trying to get all of the last minute paperwork turned in at the registrar’s and financial aid office at school. Doing all of this wouldn’t be such an issue if it wasn’t for the fact of having to lug around a two and a half year old in an unknown city.
Thankfully I’ll be able to drop Sydney off for a few hours today to allow for her to get comfortable at her new daycare. This will allow me to get the last bit of school stuff taken care of and hopefully some shopping done as well. I do need to be careful about how much I’m spending as it does need to stretch pretty far but everything I need to get are essentials plus there is a small child that needs to be taken into consideration.
Looking at her, standing up in her playpen with her little short, stubby arms grasping onto the rail with all of her might makes me positive that I am doing what is right for us. I am making the right decision that will allow for me to give Sydney a better life.
Currently the only room in this small apartment that is fully furnished and decorated is Sydney’s. Everything else is either half done or boxes are just put in the room. Maybe later I’ll be able to get the apartment half-right but knowing me most of the boxes will get pushed to a corner and forgotten about until needed.
“Come on little girl, time to go out into the world.” I tell her with a soft smile as I lean down and pick her up from the playpen. Grabbing her diaper bag has become an afterthought followed by my wallet, keys, and cell phone; all of which I have started keeping on a small table by the front door.
“Yay! Going outside, Daddy!” She squeals right into my ear as she claps her hands in excitement.
Wincing at the high decibel of her squeal, “Yeap babygirl, going out,” I say with excitement as I scan around the still jumbled apartment making sure I’m not missing anything but after a moment I just shrug my shoulders and continue out the door, down the stairs to my car.
Despite having a reliable car that was barely three years old, mother insisted on me getting a brand new car before leaving. She didn’t want for there to be any possibilities of us breaking down or any kind of safety issues. Truthfully, I was rather nervous having a new car.
“Where we going?” Sydney asks me with excitement clear in her voice as I strap her in her car seat, she wiggles and pulls at the straps. I smack her hands and reprimand her which causes her to settle down to pout for a few moments. Then she is back to being her usual happy, carefree self.
“I am taking you to your daycare today, just for a little while so Daddy can get some stuff done.” I tell her gently as I turn on the car and backup, becoming nervous suddenly about sending my baby girl to a place without me.
“Okay daddy, make new friends!” She exclaims in excitement before clapping her hands. Thankfully I had already encouraged the idea of going to a place where other children were in order to make friends. I was worried that she had become too attached to me and not want to spend time with children her own age.
I just shake my head at her; she’s always excited about getting to leave the house and doing things. Probably once we get there and she realizes I’ll be leaving her there, she won’t be as excited but this is something that needs to happen.
“Yeap, you’ll get to make new friends and play with other kids.” I reply with a soft smile as I push in the children’s sing-along CD that she loves to listen to in the car.
‘The things that I do for my child.’ I think to myself in chagrin as I glance once at the blasted case before turning my eyes onto the road before me, still not comfortable navigating this new city.
~*~*~
“Are we here?” I hear her soft voice speak up after the quiet car ride; Sydney had drifted off earlier into the ride. That allowed me to have my own quiet nervous breakdown about being away from Sydney without a family member watching her.
Since the day she was born, Sydney has always been in the care of a family member including the brief time that Kamala was in the picture. It’s the issue that I don’t know anyone who will be looking after her or anything about the place.
This daycare was recommended by people from my new school and since I didn’t know of any other place, I decided to give it a shot.
Pulling up to the place, I feel a sudden swarm of butterflies fill me and my hands start to sweat as I grasp the keys to pull out of the car’s ignition, but I can’t seem to pull it out. With the car being at a complete stop, I hear her start squirming to try and get out of her car seat which prompts me into action as I hurriedly get the keys out, in my pocket and my body out of the front seat.
“Get out daddy, get out” She says with a pout as she pulls on her straps and looks at me with watering eyes.
That look could get me to do anything; thankfully, she hasn’t realized that yet.
I hurriedly get her out, onto my skinny hips along with her diaper bag on my free shoulder. Taking a deep breath, I try to steel myself for any and all disparaging comments I’m sure to be on the receiving end the moment I walk into this new place.
