Page 49 of Dreams Do Come True

“Oou come?” Lyric asks, looking at Kean and me.

“Yep, we’re both coming. You stay here with Titus, and I’ll go and get your bag and shoes, okay?” Kean tells him.

Lyric nods, and Kean drops a kiss on his head and stands up. “Back in a bit.”

Adhan stands and sits next to us, and Lyric moves to sit on his lap. “You can only sit here if you promise no stinky.”

Lyric, Temp and I all laugh at that.

“Saying that, I should probably change him before we go out. I also need to clean his sticky hands. Come on, little man, let’s get you sorted.”

Lyric moves back. “No, Unk Addy.”

I laugh. “Looks like you're up, Unk Addy.”

“The things I do for this family. I thought my nappy changing days were over once Alfred was potty trained,” he gripes, standing up with Lyric and walking over to the changing table.

Kean walks back in with Jude at his side, who has Connie’s bits.

“Connie and I are coming too,” Jude says, picking her up. “Once the changing table is free, I’ll change her nappy and we’ll be ready.”

Kean laughs as he sees his brother changing Lyric’s nappy. “Felled by a toddler.”

“At least it wasn’t a stinky one. I draw the line at that,” Adhan says, pulling Lyric’s trousers up and cleaning up the used bits and putting them into the bin.

He picks Lyric up. “All yours, brother.”

Jude carries Connie over and sets about changing hers.

“Can I come?” Nora asks.

“Yep. Go and tell everyone we’re off to the bookshop, and all those who want to come to be at the front door in five minutes,” Adhan replies.

“Xander, you do upstairs and I’ll do down,” Nora says, jumping up.

The two of them run out of the room.

Temp laughs. “Pretty sure this will be a big family trip.”

Temp was right. I think the only person not joining us is Emily, who opted to stay behind with River.

CHAPTER 16

Madly, we decided to walk to the bookshop. I know it’s not far, but we didn’t bring a stroller for Lyric and Connie is attached to Jude’s chest.

Lyric wanted to walk a bit, so held Nora and Enoch’s hands, with Kean and me staying close. It was a slow walk, but it’s our first family walk to town, so I’m not complaining.

We wave and say hello to those we pass, and a few have come over to meet Lyric, all of them enchanted with him.

“Unk Addy,” Lyric suddenly calls out.

Adhan stops walking and turns to him. “What’s wrong, little man?”

He drops Nora and Enoch’s hands and holds his arms out. “Up.”

Adhan laughs and picks him up. “Demanding little thing, aren’t you? First, I have to change your nappy, and now I have to carry you.”

Lyric pats his cheek, which makes us all laugh.