risk// 5SOS

45

Calum

When I picked the kids up from school the next day, there was a different buzz. Excitement glowed off both of them, and every movement they made had a spring in it as we went to the car.

"No more school days until Sage!"

"That's right bud,"

"How was your day, dad?"

"Oh, it was okay. I took it slow,"

"Me too," Gia said, "Some people are very loud!"

"Yes, they are," Rider giggled, "Not us,"

"You two are loud together,"

"No!"

"You are, I always hear you giggling. I love it though,"

"Will Sage giggle when they get back?"

"I'm sure they will. We have to be patient, because they have to adjust to the house again, and they will find it strange to have everyone around, but they will enjoy being with you both,"

"Yes, and we should give them alone time if they want it,"

"That's right! You guys will be such good siblings,"

When we got home, we went inside and I had a quick shower and changed while they ate a breakfast bar downstairs. Then, I went to the kitchen and found all the ingredients we needed to bake.

They washed their hands and put their aprons on, then took turns weighing the ingredients.

"Can I weigh my head?"

"If you really want to,"

Rider giggled and put his head on, then Gia had a turn.

"Your turn dad,"

I did it, purely to see the excitement in their faces.

"Yours is heaviest,"

"It's because I have so much knowledge in my brain,"

"Do you know everything?"

"Not everything but a lot of things," I smiled, "Who is mixing?"

"Because I will know everything you know one day," Rider said, taking the spoon, "I have decided I am going to be a doctor,"

"You'd make a great doctor bud, you are great at talking to people,"

"They have helped me and Sage so much. I want to help people,"

"That's a good idea,"

"I don't know what I want to be," Gia sighed, "Maybe an artist,"

"You don't have to know yet,"

"Okay, good. When did you know?"

"When I was a teenager,"

"Like Sage?"

I nodded and helped finish off the mixing, before pouring it into a cake tin. I put it in the oven and set a timer, then washed everything up, as well as their lunchboxes.

Both of them did help a little, but there wasn't much else to do, so they sat and watched the cake rise instead.

It had taken us a little while to make, so I got started on tea straight away, leaving the cake out to cool once it was done. Tomorrow, we would probably get takeaway, so I used the meatballs from the fridge for the kids and made us all some pasta. This week had left me too tired to cook.

"Do you want a drink, dad?"

"Oh, I would love a glass of water. Thank you angel,"

She got me it, and put it on the table, then I took the food over and called Rider down. It took him a few minutes to join us, but his wet hair made it clear he must've been showering.

"Thank you, dad,"

"You're welcome bud,"

"I bet Sage is so excited to come home and eat your food again,"

"Maybe," I smiled, "I am so proud of you both for how well you have coped with the change, and the visits. You have both been really respectful to Sage,"

"Thank you for helping them. I don't want to see them upset," Rider said, "I am lucky that you found us,"

I ruffled his hair and smiled, finishing my plate of food. Once everyone else was done, we put it all in the dishwasher and they got their aprons back on to decorate the cake.

Both of them put thick white icing around the edges and on top, then went a little crazy with the sprinkles and got them everywhere.

"Oops,"

"You 'nanas," I laughed, "I'll have to get the hoover,"

"Sage will love this!"

"Go and wash your hands,"

"I'm gonna shower," Gia said, "Then please can we play a game?"

"Minecraft!"

"You two can play that for a bit, yes,"

We all went upstairs, Gia to the bathroom, Rider to his room, and me into Sage's. I laid on their bed and looked round, sighing contently.

Boy was I desperate for them to come home.

Though they had been away, which made it hard to build our relationship, the time we had together was becoming more and more valuable.

A couple of times they had accidentally said dad, and they were initiating hugs. The short time they'd been here had had a huge impact on our home, and it was truly incomplete without them.

I knew the time as an inpatient had been tough for them at times, but overall it had been rewarding, and insightful for them. They were sill going back every week to see Dr Fahri, but it wouldn't be the same, and though they may miss the place, I was hoping it would be liberating for them.

A new school. A new start. A new family.

All we were doing now was waiting to welcome them with open arms.

"Dad! Can I borrow your phone please?" Gia called.

I took it to her, then, now reminded, I went to my room and pulled out Sage's new phone that I had to set up. At the very least, I wanted them to have my contact, but I was hopeful that they would connect with people at school and start talking to them online.

Lots of people moaned about kids being glued to their phone, but if they were being social with their friends, I really didn't see the issue. It was a good thing, and completely self centred of me as a parent to expect them to talk to me constantly, over someone their own age who they have things in common with. 

I created their own account and then linked my bank details, before filling in the contacts of me and my friends.

The rest was up to them.

As it got late, I took my phone back, and the ipad away, and got a book to read to the kids. They brushed their teeth and then sat in their beds, listening to me read a chapter of the book. We were almost finished, which was an achievement.

When I tucked them in, I could still feel the buzz they had at the school gates, and it was obvious to me that no matter what, these guys weren't getting much sleep tonight.