Mommies and Daddies

Chapter 16: A New Playmate A few days after the party, Mom finally let me use a spoon. It was a toddler spoon, but it felt like progress. After weeks of being fed or made to eat with my hands, I almost felt like an adult while holding it. Mom told me, “Forks are dangerous, but you can use a spoon. If you do well with that, I’ll give you a fork when you’re ready.” I thought I earned something, and for a few minutes, I was genuinely proud of myself. Then I tried to use it. The spoon was too small, and I could only get a little food with each bite. I couldn’t eat very fast; I was quicker with my hands. Mom watched me for a few minutes and then announced, “Okay, since you’re just playing with your food, I guess I have to feed you.” Just like that, the privilege was gone. I didn’t disobey or throw a tantrum. I just couldn’t use the spoon well enough for her. After that, Mom went back to feeding me, and it was months before I got to use utensils again. Losing the spoon hit harder than it should have. I didn’t resist; I just stopped cooperating. However, this wasn’t adult defiance. I was a cranky toddler who couldn’t talk to anybody. Even when I had the words, nobody listened. The problem was simple: Mom was always there, but she wasn’t really paying attention. She fed me, changed me, and told me what to do, but she rarely noticed what I was trying to say. Being ignored and lonely made me act out. Mom just thought I was fussy and treated me that way. She didn’t swaddle me; she used firm corrections, timeouts, and soothing. She held me tight against her chest and rocked me until my breathing slowed. I hated how well it worked, but I was still alone. That was the real problem, and I still hate being alone. It makes me anxious in ways I can’t fully explain. I did better with Maya, mostly because she was really there. She didn’t always give me what I wanted, but at least she listened. Sometimes she even told me why I couldn’t have it. That was better than being ignored, even when she said no. But even Maya had limits. One day, I threw a tantrum. I don’t remember why, but it doesn’t matter. Mom wouldn’t have raised her voice. She would have used the same calm voice she used for everything: a warning, a timeout, and then the playpen. Maya was different. She huffed, “Why are you being such a brat? Go to the corner!” It was the only time she ever raised her voice. I remember the way she sounded more than anything else. Mom rarely shouted; she used cold, controlled warnings, and she always knew what needed to happen. Maya sounded human: annoyed and frustrated.  I pushed too far, and I hurt someone who was just trying to be kind. Usually, after a timeout, Mom explained what I did wrong and praised me when it was over. But acting up in front of Maya was worse than acting up with Mom, because Maya wasn’t family. Mom expected us to be extra well behaved around strangers, since it reflected on her parenting. When Mom found out, she put me in my crib for a few days. She never swaddled me, but she didn’t let me out of the crib, even for meals. She fed me, but I didn’t get solid food. Instead, she gave me a bottle, turning normal eating into another privilege she could take away. I only saw Maya a few times after that. I don’t remember exactly when she left, and Mom never told me what happened. That was how it was with all of our nannies. One day they were part of the routine, and the next day they were gone. Mom never explained why they left, and we weren’t supposed to ask. Some of them we loved; others we were glad to see leave. But it didn’t matter either way. We were babies, and babies don’t get explanations. At first, I didn’t realize Maya was gone. I thought it was just her day off. But after a while, too many days passed without seeing her. Finally, I asked, “Mommy, where is Maya?” By that point, calling her Mom felt strange. She loved it when I called her Mommy, and hated it when I called her Mom. Mom gave me a sad little look. “I’m sorry, honey. Maya went bye-bye.” “Why, Mommy?” Mom explained it the way she would to a small child. “Maya had to go bye-bye. She isn’t coming back, but that’s okay. Mommy’s here.” That wasn’t enough. I asked again, “But why, Mommy?” Mom gritted her teeth. “Baby, Mommy said Maya went bye-bye. And that’s all you need to know.” I didn’t know why Maya left. Part of me reacted to it like a child. Was she mad at me? Had I been bad? Maybe she was upset about the timeout. Maybe she quit because I was too much trouble. I knew that was childish, but childish thoughts came easily. But a few days later, I saw the bigger reason. Just before lunch, I saw someone sitting in the playpen. At first, I thought