PLAYHOUSE

THREE

Iris' POV

We made it to my parents' house around 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I wanted to be early so that I could help them prepare for dinner.

When I opened the front door of the house, Iver ran inside like a madman as he searched for his grandparents.

"Grandma Ivy, grandpa Robin, we're here! We're here!" He shouted. Mom and Dad instantly popped out from the kitchen and walked excitedly towards Iver. They kissed him and Iver giggled as dad tickled him.

"We missed our little bumbum." Mom said. They've always been so fond of him. And I'm so lucky to have them. They never made me feel alone in raising Iver. "Did you miss us?"

"Ahuh! I missed you, and Grandpa Robin, and mommy Iris and my real momma and papa!" Iver pointed out on the picture of Ivory and Tanner sitting on the desk.

Iver wiggled himself out from my dad's hold and walked to the desk where Ivory and Tanner's pictures sat. "Momma, papa, Iver misses you. I don't know where heaven is but, but mommy Iris says its a pretty place."

I was caught off guard. The three of us stood there feeling the same heavy weight we've felt for the past months. The grief and sadness was still in us. And I cannot help but feel bad for my nephew.

"I'm sure momma and papa misses you too, baby." I managed to say cutting out the silence. I tried holding the tears forming in my eyes. My mom, on the other hand went to the kitchen, either to start preparing our dinner or to try to hold her own tears.

"Iris, why don't  you help your mom prepare for dinner? I'll take care of this little man right here."

"Sure dad." I smiled. And finally walked to the kitchen where my mom was already setting the table.

"What do we have here, mom?"

"Well, we'll be having roasted chicken, it's already in the oven. Salad, and banana pudding. I also bought ice cream in case Iver wants." She said. She was on her strawberry printed apron and her hair was in a knot. My mom might be 55 but she still looked great. She does her brows, and puts on lipstick, and can you guess her favorite shade? Red! I was a lot younger but red was never my favorite shade. I blame myself for putting her into too much youtube make up tutorials.

"Sounds delicious. I'll do the salad." I said. I sat on the kitchen island and started to slice the tomatoes.

"Iris..."

"Yeah?" I looked up to my mom.

"You're doing a great job in raising Iver. I know being a stage mother to him is not that easy, but you're coping. You're still coping and you continue to amaze me, dear." Mom said and her eyes were starting to get watery.

"Oh, mom. Thank you." I walked around the kitchen island and embraced her——A little tighter than necessary. When I let go, she quickly took a tissue and dabbed on the edges of her eyes.

"Mom you're crying." I stated the obvious.

"I just miss your sister too, Iris. I miss her."

"Mom, we all miss her. But I know wherever she is, she's happy. I know she's happier that her son's in great hands——with us."