The Ghost Of You

Chapter Thirty Nine

James 

After the day we had, everyone decided to crash here and we made it work. Sienna was still oblivious to everything so went down without a hitch, Harrison ended up in our bed but we had pre-empted that
Michelle took Harrison's room because out of all of the gang she needed a good night sleep most 
The boys were all camped out in the living room, some of the sofa's some of a air bed we found in the loft from when we used to stay here during the summer 

Part of me wondered why we hadn't thought of doing that before they got a hotel room but I think we are more thankful then anything that they are here now 

Harrison was sound asleep in our bed and I had anticipated that Riley would have been right there next to him but after checking everyone was okay I walked into the room to see only Harrison there 
I had a moment of panic but the smell of the sea made it apparent where Riley was

I walked past the bed to the door out onto the private porch. I could feel the gentle breeze the closer I got making it clear that Riley had left the door open a crack just in case Harrison needed her 
As soon as I looked outside I could see her stood against the railing looking out at the stars listening to the sound of the ocean
If I remember correctly, this was Riley's favourite spot during the summer
We had spent countless hours out here when everyone else had gone to sleep

"Is someone living in the stars again?" I asked placing a hand either side of Riley resting my chin on her shoulder 
She hummed in response leaning back into my slightly 

"I think we need to leave James" She whispered making me look at her confused
"What do you mean? We just got here yesterday babe" I reminded her
"No I don't mean here here James. I mean I think we need to take the kids and move away. Get away from Paul, from Billy. From all of it" she said, the moment that confession left her lips her breathing picked showing she had obviously been thinking about this for a while

"I can't let him near Harrison or Sienna. Look at the affect he's already having on Harrison James" She said and I nodded turning her in my arms

"If this is what you really want Riley I'll do it. We'll do it. We'll pack them up and leave but give them the week with everyone and then we will" I offered
"Give them one more memory before we pick up and leave" I said watching her hesitantly nod

"Am I the bad guy?" She whispered making me shake my head resting out foreheads against each others
"No Riley, you are far from it. I promise" I whispered leaning forward pressing our lips together in a soft kiss

--

"Mummy shush or we'll wake Daddy and Bubby!" I heard Sienna giggle making me chuckle turning over to see her sat on Riley's side of the bed while Riley braided her hair
"Sweetie, I think you'll find that you're being the loud one right now" Riley answered as I watched the pair of them with a smile

"Did you know that Auntie Michelle slept in Bubby's bed? and Uncles are in the living room? I walked out there earlier to watch TV but Uncle Hunter was on the remote" Sienna pouted
"It's nice having them here isn't it baby" Riley said making Sienna vigorously nod

"I'm glad your back Mummy. Daddy can't do mermaid hair!" Sienna said making me roll my eyes
"I heard that Princess" I said alerting both of them that I was awake. Sienna turned to me offering me a sweet grin batting her eyelashes like she hadn't just insulted me
"I love you Daddy. Whether you can do mermaid hair or not" She said leaning forward kissing my cheek before letting Riley get back to her hair 

"What do we have planned today?" Riley asked and I shrugged
"I hadn't through this far ahead if I'm honest" I chuckled
"Can we go to the zoo?" Another voice said making me look next to me to see Harrison awake looking at all of us
"Yes yes yes! Please Daddy Please Mummy!" Sienna gushed, Riley looked at me with a shrug meaning she had no objections
"Looks like we are going to the zoo" I chuckled before Sienna happily jumped on top of me accidentally kicking her brother in the process

He didn't seem to mind at all when he came and joined in the assault

"You wanna help me out Ri?" I asked trying to peel our two children off of me
"Nope, I think you've got this one" She laughed attempting to get out of bed, I exchanged a look with both of the kids before nodding allowing them to jump on her while my arms snaked around her pulling her back onto the bed with us 

"See Mummy! Back where you belong!" Sienna giggled as we all lay in a pile out of breath
Riley smiled over at Sienna stroking her cheek lightly before turning to Harrison and I 
"I think we all are" She smiled 

And for once, I think she truly meant it