A NEW Beginning - Book 1

Chapter 7 - Day 1 - Lance

An hour later, we had finished breakfast, the triplets had been washed, dressed, and now the five of us were outside, enjoying the sunshine. 

Cora was enjoying climbing up the small toddler slide, with the help of Romelle, squealing with delight as she slid back down. Bandor had found a spade in the sandpit, and was busy digging up a mud puddle. Romelle had given up putting him back in the sandpit after several attempts. The boy was already a mess, and he was enjoying himself. She always had trouble upsetting his fun.

Hiero sat beside me on the ground, reading to me from her pile of books. She babbled away happily, while I joined in with sounds and faces of encouragement.

She came and sat in my lap, handing me her favourite book, looking up at me, waiting for me to read it for her. I took it from her chubby hands, and began reading.

We were on our third read through, when the gate swung open, and in come Pidge and Keith, carrying a large plate of toast, 3 coffees, and a glass of milk.

Bandor threw his spade to the ground, and toddled over to Pidge, throwing his arms in the air, demanding to be picked up.
She put the drinks down on the outdoor table, and happily obliged. She picked him up, holding him above her head, bringing him down to blow raspberries on his belly, covering herself in mud. They both cackled wildly. She hugged him tightly as she sat down on the outdoor setting with him.
Bandor had a curious mind, and always wanted to know how things worked, and Pidge was more than happy to oblige. They spent many an hour taking toys apart, and putting them back together again, or repeating games, which Pidge called 'experimenting'. Pidge was convinced he was a child genius.

Keith brought the plate over, and sat down beside me grabbing hold of my hand. Hiero stood up, and went and sat on Keiths lap. "Toat?" she asked, reaching towards the plate. Keith chuckled, and broke a piece in half, giving the other half to Cora, who had waddled over, while Romelle ran inside to get something to clean Bandor's hands, and Pidge's face.

"Eat. Drink." Keith reminded me, looking at me from under his fringe, as Pidge handed me the glass.

"Thank you" I said, squeezing his hand.

Things had been difficult when I first came back from Altea, the issues with Allura were eating me up inside, and the fact that I didn't have Keith to talk to just made it worse. I fell into endless days where I wouldn't take care of myself. On the outside I was loud, outgoing Lance, who didn't let leaving the 'love of his life' get to him, but on the inside I was tied up in knots. Feelings of not being worthy, or loved, or cared for made me feel empty inside. I existed, but I was a shadow of myself. I didn't sleep, didn't eat, I just walked around like a zombie.

Once I found Keith, my mindset improved, and sleep was easier with him in my arms, but I never slept long, and I had fallen into the habit of not eating, having learnt to ignore when my stomach was speaking to me. My energy was lacking, and I began having other problems because of it. It didn't take long for Keith to figure out what was going on, and he helped me get through it, learning how to cook, and making sure we sat down for meals, but even now I still needed gentle reminders sometimes, especially during the day. When you are busy, it's easy to 'forget'. Pidge and Romelle and the others are aware of everything too, and they all work together to help me take care of myself.

Romelle had finished wiping Bandor's hands.

"Ban Toat!" Cora demanded of Keith. She was always looking out for her siblings, and had a very good grasp of 'fair', especially for a child who wasn't even a year old.
"Okay, your highness" Keith laughed, giving her a mock bow. Cora and Hiero giggled at him.

Pidge, Romelle and Keith sat sipping on their coffee, as I drunk my milk, and everyone munched on their toast, until Keith cut them off. "The rest is for Tio Lance now!" he said, scolding both the children, and myself.
I shrugged guiltily, and picked up the last piece of toast from the plate.

Cora went back to the slide, and Bandor dragged Pidge off to the swing.

Hiero stood up in Keiths lap, and began gently poking and prodding at his piercings, one of her favourite things to do. She found them fascinating. She also loved the large 'woof woof' tattoo of Cosmo he had on his back. It was clear the love the two had for each other, as he patiently let her pull on his ear, while he caringly ran his fingers through her curls. It gave my butterflies in my stomach, and an ache in my heart.

"I'm surprised you came over," I say, playing with his fingers, "I was expecting you to stay in bed all day, you've been working so hard."

"I was planning on it," he whispered, "But, I got lonely." he looked at me with hungry eyes. "Come keep me company?"

"Ugh" I moaned, "This afternoon I'm all yours," I reply. He pouts. "It's Sunday, you know I have prior plans on Sunday"
"Oh, right!" he says, not putting up any arguments. He knows how important this is, which makes me love him even more.

"I'll make it up to you later, I promise." I whisper, as I lean in and kiss him.
"You better," he agrees, "Now I've got to get Pidge back home, so she can make this call, and then I've got to get her to bed."
I nod, and kiss him again.
"Come on Pidgey," he calls out, as he stands, with Hiero in his arms.
I stand up beside him. "You could come with me?" I ask, he looks over to Pidge, and shakes his head.
"I want to talk to Hunk. You coming back here though?"
"Yeah, in about an hour?"
"Okay, I'll come back," he promises, giving Hiero a kiss on the top of her head, and putting her down. "See you Romelle" he says, giving a small wave.
"See you later, Keith" she smiled back.
He walks over to Pidge, kissing Bandor and Cora on the top of the head on the way past, and arm in arm they walk back through the gate.

I watch them leave, then make my own goodbyes to everyone, telling them all I'll be back soon.

I make my way through the house, and let myself out the front door.