When We Were Younger

The Meeting

Song is called "The Riddle Song" by unknown. Chapter is rated M for sexual content.

Lilly woke up in the middle of the night to the bairns crying. She sighed and got out of bed, then dressed into her clothes and walked to the sitting room. She opened the door to see Aoífe and Junior standing in their little cribs crying. She picked both of them up and held them, rocking them to and fro. They were still crying and Lilly sighed.

"Shh, it's okay, my wee ones. Shh," Lilly said.

Arthur walked into the room groggily in only his pants and rubbed his eyes. "What's goin' on?"

Lilly looked at her children. They were salivating heavily and rubbing their faces with frowns. "Either they had a nightmare or they're teething."

Arthur turned on a light and went to the bar. He opened a bottle of whiskey and dipped his finger in it. He then walked over to Lilly and dabbed a little alcohol onto the kid's gums. This made them cry even more and Lilly chuckled. "Dammit, I was told that helps with teething," Arthur said softly.

Lilly handed Arthur his daughter and cleared her throat. "It does, but I think it's the taste that is makin' them cry, mo chuisle."

Arthur kissed his bawling little Aoífe on the head and held her close. "You're okay, little one. Shh."

The babies still cried and Lilly frowned. "I suppose I better sing."

Arthur nodded. "Pick a good one, darlin'." Lilly cleared her throat again and started to sing.

I gave my love a cherry

That had no stone

I gave my love a chicken

That had no bone

Arthur gaped at Lilly, then he smiled as the babies immediately calmed down, their eyes dilating and their howls ceasing. Arthur began singing with his wife.

I gave my love a story

That had no end

I gave my love a baby

Got no cryin'

Lilly held out a hand to Arthur and he took it, rocking back and forth with her motions.

How can there be a cherry

That has no stone

How can there be a chicken

That has no bone

How can there be a story

That has no end

How can there be a baby

With no cryin'

Lilly and Arthur got closer to one another, and soon they were standing in front of each other while rocking their children.