The Glory Of Love - Timmy Matley

Good Ol' Fashioned Love (Sequel) - Chapter 1

"COME ON BOYS, OR WE'RE GOING TO END UP BEING LATE" I shouted upstairs, placing two bowls on the table before grabbing backpacks off the side and shoving lunch boxes into them. There were a series of loud and fast footsteps on the before Oliver appeared in the doorway in his pyjamas. "I don't wanna go to school today [YN]" he moaned "I feel sick."
"Just stop playing up and go and get your breakfast. You won't be able to have your birthday tea if you feel sick... And you won't get to open all those presents" I bribed him, pointing over at the large stack of presents that were in the corner. I watched his face light up as I thought back to this very day four years ago, Timmy getting the crowd to sing happy birthday to him, then proposing to me... All before hearing the news about my pregnancy.
"Ok. I'll go" he said, jumping onto a chair and moving the bowl closer. "Can I open some now?"
"If everyone's ready and we've got time before we leave. But only one because the rest have to wait till you get back" I replied.
"We have to hurry up then" he said, scoffing down his food.
"Go easy mate, you will feel sick if you eat it too fast.... Where's your brother?" I laughed.
"Still in bed I think". Great. That's all I need. I thought for a moment before deciding to run upstairs and sort this one out first. I walked into the room to find the 3 year old sat on the floor, trying to pull a shirt over his head. At least someone else was making an effort.
"Oh Arkin, you've got the wrong hole kiddo." I laughed, helping him to square the shirt up before letting him pull it on himself.
"Well done! What trousers are you wearing?" He crawled over to his open drawer and threw a few pairs over one side before bringing some jeans over. After helping him climb into them, I took a moment to admire him stood there wearing some black jeans and a white T-shirt that said 'Daddy's Sidekick' on it. Got to admit. He already had a pretty keen eye for fashion.
"Come on then squirt! Let's go get your breakfast' I said, ruffling his hair before quickly grabbing a pair of socks from his drawers, picking up his jacket from the side and running downstairs. I'll have to tidy his room up later. I was quite scared about what I'd come downstairs to find... Usually it would be havoc... But today, I couldn't believe my eyes. For one thing, Arkin was already up on the chair and eating his breakfast. But the other thing surprised me the most. Although Olly was still in his PJ's, he had finished his breakfast, put his stuff into the sink, gotten the last thing from the kitchen side, which was a small bottle and he was stood at the end of the table feeding his two month old baby sister who was in a bouncy chair which was on the table. Something which I thought I'd have to do before we rushed out of the door.
"Wow Olly you star. I'm so proud! Let me finish and you go up, do your teeth and stuff then get your uniform on" I said, giving him a hug before taking over.
About 10 minutes later I followed Arkin upstairs. We were still running late but at least we were managing to get somewhere.
"[YN], [YN] I found something for Teeg to wear" Olly shouted, running down the landing carrying a tiny little red and white stripy dress.
"Awwww she'll love that! Thanks" I said, carrying her into the bathroom and placing her down on the changing mat. "Have you brushed your teeth?"
"Yep. And I'm all ready look!" He said, placing his hands on his hips. "Can I open a present now?"
"Let's get these two ready first" I said, squirting some toothpaste on a brush and passing it to Arkin before changing and getting their little sister ready.
"FINISHED!" Arkin shouted, throwing his brush in the sink and turning the taps on before grabbing a flannel, wiping his face, throwing that in the sink as well then running off.
I turned the taps off, put his toothbrush in the cup and rinsed out the flannel, before gently washing Teagan's face and taking her back downstairs to join the boys who were watching Spongebob. Laying Teagan down on the sofa, I began walking back into the kitchen. "Shoe time then boys. Olly, I don't think there'll be time for a present but you can open a few cards instead?" I said, hoping he wouldn't mind too much. He agreed and I carried on into the kitchen, put the other dishes into the sink and grabbed their school bags from the side, and coats from the hanger. Oliver already had socks on, and got his school shoes on in no time, so I helped Arkin get his socks and trainers on while I told Olly to pick a card, and knowing what boys are like, he chose the biggest one.
"Look at all the stamps!" He said, reading his name on the back before ripping it open and smiling at it.
"What it say?" Arkin asked. Olly tried passing it to me but I urged him to read it himself.
"To my big boy Oliver. I love you so much and I'm so sorry I can't be with you today. I hope you're still having a nice time living with daddy, [YN], Arkin and the baby. Have a very, very, very amazing tenth birthday. I really can't wait to come over and spend a few weeks with you all soon. And meet your new little sister... I hope you're taking care of her! I love you so much big man! I hope you like the presents that I sent over, I know it's not much... But the best is yet to come. See you soon. Lots and lots and lots and lots of love from Mummy" he said, closing the card and looking down at his feet. "I miss my mummy" he said, beginning to cry.
"Awww Olly! You know she loves you so much don't you? And if she could then she'd spend every single day with you. But I promise you, you will see her soon ok!" I said, hugging him and trying to reassure him. After this long, I still struggle to comfort him when it comes to Poppy. She'd never come back from the states, not permanently anyway, she'd been back a few times every year to see him and spend a while with him, and Olly had been over there to stay with her during his summer holidays last year. Poppy's mum passed away a few days after she flew over there. And then she'd spent a month or two visiting family and what not. But then she met someone and got offered a big job doing what she'd always wanted to do. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity so she couldn't turn it down. She'd wanted Olly to go over and live with her but when they told him he insisted that he stayed with his dad. It took ages of working things out but in the end it was decided that he should stay here. As long as he got to see her as much as possible it was fine.
I looked up at the clock. Quarter to nine. We were definitely going to be late now. I looked back at Olly who was staring at me motionless. I grabbed something from the side of me. "Here, why don't you open your first present from mum?" I said, handing it to him.
"But the time" he sobbed.
"It's fine, you open it." He ripped open the paper and jumped off the sofa in excitement.
"I'M SO HAPPY!" He shouted. "A YANKEES TOP. I LOVE MY MUMMY"
When he'd been over to see her last year he'd fallen in love with baseball, especially the New York Yankees, so the fact that she'd bought him a top was amazing.
"Can I wear it tonight?" He asked. I told him that we'd see, before realising we had a matter of minutes to get him to school. So without further ado, we all rushed out of the house. He jumped into the front and got his belt on while I put Teagan into her car seat, and helping Arkin into his, then quickly hopped in myself, threw the bags down by Ollys feet, turned the key and made my way to the school, as quickly as possible. We pulled up in the car park just after ten past, so I had to take him in through reception, which meant taking the other two as well. He got out of the car with his bag, while I unbuckled Arkin, allowing him to climb out himself and took Teagan's car seat. Soon enough we'd seen him off and I was back in the car with the others, driving to the nursery down the road. After dropping Arkin off, I put Teagan's car seat back into the car and looked down at her, fast asleep. That was the school run done. Now back home to prepare for the long day ahead. It was when I began turning into the drive that I noticed a hooded figure sat on our front doorstep.