Last Flight, page 8
‘Come on. I want a cuddle.’ He said, pulling her onto the bed.
She laughed, ‘I can’t, I haven’t got the time!’
‘Oh, come on, you do. There’s always a bit of time for this.’ He said, rolling on top of her, placing kisses down her neck. He was definitely in the mood now.
‘Logan, Robbie’s in the highchair. We can’t do this now.’ She pushed him off, kissing him as she stood up.
He frowned. She kissed him, promising more to come, then left the room. A few minutes later, she returned, Robbie in tow. She lay down beside him and put Robbie between them. Logan’s eyes weren’t open, but he smiled knowing he was there.
‘Lowan.’ He laughed and reached for his nose.
‘Em! He said my name!’ His heart swelled, the boy’s third word was him. He was getting better at mommy and doggy, and he hadn’t really got his name exactly right, but it was enough for him.
‘Babe, that’s adorable.’
He looked ecstatic. She couldn’t believe he was so excited about it.
‘Wow.’ He felt sick still, but this meant the world to him. ‘That’s amazing.’
‘Say cheese.’ She took a picture of them. Logan’s arms out of the covers holding Robbie on his chest, who was sat up laughing. ‘I have my story for the day.’
‘Put the picture in the column.’
‘You want me to?’
‘Of course, I do. It’s such a big moment.’ He was grinning from ear to ear. Emilia joined them and snapped a selfie of the three of them all snuggled under the duvet.
‘At least you’re feeling better.’ She smiled, playing with his hair. She stared into his deep blue eyes, it wasn’t hard to drown in them. When he looked at her, his features were full of love. She knew he wanted to say it, she wanted to say it, but everything was perfect, and she didn’t want to lose that.
‘What are you thinking about?’ He smiled, running a hand through her hair.
‘You.’
‘Oh, really?’ His smile grew. ‘And what about me?’ He snuggled into her neck, trying not to disturb Robbie between them.
‘Just you. How amazing you are.’ She grinned when he blushed.
‘Alas, I’m not the amazing one. That’s you.’ She laughed.
‘How about both of us are?’ She chuckled. He smiled deeply at her. ‘Stop looking at me like that. Eat your toast. It’s cold now but eat it.’ He reached over and picked a slice up. ‘You’ll get crumbs all over you.’ She laughed.
‘At this point, I couldn’t care less. I dread to think what the others are like, I’m pretty sure I drunk the least.’
‘I’m sure their women are just as sympathetic.’ She had taken Robbie from him and was sitting up with her head against the backboard.
‘I doubt Fi is. If Adrian’s ill all day, he won’t be in a very date like mood. It’s the first one they have had planned in ages. Penelope has no sympathy for hung over Sean, never has. The others might be okay.’ He laughed. ‘Fi will probably kill Sean, it was his fault we’re all in this state.’
‘Well, aren’t you lucky to have me? Finish your toast, shower, and we’ll go somewhere. It’s always best to clear your head.’
‘I don’t want to go out.’ He placed his plate on the side. ‘I want to stay here all day, with you.’ He moved over and cuddled her legs, kissing the outside of her thighs.
‘Excuse me, there’s children about.’ She laughed. Robbie reached for Logan’s hair.
‘Do you want to stay in?’ He asked the boy.
‘Eyaahh!’ He screamed, clapping.
‘The lad agrees. A lazy day in bed it is.’
‘Come on. If we go out, you’ll feel better. How about we go to that farm?’
‘Why don’t you go to the farm, and Robbie and I will stay here, where we both want to be.’
‘Come on. He’s not been before. Wouldn’t it be cute seeing him watch the animals?’ He was tracing circles on her thigh, hoping to distract her. It wasn’t working.
‘Okay, okay. We’ll go. I’ll go and shower.’ He sighed.
‘Robbie’s getting tired. I’ll put him down for a nap, and maybe if you’re lucky… I’ll join you.’ She winked. ‘No promises.’
He was lucky. It hadn’t taken her long to barge into the bathroom and hop into the shower with him. Both her and the water felt so good, doing well to cure his hangover. This woman was going to drive him crazy.
They both left the bathroom, wrapped in towels, and went to their own rooms. He sat on the side of his bed and picked up a photo frame which had been recently added of Emilia and Robbie on the flight. He smiled. Who would have predicted that two strangers on a flight would have ended up like this? He adored them both. He loved Robbie so much, he enjoyed reading to them, watching his eyes light up at new things, watching him and Emilia play together.
