Chapter 1

Nicole and Kevin sat at the kitchen table eating dinner with their 6 year-old daughter Kylie and their two 8 year-old twin sons Nicholas and Steven. Nicole dished out more mashed potatoes to Kylie and said, "You're a hungry one tonight aren't you sweetie."

"I just love your mashed potatoes Mommy." Kylie said as she brought a spoon filled with mashed potatoes up to her mouth.

"I think I'll have to find more things that you like. You're way to picky an eater for a six year-old Kylie." Nicole said.

"I like Nutella." Kylie said excitedly.

"You don't get Nutella for dinner Kylie." Nicole said adamantly.

"Can't blame the kid for trying." Kevin finally spoke.

"See, Daddy's on my side." Kylie said.

"That's why daddy doesn't make your dinner." Nicole said as she gave her husband a dirty look.

"Dad, can Steve and I go over to Justin's to play tonight?" Nick asked.

"Finish what's on your plates and I'll drive the two of you over for a while." Kevin said.

Nicole felt like the enemy once again when she had to say, "Didn't you say earlier that you have some math homework to do?"

"It's so easy though mom." Steven pleaded.

"Then it won't take you long to do then. I'll call Justin's mother and see if it alright for you two to come over for a while tonight." Nicole said.

"But daddy said it was okay. Your mean." Steven pouted as he crossed his arms and looked down.

"I'm not eating anymore." Nick announced.

"Fine, then both of you will spend the evening in your room." Nicole said as she stood up and removed their plates from the table.

Nicole scraped the uneaten food off the plates into the garbage as Nick and Steven stomped out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"Mommy, can I watch TV for a while?" Kylie asked.

"Sure honey. I think Pokeman is on now. Kevin would you please find the station for her?" Nicole replied as she started placing dishes in the dishwasher.

A few minutes later, Kevin walked back into the kitchen and said, "Why do you second guess and disagree with everything I do with the kids?"

Nicole turned around and leaned against the counter. "Because someone has to be the disciplinarian in this family Kevin. It can't be all fun and games." Nicole replied.

"The homework could have waited." Kevin stated.

"Waited until when Kevin? It is 7:30. Their bedtime is at 9. If I was home I would have ensured that their homework was done after school so they could have gone to play after dinner." Nicole said.

"I just can't do anything right can I?" Kevin said as he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Nicole spent the next half-hour cleaning up from dinner. She desperately wanted to sit down and relax for a few minutes, but Kylie needed a bath before bed. She wiped her hands and turned the light off in the kitchen as she walked into the living room. "Kylie honey, it's time for your bath." Nicole said.

"Just a few more minutes please mom? It's not over yet." Kylie said as she kept her eyes fixated on the TV.

Nicole took the opportunity to sit down on the couch and rest her eyes for a few minutes. Before she knew it, Kylie was shaking her and saying, "I'm ready for my bath now mom."

"Sorry honey. Mommy must have drifted off for a few minutes. Just give mommy a second to find daddy." Nicole said as she got up from the couch. She found Kevin in his studio and for a moment she saw the man she fell in love with all those years ago. The thoughts quickly drifted out of her head as she thought about her reason for coming in here. "Kevin, the boys need to take shower's tonight. Can you make sure their homework is done and get them in the shower while I bathe Kylie?" Nicole asked.

"I'll be up in a few minutes." Kevin said without looking up from the papers spread out in front of him.

Without saying anything Nicole exited his studio and accompanied Kylie up the stairs. Nicole was just turning the water on to fill the bathtub when Kevin walked into the master bathroom and said, "We need another bar of soap for the boys bathroom." Kevin said as he bent down and retrieved one from under the sink.

"Mommy and Daddy. Isn't it your 10^th wedding anniversary tomorrow? Where are you taking Mommy?" Kylie asked innocently.

Nicole looked up at Kevin and neither one of them knew how to answer the question. Kevin finally said, "It’s a surprise for your mommy."

"You love surprises don't you mommy!" Kylie said excitedly.

"Yes mommy does." Nicole said as she removed her daughter's clothing. In reality, Kevin and Nicole didn't have anything planned for their anniversary and would probably spend it apart.

Nicole rushed through Kylie's bath and took a few minutes to read her one of her favorite stories before she tucked Kylie in and said goodnight for the night.

"Daddy will be in a few minutes to say goodnight." Nicole said as she turned the light off. Nicole walked down the hall to the boy's bedroom and said, "How the boys doing in here?"

"Nick was having a few problems with his math homework, so I'm just helping him with a few questions before bed." Kevin said as he looked up at Nicole.

"Kylie's waiting for you to kiss her goodnight." Nicole said as she picked the dirty clothes up off the floor.

"Try and figure this one out again and we'll look at it in a few minutes." Kevin said as he got up and left the bedroom. Kevin walked into his daughter's room and said, "Is my pumpkin all ready for bed?"

Kylie nodded her head and held her arms out, silently asking Kevin for a hug. Kevin sat down on the edge of the bed and took the small figure in his arms and held her head against his broad chest. "I love you Daddy." Kylie said.

"I love you to pumpkin." Kevin said as he fluffed up her pillows and pulled the comforter up to her chin. "Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite." Kevin said as he kissed Kylie on the forehead.

Nicole watched Kevin as he tucked Kylie into bed. He was so great with the kids. It was so easy for him to be the good guy when she did all the disciplining.

"Night Mommy." Kylie said as Kevin closed the door slightly.

"Good night sweetie." Nicole said as both her and Kevin walked towards the boys' room.

"Can we watch TV till it's time to go to bed?" Steven asked.

"Did you finish that question that daddy was helping you with?" Nicole asked Nick.

"I think I got it right this time Daddy." Nick said proudly.

Kevin took the paper in his hands and did the math in his head. "Way to go Nick. I knew you could do it." Kevin said as he praised Nick.

"Ok, you two can watch TV for half an hour." Nicole said as the two boys sprinted out of their bedroom into the TV room down the hall.

"I'll be down in the studio." Kevin said as he descended down the stairs.

Nicole followed Kevin down the stairs and asked, "Are you working on new material?"

"Yes." Kevin said before he entered the studio and closed the door behind him.

Nicole stood there feeling so lonely. What did that studio have that she didn't, Nicole wondered?