Page 40 of Dreams Do Come True

Kean cut my dinner up for me, and I occasionally try and feed Lyric.

“No,” he finally says. “Nok.”

I look at Enoch and see he’s finished eating. “I think your cousin wants you to feed him.”

Enoch pulls a face at Lyric before putting some peas on a spoon and feeding them to him. “Finish your dinner, Tie. Me and Lyric have this.”

“Thanks,” I say, leaving them to it and eating one-handed.

I see everyone has already finished. “Sorry.”

“There is nothing to apologise for,” Adhan says. “Once you’ve finished eating, we’ll go and unload the car, take everything upstairs and get it sorted for you.”

“Thanks,” I say, finishing my dinner.

“The furniture is arriving tomorrow, but we have a baby box for River to sleep in,” Kean says. “Toys, some more clothes, nappies, stuff like that.”

I finish my dinner and everyone leaves to help unload the car, except for Emily, who is still holding River, and Enoch, who is still feeding Lyric.

A few moments later, River starts to fuss, and Kean rushes back in, taking the baby out of Emily’s arms. “Hush, Baba, daddy will make up your bottle and change your stinky nappy.”

“You know I could have done that, right? You know, having raised five sons and helping to raise Alfred and looking after Connie,” Emily points out.

“Yeah, but..,” Kean starts to say. “Sorry, Mum, but he’s still so shiny and new.”

“Go change his nappy and I’ll make him a bottle,” Emily says with a laugh.

“Will do. His stuff is in his bag,” Kean says, picking it up and putting it in a chair, pulling out a clean nappy and wipes. Then a bottle and the formula, handing them to Emily, before taking River out of the kitchen.

“Boys,” Emily mutters, shaking her head while making the formula. She brings the now-filled bottle over to the table and hands me a sippy cup. “It’s watered down orange juice.”

“Thanks, Emily,” I say, taking it and holding it out to Lyric.

He leans forward and takes a drink, then leans back and yawns.

“Time for some sleep, little man. Say goodnight to Nana and Enoch.”

He waves to Emily and looks at Enoch, and holds his hand up. “Five Nok.”

Enoch laughs and gently touches his hand. “High five, Lyric. Sleep well, little cousin.”

I stand up and pat his shoulder. “Thanks, Enoch,” I pick up Lyric’s bag and walk up the stairs. The room for the boys is a hive of activity.

With so many people, it doesn’t take long to unpack everything from the car.

“Thanks for this. I’m going to get Lyric ready for bed,” I say, walking into our bedroom.

I see Kean already in there, sat on the bed, feeding River. I’ve no idea how he got the bottle.

I put Lyric’s bag on the bed and take out a clean nappy, a sleep onesie and his little toothbrush and toothpaste. I drop a kiss on Kean’s head as I take Lyric into the bathroom. “Okay, Lyric,” I say, sitting him on the vanity. “Are you going to let me clean your teeth? I put a bit of paste on his brush. “Open wide.”

Lyric crosses his arms over his chest. “No, Nok.”

“Sorry, Lyric, Enoch isn’t here; it’s just you and me. Look, your toothbrush has a ladybird on it,” I show him the end of the toothbrush.

He gives a big sigh, opens his mouth, and I brush his teeth. “Well done, Lyric.” I praise. I run the brush under the tap and brush his teeth again. “There, all done. Shall we go and change your stinky nappy?”

Lyric nods and holds his arms out. I pick him up and take him back to the bedroom. “Mama, dada?” he asks softly.