Domestic Husbands

Chapter 18

*Callum's POV*

The air in the room feels different today, I thought as I woke just before 7.30 to the intercom ringing. It was Lola and Lexi. I let them in, confused as Ben hadn't said anything. After a brief conversation with Lola (well she was mainly shouting at me, on Ben's behalf, of course), I worked out that Ben was meant to have picked Lexi up at 7 from Lola so she could go on a course or hair dressing thing or something) and that Lexi had to be at school by 8, with a packed lunch, as she was on a trip today to a farm.

The only issue was I had just woken up and Ben was still fast asleep. I quickly looked in our cupboards to make a lunch for Lexi and gave her the most random lunchbox, but must have been a kids dream! It had cookies and crisps (And no fruit!) While I was doing this, still groggy from the rush of being woken, Lexi went to wake up Ben. After a while I heard the groan of Ben waking up and the confused expression in his voice implied he had forgotten about Lexi and her trip.

Lexi came out of the room and I carefully gave her a cup of tea to take into Ben, before downing a coffee. I picked up some of the washing that was hanging up, not bothering to look at if the items were mine or Ben's and went into the bathroom to get changed. I came out, still with bed hair, but I didn't have time to sort it out, and saw Ben in the kitchen searching frantically for things. I put a reassuring hand on the back of his head and he turned to face me.

Ben: *Frantically* I need to make Lexi lunch. I need to get ready. Omg babe I forgot!

Callum: *calm* it's .. babe. I've already .... ..

Ben: already? *Puzzled look*

Callum: it's ok. *goes to the fridge* I've already made her lunch.

Ben: *walks over to Callum- soft neck kiss* you're the best.

Callum: And I'm already dressed. Look, I'll take Lexi to school.

Ben: I love you. *Kiss*

Callum: *looks at Ben's watch* look .. t.. time. W. got .. go. It's 7.45!

*Calls for Lexi* Lexi, get your shoes on and get your bag!

Ben: *joking* hah, with that hair?

Callum: *frown face*

Ben: joking. I love it. You look cute!

Lexi walks over to Ben and gives him and hug while I put her lunch in her bag and get my shoes on.

I sign ILY to Ben and he signs it back before we leave. Lexi and I walk to school hand-in-hand and I feel like such a parent, especially given that my other hand is being used to carry her bag!

As we get closer to the school, she lets go of my hand and runs off when she sees her friends. At the same time Billy comes up behind us with the kids and they all run ahead together.

Billy: Not like you to do the school run?

Callum: Yeah. It was just a bit chaotic this morning.

Billy: *under his breath* hah I can tell by your hair!

Callum: You know, with the school trip to the farm and all that.

Billy: Tell me about it. We had to stop at the shop on the way down. Took them about 50 years to choose sandwiches! And then we had to choose crisps and fruit and snacks and drinks. I felt like we spent an hour there this morning.

As we approach the gates, Lexi comes running up to us. She gives me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and takes her bags. Being Lexi she reminds me that I have to be back at the school at 3 to meet her from the coach, but maybe she just sensed the chaos from this morning and thought best to remind me. I'm thankful she did!

I wait to watch her go in before leaving to go home and actually sort myself out. She must have picked up on Ben and I signing ILY as she turned around on her way in and signed it to me, which melted my heart and I signed it back. I had a text from Lola where she was apologising for shouting and that it should have been Ben who got the grief. As I walk home, I think about how lucky I was to get into this family.