Looking up at the swinging sign above the walkway, Kiddy Kottage etched into an obviously homemade wooden sign.
“Okay…this looks friendly enough.” I mutter to myself as I squeeze Sydney to myself before forcing my legs to go forward, and the next thing I realize I hear a little bell ding over my head as the white painted wooden door opens.
“Hello and welcome to Kiddy Kottage” A perky brunette says as she seems to bounce in her seat, bringing attention to her well-endowed chest. If she was to lean any further across the counter I’m sure there would be some indecent exposure.
Giving her a tight smile and a small squeeze to Sydney’s now squirming body still in my arms, “Thank You, I’m here to drop off Sydney Kaulitz.” I tell her with a glare, hoping it would get her to act decently instead of some brainless bimbo, at this rate I don’t know if I want to leave my child in the care of a place who would hire someone like this.
“Ahh, I see. Let me ring Mrs. T as I only see you down for a partial day.” She says with a frown on her face as she picks up the phone by her elbow and punches a button.
With what I’m being presented with so far does not making me feel comfortable leaving my daughter here. Biting the corner of my lip in annoyance, I shift my weight which causes my sneakers to squeak on the obviously very clean floors. I have to force myself to not just screw this place and run out the door with Sydney firmly in tow.
I hear the clacking of shoes coming down a hallway off to my side, “Hello Mr. Kaulitz! So lovely to meet you in person.” A sweet, motherly voice says as the clacking comes closer. I see a tall, statuesque woman before me with naturally wavy red hair and very appropriate clothing for a childcare facility, a simple white t-shirt and khaki cargo pants. This appearance puts me at ease instantly.
Giving the woman a small smile and a nod in return as a greeting, I keep a firm grip on Sydney in my arms as I am not yet willing to allow myself to let her go until I am sure she will be safe even if it’s only for a few hours.
“I can see this is your first time using a childcare service.” She says simply as she holds out her hand, “My name is Lauren Trumper and I am the owner of this facility. I can assure you that Sydney will be in the best of care during her time here with us.”
Nodding at her introduction and taking her hand in a shake, feeling surprised at how soft and smooth her hands are but not taken aback by the firm, solidness of her grip. This is someone who knows how to take control.
“That is good to know.” I tell her simply as I look around and see various child characters up on the walls around the room; everything is bright and vibrant.
“From looking at her file, I see that Sydney is an only child and that she is not normally around children her own age.” Lauren Trumper goes on to say as she motions me to follow her down a clean hallway. A quick look into a few open doors show that they lead into classrooms with children happily playing in them - with at least one adult supervising, of course.
“Yes, ma’am. She has been in the company of family her entire life never once has she been around anyone her own age.” I say simply with a nod of agreement as I feel Sydney wiggle in my arms as she makes sounds of wanting to be put down, to probably run around and play with all of the toys, “Not right now honey, I’ll put you down in a moment.” I tell her quietly as I run a hand over her dark brown curly hair which does nothing to tame it, nothing ever does.
I watch her start to pout and look at all of the toys around us with longing; she has plenty of toys back at the apartment to play with.
Turning my attention back to the woman before me, I catch her giving us a soft smile before turning her back to us and walking into a room with an open door.
“This will be her classroom. There are only five other children currently in her class and one adult will be present in this room at all times. No child is every left alone.” She says, motioning around the room and I’m surprised by how organized and clean the room is as a whole compared to some of the nightmares I’ve had about this moment. No nasty smell in the air or broken toys littered around the room with unattended children running around. It’s all very friendly and welcoming, a place I could probably come to like and not mind paying the large fee per a week to keep her in this place.
“She is allergic to milk and grass.” Is all that I can think of to say as I am now face to face with five pairs of curious eyes as well as having a much more demanding child in my arms.
All I get back in return is an arch of an eyebrow, followed by a nod before she turns to the young man who seems to be waiting off to the side, eyes completely on us. Suddenly, my lack of care with my appearance made itself known as I started to become self-conscious of the eyes on me, standing before everyone in my black gym pants with the white double stripes down the sides and thin long-sleeve black shirt and my worn and unkempt black sneakers. My hair is, thankfully, hidden by a black beanie I had unthinkingly slapped on my head as I was just too tired to even think of dealing with it this morning.
