After It All

Chapter Three

James

"Where is everyone?" Eldon asked as we all walked into the living room. Most of A-Troupe decided to come and visit spontaneously, had they planned it a little better and you know.. called
They may have been able to come over when everyone was home

"The boys are at school and Riley and Ellie are still asleep. Ellie is teething so she's been up all night keeping Riley up" I explained
"Tut tut James, not helping out?" West teased making me roll my eyes
"Of course I am but whether Riley wants to admit it or not. She's the kids favourite" I laughed making them all nod everyone has met the kids mainly when they were all babies. But the visits were rare and far between due to the distance

It's a shame to think that I doubt the kids have any idea who they are..

"how does it feel being back" Michelle asked smiling in my direction
"It feels good. We haven't done much thought seeing as the last week had been hectic getting the boys settled into school" I explained 

The boys have such different personalities when it comes to social interaction. Zach is overly confident and need to be pulled back a little while Landon is scared to branch out
When they were at school together, they were the perfect blend
But as Zach gets older, he's moving on up which means for a little bit they'll be separated 

"How are they all settling in?" Thalia questioned
"We are all settling in well, Riley and Landon were at The Next Step earlier this week. Zach honestly doesn't care where we are as long as there is football and Ellie, well she's too little to really understand" I said making them all smile
"I still can't believe Jiley are all familed up" West said making me chuckle

Before any of us could say anything else, there were a pair of footsteps along with some sniffles that earned out attention, we all turned to look at Riley coming down the stairs with Ellie in her arms
From the look of Riley's face she was exhausted and Ellie looked like she had just had another screaming match with herself 

"Hey Riles" Eldon said making Riley do a double take at the living room
"Oh hey guys" She said offering them as much smile as she could right now

"Do you want me to take her?" I asked and Riley nodded, but the moment I took Ellie from Riley's arm all hell broke loose
Ellie let out the loudest screech I think I've ever heard from her
She began flinging her arms about in the attempt to make her way back to Riley
Riley looked at me sighing before nodding taking Ellie back into her arms
The moment she did..

Ellie fell silently cuddling up to Riley's chest sucking on her thumb to self soothe

"do you want a coffee?" I asked her, if I couldn't take Ellie. The least I could do was to get Riley whatever she needed
"Yes please" She said taking the seat I had just been sat in previously 

--

The gang hung around a lot longer then I had assumed they would. I was just getting back with the boys and all of their cars were still dotted around the street
"Dad, what's with all the cars" Zach asked as we walked into the house
"Some of our friends are here. We don't expect you to remember them though Zee. You were a baby when you met them all" I explained, he soon shrugged it off running into the house followed by Landon 

"Mum!" Zach smiled going over kissing Riley's cheek before looking at his little sister who was still attached to Riley
"How was school boys?" Riley asked giving Landon the same greeting

Landon looked around the room at all the unfamiliar faces before shaking his head coming over hiding behind my legs
He doesn't do new people, big crowds or any of that

"Hey come here" I whispered crouching to his level, Landon took his eyes off of everyone else before turning to me giving me his full attention
"It's okay buddy, you're okay" I said watching as his eyes drifted off to everyone else again before turning back to me and nodding taking a hold of my hand as the pair of us walked back into the room

We walked in only to hear the same little giggle leaving Ellie's lips. Zach has always had a special way with her and it's only proving to be true right now
"Come here Ellie Bear" He smiled taking Ellie out of Riley's arms 

I think at this point everyone was watching as curiously as I was to see if Ellie had met her match, if Riley was finally about to get the break she'd been needing since this morning

And sure enough she had. Zach took Ellie into his arms and started walking around with her while her face stayed nothing but with a solid smile as she giggled at her older brother
"Can we take her outside?" Landon asked looking at Zach and Ellie. I shrugged looking at Riley
"Yeah you can. But be gentle okay?" Riley asked making both boys nod before the four of them walked over to the back door 

"That was the most wholesome thing I think I've ever watched" Giselle said making me chuckle 
"that'll be Zach for you. Ever since Ellie was born he's been able to soothe her" I explained
"You can say that again" Riley said coming back into the living room joining my side. I smiled at her finally being able to wrap an arm around her with out the scream of our daughter wanting Riley all to herself

"Do remember when she had that ear infection?" Riley asked making widen my eyes slightly
"She wouldn't let anyone but Zach hold her. She practically slept in his bed the entire week" Riley said making me chuckle

"I didn't peg Zach to be such a softie" West chuckled making me smile again
"He isn't" I laughed
"Until it comes to Ellie" Riley added nudging me
"Like a certain Piper situation?" Eldon asked making Riley and I look at each other smiling and nodding

"Exactly like a Piper situation" Riley smiled turning back to our friends