Rise Up

Lin

           

I was over the moon that Talie was back in New York again.  The morning after she and Alice had arrived, they slept late.  I tried my best to keep the boys semi-quiet.  There wasn't much reasoning with a toddler. Talie finally wandered out after 11:00.  She walked out to the kitchen looking serene.

"Morning, sweetheart," I told her as I cuddled with Franky.  He was turning out to be a pretty vocal toddler.  He wasn't really speaking yet, but he was full of grunts and sounds.  I was sure he'd be a talker just like his brother.

"Hi Lin," she greeted me sleepily as she went to the pantry.  I stood up with Franky, transferring him to my hip.  Talie gave me a warm hug, holding on for a long time.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Great," she reported, pouring her cereal.  "We slept for, like, twelve hours."

"Jet lag will do that to you," I reminded her as Sebastian came bounding over. He started telling her all about his Spider-Man action figure and she played along, asking him questions.  He joined her at the table as she ate.  I heard Alice in the bathroom.  Her mother was a bit nervous about sending her away.  She'd never been away for more than a week.  I tried to reassure her that Vanessa and I would constantly be checking in with her and would have a curfew.  I'm sure they appreciated some time with Charlotte, almost alone.

Alice wandered out as Talie was finishing her cereal.

"Hey!" she greeted her disheveled stepsister.  "Want some cereal?"

Talie was a gracious hostess, getting Alice a bowl, a drink, and some cereal.  I took it Alice wasn't a morning person so I didn't pepper her with questions.  Both girls were looking more awake after breakfast and a shower.

"I think we're gonna go get some Starbucks," Talie told me as they found their shoes.  "Want anything?"

"Yeah, maybe a latte would be nice," I told them, reaching for my wallet.  "Get V one too.  She'll be back from her meeting soon."

I handed her twenty bucks, way more than was needed, and the girls headed out.  The boys and I chilled on the couch watching PJ Masks.  Franky was being extra cuddly.  After a while he fell asleep so I gently laid him down in his crib.

The girls and Vanessa got home about the same time.  Vanessa was grateful for the latte after an apparently intense meeting.  We all sat on the couch to sip our drinks and Sebastian sat on Talie's lap.

"So girls do you have any big plans for today?" Vanessa asked the girls.

They looked at each other.  "Maybe just wandering around nearby," Talie said.  "Nothing too taxing."

"No, wouldn't want to tax yourself on summer vacay," Vanessa teased.

"How do I get a pass for the underground?" Alice asked.

"Oh, it's super easy," I told her.  "There's a machine at the station.  Talie can show you.  You should get a weekly pass."

We chatted a bit about plans, and recommended some places to eat.  We hung out for a while, then the girls decided they wanted to wander around.  Sebastian begged to go, but I told him the girls had plans together.  Talie was sweet and promised him they'd hang out later.

___

Within a couple days the girls had slipped into a routine.  They slept in til 9 or 10 then wandered around various parts of the city.  They'd usually come in before dinner, giggling and full of fun.  In short, they were having an amazing time.  Alice loved New York and Talie was being a great tour guide.  She introduced Alice to Naomi and they were soon thick as thieves.  Over the next couple weeks they were constantly together at our apartment.