We Are A Family

Chapter 12

It's been three years, and Lily was five; Alex was six, little Beth was two and my new baby boy Bandit was one. CC and the guys began to take more personal days off, just for our  kids to have more time with their dad.
I sat in the back yard, watching CC run in the yard with Lily giggling and following after her daddy; I smiled softly. Bandit sat in my lap as he watched his older sister play, Bandit was a beautiful little boy; he had dark brown hair and light brown eyes. I smiled, running my hands through his curly locks as CC fell into the grass and Lily was falling after; falling onto her dad's chest. The two were laughing as the wind began to blow.
When the rain began to pour, the four of us ran inside; I handed Bandit over to CC so I could receive us some towels. I returned and handed CC a towel then began to dry our daughter off, I removed her clothes then wrapped the towel around her body. I smiled softly.
"Ready for a bath?" I asked her.
Lily giggled with a nod, I took her small hand in mine; then walked into the bathroom.
I ran her bath water, as she stood there; she screamed hearing the thunder roar over us. I brought her into a comforting hold, I covered her ears as the lights flickered.
I frowned, I remember being her age and having my mom cover my ears as the lights went off and it was dead quiet in the house.
Tears formed in Lily's eyes, I smiled softly. "It's okay, the storm isn't going to get you; not while I'm here." I told her.
"Daddy too?" She asked me.
I smiled softly. "Daddy too." I said, I helped her into the tub; then began to bathe the five year old. She giggled feeling the water run down her back, I smiled softly; I glanced to the bathroom door where CC and Bandit were. CC was smiling, then jumped when the power went off.
"IT'S DARK!" Lily yelled then began to cry, she was terrified of the dark; just like any child her age would be.

It took nearly an hour to calm Lily down from her sobbing, CC had finally put Bandit to bed; and Lily was left. It was still storming, she had finally fell asleep after I sang her a soothing lullaby.
I was exhausted, I crawled into mine and CC's bed; he was barely awake when I wrapped my arms around him.
The sound of lightning striking earned a whimper from me, CC rolled over so my face could be buried in his chest. "Its okay." He told me, running his hands through my hair.
I could feel the sleep taking over.
"M-mommy, daddy." The two of us sat up, Lily was holding her blanket and horse with tears falling freely down her cheeks.
I smiled softly, CC got out of bed; lifting Lily up, he brought her to our bed. Where she lied in the middle of us, the rest of the night; the storm didn't bother us the rest of the night.

"We're going to go see grandma and papa?" Lily asked me with wide eyes full of excitement, I nodded with a laugh. I was standing in her room packing her suitcase, "mhm; your grandma has been dying to see Bandit and I'm sure the rest of your family wants to see you too." I told her.
Lily began to cheer, she looked at her horse. "Hear that Mr.Horse, we're going to Texas!" She exclaimed.
CC walked in with a raised brow watching his daughter skip around in the room, I laughed softly.
"Is all the bags packed?" He asked me.
I nodded. "Yeah, we got to stop by Kayla's to see if their ready as well." I told him.
It was like a family vacation for the eight of us, Jace was already back in Texas; he went back a week after Lily was born. Jace was eighteen now, and the thought brought tears to my eyes; it wasn't even yesterday, he was falling off his bike for the first time. He was young adult..
Tears began to fall down my cheeks as I stood there, Lily stopped skipping as she looked at me worried.
"Daddy, mommy is crying again." She said.
CC was at my side, his arms around me as the tears kept falling.
"CC.. Jace, hes e-eighteen.. where did the years go? How is he already that old..?" I asked beginning to shake.
CC didn't know what to say, all he knew was to hold his crying wife and trying to reassure his daughter that her mommy was fine.

We've been on the road for six hours, Mark and Kayla were right behind us in their truck; Lily and Bandit were fast asleep, and my hand was on CC's while he drove.
We ended up stopping at McDonald's for a bite to eat, Alex and Lily were starving; and the little ones had their baby food and bottles.
We didn't feel like going inside, due to four children acting up and four adults trying to look responsible. We went through the drive through, after ordering what the three of us wanted; we pulled up for Mark and Kayla to order next.

"Does grandma and papa have a big back yard like we do?" Lily asked eating her chicken nuggets in her car seat.
I looked over my shoulder with a soft smile. "Not exactly sweetie, grandma and papa live in a smaller house than we do; but they have dogs." I told her.
Lily gave a soft pout but managed to nod, she resumed to eat.
I sighed softly, I haven't seen my parents since I arrived with Shay to pick up Jace; that was five years ago..
CC glanced to me, frowning now; he began to hum.
"How much further?" Lily asked breaking the silence.
I gave off a soft laugh. "Lily, it's going to be a while before we get there; just go to sleep." I told her.
Lily stuck her lip out, I rose a brow but shook my head with a soft smile.
"I want to talk to Alex!" Lily exclaimed.
I ran a hand through my hair glancing to CC who looked tired but managed a smile.
I knew right away, this was going to be a long ride.