Chapter 12
Aman and a large van turn up early in the afternoon, picking up Lyric’s furniture and all the furniture from the baby's room. We keep back a few outfits, but the rest were packed into suitcases and loaded into the van. The same for the children’s things.
We packed the pushchair and highchair into our car, and a few more toys and children’s dishes, plates, etc.
Thankfully, Lyric stays asleep. I think his little body has shut down while at the house, not being able to cope with his emotions.
We arrange for the van to deliver everything the day after tomorrow.
We’ll go home tomorrow and surprise everyone.
For now, we’re having dinner with Monica and her husband, Chris.
River is being held by Monica, and Lyric is sitting on Kean’s lap.
He’s not said anything since he woke up, and he has a death grip on his bear.
We order dinner and chat about this and that. Chris has a wicked sense of humour and we spend a lot of time laughing, something I think we all need at the moment.
We feed Lyric food from our plates, all the while River is watching everything. He reminds me so much of Connie at the moment. After dinner, we say goodbye to Monica and Chris, take River back and return to our flat.
Lyric falls asleep in the car, but by the time we get home, River is starting to grumble.
“I’ll take River and get him sorted. Do you want to put Lyric to bed?” I ask as we get out of the car.
“I can do that. Hopefully, he’ll stay asleep as I change him,” Kean says, gently lifting Lyric out of the car and collecting his bag.
I get River and his bag, but leave the other bits; we can get them later.
We carry the boys inside, and Kean takes Lyric straight to our bedroom. I take River out of the baby carrier and carry him into the kitchen to make a bottle.
I’m sat at the table feeding him when Kean walks in and sits at the table with me.
“He didn’t stir,” Kean pauses and wipes a hand over his face. “He’s not spoken since he woke up this afternoon.”
“I know. I’m not worried, though, he’ll be talking about bad ass soon enough,” I try and assure him.
“But what if he doesn’t?”
“Then we’ll find him some professional help. Handsome, don’t borrow trouble; tomorrow is another day. Let’s see what it brings.”
“You’re right, I know you are.”
“It’s only been a couple of days,” I remind him, taking the now-empty bottle away from River and putting it on the table. I sit River up and gently rub his back.
Kean gives a quick grin and hands me a burp cloth. “It feels much longer. I like it here, but I can’t wait to go home tomorrow.”
“Me either. I’ll send a message to the others later, letting them know we’re still alive, but I won’t mention coming home tomorrow.” River burps. “Good boy.” I pass River over to Kean.
Kean gently cradles him and kisses his little head. “You just want to see the look of shock and surprise on everyone’s faces.”
I laugh. “I really do.”
We sit in silence for a moment, just gazing at River. I could still pinch myself that we now have two children. My heartbreak from a few days ago is almost gone; now my heartbreak is over Reggie and Doris missing out on watching their children grow up.
We get River ready for bed and settle him in his box before Kean and I get ready for bed, practically falling into it. It’s been an emotional day for all of us.
We’re up a few times for River, but Lyric sleeps through the night.
He’s sitting up in his crib, babbling happily to his teddy when I wake up.
I leave Kean sleeping and walk over to Lyric. “Hey, little man.”
He gives me a giant smile. “Tus,” he says, holding his arms out.
I pick him up and kiss his head. “Shall we change your stinky nappy, then feed you?”
Lyric nods, then looks at the bed, pointing. “Clean?”
“No, little man. Kean’s sleeping.”
Lyric shakes his head. “Clean,” he yells, quite loudly and by my ear.
“Don’t wake him or your brother. Use your indoor voice.”
“Clean,” he says, pointing to him again.
I hear the bed sheets move and look towards Kean, who is now awake and sitting up. “I’m awake.”
“Clean,” he says happily.
I put Lyric down on the bed, and he crawls over to Kean and climbs onto his lap.
Kean drops a kiss on his head. “Morning sunbeam,” he says, grinning.
Lyric is babbling away. I’ve no idea what he’s talking about, but he is talking, and that’s all that matters.
While Lyric is talking to Kean, I go and make us coffee and get some juice and a chopped apple for Lyric. I check the time and see River will be waking soon, so I make his bottle up.
I put everything on a tray, plus the bag of giant cookies, and carry them back to the bedroom.