Mom was babysitting a little girl. She was in the playpen with a pacifier in her mouth. Her hair was parted into two neat pigtails, each tied with a ribbon. She wore pink sweatpants and a pastel sweatshirt, with white socks that had tiny bows at the ankles. I wondered whose child she was. Then she turned, and I saw her eyes. It was Charlotte! Until that moment, I didn’t think Mom would do this to someone else. At least I looked like a kid. Charlotte was thirty-one. She was a mother. But that didn’t matter. Mom still put her in the nursery. Mom lifted me into the highchair like nothing changed. She fastened the tray, set my lunch in front of me, and went back to the stove. Across the open room, Charlotte sat in the playpen. We looked at each other, but that was it. I hesitantly asked, “Mommy… why is Charlotte here?” Mom didn’t even look at me. “Don’t worry about it. Just eat.” “But why, Mommy?” Mom’s voice sharpened. “She’ll be fine, honey. Don’t worry about it. Mommy will take care of both of you.” I asked, “Mommy, is that why Maya is gone?” That was exactly the kind of question my mom didn’t want me asking. It wasn’t something a little kid would ask. I connected Maya leaving to Charlotte’s appearance, which meant I knew that all of this was wrong. Her tone shifted, but that didn’t mean she lost control. Mom never wasted anger. She used it when she wanted a reaction. “Baby! I said don’t worry about it! Maya went bye-bye, and Mommy is going to find somebody better for both of you.” At first, I thought Maya left because of me. Maybe I was too difficult, too embarrassing, or just too much work. But looking back, I don’t think that was it. When it was just me, I think Maya could make herself believe Mom’s story, or at least pretend she did. Maya was already gone by the time Charlotte was put in the nursery, but I can’t imagine her going along with treating Charlotte this way. She knew Charlotte as an adult: a mother and a nurse. Maya also hated changing diapers. She never said it outright, but I could tell. Changing a little kid was bad enough, but it was worse with me. I was older than her, and we both knew it. Maybe that was why she quit. Maybe one adult in diapers was already too much, and she couldn’t face another. The diapers were only part of it. Mom said I was basically just like a three-year-old, but that didn’t make any sense. I didn’t act like a toddler, at least not all the time. And even when I did, I was too self-aware to be one. Toddlers might cry and fuss, but they don’t feel shame the way I did. Mom’s story only worked if you already wanted it to be true. Maya wasn’t just paid to babysit; she was paid to participate, and Mom watched everything. Most of the time, Mom worked from home, but even when she didn’t, she always knew what happened while she was away. That meant Maya had to do what Mom wanted, even when she knew it was wrong. She tried to hide how conflicted she was, but I could tell. One time, while Maya was changing my diaper, she sighed, “I wish you could use the potty.” I cried, “I want to, but Mommy won’t let me.” Maya stopped for a second. Not long. Just long enough that I knew she understood. Then she finished taping the diaper and whispered, “I know, honey.” I don’t know if Maya quit, or if Mom fired her. All I knew then was that she was gone, and Charlotte was sitting in a playpen. I tried to let it go. I really did. I looked down at my lunch and kept my hands still. But the question lingered: why was Charlotte in the playpen, and why was Maya gone? I asked again, “But why, Mommy? What happened?” Mom didn’t answer. “Baby, Don’t worry about it. Just be nice to your sister.” That wasn’t an answer, and the more she shut the door, the more I needed to know. I waited a few seconds, like I was being good. Then I tried again, softer. “But why, Mommy?” She glared, “Because Mommy said so.” I knew I should stop. That’s what a good little boy would do. But I couldn’t. The adult part of me needed an answer. “Did Charlotte do something bad?” Mom’s mouth tightened. “That’s enough!” She put the pacifier in my mouth before I could ask again. From the playpen, Charlotte watched her do it. Her eyes filled, and she gave Mom a small, devastated look. Around her own pacifier, it sounded like, “I’m sorry, Mommy.” Mom looked back at her coldly. “Don’t give me that look.” Charlotte flinched. “You knew exactly what would happen if you ever did this again.” Mom’s voice stayed low and hard. “You did it anyway, and this time your daughter was in that car.” Charlotte’s face crumpled. The words landed like daggers, and tears gathered in her eyes, but Mom only watched her break. Then, after letting the cut sit, she added, “You’re