Page 44 of Dreams Do Come True

“Thank you, Molly,” I say, taking it. As soon as I have River back, that necklace is going on.

She hands River back to me, and Kean moves forward.

“Hello, Lyric, I’m your Aunt Molly.”

Lyric looks at her for a moment, then grins. “Ant Olly.”

Molly cackles out a laugh. “Close enough. You are truly blessed as well, little one,” she gently touches his head, then from her pocket pulls out another necklace. “This is for you, to keep you safe,” she tells him, putting it around his neck.

“Thank you, Molly,’ Kean says, smiling at her.

“This little one is going to keep you on your toes, but he will soon settle down. Both boys have been through a lot in such a short space of time, but they will both be happy, healthy and mischievous.”

“Thanks, Molly,” Kean says, letting out a sigh.

Lyric smiles at her as he fingers the necklace. “Ant Olly fank oou.”

Molly cackles. “You’ll do, little man.”

“We made an extra pot of coffee for you both this morning,” Adhan tells us.

“Thank the Goddess,” I say, sinking onto a chair next to Temp.

“Hello, little one, I’m your Uncle Temp,” Temp says, stroking River’s hand and putting his mug down.

“Here,” I say, passing River over to him.

He cradles the baby, smiling down at him. “He’s so small and light,” Temp comments, looking at his nephew. “We didn’t come and see you last night, because we thought we’d plague you today. He has more hair than I thought he’d have.”

“It might fall out soon, though,” Kean replies.

“Don’t you have work today?” I ask Temp.

“Nope, Saturday,” he replies, moving to show River to Ben.

I grab the coffee pot and pour coffee for Kean and then myself.

Lyric is sitting on Kean’s lap. He is still a little shy this morning, but seems to be becoming more comfortable.

“Down Clean,” Lyric demands suddenly and starts to wiggle.

I hear titters from around the table.

“Clean?” Jude queries.

“Yep,” Kean says, smiling. “I’m Clean and this,” he points to me, “is Tus.” While he’s talking, he puts Lyric down, and he toddles around the table and stops by Adhan's side.

“Unk Addy up,” he says, raising his arms and smiling.

Adhan laughs and picks him up, settling him on his lap. “Comfy?”

Lyric nods and, in his quick move, snags a sausage off Adhan’s plate.

Adhan laughs. “I see you only want me for my food. How about we cut that up to make it easier to eat?”

Lyric drops the sausage back on the plate, and Adhan cuts it up, feeding him.

“Sorry, Adhan,” I apologise.