Kean and Lyric are still chatting happily, but I see they have moved, so Kean must have changed Lyric's nappy.
“I bring goodies,” I say as I put the tray on the bedside table. I pass Lyric his juice and sit next to Kean with the cookie bag.
I lean into Kean and kiss him good morning. “You okay?” I ask, pulling back.
“I am now.”
“I brought cookies,” I lean over and snag the container of chopped apple and set it in front of Lyric while I pass Kean a cookie.
Lyric drops his sippy cup and, in a surprise move, quickly shoots forward and manages to latch on to the cookie with his teeth.
“Hey now. That’s mine,” Kean gripes.
Lyric doesn’t make any move to let the cookie go, so Kean breaks some off.
“Okay, little man. Let go and I’ll break this up for you.”
Lyric looks at him suspiciously but finally lets it go.
Kean breaks it up. “Soggy cookie, nice!” He hands some cookies to Lyric, and I’ve just taken a bite of mine when River starts making a noise.
I put my cookie down and go and get River. “Morning River, did you have good dreams?” I un-swaddle him and make quick work of changing his nappy, then I go and sit back next to Kean.
We’re all sat on the bed together, I never thought this would happen, or at least not for years. River makes a move to cry, but before he can let out his ‘you need to feed me cry’, I give him his bottle.
Lyric crawls over and sits by me. “Baby.”
I nod. “Your brother, River.”
“Ver,” he says.
“Close, River,” I correct.
Lyric nods. “Ver.” He gently strokes River’s hand. He leans down and kisses River. “Luv Ver.”
“So do we, little man,” Kean says. “How about once River’s finished his feed, we get up and have breakfast, get washed and dressed and play with your blocks, before we pack up and go home?”
Lyric looks confused.
“This is Titus’s work flat. We live in a big house with our mum, brothers, and children. You’ll love it,” Kean tells him.
Lyric doesn’t look sure; instead, he tries to eat my cookie.
Kean snags it in time and offers Lyric a slice of apple. “You eat this slice of apple, and you can have a piece of Titus’ cookie.”
“Hey now,” I protest to a laughing Kean as Lyric shoves the whole slice into his mouth, then promptly chokes.
Quick as a flash, Kean has the slice of apple out of his mouth. “Small bites and chew it, the cookie will still be there when you’ve eaten properly.”
“It might not be,” I mutter. I can’t believe Kean offered up some of my cookie goodness. I look down at River, who is still drinking. “Meanie daddy.”
He nudges my arm. “There are still a few more in the bag, plus we have a whole bag that’s not been touched yet. Don’t be greedy, Tus.”
“Tus,” Lyric happily says, holding out half his slobbered-over apple.
“That’s all yours, little man, I have cookies to eat.”
His face falls. “Tus,” he says softly.
I pluck the piece of apple out of his hand and eat it as quickly as I can, trying not to think about where it’s been.
Lyric laughs and holds his hand up. “Five Tus.”
I high-five him and give him another piece of apple, which he starts to eat.
“I’m sure Kean would like some apple, Lyric,” I happily suggest.
Kean glares at me as Lyric takes the half-chewed apple out of his mouth and holds it out to Kean.
“Clean.”
Kean sighs and eats the apple piece.
By this time, River has finished his bottle, and I have him up by my shoulder, burping him. He lets out a mighty burp, and then I feel my shoulder get wet.
“Please tell me he didn’t just bring his milk up all over my shoulder.”
“Yeah, he did Honey. Stay there, and I’ll get a towel to mop it up. That’s why you have a burp cloth,” he says, getting out of bed.
Lyric has a look of disgust on his face.
“Yeah, little man. I’m glad I can’t see it, the smell’s bad enough.”
Kean comes and mops up my shoulder.
“I’m going to have a shower so I can get rid of this smell. Can you watch the boys?”
Kean nods, taking River out of my arms and picking Lyric up, and holding him under his arm, much to Lyric's delight. “I’ll get Lyric some breakfast and put River on the play mat.”
“That’s still in the car. Hold on,” I push my magic out. “Everything that was in the car is now in the lounge. Lyric’s highchair is in the dining room, as is River’s play mat.”
Kean leans down and kisses me. “I’m so glad you have magic.”
“Me too,” I say, standing up, watching Kean and the boys walk out of the bedroom while I head for the bathroom.