The Things That I Know || George Michael

twelve - he likes the view

"Oh, for fu—" George cuts his own speech off, when he remembers he is in the presence of his children. "Fudge. For fudge sake."

"Levi?" Mack's expression is one of confusion. "Uh, I thought you guys were going to see your family today?"

"We are," George answers, before his husband can even open his mouth to talk. "We just wanted to take the kids on The London Eye first. I suppose it's not a crime, is it?"

"George," Levi whispers, as a form of warning for his impolite tone. He turns his attention back to Mack. "So, how come you're on here too? I thought you lived in London anyway."

"Well, I do." Mack rubs the back of his neck, as if trying to find the right words to say. "I just fancied a change of scenery. I suppose seeing the city from high up is vastly different to walking the streets."

"Fair enough," Levi comments, in a bid to dismiss the conversation politely; after all, he wants to spend the time with his family.

"We've really got to spend the entire time with this guy," George huffs quietly. "We can't even escape him. We're bloody suspended in mid-air."

"Be nice, George," Levi demands, finding some amusement in his partner's one-sided conflict with Mack. "He's done nothing wrong to you, has he?"

"You're so oblivious, it's actually rather funny," George states, shaking his head in disapproval; he decides he isn't going to waste this precious moment with his kids, so he averts his eyes to the view, bending down to bring Gemma and Kieran into his embrace as they marvel at the sights. "Look at this, guys!" he gasps, pointing to the various tiny buildings and famous landmarks which appear the size of his hand. "Isn't this incredible!"

"Is that the clock thingy?" Kieran asks, pointing to the tower which houses Big Ben.

"It is!" George answers. "Well remembered, Kieran."

"Look at the pretty water, Daddy," Gemma instructs excitably. "The river is so long."

"It is, isn't it?" George questions rhetorically. "That's the River Thames. That's one of the most famous rivers in all of England. Did you know that?"

Gemma shakes her head. "No, Daddy."

"Well, you've learnt something new today," George chuckles. "Are you going to show your new cat the views?"

Gemma giggles, holding her plush cat up against the window to 'show' it their pretty surroundings. She moves the cat's head from side to side with her fingers, finding great joy in such a simple pleasure. "He likes the views."

"Who wouldn't?" George replies. "It's stunning."

"So, you go home tomorrow?" Mack asks Levi. "You said it was just a weekend visit, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Levi responds. "Uh, the kids have school on Monday. I didn't want them to be too tired."

"You seem like a good dad," Mack compliments. "Don't get many truly good dads anymore."

"I-I mean, I try my best." Levi glances over at Gemma and Kieran, who are still in awe of what they're seeing; George stands with them, pointing out the significant attractions through the window. "But George is honestly the best father those kids could ask for. They'd be lost without him. And he'd be lost without them."

"You don't give yourself enough credit," Mack assures him. "You always point out how good George is. But what about yourself?"

"We both have our strengths. We both have our weaknesses." Levi shrugs subtly as he explains. "We complement each other because of it."