"Break it up, you two!" Russell, my angry husband shouted at my two children. Who were fighting and wringing each other's neck in the hallway. Russell and I quickly hurried over to separate Mark and Valentino from fighting and yelling.
Mark was pulling on Valentin's long, bushy hair. Making him squeal like a pig. Using his strength, my strong husband quickly pulled the two twin brothers apart from one another. Sighing with relief, I quickly hurried over to assist my husband.
"He started it!" Mark spat out, vigorously. "He wanted to take turns playing his new XBOX fighting game!" Mark said, tears rolling down his cheeks. He turned his back away from Valentino who also turned his head away from him. They each looked away and folded their arms in disgust.
"Mark, apologize to your brother," I said, sincerely. Valentino sneered playfully and shoved Mark's shoulders. Almost knocking him down. Mark angrily shoved his brother back again. "Don't make me take your games away from you two for a week!" I snapped, holding my arms in front of Mark and Valentino to keep them from slugging the other one.
Sighing with relief, Mark and Valentino turned around to face each other. Even though Mark was embarrassed to hug his brother, he let Valentino hug him. Then, Mark quickly shoved his brother off him. He dusted his green short-sleeved shirt, like he was dusting Valentino's germs off him.
"I was in the middle of collecting all the magic gems in the enchanted forest. To keep a greedy, ugly old troll from stealing them from a princess locked in her cabin. And getting a high score in the XBOX game! When suddenly, my annoying brother unplugged my XBOX connection. Making me lose points in the game and starting back over!" Mark said, unhappily. "Making the troll steal all my collective gems in the game and kidnap the supernatural princess in her locked cabin. And lock me in a cage in some dark cave," Mark complained.
I rolled my eyes. "You two should take a break from video games. And do your homework, first," I explained, uneasily. It wasn't like my kids were going to listen to me. But I knew they would obey their parents before they do what they think is best for them.
Alright done, mom!" Mark whined and tossed his hands in the air in frustration. "I always do my homework in school, before doing something fun," Mark said. "Our teacher makes us do our homework assignments in class, before going home," he continued.
Mark was sounding as believable to trust him. But I didn't want to argue he wasn't telling the truth, either. "Aright, that's fair," I said. "I just want you two kids to share your toys and electronics if there's going to be some kind of sibling rivalry over it," I snapped, angrily. My husband, Russell, put a comforting arm around my shoulders. "Thanks, babe," I said, feeling loved and secured.
Russell turned to look sternly at our two kids. "Listen, here! Your mom and I mustn't go through this every day! You two kids must get along, or we will have no choice but to ground you from your electronics for a whole week! No fun whatsoever, for a week. If you can't enjoy each other's company in the same room, we'll have to eventually separate you two kids into different rooms," Russell said, making a promise.
Mark and Valentino suddenly whirled around to face us both. "You're joking, right?" they said, at once. They started talking and yelling back at us at the same time. Trying to calm them down, Russell and I hugged each one of our kids, to keep them relaxed.
"No matter what goes on around here," Russell said, as he was hugging onto Mark. "We will love each other every day. Do what's right. Do our homework at school and daily house chores, before playing, okay kids?" Russell asked, trying to get them to settle down a bit.
But Mark and Valentino were squirming uncomfortably in our arms. "You'll get used to following our rules, kids," I said. "Living here is very simple. Don't fight, and you'll get to do whatever two children want," I continued. I could tell Mark and Valentino weren't paying attention to us. They were trying to get away from Russell and myself.
"Okay! We promise!" Mark and Valentino uttered at the same time. I eyed my husband who was staring into my dreamy eyes, as well. "Just let us go back to playing our video games! Please, mom and dad?" they begged and urged us to let them go.
Looking directly into my eyes, Russell nodded and smiled at me. "Of course, kids!" Russell said, urgently to Mark and Valentino. "But remember you still live on the same roof as your parents. Obey us, and you can do whatever you want," Russell said, smiling.
"Yes!" Mark and Valentino high fived each other and quickly hurried back into their bedroom. And slammed the door on us. Making Russell and I jump with fright. It was going to be hard letting our two kids go.