Chapter 32
We make it down to breakfast about an hour later. Everyone except Adhan, Ernest and Cam are already at the table eating and laughing, all of them having seen the video that Adhan posted.
“You know Ernest is going to find a way to get you back, right?” Ben says, grinning at us.
“He can’t blame us for Lyric’s pee attack,” Kean points out, putting Lyric into his high chair as I put food on his plate.
As soon as we walk in, Emily stole River so she could hold him, freeing up my hands.
“He feels a bit heavier,” Emily said, taking him.
I nod as I cut up some toast and a sausage. “Yeah, he’s put on weight, Justice is pleased.”
We were able to take the boys and register them with Justice, Friday morning, and River got all the baby checks he needed, and according to Justice, everything is fine with him.
“Yep, both boys are fine and healthy,” Justice adds.
“Arse Clean,” Lyric says happily.
Everyone stops talking and looks at Lyric.
Nora lets out a giggle.
“And that’s why Ernest was changing the nappy, because he taught Lyric a new word,” I tell them, as I put Lyric’s plate in front of him.
“I want to know how much John and Jodie laughed at that video,” Justice says, picking up his mug.
“We can ask them later, they’re coming to the Easter Egg hunt and for dinner after,” Emily says.
“Do you need help getting anything ready?” I ask her, snagging some toast.
She shakes her head. “No, I got a lot prepared yesterday and Jodie is bringing dessert, but thank you, Titus.”
“Are you coming to the Easter Egg hunt, Mum?” Jude asks her, putting his cutlery on his empty plate.
“I am. I wouldn’t miss my grandchildren’s first Easter Egg hunt.”
“We can try out your butterfly reins today,” I say to Lyric.
“Whatver arse,” Lyric happily says.
I know I shouldn’t laugh, but that was funny.
We decide to walk to the church as it’s not that far away and a lovely morning.
Lyric loves his butterfly backpack with walking reins, while River is being carried in Kean’s new top.
“Have I told you how much I love this top, honey?” Kean asks, one hand protectively on River’s back, the other hand holding mine.
I laugh. “Just once or twice, handsome. As soon as I saw it, I knew you had to have one. I would have waited for your birthday, but River would have been bigger by then.”
“Did you see the look on Jude’s face? I bet anything as soon as we get home, he’s ordering one.”
“I bet he will. I can’t believe we're getting married tomorrow.”
Kean grins. “I know. I thought this day would never come.”
I look at him in surprise. “You mean us getting married?”
He shakes his head. “No, me getting married at all. I felt sure I would never find my mate or get married, but I have you and the boys, and tomorrow is our wedding day.”
“There is no way the fates wouldn’t have given you a mate. I’m just thankful that said mate was me,” I say, nudging his shoulder with mine.
“Me too, honey. We still need to sort out River’s baby naming ceremony and a welcome to the family for Lyric.”
“Bunny,” Lyric shouts, before I can reply and speeds up his walking.
I look to where he’s headed and see someone dressed up as a large white bunny, carrying a basket that seems to be filled with other baskets. Adhan is stood next to him, chatting.
I walk a little faster when Lyric suddenly stops and looks to the side. I come to a halt while trying not to walk into Lyric.
“Der, Nox,” he calls, looking towards them and then the giant bunny as if trying to decide where to go.
“Hey, little cousin,” Xander says, before saying hello to us. “Do you want to see the large bunny?”
“Bunny Der, arse,” Lyric happily shouts, pointing.
“Of course, that’s the word he wants to use,” I mutter.
“So Lyric learnt a new word?” Ebby asks, grinning.
“Courtesy of Ernest, yep,” Kean replies.
“Nice pee attack on Uncle Ernest, Lyric,” Ebby says, patting Lyric's head.
“I’m so glad Adhan caught that and shared it. By the way, nice kangaroo jumper,” Sly says, nodding to River.
“It’s the best,” Kean replies, smiling.
“Can Enoch and I take Lyric to meet the bunny?” Xander asks.
I hand the reins over to him. “Help yourself, just don’t let go of them.”
“I won’t and I won’t take my eyes off him,” Xander promises, taking them.
“Come on, Lyric, let’s see the bunny,” Enoch says, taking his hand.
We watch them walk off and follow behind.
The bunny squats down in front of Lyric, and he giggles and hugs the bunny, chatting away.
I’m not sure about what, and pretty sure the bunny doesn’t know either, but he happily replies, before handing Lyric an empty basket.
He stands up and hands one to Xander, Enoch and Nora, who comes skipping over.
“Guys, can I introduce you to Gordon, Earl’s nephew?” Adhan says. “This is my brother Kean and his partner Titus. Their son, River, and Lyric, you’ve just met. These are our other brothers Ebby and Sly, plus Enoch and Xander and my niece Nora.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Gordon says.
“Nice bunny outfit,” Sly comments.
Gordon laughs. “Thanks. It’s a good way to meet the people Uncle Earl always talks about.”
More children run up to bunny Gordon, and we move out of the way. Ernest and Cam are directing all the children over to a specific area, so they all start the egg hunt from the same place.
The doors of the church open, and the new vicar walks out, his congregation following.
He looks like a happy man, not like the sadly departed Reverend Portello.
Reverend Portello never spoke to the congregation after mass.
As soon as mass was finished, he ran out of the church and drove away as quickly as possible.
More children come running over with baskets. Adhan, bunny Gordon and the vicar walk over to us.
“Does everyone have a basket?” Bunny Gordon asks.
The children shout yes and hold theirs up.
“In that case, let the Easter Egg hunt begin,” The vicar announces.
The children cheer and start running off in different directions.
We let Nora and the boys run off to start their searches. I see Emily, John and Jodie follow them.
“So, looks like we can let the grandparents help the children,” Kean comments, looking down at River, who is just waking up. “Hey, Baba,” he gently gets River out of his jumper. “Do you want Papa to hold you for a bit?” he hands River to me.
“Hello, River, did you have good dreams?” I ask, dropping a kiss on his head.
“My turn for baby snuggles,” Sly says, and before I can say anything, River is taken from me, Sly holding him close. “You snooze, you lose,” he says, laughing at me.
I shake my head at him. “I’ll let you have snuggles, pretty sure Jodie will hijack River in a bit.”
“Fine, I’ll share. I must say, though, you two look better than yesterday, not so tired.”
“Yeah, we both got some sleep, which helped,” Kean replies.
I look at Ebby. “Did you get all your orders finished?”
He nods. “I have a few left to make, but they are not being picked up until next Friday. Are you all ready for your wedding tomorrow?”
“Yep, not that we’ve had anything to do. We just need to turn up in our wedding clothes,” I reply.
Sly grins. “Kean, are you wearing the red wedding dress?”
I look at Kean and grin. “Please say yes.”
“You’ll just have to wait and see until tomorrow.”