Page 19 of Dreams Do Come True

“We have two sons, honey,” Kean says softly.

I look up and smile at him. “We do.”

CHAPTER 7

Once River has been fed and burped, Kean swaddles him back up and lays him in his crib.

We stand watching him for a moment as he falls asleep, before we both flop down on the sofa, leaning into each other.

“I never thought we would have two at the same time, especially a toddler and a newborn,” Kean says softly.

“Me either. I’m glad we do, though, even though it will be hard work.”

“It will, but we also have a house full of help. Shall I ring Adhan in the morning and tell him?”

I think for a moment. Until the adoption papers are signed, something could still go wrong. “Let’s not, we can surprise them when we get home.”

Kean laughs. “And what a surprise,” he quickly sobers. “Should we take the boys to the funeral, do you think?”

“Maybe not River, but Lyric probably. It might help a little. We could always check with Justin, he’s bound to have been in this situation before and can advise us.”

“Yeah, that would make sense. We might need different baby books.”

I look at Kean. “Did you not read that folder?”

“Which one? We have several from different agencies. I just don’t remember reading about a situation like this.”

“The blue one from the Acorns Agency, Chapter Fourteen, I think it was. I need to reread it, as I kind of skimmed that section, thinking we’d never be in a situation like this, especially with a toddler and a day old.”

“Yeah, in all the scenarios I thought of, this one wasn’t it. Still wouldn’t change the fact that they will soon be ours, though. I’m glad you knew Reggie. Did you know Doris?”

I shake my head. “No, but Monica did. We could always ask her to write something about Doris that we can share with the boys.”

Kean kisses the side of my head. “That’s a lovely idea,” he breaks off, yawning .

“Let’s try and get some sleep before River wakes for his next feed.”

“Good plan. Also, can I just say, I love the names Lyric and River.”

“Yeah, me too. Love you, handsome.”

“Love you, honey.”

And after a much too short kiss, we both settle down on the surprisingly comfy sofa and fall asleep.

It’sthe sound of Lyric screaming and crying that wakes us with a start.

We both jump up and rush to his side. I sit on the side of the bed and try to comfort him, but he pushes me away. “No, mama.”

It breaks my heart that Doris isn’t around to see her boys grow up. I send a prayer to the Goddess asking her to help mebe a good parent. “I’m sorry, Lyric, she isn’t here, but Kean and I are.”

Lyric cries harder.

I’m at a total loss of what to do, but Kean swoops Lyric up. I think the move shocked Lyric, and he stopped crying. Now he’s hiccupping and sniffing.

Lyric’s scream was so loud that River wakes up with an angry, ‘do you mind I’m trying to sleep here’cry, a loud cry, this boy sure has some lungs on him.

While Kean is helping Lyric, I pick River up, just as the door opens and Jess rushes in, looking concerned.