lucky I’m taking care of this.” I usually took my nap after lunch, but this time Mom let me stay in the living room while she worked in the kitchen. Charlotte was in the playpen nearby, watching everything. I waited until Mom turned away, pulled the pacifier from my mouth, and whispered, “What happened?” Charlotte’s eyes widened. She shook her head and pointed at my pacifier, warning me to put it back. But I didn’t move fast enough. Mom snapped, “Reggie! Put your binky back in your mouth. No talking.” I shoved the pacifier back in, hoping that would be enough, but it wasn’t. “Don’t talk to your sister.” Then, Mom pointed toward the corner. “Go to the corner. Now!” Once I was there, her voice changed completely. It became soft and gentle. “That’s better. Good listening. Stay there. Mommy will get you in a little while.” I guess Mom took Charlotte back to her nursery, because the playpen was empty when I was let out of the corner. I was still sucking on my pacifier, and Mom didn’t take it out. Instead, she pulled me close and held me gently, like she was comforting me. Mom’s voice was eerily calm and gentle, but still firm. “I know you want to know what happened to Charlotte, but don’t worry about it. Just be a good boy and be nice to your sister.” She let that sit for a moment, then asked, “Can you do that for Mommy?” I nodded. Mom hugged me. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart. Now come on. It’s time for your nap.” Mom led me up to the nursery, helped me into my crib, and kissed my forehead before pulling up the rails. “Remember, Mommy loves you very, very much.” After a while, Mom let me out of the crib and put me in the playroom. I played in there with the same show on a loop, barely paying attention. Eventually, she called, “Baby, it’s dinner time!” I came downstairs and saw Charlotte sitting in another highchair right beside mine. Mom put my plate on my tray, then sat next to Charlotte. Her dinner was mashed into a paste, almost like baby food, but Mom’s version was always better than anything from a jar. After dinner, Mom took both of us to the couch, put us on either side of her, gave me a bottle, and held another one to Charlotte’s mouth. When we were done, Mom took us upstairs to our nurseries. She put me in my crib first, then said, “Baby, I’ll be back in just a little bit.” I guess she swaddled Charlotte before coming back to tuck me in, because she returned before I fell asleep. The next morning, Mom adjusted the playpen panels, and both of us fit inside. It was one of the few times we were ever in there together. Usually, when one of us was inside, the other sat on the floor. We both had pacifiers in our mouths, but somehow that didn’t stop us. I don’t know how, but we played together. That always made Mom happy. She knew we might collaborate, but she loved watching us play together, especially when we giggled. Every once in a while, she reminded us to use our inside voices, but she said it with a smile, so it felt more like praise than correction. After a little while, Mom decided we had earned it. She said, “Since you two are playing so nice, I’m going to take your binkies out. But remember, talk nice.” Finally, we could talk, but not about anything important. Talk nice didn’t just mean don’t argue; it meant don’t ask too many questions. I knew Charlotte wasn’t going to tell me why she was there, especially while Mom was watching. If I wanted to know, I had to ask her myself. I waited until Mom seemed far enough away, then lowered my voice and asked, “What happened?” Unfortunately, Mom wasn’t far enough away. She heard me and said, “This is all too much for you.” My stomach dropped before she finished the sentence. “You’re overstimulated.” I cried, “No, Mommy, please. I’m fine. I’ll be good. I won’t ask anymore.” But it was too late. I’d asked too many times. Mom got both hands on me and steered me toward the nursery. “You need to rest.” A few minutes later, I was swaddled so tightly I couldn’t move. She kept me that way for days. I lost track of how many. By the time she finally let me out, Charlotte didn’t have to sit in the playpen, so it was just me. Even though Charlotte didn’t have to suck on a pacifier, she kept one in her mouth. It seemed to soothe her, and it made Mom happy. I still wasn’t allowed to talk, and Charlotte wasn’t allowed to talk to me, so for a long time, she didn’t. But she knew I still wanted an answer. One afternoon, she glanced toward the kitchen and whispered, “I got in trouble—” Mom cut her off before she could say anything else. “Charlotte. Reggie has his binky in. Don’t talk to him!” Charlotte lowered her eyes and sucked on her pacifier. I still didn’t know