Chapter 8
We catch a little sleep, but neither of us fell into a deep one. I was afraid that if I slept, the boys would vanish, and we would still be on our adoption journey. As it is, if what Justin says is true, it will only take a few days for the paperwork to be processed.
River starts to fuss, and before I can move, Kean is up and picking up the baby. “Morning, Baba, did you have good dreams?” As he’s talking, he un-swaddles River and drops the blanket in the cot. “Shall we change your nappy and give you your bottle?”
I walk over and touch River’s head. “And just think, daddy’s changing your nappy,” I stroke his hand, and he grabs my finger. “Ten points if your pee hits daddy’s nose.”
Kean snorts out a laugh. “River only gets one surprise attack, don’t you, Baba. Don’t listen to papa, he’s a meanie.”
Kean moves over to the changing table, and I walk to the bed to see Lyric, who is just waking up.
I sit on the side of the bed. “Morning, little man,” I stroke his head, and Lyric gets up and crawls onto my lap.
“Tus,” he says, leaning against me.
“Do you want something to eat or drink?”
He looks up and nods. “Duce.”
“Good choice,” I pull his bag closer and look inside to see two juice boxes and a couple of sippy cups. “Orange or apple?”
“Apple pees,” Lyric says.
“Good choice.” I pull out the apple juice and a sippy cup. I remember that Sal, Jude, and Emily watered down Connie’s juice. So, I half fill the cup. “Stay here while I put some water in here.”
“Down,” Lyric says, pointing to the floor.
The door is shut and there isn’t anything he can break, so I pick him up and sit him on the floor.
I take his drink into the bathroom and add some water before screwing the lid on and walking back to the bedroom.
Lyric is toddling over to Kean. I watch as he grabs Kean’s leg with one hand and raises his other. “Five,” he says.
Laughing and with a hand on River, Kean bends down, his hand up. “High five,” he says, tapping Lyric’s hand.
They both laugh.
I walk over and pick Lyric up, handing him his cup. “Are you high-fiving Kean?”
He nods. “Clean. Five.”
“Yep, you and Kean high-fived.”
He sips his drink, resting against me.
Kean tidies up the dirty nappy and wipes and puts it in the little sack, then he picks River up. “Now you’re clean, Baba, shall we find you a bottle? Be back in a minute, honey,” he says to me, opening the door and walking out with River. River looks so small when Kean is holding him.
For River’s last feed, Jess showed us where the kitchen was, stocked with everything needed for making up baby bottles.
Lyric stops drinking. “Clean?” he asks, looking at the door.
“He’s gone to get your brother his bottle; he’ll be back. In the meantime, how about if we give you a bath, dress you, then feed you?”
Lyric nods.
I should have realised Lyric was planning something. I took his sleep suit off and his nappy, which was thankfully only filled with pee, and put him in the bath water. I made sure the water wasn’t deep; it barely covered his legs, and I made sure it had bubbles.
Considering the amount of water there wasn’t in the bath, I get soaked. Lyric has fun splashing as hard as he can, both with his legs and little hands. He’s giggling so much that I don’t have the heart to stop him.
“How about we wash you before you drown me in bath water?” I ask him, smiling.
This bathroom is stocked with everything, so I use a new sponge and some baby wash and wash Lyric for the first time.
Lyric takes that as it’s time for more splashing and giggling.
“Alright, little water demon. Time to get out and dry, and it’s not just you who needs drying,” I say, standing up and picking up a towel. I bend to pick Lyric up and wrap the towel around him.
He snuggles into me.
“I see, trying to drown me makes you sleepy, does it?” I say, with a smile, walking out of the bathroom. I’m pulled up short when I see Kean is back, and Monica and Justin are with him. River is resting in Monica’s arms as she feeds him.
“Morning,” I say.
Justin laughs. “Who took the bath, you or Lyric?”
“Oh, Lyric took the bath; he made me have a splash shower, didn’t you, little man?”
“Here, honey, let me dress Lyric, and you can dry yourself off.”
I pass Lyric over. “He still needs drying and doesn’t have a nappy on yet.”
“We will get one right on you, won’t we? I don’t need another tinkle shower,” he says, drying Lyric as he walks to the changing table.