Once, I used to take pride and spend time on my appearance. I would refuse to step foot out side my house without look absolutely perfect, but of course that all changed the moment Sydney was born and brought with her little sleep nor the desire to look my best on barely a few hours of sleep.
Shrugging to myself mentally, I do another glance around the room before lowering Sydney to the carpeted floor. Looking over towards the door, I see a row of cubbies that seem to only have a few things in them. A small mini-fridge is in a corner. I can feel myself relaxing in my anxiety of leaving her here alone, but by the glance down I can tell that she isn’t even worried about that as she has toddled off to the group of children.
I let out a breath at the sight and feel myself unwind from the tight spring I had allowed myself to become due to this new stage in our lives.
“Everything will be fine. We have many children of various ages who have allergies and we are cautious of everyone’s health. No one has ever had an allergic reaction while being under our care.” She tells me calmly as she sends me a warm smile before turning her attention back to the young man in the room, “Thomas, this is Bill Kaulitz, the father of our new charge Sydney Kaulitz.” Lauren Trumper says as she motions to me and then my daughter whom seems blissfully unaware of what’s going on around her.
The man entrusted with the safety of my child is not at all how I would imagine someone working in childcare should appear. He is rather tall, maybe just a bit shorter than my own height, six-foot-three, with long black corn rolls that hang past his shoulders. His skin tone is a dark olive complexion that leads me to believe that he spends a lot of time outside. The clothes are the surprising thing more than anything else with the overly large khaki pants and tight white t-shirt, not to mention the matching blindingly white shoes.
I nod to him in greeting before suddenly remembering something that I don’t recall specifying when setting up Sydney’s spot within this facility.
“I am her only parent. No one else has the authority or right to leave this building with her. ”
My statement seems to have shocked the two adults in the room, but I didn’t add anymore, just allowing them to take that at face value. I walk over to the cubby hold and find an empty one to hang her diaper bag in -before long she won’t need a diaper bag any longer.
“I’ll only be gone for a few hours, three or four but I can be back sooner if I need to be.” I tell them both while turning around before biting the corner of my lip as I shuffle my feet, nodding my head to them both and quickly leaving, not saying anything to Sydney as I have learned from past experiences that doing so will only prolong my departure with her tantrums.
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It was rather surprising just how much faster I have been able to get my errands completed today without having Sydney with me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my daughter with all of my heart and soul but trying to get in and out of a place fast just isn’t done with a curious child attached.
All of my last minute paperwork has officially been submitted, and I’ll be starting school with everyone else in less than two weeks. I still have to get all of my school supplies, but that can wait for another day as I still have a few last minute household things to do such as grocery shopping and putting a call through to get cable and internet turned on.
Looking at the clock on the dashboard tells me I’ve already spent an hour and 45 minutes dealing with school.
Letting out a breath in irritation, I pull out and head to where I know the closest grocery store. Not quite familiar with this new town I’ve moved both my daughter and myself to without any supporting family nearby, I have managed to figure out how to get to my apartment, school, daycare, and the grocery store…but that’s about it. Everything else will be a scavenger hunt.
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I managed to get everything done in just enough time, including going by the apartment to put up all of the new groceries and managing to unpack a few things in the kitchen. Doubt the apartment will ever look completely moved-in but I’m taking steps to attempt it, for Sydney’s sake.
Driving to the daycare all, I can think about is that I hope she had an enjoyable time. I’m just dreading that I don’t get there and am told that she is not welcomed back because she refused to share, or was too demanding, or got someone sick, or started a fight with another kid, or ended up taking over the entire classroom with her bossy and demanding ways that she uses on me to get her ways.
Parking in one of the few empty spots, I can feel my heart threatening to burst out of my chest with the fear that my child is some kind of tyrant, and I am too late to infuse friendliness and kindness into her nature.
Maybe I am being a little dramatic, but Sydney has only ever been with close family and friends for long periods of time. They all give into her demands so easily that she has never had to learn to share with others or even played with children her own age before; in fact, I am probably the youngest person she has ever spent any prolonged periods of time with.