what happened, but at least she tried. I don’t know exactly how long it took, but I eventually found out. I already knew Charlotte drank, and I knew she drank alone. I didn’t like it, but I looked past it. She had been through a lot, and that was how she coped. What I didn’t know was that she drank during the day, even while she was working. One Friday, a few weeks after my birthday, Charlotte was pulled over while driving Kristy to Dennis’s house. I’m not making excuses, but she was only a little over the legal limit. It was still too high. And Kristy was in the car. That part was hard to accept. I love Charlotte more than anybody else in the world. I know she has flaws, but I never thought she would put Kristy in danger. She’s my big sister, my hero, and the person I trust more than anyone. Knowing she did that hurt more than I wanted to admit. That caused two other things to happen. First, Charlotte lost her job. She was drinking at work, which is never allowed in any job, especially nursing. Second, she gave Dennis full custody of Kristy. That was her choice. She didn’t want Kristy anywhere near Mom. The real punishment came after Mom brought Charlotte home. After Covid, when Mom let her out of the nursery, she warned her what would happen if she ever did it again. This time, Mom followed through. She took her straight upstairs to her old room, which became her nursery. The bed already had rails, so all Mom had to do was pull them up. In seconds, it became a crib. Since Charlotte’s room was separate from my nursery, I didn’t know what happened until I saw her in the playpen. Charlotte was already crushed over Kristy, and Mom moved so fast she barely had time to process anything else. The longer she thought about it, the more ashamed she became. She was so ashamed of herself that she thought Mom was right. She had acted irresponsibly, and being treated like a baby was better than jail. Mom used her connections with the DA’s office to keep Charlotte out of jail. It was a first offense, but Kristy was in the car, and that complicated everything. Mom didn’t go through regular channels. She had known the district attorney since he was in law school, so before she even bailed Charlotte out, she called him directly. That pushed the case forward much faster than normal, and Mom made sure no one treated it like a typical DUI. She used Dr. Olson’s theory: our disorder affected our emotional development. Dr. Olson backed her up, explaining that Charlotte functioned like a child when she was under stress. That let Mom frame it as a family matter, not a legal one. Mom argued that since Kristy was with her dad, and Charlotte was under Mom’s direct supervision, there was no longer any danger. Since nobody wanted to pursue a messy case, especially against Linda Brown’s daughter, the case was deferred and eventually dismissed. That gave Mom the opening she needed, the one she’d been waiting for. She argued that we weren’t capable of living as independent adults, using my regression, Charlotte’s DUI, and Dr. Olson’s assessment as proof. Somehow, a judge agreed to conserve us without ever speaking to Charlotte or me. Mom knew she could never let us speak to a judge, because no one would believe her if we did. We were confused and humiliated, but we were smart. If a judge had spoken to us, they would have known Mom was wrong. I didn’t know most of this until we were rescued. At the time, we didn’t even know Mom had conserved us. She told us only what served her, and only when it helped her keep us under control. I learned later that the judge wanted to speak to us, but Dr. Olson said we were too fragile. She claimed that putting us through that kind of stress could cause irreparable harm. Mom argued that speaking to us wouldn’t give the judge an accurate picture, because we knew how to mask our challenges. We could answer questions, follow conversations, and pass as capable for short periods of time, especially in front of strangers. But that was a performance. No one would see how poorly we functioned under pressure. Because the judge trusted Mom, and Dr. Olson was so respected, the judge agreed not to speak to us. I don’t know all the conditions, and I don’t want to. None of it mattered. All that mattered was that Charlotte and I were legally minors, and Mom was our guardian.

Maddison blushed slightly at Camilla's last comment; once alone, she noticed the snaps at the bottom and realized for certain that it was a baby onesie—she had initially thought it was a swimsuit. When Camilla inserted and secured the pacifier, Maddison sucked on it in agreement, and Camilla then led her to the living room, where she was laid down in the girl's lap.