“You all look like you’re bonding nicely,” Justin comments.
“About that. Can we take a walk for a minute?” I ask.
“We can, is anything wrong?” Justin replies, looking concerned.
“Oh no. Advice. We need to pick your brains,” I assure him.
“Let’s go and get coffee,” he suggests, the concerned look vanishing.
“Yes, coffee is good, coffee is our friend, a large coffee would go down a treat about now, maybe even a vat of coffee. What do you think, little man?” Kean asks, securing the clean nappy.
“Duce Clean,” Lyric says, holding his arms out to be picked up. Once in Kean’s arms, he holds his hand up. “Five.”
Kean laughs and taps his hand. “High-five.”
“Monica, coffee? Bacon sandwich? Teacake?” I ask her.
“Yes, for the coffee and a lemon muffin if they have one, please.”
“We’ll be back soon,” I say, and Justin and I leave the room.
“Do you not want to dry first?”
I click my fingers and now I’m blissfully dry. “Sorted.”
Justin laughs and shakes his head. “So, what’s up?”
We reach the lifts and he hits the call button.
“We were talking about Reggie and Doris’ funerals and if we should take the boys, especially Lyric.
Lyric keeps asking for his mum, which is understandable, but would going to the funeral help him?
” As we’re talking, the lift arrives and we both get in, Justin hits the button.
“That’s a difficult one. I’ve had a few adopted parents take the children to funerals.
” The lift stops, and we get out, heading straight for the coffee shop.
“Only you and Kean can make that decision. Sorry, I know that’s not the answer you wanted.
Monica said their funeral won’t be until the week after next at the earliest. That will give you more time to bond with and get to know Lyric, so you can then make an informed decision. ”
“That makes sense,” I say, as we walk in and queue up.
“How’s Lyric doing?”
I sigh. “Like I said, he has moments of only wanting his mum, which is understandable. He had a nightmare last night and woke up screaming and crying. Kean settled him down and taught him how to high-five.”
“That’s good, starting your own things.”
“I’m worried, though.” Before I can say more, it’s our turn.
“Morning, sir, what can I get you?” the barista asks.
“Two large white coffees, one large black coffee. Justin?”
“A regular latte, please.”
“Four lemon muffins,” I look at Justin, “unless you want a different one?”
“Nope, lemon is good, thanks.”
“All in separate bags, please, and three bacon rolls, all in separate bags.”
“So that’s two large white coffees, a large black coffee, a regular latte, four lemon muffins and three bacon rolls, all the food in separate bags,” the barista checks.
“Perfect, thanks,” I say, taking my wallet out and paying.
“Here you go,” the barista hands me a wooden number. “We’ll call your number when your order is ready.”
“Thanks,” I say, moving away.
We’re stood off to one side.
“What has you worried?” Justin asks, going back to our conversation.
“Any lingering trauma relating to the accident. I mean, Lyric saw his dad die and his mum get seriously hurt. We have no idea how that will affect him. Should we talk to him about the accident or find a child counsellor?”
“Again, that’s a tough one. For the first six months, I’ll come by every two weeks to check on you all, which is standard procedure.
Let’s monitor Lyric and see how he gets on, and if he needs further help, we can find some.
As for talking to him about the accident, just ask him, and see what happens.
It’s not going to be all sunshine and roses, but I know you and Kean will cope.
You have a large family and several children; let everyone help.
The main thing is to show Lyric that he’s safe and loved. ”
Our number is called and we collect all the bags and the four cup drink carrier with our drinks and leave the coffee shop, walking towards the lifts.
“He’ll certainly be safe and loved,” I reply.
Justin nods. “Of that I have no doubt.”
We reach our room and hand out food and drinks.
“I need to phone Daniel. I’ll be back in a minute,” I say to everyone.
I walk out of the children’s ward and into the main corridor. I walk to a large window at the end of the hallway and check the time. Just after half eight. It feels so much later.
I pull up Daniel’s number and wait for him to answer.
“Morning Titus, you’re calling early, what’s up?”
“Hey Daniel, I’m phoning to let you know I'm on three months' paternity leave.”
“You and Kean have a child? Sorry, I should have asked you how everything was going the other day.”
