Catching the Klutz

Chapter 3: Family Ties

I'm sorry I've been gone for so long, but as reasons go i had a fairly good one. Sadly i lost someone who played a very large role in my life this year and i wasnt in a good space to do anything creative for a long time. As far as healing from that loss goes im far from done but finally in a frame of mind to continue my books. So to the few readers i do have thank you for sticking around and i'm sorry for the lengthy wait... without further ado chapter three.

Chapter Three: Family Ties

"Some assistance would be great to go along with that main course of screeching." Adelaide deadpanned swaying awkwardly on her crutches. "Or even a nice "how are you dear best friend I haven't seen in months" would be good too."

"Oh I'm sorry seeing people in crutches usually does bring the screech out of me, but by all means lets greet and sing khumbaya." I rushed over to her and grabbed her small duffel.

"Ah there's that signature Ryder attitude I've missed so much. Oh give me a hug love." She didn't wait for a response, choosing rather to pull me into a tight embrace. "Are you okay, I know we haven't been speaking as much since you've been back in New York."

"Only you would be asking after my well being while standing in the middle of the airport on crutches." I laughed, "Come on lets get you out of here and then we can catch up properly."

It was a lengthy process of retrieving all her articles of luggage and stowing them in the car, a great game of tetris if I was being honest. Followed by a long drive back to the high-rise, Addy had fallen asleep ten minutes in and I was sorry to wake her but I was sure if I had to spend another minute parked outside the building someone would call the cops on me.

"Addy, come on Addy we're here, time to get up." She mumbled incoherently but continued to sleep. "Of course you wouldn't sleep on the flight and choose now to be Sleeping Beauty."

After a few more minutes of useless shoving I gave up, throwing my hands up in defeat i grabbed my cell from my pocket and dialed Cane. "Bruv i need your help. Yeah i picked her up but she's knocked out and I need some help carrying her in. You will, oh thank God, no of course i didn't think you'd let me carry her all the way up there, oh stop annoying me and get here!"

It certainly didn't take long for Cane to make his way down to the parking lot, what did however take a long ass time was hauling Addy up to the penthouse. She was a fitful sleeper who tossed at the most inopportune times. I was sure poor Cane would drop her on her head at one point, or at the very least have an aneurysm trying not to.

Thankfully we made it through and soon my best friend was tucked into the guest bedroom, snoring.

"Well she hasn't gotten any lighter in the last six years." Cane grumbled wiping his forehead. "I thought dancers were supposed to be light and airy."

"Maybe she is. Maybe you're just weak." I teased collapsing on the couch.

"Call me weak again shark bait and I'll feed you to Mrs Henderson's dogs on the second floor." He threatened tossing himself next to me. "It's barely noon and my back hurts and I'm exhausted. Am I getting old?"

I feigned a look of surprise and pulled at his hair. "Is that a grey streak I see?"

"Don't even joke about that Gypsy!" He frantically mused at his hair before falling back limply again. "I'm sure you're kidding but I'm too tired to check."

I laughed and threw an arm around him. "Get some sleep kiddo. I'll wake you up for dinner."

He smirked but settled deeper into the couch. "Aw shucks ma you say all the right things."

I would have hit him but before I could respond he had closed his eyes and drifted off. Poor guy he did run himself ragged these days. It wasn't easy managing a business like the Roma Hotel chain and raising a preteen at the same time.

After covering him with a blanket and checking on Addy, who was still soundly asleep, I put on a fresh pot of tea and made my way to the studio. Art would wait for no one and I was feeling inspired.

I worked for what felt like minutes, sketching and re-sketching try to capture the airiness of the form in my mind, but when I looked up at my buzzing phone it had been hours. It was four thirty and time to pick Lola up from gymnastics.

The routine of watching her smiling face reach the car and the ensuing conversation about her day was just what I needed to quiet my mind. We talked about school, her new friends and what to make for supper- spring rolls we decided. Then it was a quick trip to the store to pick up supplies followed by hours of fun making dinner.

By the time supper rolled around we were knackered and starving, which was more than I could say for the two princesses that woke up just in time for food.

"Oh that smells so good." Addy grumbled. "Why can't all food smell like this?"

"Cos they make you eat cardboard during dance season." Cane quipped.

"Amen to that. Let's dig in."

Lola and I rolled our eyes and served up dinner. It had been a long day but to spend it with family had made it all worth it and wouldn't it be fun with half the gang under one roof again?

ABOVE IS ALEX PETTYFER AS CANE ROMA