Brand New Crue

God Bless The Children of The Beast pt1

"Look what I made, Grammy!" Nikole's delighted little squeal echoed down the hallway, as she ran to her grandmother's sewing room, waving a page from her coloring book, crayon gripped fiercely in her fingers. The dark haired little angel bounced off the door frame, made a face at the offending piece of wood, swiped her nose with the back of her hand and grinned.

Grammy looked up from her sewing machine. "Oh my, sweetheart!" She cooed, holding her arms out for her great-granddaughter. She hoisted Nikole on to her lap and began to admire the picture, making all the appropriate adoring sounds she could.

Nikole beamed triumphantly. Thomas entered shortly after. "Mine's better, Grammy!"

"Is not!" Nikole snapped, sticking her tongue out at her brother.

Grammy rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm sure they're both perfect, Nikole." She said, stroking the dark unruly strands back from Nikole's frowning face. "Isn't that right, Thomas?"

"Yes, Grammy!" The two muttered in unison.

Before Nikole could offer any further argument to why her picture was better, the familiar groaning of Julian's truck in the driveway interrupted. Nikole's eyes widened with joy. "Daddy's back!" She squealed, squirming free of Grammy's hold and running as fast as her tiny legs could carry her. Thomas blocked her path, earning an ear splitting whine and a shove from behind. "Move, meanie!" She barked.

Thomas, always taking every advantage to torment his sister available, simply slowed his progress down the hallway. "I can't!" He whined. "My legs hurt."

"Ugh...Grammy! Make him move!" Nikole cried, pushing her brother toward the stairs.

Grammy rolled her eyes again. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren, but they were getting to be a bit more than she could handle these days. She wasn't used to five year olds anymore. "Thomas, let your sister by, please. Grammy's getting a headache."

"Yes, Grammy." Tommy muttered, still taking his time.

Nikole maneuvered by her brother on the stairs, stuck her tongue out as she passed, and ran as quickly as she could to the door. She always met Daddy at the porch when he came to pick them up. It was her routine. The best part of her day. It meant they were going to the studio to play. She yanked the door open and perched at the top step, holding her coloring book page behind her to surprise him with. Tommy snatched it from her grip, and made a face at her. She tossed him a glare, just as their dad made it to the bottom step.

"There's my beautiful girl!" Julian called out, dropping his work belt on the ground and reaching for Nikole. Nikole giggled, and leapt into Julian's arms for their usual bear hug greeting. "You're getting to be such a big girl, Niki!" He said, kissing her forehead as he climbed the porch steps to the door.

"Tommyboy!" He called, ruffling his son's hair, Tommy latching on to his leg as he passed. He made a good show of how heavy Tommy was, groaning at the weight and mock complaining, making both his kids giggle.

"Hi, Pops!" Tommy called to his great-grandfather.

Pops smiled at the three of them, admiring how Julian had taken to fatherhood so completely. It was like he was made to be a Dad. "You three staying for dinner again?" He asked Julian's back.

Julian sighed heavily. He glanced at his grandfather as he deposited Nikole in the nearest chair.

"Please, please! Grammy's making cas..casser...that stuff again! And she said I could help!" Nikole begged, bouncing up and down in the chair.

"Ok, ok!" Julian surrendered, holding up his hands in defeat.

"Yay!" Nikole hollered, leaping out of the chair. "Grammy, I'm helping with the cass...er... the thing!"