A Twist In Time

Finding A Home

Finding A Home

"Have you found anything yet?" I asked Lizzie as she joined me in the kitchen, smiling down at TJ as he greeted her with a cheeky smile.

"Nothing big enough," she replied, taking the tea cup that floated over to her. "How did Finn take the news?"

"We actually haven't told him yet," I said, joining her at the table, dropping my notebook down beside me. "We've still got a couple of days before his birthday."

"Jesus, we're already into February? It only feels like yesterday the war ended."

"I always think time flies by when you're happy," I muttered, my eyes lingering on TJ as he babbled to himself in his playpen. He would be turning three this October and I hated thinking about him growing up, especially if Campbell was still roaming the streets.

"Who's going to tell him?"

"Polly wanted to tell him, but Tommy told her it would be best coming from me. I've asked Newt to help, we all know how much Finn looks up to him, it would be nice for Finn to be told by his hero."

"And how do the others deal with the knowledge that Newt is Finn's favourite?"

It was funny, really.

Arthur would never admit it, but he was slightly hurt that Finn preferred Newt to him. It did take a lot of reminding him that Newt was here for the last two years of the war on and off so Finn had the chance to spend time with him.

"It's not that Newt is his favourite, it's more the fact that Newt understands him better than his brothers. They have a lot in common and Finn doesn't have to pretend to be someone else to impress Newt. He's always pretending to be tough just to please his brothers and that's not who he is as a person."

"You've definitely got your thoughts on it," Lizzie said, nudging me with her foot under the table.

"It's because I've had to explain it to John and Arthur a hundred and one times," I grumbled, rolling my eyes at her teasing. "Tommy thinks it's because Newt's my brother and Finn loves me but knows I can't give him my undivided attention with TJ and Edward so he's gone to the next best thing."

"Well, don't mention this to Phineas, but Newt is your better brother," Lizzie stage whispered, smiling as she heard a huff from the hallway.

"That's what you get for listening in, Phin," I called watching as said older adoptive brother came pouting into the kitchen sending a mock glare at Lizzie.

"I was just coming to see my lovely nephew," he said, scooping up TJ, making the young boy laugh. "At least I'm your favourite uncle, right, Thomas?"

"Allie! Allie!" TJ shouted, glaring up at Phin.

"What's he talking about?"

"His favourite uncle is Alfie, Phineas," I said, watching the horror on Phin's face as he realised he was loved less than Alfie.

"But he hardly sees Alfie. I see him all the time." He was making a poor attempt at arguing his case. He was actually no better than Edward and TJ when they fought over toys.

"Yeah, but he's Alfie." There was no other way to explain it. There was something about Alfie that made everyone like him. Tommy even liked him, not that he's ever met him.

"Don't tell me, he's your favourite brother too."

"No." His face lit up in hope. "It would have to be a tie with Newt."

Huffing out in annoyance, Phin let TJ back on the floor, scoffing as he reached to play with his toys again without even paying his uncle attention.

"I come bearing news."