The same dinging bell from earlier gives me a scare which causes the same idiotic girl to let out a giggle before leaning across the counter towards me, “Back so soon Mr. Kaulitz?” She asks with a smile as she bounces in the chair, still not doing anything else but leaning across the counter.
I simply give her a small smile before nodding my head at her, then walking down the hallway and to the classroom from earlier. I wasn’t lead to believe that Sydney would be going outside and that reminds me that I’ll have to find her a local doctor to get her prescription for asthma medication, being allergic to grass is not fun for an active little girl who likes to get into everything possible.
Slowing down my pace, I stop outside of the doorway and wait for a moment. No sounds of crying or shouts of demands coming from the other side so I take a deep breath before knocking and then opening the door slowly.
I see three of them, Sydney included, playing quietly in the center of the room with some dolls while three others I notice are off in a corner lying down on mats apparently having a nap. The same guy from earlier, Thomas is sitting down Indian style with a tiara and a sparkly boa wrapped around his neck as he watches them.
All I can do is bite my lip to not let out a laugh and possibly disturb the napping children. Apparently I make an unconscious noise as suddenly everyone’s eyes are one me before Sydney’s little legs carry her so fast to me that I’m surprised she didn’t stumble over herself. I let out a brief laugh before I grab her and pull her up to place a kiss on her forehead.
A tight knot that had been forming in my gut over the past 30 minutes suddenly dissipates with her in my arms.
“I make friends daddy!” She exclaims as she wraps her arms around my neck before landing a slobbery kiss on my check.
I just giggle at her before returning her slobbery kiss on her own cheek, “So glad to hear honey, you can tell me all about it in the car.” I tell her softly, trying to be mindful of the still sleeping children.
My attention is snapped from my giggling daughter at my side by the clearing of a throat, looking up I see Thomas standing there sans tiara and glittery boa.
“That was a good look for you.” I tell him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk as I can still see some clinging pink feathers on his form fitting white shirt.
He just shrugs before giving me a weak smile, “Sometimes I gotta make sacrifices for the kids.” Is all he tells me before motioning towards the door, I stop for a moment to grab her black and white diaper bag.
“How was she?” are the first words out of my mouth the moment we are both standing in the doorway of the classroom, where I can see his eyes constantly darting to the remaining children in the room.
“Sydney was very well behaved and had not problems playing with others. There were a few times she became demanding but after allowed a time to calm down she was fine. For this being her first time socially interacting with children, she did remarkably well.” Thomas tells me quickly, never once making eye contact and keeps a good amount of space between us. He seems to be very attentive and straightforward…interesting.
“Uh huh…” I tell him with a frown on my lips as I look down at my daughter with a knowing look before looking back up at Thomas, “I’m sure. She is an only child so she does tend to get her way and unfortunately she is the only grandchild currently.” I inform him with a shrug at the end.
Watching him just nod his head at me before sending me a small smile before darting a look down at Sydney, “Will you be bringing her back tomorrow?” Thomas asks me.
Darting down to see Sydney’s reaction to the question, she isn’t paying us any notice instead all of her attention is in the room and on the children. All I can do is just smirk at Sydney, now that she has played with children her own age she wants to go back. “I don’t think I have much choice in the matter.” I remark dryly before hefting her bag up on my shoulder and grabbing her little hand that has clamped down on my sweat pants.
“We will be back tomorrow for the morning class, so eight?” I ask, wanting to make sure as I’m trying to do all the organization of my day tomorrow.
“Uh, yea, classes start tomorrow at eight am sharp.” Tom replies with a confused look on his face before he looks back into the room where one of the little girls apparently snatched something from another little girl.
“Alright, say good bye to Mr. Thomas, Sydney.” I say to my distracted daughter who seems to just wave due to my prompting as she follows me out of the building and to the car.
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This chapter has been a true work of love as it has taken us literally weeks to get this right between grammar and description.
I do have a good bit of this story already planned out, so it's just a matter of me writing it out.
Please leave reviews, I truly look forward to reading them.
TBC.....
Author: princess2000204
Warning: Adult Content, Kid!fic,
Rating: PG-13
Summary: What are you suppose to do when your girlfriend gets pregnant and then goes hysterical about it, not to mention no one is happy about it.......Just move on and do what you can to survive, it's not the child's fault.......
