ALWAYS BEEN THERE: A Lloyd Hansen Story

chapter forty-three

Lloyd.

"Alrighty bud. You ready for your first day of kindergarten?" I asked my son. He nodded eagerly.

I kissed his head. We had him all nice and ready.

He was ready, but Camille was not. She was staying strong but I could tell that this killed her.

Max and I went downstairs. Camille had his lunch packed.

"Alright. You ready?" I asked max. He nodded. Camille put shoes on our daughter before slipping hers on. Max ran outside with his lunchbox and backpack.

"Hey. You know he's gonna be okay right?"

Cammie nodded. "I'm gonna cry so you can't talk."

"Alright." I whispered. I kissed her head. She looked up at me.

"He's gonna do great."

"He's so big." She whispered. I nodded and smiled. She sighed. I took Maeve and got her in car seat. I finished buckling Max before getting into the car.

We were going to my parents after dropping Max off. My mom wasnt doing great and my siblings now lived with them to keep them both company.

"Mac." Maeve said.

Maeve couldn't say s's yet, so she called Max Mac. Cammie and I thought it was cute. Besides, we don't even think he knew his real name was Maxwell.

I glanced at the kids in the back. Max was giving his sister a piece of his little waffle. I smiled. I looked over at my wife, who was sipping on her coffee.

"You good?" I asked her. She looked over at me and nodded.

I moved to hold her hand. She smiled and held it back.

We pulled up to Max's new school. It was private. He had his own little cute uniform.

Cam got out of the car and got max. I got Maeve out as Camille took Max inside.

I smiled as Maeve held his hand. He smiled up at her.

Maeve held my shoulder as I walked. I smiled at her. I caught up with Camille and max.

We got to Max's new classroom. Cam got down on her knees and pulled him in.

"I love you." She whispered. Max hugged her back.

"I'll be okay mommy. I'm gonna be great!"

"I know babe. I can't wait to hear about your awesome day."

"I love you mama."

"I love you too."

I knelt down and hugged Max. I smiled as he hugged with Maeve. Maeve giggled.

"Say hi to grandma and grandpa for me." Max said. I chuckled and nodded.

"And auntie and uncle?"

He nodded. I kissed his head before standing up. He waved at us before walking into his classroom.

Camille looked at me with tears in her eyes. I chuckled.

"You're fine babe." I said as I held her hand. She sighed and took Maeve and hugged her.

"At least one kid hasn't grown up."

I laughed softly. She held Maeve close.

"God Mrs Hansen. You're too cute."

•••

I sat with my siblings and my wife in the living room.

Cam had Maeve in her lap. My arm was behind her on the couch.