Chapter 29
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Skye questioned as she towel dried her hair. It was enough to distract him, if only momentarily. Although he wasn’t close enough he would swear he could smell the vanilla scent from her shampoo that he always associated with her. He knew that others used the same shampoo, it was a common one but it never smelled the same as when she used it. Shaking his head slightly to clear the goofy smile that had started to spread across his face he answered her.
“Sure how hard can it be?” He’d taken the kids swimming before. They’d even promised to be one their best behaviour as he was taking them on his own. Skye was using the kid free time to finalise Leo’s birthday party. So far they’d managed to keep everything a secret but as the kids had a habit of wandering into their room without knocking it was safer to wrap his presents when they were out of the house. The kids were terrible at keeping secrets.
“That’s not what I meant. I was talking about your shoulder.”
“It’s fine Skye. Besides the doctor said swimming should help it heal. Loosen the muscle without putting too much pressure on it.”
She looked disbelievingly at him but thankfully dropped the subject. She’d been bugging him for a couple of days to go and get it check out again. But he knew that the only thing that would help it was time. No point seeing a doctor when all they tell you was something you already knew.
“Well if you need any help just ring. Besides Tripp should be helpful.” He couldn’t help the smirk at that. He still wished he’d managed to catch her dumping water on the sleeping teenager on video. It was something that would stay in his memory for a long time.
He’d followed her upstairs, drawn to watch the impending showdown. He hadn’t been the only one with the same idea, with Jemma and Mel hovering beside the boys’ bedroom. Skye had started off sweetly enough, asking Tripp politely if he would get up. His grunts and snorts had Jemma and Mel giggling in response. Ignoring her audience Skye once again tried to persuade Tripp to remove himself from his bed. Although she understood that the bed had now accepted him as one of their own but if he didn’t get up he was going to be forcibly removed from it. At the wave of a hand from the teenager, she shrugged before carefully opening a gap between the teenager and his bedclothes. With a slightly evil grin she dumped the jug of cold water in the gap, stepping backwards to avoid the spluttering teenager that launched from the bed.
“What the hell?”
“I warned you that I would forcibly remove you from the bed. I just never said how I would do it.” She reasoned amidst the laughing group behind her.
Since then Tripp had been an ideal child, helping them whenever they need it. Apparently he didn’t like the thought of cold water being poured on him again. It had also had the advantage of making the other kids behave, as they hadn’t wanted the same fate.
“I’ll be fine don’t worry.” He reassured her.
“I know. I just want you to need me to come down to the pool. I’m missing out on seeing you again in swimming trunks.” She grinned at him, leaving him gaping after her as she moved to deal with a crying Phil. Taking deep breaths he headed back into the bathroom, considering a cold shower before leaving the house.
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He’d been right about it being easy to deal with the children. Tripp had taken Leo and Jemma to ride down the slides. All three of them were whooping as they rode down in rubber rings, racing to get back to the top to ride again. He’d sat himself in the shallows with Phil bobbing in a blow up ring while he watched Mel swimming. She’d wanted to practice her swimming, not feeling quite confident enough to go down the rides yet. Although he’d reassured her she would be fine, she preferred to stick close to him. It filled him with pride as he watched her gain confidence, slowly swimming further and further away from him. As he watched her duck under the water for the first time he unconsciously held his breath, only releasing it when she returned to the surface. Bouncing Phil up and down in the water he grinned as Mel waved towards him before ducking under the water again.
“First time swimming?” He turned to find one of the women who’d been watching him since he entered the pool moving nearer to him. His natural instincts had tracked her even though he’d deemed her not a threat. His threat assessment had become even harsher since looking after the kids.
“No.” He replied shortly trying not to be rude but not wanting to discuss the kids with a complete stranger.
“Hey cutie.” She waved at Phil who watched her suspiciously, his normal happy personality completely gone. “Both your kids?”
“Yes.”
“It’s so nice to see a dad with his kids. Though I imagine two a quite a handful.”
“Five.”
“Sorry?”
“I have five kids.” He replied, enjoying the look of horror on her face. He would have moved away but Phil trying to swim away distracted him.
“Where you going Buddy?” He asked watching as Phil determinedly paddled away.
“He’s quite fast.” The woman was still following him, leaving him wondering what he would need to do to get rid of her. He followed close behind as he swam over to a red haired woman before stretching up his arms.
“Aunt!”
“Hi Phil. Hey Ward.”
“So that’s why he’s making a bit for freedom. Hey Nat.” He smiled at the spy stood before him, who was now bouncing Phil on her hip. “What are you doing here?”
“Skye thought you might need rescuing but looks like your doing well.”
“Auntie Nat.” Mel had now noticed Nat, flinging her arms around the spy sending water rippling over the group.
“Hey sweetie. Nice swimming.”
“Dad taught me.”
Ward watched the pair with fondest, clocking the rest of the kids going flying past as they ran to go on the ride again.
“Now how about you show me what you’ve learned and we’ll let your dad go on the lazy river?”
“Yeah.”
“Go and relax.” She pushed him none too gently towards the slow moving water. Retrieving Phil from her hip he headed in the direction she pushed him, noting he’d lost the annoying woman at some point. Oh well. He might as well enjoy the time out while he could.
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Two hours later and a scolding from Nat later and they were all back in the house. The kids were downstairs eating haven already been showered. He was now taking the opportunity to have his own shower. He was just pulling on his top as Skye entered into the room carrying a pile of clothes. Picking up a wrapped parcel on the bed she turned him confused.
“What’s this?”
“It’s… something for you. Something I thought you might like. Well I think you’ll like it and Nat said you would. But if you don’t just tell me and I’ll change it.” He rambled not looking at her.
Pressing a gentle kiss against his cheek to stop him, pushing him gently so he sat on the bed. Throwing her legs across his lap to keep him still she began opening her present. Slowly a small silver album was revealed with my family written on the front. Opening it she found it filled with pictures of them all. There was pictures from the holiday, some she’d taken on days out, pictures from her and Ward’s date.
“Nat put it together but I picked the photos.” He quietly added.
“I love it.” Placing it carefully to one side she threw herself into his lap, kissing him. Pulling her closer he kissed her gently, weaving his hands into her hair. Things were starting to get more heated when they both heard a small voice.
“Urgh. Mum and Dad are kissing!”
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