“If you had asked me the other day, I would have said the adoption journey was a struggle. But last night, two boys were given to us, a toddler and a newborn. Daniel, they’re Reggie and Doris’ children.”
I hear Daniel gasp. “Doris lived long enough to give birth?”
“She did. Lyric is the oldest, River is the baby. They had already picked out River’s name, so we’re using it.”
I hear Daniel sniff. “That’s lovely. You’ll make an amazing father, Titus. I expect lots of photos; you have my permission to spam me.”
I laugh. “I probably will. We can swap baby photos. I don’t have my laptop with me. Can you put my ‘out of office’ on for me, and when I have a moment, I’ll forward you some work that needs doing. Sorry for the short notice.”
“Leave everything with me. You go and bond with your boys.”
“Will do, Daniel. Thanks,” I say, hanging up.
I walk quickly back to the room and see a now-dressed Lyric sitting on the floor eating some lemon muffin.
River has finished his feed and is still being held by Monica.
Kean comes over and hands me my coffee. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah. Daniel’s in shock, but he gave me permission to spam him with photos. He’s putting my ‘out of office on for me’. I need to send some work to him, but I will do that when we get home.”
“I’ll put an announcement out that you’re on leave for the next three months. It’s good that you both work from home, so you won’t need to pay for day care when it’s time to return to work.” Monica says. “I’ll drop in on Daniel; he can report to me while you’re off.”
“Thanks, Monica.”
“I can’t take today off, but I’ve taken tomorrow off. I thought we could go to Reggie and Doris’ house so you can collect clothes, toys, etc.”
“That would be helpful, thanks, Monica,” Kean says.
“I’ll message you later to arrange a time, but now I have to run,” she hands River to Kean and picks up her treats. “Thank you for the coffee and muffin,” and with that, she rushed out.
“While you were ringing your assistant, Kean gave me your signed paperwork. I’ll get it notarised today and register River’s birth. What parent names should go on the birth certificate?”
Kean and I look at each other. “I say Reggie and Doris,” Kean says.
“I agree.”
“Good. I’ll let you know when everything is completed.”
“Thanks, Justin.”
Justin leaves, and I sit on the sofa. Kean carries River over and sits next to me. My food is on the arm of the sofa, and I put my drink next to it. I pull my roll out and break a bit of it off. “Lyric, want some?” I ask, holding it out to him.
Lyric grins and takes it, popping it into his mouth.
“I gave him some bacon as well, but only a little bit of my muffin.”
“It’s good that he’s eating. We should probably give him some fruit or carrots later.”
“We can stop off at the shops on the way to your flat.”
“Yeah, apart from coffee, I’m pretty sure there is nothing much else there. I need to message my brothers and say we’re staying here for a couple more days.”
“You message them and I’ll message Adhan the same.”
I stuff the last of my roll into my mouth, pull my phone out of my pocket and send my message. I don’t even have time to put my phone down before Temp replied.
We miss you, but have fun.
Then Cass replies.
Not sure we do miss you! Seriously have fun.
I silently laugh.
Well, I miss you two. See you soon.
I put my phone down and look at Lyric. He is covered in muffin crumbs. “Little man, did you actually eat any muffin, or just crumble it up and drop it all over you?”
Lyric looks up and grins.
“Let me take you to the bathroom and brush you down, then wash your messy hands,” I say, cradling him, so as not to drop crumbs everywhere.
“Right, stand here and we can brush these crumbs off you.” I stand him on the vanity, close to the sink and brush the crumbs into the sink. “There, all clean. Now for your hands.”
“Tus five,” he says, holding his hand up.
I laugh and high-five him, then wash our hands and wipe his face. I drop the towel on his head, covering his face.
“Oh no, where’s Lyric?”
I hear a giggle, then he pulls the towel off.
I gasp. “There you are,” I pick him up and carry him back into the bedroom and see the doctor there.
He smiles my way. “Morning. I was just telling Mr Stone that I’m happy to release both boys.”
“Thank goodness. Hear that, little man, we can leave here.”
Lyric frowns and looks at the cot, where Kean has laid River down. “Baby come?”
“He will. You’re both coming with us.” Kean tells him.