Page 30 of Lash’s Love

She nods her head and lifts her hands up so I pick her up. “Brudders nap too.”

“Yeah they just woke up too. Mama is feeding them. Do you want a snack? You can eat while you help me decide what is for dinner tonight.”

She nods as we stop at the potty to try and have a little bathroom break. She’s still learning to potty train. But she doesn’t like being wet. So once that was done we head to the kitchen where I set her on her little booster seat by the kitchen counter and headed to the fridge where Sophie stashes everybody’s daily snacks. I pull out Delaney’s snack for the day and give it to her.

I’m looking through what we have for dinner options today when I hear the door open. All the sudden the house fills up with noise and I know the other kids are home. I hear them scatter throughout the house and as I look up from what I am doing I see my dad walking into the kitchen making a bee-line for Delaney.

“Hey sweet girl.” He bends down and gives her a kiss on the head. “I talked with Sophie and we are keeping the kids for the night. They came to get their stuff. I think honestly we should just have clothes and shit for them at our place. Especially with mama being their teacher now. That way if any of them decide they want to stay the night with us they can. You know we have the room.”

“Yeah I know you have the room, but I do enjoy spending time with my kids every now and then dad. They don’t need to stay with you guys all the time. I feel like we are using you.”

“Toby, you’re not using us, they are our grandkids. We want to spend time with them and have them at the house. It’s not a big deal. Your mama loves that she is teaching them and honestly doing something she loves. We love spending time with them, plus we are here to help you guys in any way we can. It takes a village to raise kids, Tobs. You guys don’t have to do it all on your own.”

You hear running around upstairs as the kids sound like they are packing their things to spend the night at my parents house.

I sigh, “Do you want to go tell them to pack a little extra so you have more for your house? So the next time they don’t have to come back for a quick packing session.”

He chuckles at me, “I already did that. Don’t worry. I talked it over with Sophie on the way here. She said it was fine, plus your mama has been ordering shit for teaching. Now she’s also added clothes, bedding and toys to the mix. So we will have extra stuff for them when they stay. They are our only grandbabies, so you’ve got to give this to us. I also came here for this little one right here.” He smiles as he places his hand on Delaney’s head and smooths out her hair.

“You’re taking my helper with you?” I ask in fake shock and terror. Delaney lets out a giggle as she continues to finish her snack pack.

“Yeah, gonna let you and Sophie have some time with just you guys. The boys are too little to stay the night, so we figured taking Delaney will give you a little extra space for yourselves. Plus she’s not over as much because she’s not in school yet. So she’s gonna hang with me tomorrow while the kids do some school work with nana. Does that sound good, baby girl?”

Delaney looks at my father and smiles, “Yeah pop pop. I cited. We do fun stuff.”

“Yeah girlie we are gonna do fun stuff.” He looks up at me and smiles, “Also think you should finally get those dogs you’ve been talking about. Before I go ahead and get them for you. Your mama wants to get some for our house as well.”

I nod my head because I have been looking. I found a couple of them I’m interested in. I wanted a couple of full grown dogs that could help protect the house now and that are obviously good with kids, but then I wanted puppies too. I think I’m diving down a long road I shouldn’t. We already have so much on our plate so taking on a puppy might not be the best thing, but fuck it. I really don’t care. I always wanted pets growing up and we never got any. I think I’m going to live my childhood dream out by getting myself two bigger dogs and one puppy. I’m sure that will start me down a train of having more animals than I can count with these kids. But I think it will also help with responsibility and chores with the kids.

“Yeah I’ve got a few lined up.”

Dad starts laughing, “A few huh? Does your wife know that you have a few dogs lined up?”

“We’ve talked about it. She knows that I’ve been looking. I think I’m going to rescue two and then buy a puppy.”

“Wow Tobs, you just love chaos don’t you. Eight kids, now three dogs. What’s next? You gonna knock her up again?”

I just smirk at my dad and he laughs. As we are talking Declan comes in and runs up to me giving me a hug.

“Hey champ, you staying the night with grandpa and nana?”

“Yeah, I got my bag all packed, it’s by the door. I just wanted to say hi. I already said bye to mama, Lucas and Leon.”

“Alright, well be good, okay? Do what they tell you. If you need anything, call me.”

It took Declan a little bit to start wanting to be away from Sophie or myself for an extended period of time. He was attached to Sophie’s hip for a couple of weeks after she woke up. Doing his school work in bed with her. So I’m not going to keep him from going back to doing the things he enjoyed doing before all this happened.

“Dad, I’m always good. It’s those other little monsters you have to worry about.”

Dad and I laugh at that as the other kids come into the kitchen with Sophie and the boys. She’s got one big on each hip, my dad walks over and takes Lucas from her and looks at Soph. I’ve noticed since the hospital Sophie has had trouble looking at my father or even talking to him. I know that she feels guilty because her dad is my dads best friend and she bitched her dad out at the hospital. Dad sighs before giving her a kiss on the head and looks at her lifting her chin with his fingers.

“You need to stop. I love you sweet girl. I’ve known you since the day you were born. Do I agree with everything you said to your dad, no I don’t. But I think what you don’t understand or see is your dad, he carries a lot of guilt without being given it by his kids. I get why you feel the way you feel, I know you’re working on everything in counseling. I’m not disappointed in you, you’ve been through a lot. We are okay.”

“Okay.” She smiles at him, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. “Is he,” she clears her throat, “is he okay?”

“You know you could talk to him and find out for yourself.”

“I’m not ready. I’m angry with him, so angry. Whether it’s logical or not. I’m mad at a lot of things and people.”