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
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OMG!!! This chapter about killed me, this took me forever to get edited!
I really hope you all enjoy it, withoutacounts88 this chapter wouldn't exist!
~*~*~*~
The rest of the week ran pretty smoothly, despite running around trying to get all of the last minute paperwork turned in at the registrar’s and financial aid office at school. Doing all of this wouldn’t be such an issue if it wasn’t for the fact of having to lug around a two and a half year old in an unknown city.
Thankfully I’ll be able to drop Sydney off for a few hours today to allow for her to get comfortable at her new daycare. This will allow me to get the last bit of school stuff taken care of and hopefully some shopping done as well. I do need to be careful about how much I’m spending as it does need to stretch pretty far but everything I need to get are essentials plus there is a small child that needs to be taken into consideration.
Looking at her, standing up in her playpen with her little short, stubby arms grasping onto the rail with all of her might makes me positive that I am doing what is right for us. I am making the right decision that will allow for me to give Sydney a better life.
Currently the only room in this small apartment that is fully furnished and decorated is Sydney’s. Everything else is either half done or boxes are just put in the room. Maybe later I’ll be able to get the apartment half-right but knowing me most of the boxes will get pushed to a corner and forgotten about until needed.
“Come on little girl, time to go out into the world.” I tell her with a soft smile as I lean down and pick her up from the playpen. Grabbing her diaper bag has become an afterthought followed by my wallet, keys, and cell phone; all of which I have started keeping on a small table by the front door.
“Yay! Going outside, Daddy!” She squeals right into my ear as she claps her hands in excitement.
Wincing at the high decibel of her squeal, “Yeap babygirl, going out,” I say with excitement as I scan around the still jumbled apartment making sure I’m not missing anything but after a moment I just shrug my shoulders and continue out the door, down the stairs to my car.
Despite having a reliable car that was barely three years old, mother insisted on me getting a brand new car before leaving. She didn’t want for there to be any possibilities of us breaking down or any kind of safety issues. Truthfully, I was rather nervous having a new car.
“Where we going?” Sydney asks me with excitement clear in her voice as I strap her in her car seat, she wiggles and pulls at the straps. I smack her hands and reprimand her which causes her to settle down to pout for a few moments. Then she is back to being her usual happy, carefree self.
“I am taking you to your daycare today, just for a little while so Daddy can get some stuff done.” I tell her gently as I turn on the car and backup, becoming nervous suddenly about sending my baby girl to a place without me.
“Okay daddy, make new friends!” She exclaims in excitement before clapping her hands. Thankfully I had already encouraged the idea of going to a place where other children were in order to make friends. I was worried that she had become too attached to me and not want to spend time with children her own age.
I just shake my head at her; she’s always excited about getting to leave the house and doing things. Probably once we get there and she realizes I’ll be leaving her there, she won’t be as excited but this is something that needs to happen.
“Yeap, you’ll get to make new friends and play with other kids.” I reply with a soft smile as I push in the children’s sing-along CD that she loves to listen to in the car.
‘The things that I do for my child.’ I think to myself in chagrin as I glance once at the blasted case before turning my eyes onto the road before me, still not comfortable navigating this new city.
~*~*~
“Are we here?” I hear her soft voice speak up after the quiet car ride; Sydney had drifted off earlier into the ride. That allowed me to have my own quiet nervous breakdown about being away from Sydney without a family member watching her.
Since the day she was born, Sydney has always been in the care of a family member including the brief time that Kamala was in the picture. It’s the issue that I don’t know anyone who will be looking after her or anything about the place.
This daycare was recommended by people from my new school and since I didn’t know of any other place, I decided to give it a shot.
Pulling up to the place, I feel a sudden swarm of butterflies fill me and my hands start to sweat as I grasp the keys to pull out of the car’s ignition, but I can’t seem to pull it out. With the car being at a complete stop, I hear her start squirming to try and get out of her car seat which prompts me into action as I hurriedly get the keys out, in my pocket and my body out of the front seat.
“Get out daddy, get out” She says with a pout as she pulls on her straps and looks at me with watering eyes.
That look could get me to do anything; thankfully, she hasn’t realized that yet.
