I'm Home

Old friends

Lydia whipped her head around to see Adam and Barbara standing in the kitchen doorway looking at her. Quickly, Lydia got to her feet and ran to her ghost parents. They wrapped their arms around her and hugged her back tightly.

'Adam... Barb... I'd thought you'd left' said Lydia, pulling away and looking at the couple

'We're not leaving' said Barbara, looking at the young woman infront of her 'Charles and Delia told us you were moving in and we decided to stick around'

'How long has it been since we last saw you?' asked Adam, also looking at Lydia in curiosity

'Uhh, lets see, Lex was 5, so around 5 or 6 years' said Lydia, realising just how long it had been and feeling guilt wash over her 'I'm sorry I didn't come round sooner'

'Oh Lydia its fine' said Barbara 'Thats what we were most worried about, you being stuck in this house because of us'

'I feel bad about not visiting you guys' said Lydia

'Its fine sweetheart' said Barbara 'Just tell us what you've been up to since we last saw you'

'Oh well, I'm still a photographer but I am also an author' said Lydia proudly

'I knew you had it in you to publish your work' said Adam, hugging Lydia so tightly it lifted her off the ground a little 'Is it one of the stories you showed us?'

'Yeah, it was the story of me moving into this house' said Lydia 'Everyone believes its fiction and poor Beej, he's probably being summoned left right and centre' she looked at the Maitlands 'Does he still visit you guys?'

'Yeah' said Barbara 'He's just busy with being co-head of the Netherworld now' she smiled and walked over and grabbed Lydia's glass, washing it out in the sink and drying it with her powers. Lydia laughed

'Barb, you don't have to do that' she said, watching the ghost put it away in the cupboard with the other stuff her parents had left behind

'But I do' said Barbara, going back over to the 2 of them and linking her hand with Adam's. 'Sorry, its just automatic, I miss helping people'

'Well, I'm gonna need a lot of help' said Lydia 'I've got a huge photography project to do and I'm writing another novel' she ran a ran over her face 'God, and I've got to convince 2 kids to go to a new school and have to keep another one entertained'

'You have 3 kids?' asked Barbara 'I remember seeing Alex and Will'

'Yeah, we have Tori, or Victoria, she's 3 and was a surprise' said Lydia, she looked sadly at Barbara 'I know how you feel Barb'

'Uhh... how I feel?' asked Barbara. Lydia mouthed "miscarriage" and Barbara covered her mouth. 'Oh Lydia, I'm so sorry' she wrapped her up in a tight hug and Adam joined in 'You shouldn't have to go through that. I'm so so so sorry'. After a while, Lydia pulled away and smiled at them.

'Thanks guys' she said sadly 'luckily Liam was home. But he's been gone 9 months now, and we don't know when he'll be back'

'I can't believe he joined the army' muttered Barbara, before smiling at Lydia 'He'll come back soon Lydia, I know it. My brother loves you more than anything, he'll come home' Lydia looked uncertain and sad so Adam decided to change the subject.

'You look different Lydia' she raised her eyebrows at him 'It's a good different, don't worry'

'Thanks' said Lydia 'How though?'

'Well, you look happier, tired, but happy' said Barbara 'And your hair is so pretty'

'Thanks' said Lydia, fiddling a little with her hair. It was a dark brown and had blonde tips. 'Its naturally gone to a darker blonde, but I dyed it darker, because I still like having dark hair'

'Well, it suits you' said Adam 'Makes you look older'

'Well I'd hope so' laughed Lydia 'I'm not 16 anymore'

'How old are you?' asked Barbara

'Um... 33' said Lydia

'Oh wow, you're nearly older than us' laughed Adam 'We died when we were both 34'

'I thought you guys were like 29 or 30' said Lydia 'I never did ask about your ages though'

'There was never any need' said Barbara sadly 'You don't age when your dead'

'Hmm, well, I still feel bad' said Lydia.

'Mummy?' called a small voice. Lydia looked at the Maitlands and put a finger to her lips, indicating for them to stay silent. They nodded and went to stand by the sink. 'Mummy? Where are you?'

'In the kitchen sweetie' said Lydia, walking over to the doorway and picking her daughter up 'why aren't you asleep?'

'You didn't come back and I couldn't find you anywhere' she said in a small voice. Lydia kissed her head

'Well, you found me baby, anything else?'

'I'm thirsty' said Victoria 'And so's Flopsy'

'Well, how about we get you a small drink and then head to bed. Hows that sound?' Lydia walked back into the kitchen and saw the Maitlands standing in the far corner of the room, smiling at her.

'Flopsy needs a drink too' said Victoria, like it was the most obverse thing ever. Lydia laughed and sat her daughter on the bench.

'Well, you and Flopsy can share ok?' Victoria nodded and happily watched as Lydia looked through the cupboards 'Oh look, Dad left this behind' she showed her daughter the cup that had the scene of a meadow on it, with bunnies hopping through it 'Shall we use it?'

'Yeah!' said Victoria, bouncing up and down. Lydia filled it up halfway and put a straw in it, handing it to her daughter. The 3 year old happily sat on the bench, drinking the water with her stuffed rabbit clutched tightly under her arm. Lydia noticed her eyes were focused on the far corner of the room.

'Whatcha looking at cupcake?' she asked

'Why are there people over there?' asked Victoria calmly, pointing a single finger at the Maitlands, who looked at each other and Lydia. Lydia sighed and glanced upstairs, to make sure that her other 2 kids didn't come downstairs. Having one child being able to see ghosts was enough. 'Mummy? Are they your friends? One kinda looks like daddy, but he's not here' she looked at her mother 'when is daddy coming back? Flopsy's nearly out of all the hugs and kisses he put in her'

'We don't know when daddy will be home baby' said Lydia 'But I'm sure Flopsy will not run out of hugs before he gets back'

'Ok' she said, satisfied with the answer 'But who are they?'

'Uhh, well, guys, wanna come over here?' asked Lydia. Adam and Barbara slowly walked over to the pair and awkwardly stood there. Victoria had finished her drink and was looking at the Maitlands with curiosity.

'You look like a Barbie Doll' she said, looking Barbara dead in the eyes. Barbara smiled and Adam nudged her in the arm, whispering something in her ear 'You're really pretty too'

'Thank you' said Barbara, feeling her heart swell with love for the girl she'd just met. Victoria yawned and hugged Flopsy to her chest.

'Bed time missy' said Lydia, going over to Victoria and picking her up. The child made no protests and just waved sleepily at the Maitlands as her mother carried her upstairs. 'We'll talk tomorrow' called Lydia as she walked out of the kitchen 'Night guys'