Chapter 116 – welcome to May 2026, Jeff back to work and how many school days off while Lisas fourth pregnancy (third her plus one adopted) and Helping other Mothers and Fathers too – third week of May 2026, part 5; Lisa’s and Suzy’s family Wednesday 2026 part one   In Suzy’s Wednesday 29th May announcements she not only mentioning (by way of reminding the Wilson brothers heading to Lisa BUT getting round to explaining her expanding family plans and the like; “I would like to seek my family feedback on possibly now Suzy up to 20 kids; so adding at least four more  (Rose interrupts “More playmates Mum YAY!”) “POTENTIAL playmates;   ; one from my own or so and possibly a few others ?   At this moment in time I am not 100 per cent  sure if I want to get Pregnant or Not Pregnant JUST the extra kids’ , if I do return to Trying for Kids of my own again around the turn of the year BUT on that moment next year 39 ; at that age we might be easier said than done AND it would be nice for me to put triplets very elongated delivery BUT STILL SO DAMN CUTE  behind her! Additionally it might once again be surprised with multiple placements at similar to before ,so if there was room, we might say yes even if exceeds limits, and we worry about it / get sitters later. The Annexe will be expanding;   The contractors said they could put two additional two floors, and up to 19 bedrooms with two floor, or  14  bedrooms with one extra floor,  a few more for short and  long term use (as well as enough room to install a lift in The Annexe) with a few rooms spare for people growing up elsewhere in Suzy and Jeff’s Main home; AND potentially a linking footbridge between them both.  The contractors will be in later today, going potentially for two extra floors on the planning application and a link bridge or something to save kids crossing the road to and from the Annexe! PLEASE  remember any expansion is subject to planning permission and the like. HOWEVER I  will ask you to think over next 48 hours; both Daddy Jeff, Lisa and Doctor Reynolds are happy with potentially more kids FOR NOW or SHOULD WE WAIT ONE YEAR ??? A few assorted comments including decent idea re road safety (re the overbridge) and quite a few also looking forward to a few more friend’s  by Suzy’s body or other means!  She also reminded everyone we head to Lisa’s side  tomorrow (with Simon and Brian then officially transferring and staying at Lisa’s for some time to come) ; as well  as School in-service closure Friday and the Kohn family four Adoption om Friday.  Other things tonight are father of Jared, Roseanne, Sarah and Sylvia coming round after dinner for you to stay at his place that night, him dropping you off at School after giving you breakfast ; but the Twins  are coming over after too , we discussed that last night Jared and Roseanne (twins too young to understand) but If you leave me a list of extra things you need; we will ensure you will get them all ready for you in time for tonight.. (they both hold up a piece of paper) …. Aah you’re both one step ahead of me Additionally I have a Helpline project meeting later tonight ; AND at a similar time Mr Kohn family is visiting his family   One thing not discussed with kids etc was another Inner Circle message ; an update re Simon and Brian ; reunification off BUT A happier ever after with Lisa; while Daddy Jeff told his boss the same tale. 10.45 Contractor arrived; they also agreed a Bridge would be a decent idea PLUS two floors on top of the Annexe; they will draw up plans and come back the same rime tomorrow (Thursday)  or Friday at Lisa’s AND  next Planning Committee meeting 27th June 2026.   AFTER LUNCH IN THE NEXT CHAPTER     Chapter 117 – welcome to May 2026, Jeff back to work and how many school days off while Lisas fourth pregnancy (third her plus one adopted) and Helping other Mothers and Fathers too – third week of May 2026, part  6, Lisa’s and Suzy’s family Wednesday 2026 part two Lunch being today deep fried pre-battered sausages with Chips and Ice Cream; additionally Apple Pie (lattice style) and Ice Cream afters; as happened both went down equally as well , which happens  now and then!   A few replies were received and dealt with; as well as both parents leave for afternoon school runs. Dinner;  was a series of plain Cheese and Tomato pizzas with a lot of small bits and pieces (everything from pepperoni to pineapple AND all other 25 letters too, after a few people enjoyed an own pizzas; now everyone got to do one ; followed by some Fresh Fruit. As well as Jared, Roseanne and the twins Sarah and Syliva’s father picking up his kids, Gerard Kohn coming and going for an hour too; Suzy’s Helpline Project meeting  went fairly well with Lisa having nearly finished the Holiday  Project plans it was agreed to accept them in advance. The idea was plans to be published on second week of Helpline i.e. 8th June 2026.   Lisa’s side As was mentioned in Chapter 115, both Foster and Social Workers for both Simon and Wilson families visited; and were more than happy! Additionally a weekly online food order arrived ensuring plenty of food for Suzy’s lot from the following morning. In addition both the  Millar and Geraldson families adoption was taking place Friday 19th June, it has now been confirmed.

Camilla just giggled and gently patted Madison's bottom, "sorry sweet while there are pants, we're not going anywhere besides you look absolutely adorable. Although there is something missing, oh I see." With that Camilla quickly left the room, it only took her a minute to come back, she was holding Madison's unicorn pacifier and a pacifier clip. IAt didn't take long for Camilla to clip the clip onto Madison's onesie with the pacifier to it, "There we go silly Mommy forgot her little baby princesses binky."

"Oh umm i feel ok i guess" i nod my head a bit as i don't notice that i didn't have shorts on as my tshirt was long and barely covers my diaper. I go over to the table and sit down as i wasn't sure what to really talk about as i have no idea that you been talking with the school and went through my phone. While at the table i see my phone and reach out to grab it thinking you won't notice as i technically am not suppose to have my phone back with out asking for it.