Ruins

41

I savoured this new, feeling of wholeness.

"Stop fidgeting, Be a good example." I pinched Daryl's arm getting him to hiss at me. I'd trimmed Lydia's hair, and now Daryl's, but he was getting tired of being pinched and prodded.

"C'mon!" He complained.

"Okay, okay. Noah, come on sweetness, it's your turn." I spoke, pushing Daryl from the seat.

He giggled as he passed Daryl, and sat in front of me. I cut the back and sides of his, and a little from the front, so it didn't completing hang in his face.

"Alright, you guys eat. Mommy's gonna cut her hair." I told them.

They were all freshly showered and cut. So I trimmed my bangs, so they hung right above my brows and decided to cut my hair right under my shoulders.

I showered myself then joined them in the kitchen at the island where they ate.

The scene before me nearly brought tears to my eyes. Noah was shoveling a huge fork full of food into Daryl's mouth, making Lydia let out a loud, comfortable cackle. Her eyes crinkled shut, and that was enough for me.

As long as she was safe and comfortable I could deal with it.

"Who said you could have fun without me?" I questioned, getting Noah to snap backwards and look at me. He sucked in a loud gasp.

"Momma you look real nice!" He mused.

"Thank you baby." I smiled, looking at Daryl, he watched me, and took a moment to let his eyes travel up to meet mine. "Is it good?" I asked, looking at everyone's plate. It was only a tomato, rice and canned chicken casserole, but it was all I could find in the cabinets.

"Real good." Noah nodded.

"It's good, thank you." Lydia nodded, dropping her eyes to the counter.

"Good." I sighed, approaching them and sliding my hands over the granite countertop. "What should we do?" I asked, taking the hem of my sleeves into my hands.

"I'm actually kind of tired..." Lydia tapped her finger on the counter.

I glanced between her and Daryl and sighed.

"Okay." I nodded. "Well, do you have everything you need?" I asked, walking toward the stairs. I nodded upstairs, motioning for her to come with me.

She looked at Daryl and pushed away from the counter, muttering a Goodnight.

I followed her up to the room Daryl had given her. The master. I sighed looking around.

"Do you need anything?" I asked, peering into the bathroom. "Soap? A brush?... Anything?"

"Um... I could use a toothbrush?" She asked.

"I'll grab one from downstairs." I nodded, a little too eagerly. I could sense that she was still uncomfortable and all I wanted was to help her.

I delivered her toothbrush and found Daryl and Noah in our bedroom.

"What's going on in here?" I peaked in the door.

"Sleepover!" Noah cheered, making me chuckle.

I watched Daryl shake his head desperately.

"Well, I think me and Daddy need some good sleep tonight, so how about a raincheck?" I asked, tilting my head at him. He furrowed his eyebrows.

"What's a raincheck?" He asked.

I shook my head, laughing and picking him up. "Let's go tuck you in." I carried him up to his room, and laid him down. "You are such a good boy." I pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I love you."