Him & I

- CHAPTER 1 -

-  M O R N I N G  -
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
3rd Person
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Hamish's bedroom door creaked open and a tiny button nose poked in through the crack, shortly followed by a pair of big blue eyes, scanning the room for movement. As soon as Olivia had assessed the situation, she made a beeline towards her big brother's bed and darted underneath the covers. Disturbed by the sudden movement, Hamish turned over, cracking his eyes open to see a pair of eyes staring right back at him.

He brought his hand up from underneath the covers and booped his sister on the nose, which resulted in a fit of giggles erupting from her little mouth.

"Morning, baby cakes" He said, chuckling at her adorable scrunched up face.

He loved his sister more than anything in the world and he couldn't believe how lucky he was that she was all his. No crappy parents to mess up his little girl's life.

"Morning, Ham" Ollie replied in a sweet voice

Hamish smiled at his special nickname that only Ollie was allowed to call him.

"And why have I been woken up at...5:30 in the morning?" an amused Hamish asked, checking his phone.

A small wave of guilt passed over Ollie as she looked down to her thumbs that she started to twiddle.

"I'm sorry, Hamish"

"Hey, it's all right, Sweetpea. I don't mind"

Hamish brushed his sister's curly locks away from her face and lifted her chin so that her eyes were level with his

"What's on your mind, Sweetpea?"

"I don't want to go to school" she confessed, feeling the tears well up in her eyes

"Hey, hey, hey - No crocodile tears, baby." Hamish lifted his thumb, resting on her cheek, and wiped away a stray tear that started to fall.

"Tell me what happened, Ollie. Why don't you want to go?" He pushed

"Swimming" the quiet voice replied

Hamish let out a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding. Thank goodness for that, at least it's not bullying.

"Ollie, listen to me. School knows your issues with water, okay? If it would make you feel better, I can call ahead this morning to make sure you can sit in the library during swimming? Huh?" Hamish felt for his sister. He really did. He was just glad there weren't more serious problems at hand.

Hamish felt his sisters head bob against his chest, signalling yes.

"Thank you, Bubba" a mumbled reply came from the little girl.

"It's what I'm here for, Sweetpea. Now, can you be a big girl and put the coffee machine on for me and sit on your special stool before I come down and make you something to eat?" Hamish whispered into his sister's ear before kissing the top of her head.

"Okay" was the quick answer he got before Ollie wiggled to the end of the bed and bounded to the door. When he heard the pitter-patter of little steps on the stairs, Hamish chucked the covers off of him, made the bed and headed towards his bathroom.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Ollie sat on her special stool swinging her legs, listening to the gurgling and burbling of the coffee machine. She was deep in thought, her chin resting on her hands, her back to the door. Hamish jogged down the stairs and came to a stop as he spotted his sister perched on the special stool. He remembered painting it with her a few years ago. It was his idea to decorate it, to keep her seated at breakfast; when she was most restless. Naturally, considering Ollie was only five at the time, the majority of the paint ended up on her.

He slowly made his way behind his sister and covered her eyes with his big hands. Ollie squealed in delight, placing her hands over his and carefully prying them off her face.

"Hi Ham, what's for breakfast?" She asked

"Hmmm" Hamish pondered, walking around to the other side of the island and resting he's elbows on the marble top and his chin in his hands.

"Would you like pancakes or cereal?" He asked, already knowing his sister's answer.

"Cereal please, Bubba" Came her reply

"So predictable, Sweetpea" Hamish said, chuckling as he turned to get some Wheetos from the cupboard behind him

"Can you get out your spotty bowl and spoon?"

"Mmmhmm"

With her bowl resting on the counter-top, Ollie stood to the side, waiting for her favourite part of breakfast.

"Get ready, Ollie? This one's going to be good!" Hamish said, excitedly before he started pouring the cereal into the special spotted bowl from a great height. Hamish loved this part too because it meant he could watch the pure joy spread across his beloved sister's face. Olivia was laughing and clapping as she watched the so called 'chocolate waterfall' land in her bowl.

"Do you want milk today? Or just plain old dry cereal?"

"Milk please, Ham!"

Hamish chuckled at Ollie's excitement, happily pouring some milk in with the chocolate-y hoops. As the final drop landed she picked up her spoon and shovelled the food in.

"It's only 6:15...you happy to sit in front of the tv while I go for a run, Sweetpea?" Hamish asked, trying to keep a straight face while a trail of milk made its way down her chin.

"Yesh, hanks" Ollie said with a full mouth.

"Oi, swallow before you speak, Olivia - You could choke." Hamish reprimanded.

"Sorry, Hamish. I won't do it again." Hamish smiled, knowing full well she'd be doing exactly the same tomorrow.

Leaning over the island, he pecked Ollie on the head and made his way to the boot room to find his trainers.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

"And you're sure I don't have to go to swimming?" Olivia asked her brother, shifting uncomfortably in the car seat.

"One million percent certain, Olivia" Hamish replied, leaning back to put a comforting hand on her knee.

"And you know I'll still be on duty when I come to get you after school, yeah? So it will be me and Drew in a squad car, okay?"

"Yay, Drew!" Olivia replied happily. She loved getting rides in the police car. One, she was sometimes allowed to talk on the radio, very occasionally and two, Drew, Hamish's partner, always sneaked her sweets to eat on the way back to the station. He always listened to her as well when she told him lots of stories. Olivia had a little crush on Drew. Of course Drew...and his husband found this hilarious.

"Hey! Where's my special goodbye?!" Hamish called as Ollie went to open the door. Olivia gasped at the fact that she forgot and scrambled over to her brother's seat to give him a hug.

"I'm sorry, Bubba. I love you." She said kissing his cheek and releasing him.

"I love you too, Ollie. Have a good day at school, Hun Bun." Hamish said, chuckling.

Flushed with embarrassment at the nickname, Olivia quickly got out of the car and rushed to the big wooden doors of her school, where she disappeared out of sight.

▸ ◂ END OF CHAPTER 1 ▸ ◂