𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

The Kids' Favourite Classroom Visitor

Being a pre-school teacher was always my dream, it never felt like a job but instead a fun way to spend five days of the week, from morning to late afternoon. I adored seeing the joy on the little one's faces, their big personalities shone through the games they asked me to play and their answers to the questions I asked. They brought me a new perspective in life and I wouldn't have given it up for the world. I kept every drawing the children would give me, sometimes taking them home and sticking them to the fridge for my fiancé Leon to see. For Valentine's Day Leon bought me a colourful vase for my classroom specifically so I could put all the wildflowers (and weeds) the children would gift me from playtime. 

I was so happy that Leon found my job amusing, it was a massive contrast to the dark chaos that was his job as a government agent. When Leon leaves me for weeks on end I was still content with the company of 'my' kids, I never felt alone in my job although my carefree teaching methods were frowned upon by the other teachers. No matter how bad his missions went or what horrors he'd witnessed, he always asked about the kids and listen to the quirky stories I'd tell him over tea or as I put plasters over his cuts. His eyes always lit up at the sight of the drawings or crafts I bring home with me, I think deep down he was glad that I had other people to take care of me- even if they were a bunch of four and five year olds. 

However, Leon and mine's work lives were soon to collide when he got injured on a particular mission. He was forced to have some time off despite being mostly alright, the government seemed to take pity on him from the loss of two other agents who'd betrayed him, and that was how Leon ended up spending three weeks at home on the sofa, flicking from channel to channel as I'd go and come back from work. Exactly three weeks and two days of his medical leave, Leon finally began to complain about being bored. 

"I can't just sit around and do nothing. They won't let me back yet, but I've already fixed everything that needed it and learnt four new recipes. Surely there's some other way to pass the time?" Leon grumbles, his head in my lap as my fingers run through his dark strands. A movie plays in the background as an idea comes to mind. I smile, leaning down to look at him as I nod. 

"There's one thing you could do. Come to class with me, I bet setting up in the mornings would be so much quicker with your help. I bet the kids would love to meet you too!" I exclaim, already jumping ahead as Leon chuckles and sits up to arch a curious brow at me. 

"Are you sure? Is it even allowed?" Leon murmurs, pressing a delicate kiss to my lips. I can already hear the unasked question in his tone, 'what if the kids don't like me?'. I nod and explain how I'll fill in the paperwork for him to be a frequent visitor, it helps that he's already got ID and papers from the government proving that he can be trusted. Leon's still unsure, so I wrap my arms around him and crawl into his lap, nestling my head into the crook of his neck as he chuckles and hugs me. 

"If the kids can handle me before my morning coffee, then they can handle anything." I whisper, listening to Leon's hum of agreement as we fall backwards entangled together. 

The next morning Leon's up before I am, our lunches are already packed and breakfast is made. I prepare my bag and then we drive to the pre-school, it's a small, cosy building nestled next to a park, already some of the kids are out playing with their parents before the school day begins. I wave as they excitedly shout my name across the field, their little hands raised as they look between Leon and I. I laugh, waving back as I lead Leon through the office, sign a few papers and loop a visitor badge around Leon's neck before taking his hand and finally showing him my classroom. Leon's eyes widen as he takes in the numerous displays and corners filled with educational toys and books, he eyes up the tiny tables and chairs as I head to my desk, setting down my bag as his hands pluck up tiny scissors and the papers I left Friday afternoon to cut out today.