Never Letting Go

Time Moves On

(2 Years Later)

“Do you want a banana?” I begin to pass it to Noah, his arms are awkwardly folded across his chest and he shakes his head. “No.” I unpeel it anyway because I know if I do give it to him he will eat it, he’s a lot much like Kyle.

“You’re a lot harder to handle now you can talk back mister.” I tap him on the nose, making him laugh before I go back to sweeping the kitchen. Just as I manage to get the floor clean, Noah starts yelling “Uncle Bake! Uncle Bake!” I look up to see Blake leaning in the door way.

“Hey Blake, what are you doing here?” I brush the dust and dirt out the door, letting the wind take it away.

“What is this? I can’t visit my favourite sister in law and nephew?” his face is covered it mock hurt. I walk over and slap him on the arm lightly. “You know what I mean; I thought you were going to move out to Fairview?”

I grab a cloth and start to wipe Noah’s face and hands, removing any traces of banana so he doesn’t get it all over the house I just cleaned. “I was but I didn’t want to leave the family, Fairview is 7 hours away, It’s just to far and any way it’s Noah’s birthday in a week.” Blake picks up Noah and puts him under one arm like a rugby ball and run’s outside. “Take cover Noah! The aliens are after us!” Blake’s plane and shooting noises are entangled with Noah’s shrieks of laughter and yells.

“What is my brother doing to our son?” Kyle’s arms wrap around my waist.

“He’s saving him from a fleet of evil aliens that are trying to blow them up.” I look at Kyle and see his eyebrow raised, making me crack up laughing. “You know, Noah turns one next week. We should do something with the family to celebrate.”

Kyle nods in agreement. “We could do it at Mum and Dad’s place, Mum has been hassling me about what plans we have made. We should also invite Stephen and Maia; they are his god parents after all.” I nod in agreement, already planning the food and decorations. “You need to go shopping.” I start backing away.

“What for?” Kyle moans.

“We need to get something for him don’t we? Remember he likes trucks, space and anything green or makes a noise.” I begin to walk towards the main house when I hear Kyle mumble, “We should paint Blake green and wrap him up, he makes a lot of noise.”

“Tess?” I walk through the front door and stick my head into the kitchen; it’s almost empty apart from Lachie in his boxers. “Lachie put some pants on.”

“Don’t come into my house and tell me what to do!” he yells jokingly.

I find Tess sitting in the lounge, wrapping paper covering almost every surface and tape stuck to the side of her face. “Uh, Tess what are you doing? Christmas isn’t for a few months.”

“Don’t be stupid, these are for Noah. You know his birthday is next week.” I sit down on the couch behind and start to tidy up the paper. “Why does everyone think I’m going to forget Noah’s birthday? I’ve already had Blake inform me about when it is. Talking about Noah’s birthday, can we have it over here? Our place is a bit to small.”

Tess’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. “That would be wonderful! Who’s going to be coming?” I can see a thousand plans running through her head all at once.

“It’s only small, Noah doesn’t really know any body. Family, a few close friends and Maia and Stephen of course.” A frown sets over her face, “I’ll get some of the kids from church to come too.”

“You need to leave! I have a party to plan.” Tess ushers me out of the house making me laugh as I head towards my place.

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Sorry for such a short chapter, the next one is longer, I promise.