Page 76 of Dreams Do Come True

Kean picks him up and stands him on his lap.

“I sorry I bad,” and with that, he practically throws himself onto Kean’s chest, wrapping his arms around Kean’s neck, as Kean hugs him.

I catch Adhan’s eye, and he smiles and nods.

Is parenting supposed to be this hard?

CHAPTER 23

I’m sat on the floor in the village hall, River nestled in the crook of my arm, watching everything. This is the music circle. There are maracas and tambourines. I’m holding a maraca, gently shaking it in front of him.

Connie is at the painting table, on Sal’s lap. He’s painting their hands and putting them on the paper, and Jude is sat talking to some other parents. Kean stayed at the manor with Lyric. We both agreed the punishment should be enforced. We were just leaving when Adhan reminded me, I needed someone else with me, so Cam volunteered. He’s currently in the kitchen making drinks.

This village hall is amazing, it’s still so shiny and new, the last one having blown up while we were inside, thanks to the dark witches. We were lucky, apart from smoke inhalation, the only person seriously hurt was Cam, but magic and healing ointment soon healed his burns up.

“Your little River is just precious, Titus,” Isabella, one of the town witches, says. She is sat on the floor next to me. She’s a few years younger than me and has the longest light auburn hair I’ve ever seen. When not tied up, it almost touches the ground. Shealways has fantastic styles, today it’s braided with lots of plaits interwoven together.

I smile at her. “Thanks. Your little Amy looks cute in that dress.” Little Amy was born about three days before River and is wearing a patchwork dress in different shades of blue. Looks like Isabella doesn’t hold with only blue being for boys.

“I thought you had a toddler as well. I’m sure the town chat mentioned it.”

I nod. “We do. Lyric is sixteen months. He was a terror this morning and, as a consequence, had to stay home with Kean and tidy up the food mess he made.”

Isabella laughs. “I have all that to look forward to. We should set up play dates for River and Amy.”

I laugh. “I literally have no idea what that is.”

“We meet up with the babies, drink coffee and chat about anything and everything.”

“We can do that,” I say happily. Once upon a time, I would never have met up with anyone for coffee, unless it was connected to a work meeting, but now, I have no problem doing that. I suddenly remember having to have someone else with me if I’m out with any of the children. “We might have to meet at the manor for a bit, though.”

Isabelle nodded, the smile falling off her face. “Molly messaged us all and told us someone from your family is after you and Cassie. We can meet at yours, and Titus, we’ll all help you with whatever you need.”

I touch her arm. “Thanks, Isabella.”

“Your River is apparently over music and has fallen asleep,” she says, nodding at him.

I glance down, and yep, my boy is fast asleep with a smile on his face. “He’s smiling,” I say in surprise.

“He’s happy. Let me take a picture and I’ll send it to you, and you can share it with Kean when you get home.”

“Thanks, Isabella. I didn’t know babies this age could smile.”

“Sure, they can, you just need to look online and see the videos of smiling babies. There is even one with a newborn flipping his father off.”

I look down at the sleeping River. “Don’t even think about it, Baba.”

An hour or so later,we leave the centre. Sal proudly showing us the hand painted picture. And we heaped praise on it.

“I have a hankering for Chelsea Buns. Who wants one?” I ask, as we near the cars.

They all say yes.

“In that case, I’ll stop at the baker’s on the way home.”

“Can’t wait, see you in a bit,” Jude replies, as he, Sal and Connie walk to their car.

Cam and I walk to mine, and opening the back door, I get River sorted before climbing into the driver’s seat.