Never Letting Go

A Game Of Rugby And A Few Coats Of Paint

It’s been three weeks since we brought my baby boy home and all of these sleepless nights have been just rumors for us.

I roll over and stare at the clock, 5:47 highlighted in red. I get out of bed and go and sit in the Noah’s room, glaring at the plain white walls. “We need to do something about this room.” I whisper to myself.

I sit in the old wood rocking chair that once sat in the corner of my room and I close my eyes, the only noise I can hear it the rush of the water from the river and the scamper of little rabbit feet under the house and that’s when the idea hits me.

After standing in front of the wall for two hours, the sketching finally looks done. I stand back and admire the plans for the mural that will cover the plain white walls. “Didn’t you’re mother teach you not to draw on the walls?” Kyle mumbles huskily into my ear, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist; I put my hands on his and laugh. “Of course she did, but sometimes I choose to ignore her.”

“Wow, how early were you up to start on this?” he stands back further to get the full impact.

“I started about six in the morning,” I say sheepishly. He pulls me into a proper hug, kissing the top of my head. “Guess we better get some paint then,” he suggests, “Dibs on not doing the picture!” he yells childishly, making Noah cry.

“Dibs on not rocking Noah, you woke him.” I laugh.

I go and sit in the rocking chair. I hear Kyle’s phone go off, Kyle quickly answers it, holding it awkwardly between his shoulder and his face. After a couple of nods and ah ha’s, Kyle hangs up his phone and drops it on the floor. “I have to go to work, some idiot has ordered three batches of something and now they are leaving it up to me to get rid of it.” He frowns. He puts Noah back in the crib and kisses my forehead, just as he goes to walk out the front door, I call out to him. “Can you get some paint?”

“Text me what colours you want!” he replies quickly. I go back and stand in front of the wall. “Right Noah, what colours do you think we need?” I ask and that’s when he decides to go to sleep.

I quickly write down the first few colours that come to mind. Blue, green, grey, white, yellow, brown and purple. 

Hey Ky, we need blue, green, grey, white, yellow, brown, purple and black along with paint brushes varying in sizes and some drop clothes to cover the carpet. See you later.

I quickly look at the wall one last time before taking Noah to the main house; I can almost see the picture in my head come to life.

I sweep stray pieces of Noah’s hair from his face, finally getting him asleep. I carefully move them to Kyle’s old room, far away from any potential noise caused by Blake and Lachie.

Just as I step out of the room I hear some excited yells from Lachie, “He runs down the center field and dodges a tackle from Blake, He’s going for a try!” As Lachie tries to run past me, I grab his ear and I drag him to the front yard, Blake following behind us to finish of the commentary, “And Darci cuts him off, taking down his pride and his body!” Blake calls in some fake deep voice.

“Ball games. Outside.” I say seriously, waiting to see if he’ll challenge me but I know he won’t. Blake runs up behind me and throws me over his shoulder, “Blake!” I whine, “Put me down, don’t you care that I need to be taking care of your only nephew?” I grumble.

“I know you’re a mum now and that has become your default setting but try and relax a little bit, please?” I can’t see his face but I know he is pouting.

“So you want the old Darci back for a bit then?” I say mischievously.

I can hear a slight hesitation in his voice. “Yes?” I smile and release the crazier me. “Ok then.” I dig my fingers into his ribs, making him jump and letting me go. I fall awkwardly to the ground and grab the rugby ball from Lachie’s hands. “Who’s keen for some rugby?” I smirk

“Oh you are so going to lose!” Blake yells. I toss the ball from hand to hand and my smile gets bigger, they take this as a challenge.

The game instantly turns into a miniature war, arms and legs flying out trying to trip and grab to make it harder to get the ball anywhere. I hold to the ball tightly and then Blake picks me up and runs towards his try line, I drop the ball making him drop me and turn back for it giving me the opportunity to tackle him to the ground.

“And Blake has been taken down by a girl!” Lachie yells in the background. My ears prick up when I hear Kyle’s car.

“Sorry boys but I have some painting to do.” I run to the driveway and practically attack Kyle as he gets out of the car.

“Why are you sweaty?” he doesn’t seem to mind, wrapping his arms tighter around me.

“I was playing rugby…” I admit.

He smiles my favourite goofy smile as he moves around to the back of the car, “This enough paint?” my eyes widen at the amount of supplies he has stored in the back of the car, cans of paint, at least twenty different sizes of paint brushes and enough drop sheets to cover a small house.

“We need to get started soon as possible, I’ll ask Tess if she can baby sit for a while.” I run to the house excitedly, I can hear Kyle softly snicker as I run off.

“Tess?” I call her name, walking into the lounge and quickly checking the kitchen, finding her at the table. “Yes Darci?” she hardly glances up from the crossword puzzle laid out in front of her. “Kyle and I want to paint Noah’s room, do you mind babysitting for a while?”

She looks up and smiles, “Sure, go all night, this kid is the easiest kid to care for. I’ll see you in the morning.” I run over and hug her; she screws up her nose a little, “Rugby?” I smile shyly and nod, “Go have fun.” She practically pushes me out of the door.

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Sorry that it has taken me so long to update the story!!!

Got back from my exchange a few weeks ago and I spent last week in Wellington so I haven't had the motivation or the time.

New chapter coming soon, I promise :)