A Mother's Struggle.

 Episodes 4

★★★★★★★★

        Emily opened the door to the twins' room, a bright smile on her face. "Rise and shine, Zander and Ash! Time to wake up for school!"

Zander groggily got out of bed, his eyes half-closed. "Do we have to go to school mum? Can't we just stay home?"

   Emily smiled at her son's cute face.

        " Sorry sweetie but you must go" she said her voice frim but gentle.

   

Ash, on the other hand, bounced up and down, her blue eyes shining with excitement. She gestured eagerly, pointing to her backpack and then to the door.

Emily smiled. "Come on, Zander. Ash is excited to go. Let's get moving!"

        

Emily stood in the bathroom, helping Ash brush her teeth while Zander stood at the sink, brushing his own teeth with a determined look on his face.

"Zander, make sure to get the back sides of your teeth," Emily reminded him.

Zander rolled his eyes. "I can do it myself, Mom. I'm not a baby!"

Emily smiled patiently. "I know you're a big boy, but it's my job to help you remember. Now, spit out the toothpaste and let's rinse your mouth."

Zander reluctantly spat out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth with water. "See, I told you I could do it!"

Emily chuckled. "I know you can, sweetie. But it's always nice to have a little help sometimes now just to be sure...let me just help you make sure you get all the teeth in the back."

Zander sighed and opened his mouth, allowing Emily to help him brush his teeth. Ash, meanwhile, was giggling and making silly faces in the mirror.

"Okay, okay, I think you're both done!" Emily said, helping Ash spit out her toothpaste and rinse her mouth. "Let's get you two dressed and ready for school!"

Zander groaned. "Do we have to go to school? Can't we just stay home and play video games?"

Emily chuckled. "Nope, nope! You two have to go learn new things and make new friends. Besides, you love school, don't you, Ash?"

Ash nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with excitement. Zander just rolled his eyes.

Emily helped the twins get dressed in their school uniforms, Ash eagerly gesturing and pointing to her bright yellow shirt and dark blue skirt, while Zander reluctantly put on his white shirt and navy blue pants.

As Emily finished tying Zander's tie, she turned to Ash and gently brushed her hair into two neat ponytails, securing them with small hair clips. Ash gestured happily, touching her ponytails and smiling at her reflection in the mirror.

"Mom, do I have to wear this tie?" Zander asked, making a face at the navy blue tie with yellow stripes.

"Yes, sweetie, it's part of the uniform," Emily replied, helping him tie it properly.

Ash gestured excitedly, pointing to her skirt and twirling around to show off her outfit. Emily smiled and interpreted her gestures. "You look beautiful, Ash! Just like a princess!"

As they finished getting dressed, Emily inspected them both, making sure they looked neat and tidy. "Okay, you two look great! Let's get your backpacks and head downstairs for breakfast."

Ash gestured enthusiastically, pointing to her backpack and nodding her head. Emily smiled and helped her put it on, while Zander reluctantly followed suit.

        

As they headed downstairs, the creaky stairs groaned beneath their feet. The dining room was small, with a worn table and chairs that had seen better days. But the room was filled with warmth and love.

 Grandma Grace was already busy cooking up a storm. "Good morning, my little loves!" she exclaimed, giving them each a warm hug.

Grandma Grace had made their favorite breakfast - a stack of fluffy pancakes, golden brown and fresh off the griddle. Ash's eyes widened, and she clapped excitedly, pointing to the pancakes. Zander grinned, "Grandma, you're the best!"

       

  " Wow looks like grandma made alot" Emily said with a wide smile

Grandma Grace chuckled, "Well, someone's got to spoil you two chumpkins a little bit!" She poured syrup and butter on their pancakes, and the twins dug in, savoring the sweet and sticky treat.

  

 " Hmmm it's really yummy! thanks alot for the breakfast grandma" Zander exclaimed making Emily and her mum chuckle.

 " You're welcome sweetie...ash darling are you enjoying your breakfast" she asked with smile while rubbing her hair, ash nodded excitedly with her mouth filled with pancake and her lips stained with syrup.

" Hahaha good am glad you're enjoying it then" 

        They were still eating when lily Emily younger sister came in.

" Wow! You guys are eating breakfast and you didn't bother to call me geez am hurt" she said jokingly, 

" Good morning aunty" Zander greeted happily, ash quickly got up and ran to hug her.

 " Hmmm how are you champs...my favorite nephew and niece" lily said pecking ash cheeks making her chuckle

" aunt you do know we're your only nephew and niece right" Zander said stretching the right part.

" Wow I really have a smart nephew" she dropped ash down and took a seat.

" Morning sis morning mum" she greeted but Mrs grace eyed her, Emily chuckled

" Morning how was your night" she asked.

" Ugh don't even ask it was so tiring...let me just refill my energy and" she didn't finish talking when her mum dragged her by the are pulling her to the kitchen

"...ah ah mum ah..." She whined

" I let you go out last night and you didn't bother to return geez what am I to do with you...no breakfast for you until you're done with your morning chores.

 Emily just smiled, she looked at the twins." Hurry up guys or you'll be late",they nodded increasing thier pace.

        

   A notification entered her phone and she checked in it, immediately her smile came off and sadness took over.

" Is something wrong mum?" Zander asked noticing her expression, she smiled and shaked her head.

 " It's nothing... nothing is wrong sweetie... just eat up we have to get going" she said and he nodded continuing his meal,

 * I really thought I'd get the job this time* Emily sighed.

 Tbc ......