I hurriedly get her out, onto my skinny hips along with her diaper bag on my free shoulder. Taking a deep breath, I try to steel myself for any and all disparaging comments I’m sure to be on the receiving end the moment I walk into this new place.
Looking up at the swinging sign above the walkway, Kiddy Kottage etched into an obviously homemade wooden sign.
“Okay…this looks friendly enough.” I mutter to myself as I squeeze Sydney to myself before forcing my legs to go forward, and the next thing I realize I hear a little bell ding over my head as the white painted wooden door opens.
“Hello and welcome to Kiddy Kottage” A perky brunette says as she seems to bounce in her seat, bringing attention to her well-endowed chest. If she was to lean any further across the counter I’m sure there would be some indecent exposure.
Giving her a tight smile and a small squeeze to Sydney’s now squirming body still in my arms, “Thank You, I’m here to drop off Sydney Kaulitz.” I tell her with a glare, hoping it would get her to act decently instead of some brainless bimbo, at this rate I don’t know if I want to leave my child in the care of a place who would hire someone like this.
“Ahh, I see. Let me ring Mrs. T as I only see you down for a partial day.” She says with a frown on her face as she picks up the phone by her elbow and punches a button.
With what I’m being presented with so far does not making me feel comfortable leaving my daughter here. Biting the corner of my lip in annoyance, I shift my weight which causes my sneakers to squeak on the obviously very clean floors. I have to force myself to not just screw this place and run out the door with Sydney firmly in tow.
I hear the clacking of shoes coming down a hallway off to my side, “Hello Mr. Kaulitz! So lovely to meet you in person.” A sweet, motherly voice says as the clacking comes closer. I see a tall, statuesque woman before me with naturally wavy red hair and very appropriate clothing for a childcare facility, a simple white t-shirt and khaki cargo pants. This appearance puts me at ease instantly.
Giving the woman a small smile and a nod in return as a greeting, I keep a firm grip on Sydney in my arms as I am not yet willing to allow myself to let her go until I am sure she will be safe even if it’s only for a few hours.
“I can see this is your first time using a childcare service.” She says simply as she holds out her hand, “My name is Lauren Trumper and I am the owner of this facility. I can assure you that Sydney will be in the best of care during her time here with us.”
Nodding at her introduction and taking her hand in a shake, feeling surprised at how soft and smooth her hands are but not taken aback by the firm, solidness of her grip. This is someone who knows how to take control.
“That is good to know.” I tell her simply as I look around and see various child characters up on the walls around the room; everything is bright and vibrant.
“From looking at her file, I see that Sydney is an only child and that she is not normally around children her own age.” Lauren Trumper goes on to say as she motions me to follow her down a clean hallway. A quick look into a few open doors show that they lead into classrooms with children happily playing in them - with at least one adult supervising, of course.
“Yes, ma’am. She has been in the company of family her entire life never once has she been around anyone her own age.” I say simply with a nod of agreement as I feel Sydney wiggle in my arms as she makes sounds of wanting to be put down, to probably run around and play with all of the toys, “Not right now honey, I’ll put you down in a moment.” I tell her quietly as I run a hand over her dark brown curly hair which does nothing to tame it, nothing ever does.
I watch her start to pout and look at all of the toys around us with longing; she has plenty of toys back at the apartment to play with.
Turning my attention back to the woman before me, I catch her giving us a soft smile before turning her back to us and walking into a room with an open door.
“This will be her classroom. There are only five other children currently in her class and one adult will be present in this room at all times. No child is every left alone.” She says, motioning around the room and I’m surprised by how organized and clean the room is as a whole compared to some of the nightmares I’ve had about this moment. No nasty smell in the air or broken toys littered around the room with unattended children running around. It’s all very friendly and welcoming, a place I could probably come to like and not mind paying the large fee per a week to keep her in this place.
“She is allergic to milk and grass.” Is all that I can think of to say as I am now face to face with five pairs of curious eyes as well as having a much more demanding child in my arms.
