Sunsets and storms ✓

Chapter 36

MATTHEW

I don't even need to set an alarm anymore. At 6.45 every morning Louis runs into my room to wake me up. I make us breakfast with my mind still somewhere off in a distant dream. I get him dressed so he can go play while I get some more caffeine in me. We've been on a roll like this for a week already, I take care of Louis as much as I can, so mum and dad can focus on taking care of the baby. Every day we switch it up for an hour or two so Louis can spend some time with his parents as well. I can see on mum's face that she's happy to have me home for now.

"I'm 41 years old, Matthew. I'm too old to run after a three year old while the baby is crying."

I told her she doesn't have to worry about. She has David and together they will manage and Louis will start day care soon, something he's very excited about. As if she heard mum talking, Lily starts crying. I tell mum to get dressed and pick Lily out of her crib.

"Let's get you ready for the morning, Lily. You will meet Megan soon. You're going look so cute! I haven't told you about Megan yet, have I? She's my girlfriend, she's the pretties and nicest girl I've ever met. Aside from you, of course."

If anyone could see me right now they would think I had gone mad. I'm talking to my one week old sister as if I can have an actual conversation with her. I know she won't remember meeting Megan in a few years, but I want things to go well today.

I haven't seen Megan in a week and a half and I want her to feel comfortable around my family. I want her to be able to come here and feel at home. I know she doesn't have that family home to go to for holidays and birthdays, and all I want is for her to have the feeling she has someone to go to, no matter what.

I'm almost done with dressing Lily when the doorbell rings. Mum calls from her room to go get the door and that she'll get Lily.

I know exactly who's waiting at the other side of the door. All of my nervousness gets replaced with excitement. The past weeks have passed so fast as I was busy taking care of Louis and helping out around the house, but knowing she's finally here, that I can finally hold her in my arms again makes me realise how much I missed having her near me.

And holding her in my arms is exactly what I do. I pull her close to me, wrapping my arms around her and burying my nose in her hair. God. She always smells so good.

"I've I had known you had missed me that much I would have worn something prettier."

I look at her outfit, jeans and a t-shirt.

"You look perfect, Meg. Come in, the neighbours are starting to look out of their windows. Don't be nervous, baby."

"I'm not nervous."

"Sure, and I'm not breathing. Mum already loves you, there's nothing to worry about."

Mum's already waiting in the living room when we walk in.

"Hi darling, how are you doing?"

Mum pulls Meg in for a hug as Lily decides to try her vocal cords once again this morning.

"She's adorable, Emma."

"She looks like Matty when he was a baby."

"No need to embarrass me, mother dearest."

"Oh, shush. I haven't even taken the photo albums out yet."

"No need. Absolutely none."

"What's up Matt? Don't want me to see your childhood pictures?"

"Don't worry, You'll be here for a bit, I'll find a moment to show you."

Great, mum and Megan hit it off right away. I'm happy of course, but I was not expecting them to team up against me within five minutes.

"Oh, look. Here's Louis. Come say hi to Megan, Lou."

"You cannot change the subject forever, Matt."

She whispered it in my ear, only loud enough for me to hear. It's not that I don't want her to see the pictures, I just had a really embarrassing naked phase around the time I was three and I don't necessarily want anyone, ever to see those pictures.

Louis suddenly turns shy as he notices Megan from his playing corner. He runs to me, but just as quickly hides behind my legs. I lift him off the floor and ask him if he recognises Megan. He gives a shy nod and wave. Only when Megan tells him she has a gift for him, does he lose his shyness and Megan becomes his best friend it seems.

We walk to her car on the driveway and from the backseat she gets a small bike. Louis is through the roof with his new bike and wants to try it out immediately. Once in the backyard he cycles around with a smile on his face.

Mum looks happy, watching Louis enjoy himself and having Lily in her arms.

"Matthew told me you haven't had time to pick the bike up yet, so he asked me to get in on my way here."

"Thank you so much, darling. It's great!"

Mum leaves us outside with Louis, giving us some time to catch up on the past two weeks. I ask Megan all about her days with Owen and how things are going to be like.

"For now, we'll just take it slow. Get to know each other and then we'll see how things work out. I think it was strange for the both of us. I saw a lot of similarities between us, but we've only known each other for such a short period, it'll take some time to get used to having a brother."

"Just see how things work out between you two. For the next few weeks you can get used to my brother, who has more energy than Logan on energy drinks. And Lily likes trying out her vocal cords already. Welcome to the family, baby."