Family Stories - the Sequel

chapter 40

Thursday, 6th October

Owen: 58; Amelia: 52; Luca: 23; Leo: 16; Lily: 16

Ryan: 27; Katie: 27; Riley: 10; Ian&Connor: 8

Liam: 25; Robin: 24; Victoria: 6; Audrey Blake: 4; Madelyn: 10 months

Finn: 25; Dennis: 24; Mason-Anthony: 2

Ruby: 25; Ethan: 25

Mira: 20; Harriet: 21; Eva-Maeve: 3

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"I'm going to buy some groceries. Riley, Ian, are you two coming with me?", Ryan asked his children. The whole family besides him was sick. Tuesday and Wednesday had been the worst days for his two children, who were feeling much better today. Meanwhile, Katie and Connor were still down bad, so there was no way his wife could keep an eye on all three of their kids, especially since the healthier ones wanted to play all the time.

"NO!", his ten-year-old protested upset. "I don't feel good enough to come with you.", she argued. But you feel well enough to play, her father thought to himself. It was the middle of the day and Ryan's day off, so he was able to care for his family. But somebody needed to buy some food because the fridge was on the verge of being empty.

"Ian, Honey, what about you?", the twenty-seven-year-old addressed his son, who quietly shook his head, pouting. "Okay, then.", he decided. "I will try to call your grandparents to ask if one of them is able to come over and watch you, but if both of them are busy, you will have to join me.", he explained, finally getting his children to nod.

"Can they bring the dogs?", the blonde little boy innocently mumbled. He always felt better with Charlie and Chewie around, but the three cats did in fact not, so his father had no choice but had to say no.

"No Sweetie, Conny and mom need as much quietness to recover as possible.", Ryan replied before he called his parents. "Hi. Not much better. Ian and Riley do though, and they don't want to come grocery shopping with me because they don't feel good enough. Yeah, they rather want to play. Would you? Thank you, Dad. I won't be away for long, but our fridge is super empty. Great, see you in five minutes.", he finished the call. "Your grandpa will be here in five minutes. I want you two to choose something to play together right now. You're very lucky because he has to pull the nightshift later and delays his nap to be here with you.", he announced to his kids. "So, no fighting. I'll get my stuff and leave once grandpa is here."

Before he left, the young veterinarian checked on his other two family members, who were sharing his and Katie's bed, surrounded by all three cats. They were both asleep and Connor was resting in his mother's embrace. At least it was just a cold, so none of them was seriously ill. He kissed Riley and Ian goodbye, greeted his father properly and got in his car.

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Owen: 58; Amelia: 52; Luca: 23; Leo: 16; Lily: 16

Eva-Maeve: 3

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"Eva, Love, we won't make it home today before Book Club starts. But your mama made sure I packed everything you need.", Amelia told her granddaughter. "Let's get your cousin.", she told the small girl.

"Which one?", the three-year-old wondered. Usually, they took Ian as well, but sometimes, Mason was also taken by them, so naturally, she was a little confused. "We no get Mason?"

"Oh, we do.", the brunette answered, noticing her mistake. She hadn't been very clear. "We are picking up Mason because we are going to Book Club anyway and your uncle Dennis still isn't feeling well. So is Ian, which is why he cannot come today.", she explained to the small girl.

"Oh no, hope they feel betta soon.", Eva said. "Can we get a snack?", she questioned sweetly. She loved snacks, especially when her grandma thought of them. Sometimes, they would buy something and other times, Amelia would pack something for the kids like she had done with her children when they had been younger.

"First, we are getting your cousin. Then, we can have a snack. I've packed some.", the neurosurgeon informed her granddaughter, who was now doing her happy dance in her car seat, making her chuckle.

After work, Amelia had quickly driven home to get what they needed for the activity and then went to get Eva from daycare. Now they were driving over to Dennis and Finn's to pick up their son as well.

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Liam: 25; Robin: 24; Victoria: 6; Audrey Blake: 4; Madelyn: 10 months

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"Here you go.", Liam told his best friend after picking up their daughters from Book Club. Madelyn was being extra fuzzy today, so the twenty-four-year-old hadn't been as quick as she had intended during grocery shopping, meaning she wouldn't have made it in time to get their girls from their hobby.

While Victoria immediately jumped into her mama's arms, their four-year-old wasn't letting go of her dad and tightly hugged his leg as he was cuddling his baby. The children stayed with Robin from Wednesday to Friday, and he therefore hadn't gotten to see his youngest daughter earlier today.

"Baby, what's up? Don't you want to say hello to me?", Robin insecurely wondered. She knew Audrey was a daddy's girl, but she usually didn't pick favorites when both of them were around, and it hurt her a lot.

"I do. But only if daddy stays.", the small redhead explained her behavior and hid her face in her father's leg again. "I don't want you to leave.", she mumbled sadly. "When mama fell you weren't there. She needs your help."

Victoria had left for the bathroom to change and wash her hands, so Liam gently handed the baby to his ex-girlfriend to kneel down to Audrey's level, who now climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Sweetie, your mama is tough. She doesn't need my help.", the young redhead told his daughter softly. "I know all of this is confusing. We were all living together, then we weren't anymore. Suddenly, Lydia was there and now she's gone, and we're spending a lot of time as a family again.", he summarized, feeling the little girl nod.

"And you're right, your daddy stays today.", Robin meddled and made a decision, locking eyes with her best friend, signaling him they really had to get a move on in talking it out this evening, once and for all. When the girls were in bed, they chose to finally tackle the topic.

"I love you, Robin. I am in love with you, and I want us to try again, which I know you have been wanting as well.", the elementary school teacher started. "But I shouldn't have to choose between the woman I love and the possibility of having another child that's already on the way. If this was about a potential pregnancy, I would be able to get over it. But Lydia is carrying my baby to term. And I want to be the person who raises this child since she doesn't want to."

"I understand that and it's unfair of me to assume you would give up your baby for a possible reconciliation between us. You're the best father there is, and your child deserves to be raised by you just like its sisters.", the young brunette responded and sighed. "But I don't see myself fitting in this vision as well."

"I do.", the twenty-five-year-old reassured his ex-girlfriend and slowly walked over to her taking her hands. Robin felt goosebumps erupt all over her skin as she looked into his kind eyes. "I am going to be my baby's father, but it doesn't have a mother that wants it. I know adoption has never been a topic between us since we easily gave birth to our girls. But the child needs a loving mama too."

"Yeah...it's a big decision to make, but you are right. Your children are my children. I can step up and be your baby's mother, I really want to.", the marriage and family counselor shared. "We have nine months to prepare ourselves and the girls.", she realized.

"But I won't wait nine whole months for this.", Liam announced, confusing her for a second before he connected their lips in a gentle but longing and passionate kiss. "I don't ever want to do life without you again.", he realized and kissed Robin again.