Fifty-One | Cole
Fifty-One
Cole
I was in the kitchen, cleaning up, when the kids and my parents returned. I knew things had been off for everyone after Lyric’s accident, but I didn’t realize just how badly they had been until my mother mentioned something.
The kids had gotten really close to Lyric, and she had become more than just their guardian; she had become like a parent to them.
When she got in the accident, it triggered something in Ben and Kara that I had missed because my attention had been so focused on Lyric.
Not only had Lyric gotten hurt and almost died, but I hadn’t been around because I had been staying at the hospital with her.
While it had only been a few days, it was enough to upset the kids, thinking they might lose another parent.
My mom asked if they could take the kids for a few hours this morning, and I said yes, knowing they always enjoy their time with my parents. What I didn’t know was that they all had a plan, and it was one of the nicest, most heartwarming things I had ever seen.
“Do you think she’ll like them?” Kara asked, fixing a piece of baby’s breath in the flower arrangement she had put together for Lyric.
“She’ll love them. They’re beautiful, and roses are her favorite flower.”
“I remembered that when I was picking them out. I wanted to find yellow roses, but they were limited in what they had. I had to go with pink instead, and at first, I wasn’t sure it would work.
But then I remembered that her new clothing line is all pinks and browns, so I figured it was a safe bet.
” Kara smiled proudly as she stared at the vase filled with flowers.
“You did a great job,” I replied, kissing the top of her head.
“Thanks.”
“We have the whole week planned for meals,” Ben said, drawing my attention to where he stood by the fridge. “We wanted to make her favorite meals, but Grandma could only remember a handful. We’re doing some of her recipes because you can’t lose when you make a Grandma dish.”
I laughed because that was true. My mom made some of the best food I’d ever had, and I knew how much Lyric enjoyed it, too.
Chloe and my mom were in the bedroom with Lyric because Chloe insisted on showing Lyric the new babies she’d convinced my parents to buy while they were out.
Normally, I would complain about her having more toys, but now I was just thankful that it wasn’t a fish or farm animal to keep alive.
She had recently asked to get a pig, and that had been a battle I wasn’t ready for.
“I think she’ll love all of it,” I replied, my heart feeling like it would burst at the seams from the joy filling it.
“Cool,” Ben said, nodding. “I also got stuff to make brownies and ice cream sundaes. I thought maybe we could make them tonight for family game night?”
My eyebrows rose in surprise.
“I’m not sure she’ll be able to participate—”
I started before Kara and Ben exchanged a glance and grinned at each other.
“We took care of that as well,” Kara said happily.
“You did?” I asked.
“Yep. We didn’t want her to miss out on anything, so we’re making things where she can still be involved, even while she’s in bed.”
“That’s very sweet of you guys. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”
I helped Ben put the rest of the groceries away and gave Kara some space as she took the flowers to Lyric. The energy in the house had changed drastically, and I already felt lighter with it.