All I get back in return is an arch of an eyebrow, followed by a nod before she turns to the young man who seems to be waiting off to the side, eyes completely on us. Suddenly, my lack of care with my appearance made itself known as I started to become self-conscious of the eyes on me, standing before everyone in my black gym pants with the white double stripes down the sides and thin long-sleeve black shirt and my worn and unkempt black sneakers. My hair is, thankfully, hidden by a black beanie I had unthinkingly slapped on my head as I was just too tired to even think of dealing with it this morning.
Once, I used to take pride and spend time on my appearance. I would refuse to step foot out side my house without look absolutely perfect, but of course that all changed the moment Sydney was born and brought with her little sleep nor the desire to look my best on barely a few hours of sleep.
Shrugging to myself mentally, I do another glance around the room before lowering Sydney to the carpeted floor. Looking over towards the door, I see a row of cubbies that seem to only have a few things in them. A small mini-fridge is in a corner. I can feel myself relaxing in my anxiety of leaving her here alone, but by the glance down I can tell that she isn’t even worried about that as she has toddled off to the group of children.
I let out a breath at the sight and feel myself unwind from the tight spring I had allowed myself to become due to this new stage in our lives.
“Everything will be fine. We have many children of various ages who have allergies and we are cautious of everyone’s health. No one has ever had an allergic reaction while being under our care.” She tells me calmly as she sends me a warm smile before turning her attention back to the young man in the room, “Thomas, this is Bill Kaulitz, the father of our new charge Sydney Kaulitz.” Lauren Trumper says as she motions to me and then my daughter whom seems blissfully unaware of what’s going on around her.
The man entrusted with the safety of my child is not at all how I would imagine someone working in childcare should appear. He is rather tall, maybe just a bit shorter than my own height, six-foot-three, with long black corn rolls that hang past his shoulders. His skin tone is a dark olive complexion that leads me to believe that he spends a lot of time outside. The clothes are the surprising thing more than anything else with the overly large khaki pants and tight white t-shirt, not to mention the matching blindingly white shoes.
I nod to him in greeting before suddenly remembering something that I don’t recall specifying when setting up Sydney’s spot within this facility.
“I am her only parent. No one else has the authority or right to leave this building with her. ”
My statement seems to have shocked the two adults in the room, but I didn’t add anymore, just allowing them to take that at face value. I walk over to the cubby hold and find an empty one to hang her diaper bag in -before long she won’t need a diaper bag any longer.
“I’ll only be gone for a few hours, three or four but I can be back sooner if I need to be.” I tell them both while turning around before biting the corner of my lip as I shuffle my feet, nodding my head to them both and quickly leaving, not saying anything to Sydney as I have learned from past experiences that doing so will only prolong my departure with her tantrums.
~*~*~
It was rather surprising just how much faster I have been able to get my errands completed today without having Sydney with me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my daughter with all of my heart and soul but trying to get in and out of a place fast just isn’t done with a curious child attached.
All of my last minute paperwork has officially been submitted, and I’ll be starting school with everyone else in less than two weeks. I still have to get all of my school supplies, but that can wait for another day as I still have a few last minute household things to do such as grocery shopping and putting a call through to get cable and internet turned on.
Looking at the clock on the dashboard tells me I’ve already spent an hour and 45 minutes dealing with school.
Letting out a breath in irritation, I pull out and head to where I know the closest grocery store. Not quite familiar with this new town I’ve moved both my daughter and myself to without any supporting family nearby, I have managed to figure out how to get to my apartment, school, daycare, and the grocery store…but that’s about it. Everything else will be a scavenger hunt.
~*~*~
I managed to get everything done in just enough time, including going by the apartment to put up all of the new groceries and managing to unpack a few things in the kitchen. Doubt the apartment will ever look completely moved-in but I’m taking steps to attempt it, for Sydney’s sake.
Driving to the daycare all, I can think about is that I hope she had an enjoyable time. I’m just dreading that I don’t get there and am told that she is not welcomed back because she refused to share, or was too demanding, or got someone sick, or started a fight with another kid, or ended up taking over the entire classroom with her bossy and demanding ways that she uses on me to get her ways.
Parking in one of the few empty spots, I can feel my heart threatening to burst out of my chest with the fear that my child is some kind of tyrant, and I am too late to infuse friendliness and kindness into her nature.
