Needing a Break [AJ/Ellie]

AJ was due to come home soon and Ellie decided to cook dinner, so they could all eat together. Ajay was about three months now, and to Ellie's delight...looked like her a little more. She would be teasing AJ about it eventually. Lately though, she'd been sort of stressed, frustrated...and just everything else in general. She missed just hanging out and doing things alone with AJ...like a simple date night or something, but it was hard to schedule when he was on the road a lot and Ellie had to take care of both kids at home. She didn't really like to ask for help either. Madison was in the kitchen with Ellie, while she cooked...and Ajay was in his high chair. For some reason, Madison was sort of hyper lately, bouncing around and sort of acting up.

"Madison, relax."

"Noooooo, I help mommy." Madison said, wanting to help Ellie put the sauce on the spaghetti, grabbing the jar.

"Give it back, you're going to make a mess."

"I not." she frowned.

"Maddie, let me help you."

"No." she whined. "I do it."

Ellie tried to grab it from her and Madison tried to pull it back, eventually one of them let it go and it spilled on the floor, making a mess. Ellie huffed.

"Madison! See the mess you made!" she said.

Madison started to tear up, she had never been yelled at before and it surprised her. Ellie...well it surprised her too. Now Ajay was crying and she just couldn't handle them right now. "I'm sorry...just...give mommy a minute." she said and went into the pantry, closed the door and cried. She just needed to get herself together.

Madison looked at Ajay and knocked on the door for Ellie. "Mommy...come out...." she kept insisting.

AJ had just gotten home and as soon as he came in, he smelled dinner and then he heard the kids crying. He ran to them and saw what happened. He picked Ajay up and started to calm him down before going to Madison. "Hey sweetheart...why you crying?" he asked gently, keeping her close. "Where's mommy?" he asked looking around.

Madison sniffled. "Mommy yelled at me." she pouted. "Now she's in there." she said pointing at the door.

HE was confused. Ellie never yelled at the kids. HE went over to the pantry door and opened it slowly. "Ellie? Honey?" he asked softly before seeing her. She'd been crying and she looked more stressed out then ever.

"Madison, honey...why don't you pick out a DVD to watch with Ajay...we'll have dinner and a movie tonight." he smiled, and of course the little girl dashed off to pick a movie. Ajay had calmed down and he joined Ellie in the pantry. "Hey you..." he smiled lovingly.

"Oh...hi." she said as she wiped away her tears. "I uh, was just looking for something in here." she said lamely. "Guess it's not in here."

He just gave her a look. "We'll talk later, after they're put to bed, okay?"

"Alright." she nodded. "I'll just clean up and get everybody's dinner ready."

"Nope...I'll finish dinner and you go sit with Maddie."

"You just came home, I can do it."

He shook his head. "I'm putting my foot down...go sit with Maddie."

"Alright, fine." she said giving up and went to sit by Maddie.

He smiled as he quickly maneuvered and sat Ajay back in his high chair and then finished dinner.

Madison didn't really talk to Ellie...not that she was mad...she was into her movie.

"Mommy look!" she grinned at the tv.

"Mhm, it's good." Ellie said with a small smile.

Once the spaghetti was finished he set up a small table for Maddie to eat while he set up the TV trays for Ellie and himself. "Did you already feed Ajay?" he asked as he finished setting things up.

"Yeah, he's good for the rest of the night."

"Great." he said, setting up Ajay's little play area so he wouldn't get bored, plus he knew Maddie loved to play with her baby brother.

"Alright Maddie...if you eat your whole dinner, you get to play with Ajay." he smiled as he sat down to eat.

Maddie grinned. "I love playing with Ajay." she said as she started to eat her food quickly.

He smiled, watching Maddie eat so she could spend time with her baby brother.

A couple minutes passed and Madison finished her meal. "Kay, I finish. I play with Ajay now?" she asked.

He nodded. "Okay...go ahead sweetheart."

She grinned and ran off to go play with Ajay. "I here." she said and played with Ajay.

He smiled, staying with Ellie. "and just think...6 months ago she hated the idea of being the older sister." he said, kissing her cheek.

She chuckled a little. "I know. Now, she's all over him and won't let him out of her sight."

"Isn't it great?" he smiled.

"Yes, I love that she gets along with him so well." she nodded.