Maybe I am being a little dramatic, but Sydney has only ever been with close family and friends for long periods of time. They all give into her demands so easily that she has never had to learn to share with others or even played with children her own age before; in fact, I am probably the youngest person she has ever spent any prolonged periods of time with.
The same dinging bell from earlier gives me a scare which causes the same idiotic girl to let out a giggle before leaning across the counter towards me, “Back so soon Mr. Kaulitz?” She asks with a smile as she bounces in the chair, still not doing anything else but leaning across the counter.
I simply give her a small smile before nodding my head at her, then walking down the hallway and to the classroom from earlier. I wasn’t lead to believe that Sydney would be going outside and that reminds me that I’ll have to find her a local doctor to get her prescription for asthma medication, being allergic to grass is not fun for an active little girl who likes to get into everything possible.
Slowing down my pace, I stop outside of the doorway and wait for a moment. No sounds of crying or shouts of demands coming from the other side so I take a deep breath before knocking and then opening the door slowly.
I see three of them, Sydney included, playing quietly in the center of the room with some dolls while three others I notice are off in a corner lying down on mats apparently having a nap. The same guy from earlier, Thomas is sitting down Indian style with a tiara and a sparkly boa wrapped around his neck as he watches them.
All I can do is bite my lip to not let out a laugh and possibly disturb the napping children. Apparently I make an unconscious noise as suddenly everyone’s eyes are one me before Sydney’s little legs carry her so fast to me that I’m surprised she didn’t stumble over herself. I let out a brief laugh before I grab her and pull her up to place a kiss on her forehead.
A tight knot that had been forming in my gut over the past 30 minutes suddenly dissipates with her in my arms.
“I make friends daddy!” She exclaims as she wraps her arms around my neck before landing a slobbery kiss on my check.
I just giggle at her before returning her slobbery kiss on her own cheek, “So glad to hear honey, you can tell me all about it in the car.” I tell her softly, trying to be mindful of the still sleeping children.
My attention is snapped from my giggling daughter at my side by the clearing of a throat, looking up I see Thomas standing there sans tiara and glittery boa.
“That was a good look for you.” I tell him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk as I can still see some clinging pink feathers on his form fitting white shirt.
He just shrugs before giving me a weak smile, “Sometimes I gotta make sacrifices for the kids.” Is all he tells me before motioning towards the door, I stop for a moment to grab her black and white diaper bag.
“How was she?” are the first words out of my mouth the moment we are both standing in the doorway of the classroom, where I can see his eyes constantly darting to the remaining children in the room.
“Sydney was very well behaved and had not problems playing with others. There were a few times she became demanding but after allowed a time to calm down she was fine. For this being her first time socially interacting with children, she did remarkably well.” Thomas tells me quickly, never once making eye contact and keeps a good amount of space between us. He seems to be very attentive and straightforward…interesting.
“Uh huh…” I tell him with a frown on my lips as I look down at my daughter with a knowing look before looking back up at Thomas, “I’m sure. She is an only child so she does tend to get her way and unfortunately she is the only grandchild currently.” I inform him with a shrug at the end.
Watching him just nod his head at me before sending me a small smile before darting a look down at Sydney, “Will you be bringing her back tomorrow?” Thomas asks me.
Darting down to see Sydney’s reaction to the question, she isn’t paying us any notice instead all of her attention is in the room and on the children. All I can do is just smirk at Sydney, now that she has played with children her own age she wants to go back. “I don’t think I have much choice in the matter.” I remark dryly before hefting her bag up on my shoulder and grabbing her little hand that has clamped down on my sweat pants.
“We will be back tomorrow for the morning class, so eight?” I ask, wanting to make sure as I’m trying to do all the organization of my day tomorrow.
“Uh, yea, classes start tomorrow at eight am sharp.” Tom replies with a confused look on his face before he looks back into the room where one of the little girls apparently snatched something from another little girl.
“Alright, say good bye to Mr. Thomas, Sydney.” I say to my distracted daughter who seems to just wave due to my prompting as she follows me out of the building and to the car.
~*~*~*~
This chapter has been a true work of love as it has taken us literally weeks to get this right between grammar and description.
I do have a good bit of this story already planned out, so it's just a matter of me writing it out.
Please leave reviews, I truly look forward to reading them.
TBC.....