He left the room, dressed in dark jeans and a blue plaid shirt. He saw Emilia with Robbie, she had left her hair down with its natural waves. She wore some black jeans and a grey t-shirt. It was still hot outside, normally it had rained before now.
‘Are we ready?’ She smiled, Robbie still in his seat carrier still asleep.
‘I hope you’re driving.’ He was feeling a lot better than before, but he had a slight headache.
They arrived at the farm. Emilia had Robbie in his baby carrier on her chest. He had woken up and was as lively as usual. The farm was firmly friendly, and they held birthday parties for children. They wanted to educate on farming and some jobs, just not the gruesome parts.
‘Look, Robbie. Adrian is here.’ He said, pointing at the pigs.
‘I’ll tell him that.’
‘You tell him everything anyway.’
‘I don’t tell him everything. I certainly don’t tell him what I do to his little brother.’ She smirked.
‘I’m his younger brother!’ He’s certain Adrian told her that he hated being called ‘little brother’.
‘Either way. Is someone jealous?’ She smirked.
‘Of Ade?’ He snorted. ‘No. Never.’
They walked around and looked at the animals. Robbie was terrified of the cows and cried until he was far away from them. He loved the sheep when they bleated at him. They watched the sheepdogs around up the sheep as a display.
‘Wow! I bet Roger couldn’t do that.’
‘Oggy!’
‘Yeah, doggy.’ Smiled Logan.
The trip had been an exhausting one for Robbie. It was complete silence in the car as they drove back. Logan and Robbie both falling asleep.
‘He so loved the donkeys more than the sheep, love. You can’t deny that.’ He said, walking through the door. She followed behind with Robbie fast asleep in his carrier.
‘No, he didn’t. Anyway, his favorite was the dogs.’
‘And why is that?’
‘Well, for a start he knew what they were.’ She argued.
‘Because he lives with one! He doesn’t know what the others are yet. He’s only ten months old. His vocabulary isn’t vast yet. Give the lad a chance.’
‘Come on, let’s stop arguing. My room is a mess. I’ll tidy it before the kids come over.’
She felt his arms snake around her neck and he kissed her neck.
‘Maybe… you could move your stuff into my room.’ He suggested.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, we could share a bedroom. Robbie can have your room. We’ll decorate it for him. Then the other can be a guest one or something.’
‘We sleep in your room anyway.’ She said.
‘I know, but you do everything else in your room. I want you in mine. Maybe I want to see you getting changed, so I can stop you and start something else instead.’ She leaned back on him. ‘It’s not that big of a step, love. You’ll only be putting your stuff in… our room.’ He smirked. ‘Come on, please. It gives the lad a chance to learn some separation. We have the monitor. What do you say?’
‘Are we ready for such a commitment?’ She giggled. She turned and faced him, his hand still around her waist. ‘Okay. And who is going to move my wardrobe and stuff?’
‘We will. Team work.’
They spent the rest of the day moving things around and tidying up. Robbie was exhausted, so they didn’t disturb him. The wardrobe wasn’t as heavy as they thought, and the job was done my five. She washed some clothes and all the bedding whilst Logan went out for a walk with Roger to clear the rest of his headache.
They were sat on the couch with the TV on low. It was some wildlife documentary about bears.
‘An hour until the rascals come.’ He smiled. ‘They don’t tire easily Adrian’s kids. It’ll be all games and noise. I hope you know that. James will mind his own business when he gets bored, but Ellie will want to play all night.’ He laughed.
‘Well, best save our energy. I’m just going to do a bit of work before they come.’ She picked up her laptop, she was half way through a column she started the week before. She had sent Anthony two in advance. He was still trying to persuade her to take the hours. So was Logan. However, Logan was hinting to other things. She felt his head on her shoulder.
‘Hey.’ He smiled.
She laughed at him, ‘Hi.’ She continued typing. His hand slipped under her shirt as he caressed her stomach.
‘You look beautiful. I love your hair like that.’
‘Thank you.’ She wasn’t giving into him. There was a silence then. ‘You know, I would have to this more and ignore you more if I take on those hours?’
‘I’m only bored because there’s no Robbie to look after. Plus, I have a gorgeous woman sitting on my couch, it’s hard to resist. She smells really good too. Maybe she’s bored of work?’ He ticked her ribs and she jolted.
‘Logan! My laptop. Be careful.’ She giggled. ‘I need to work.’
‘Come on, surely a twenty-minute break won’t hurt you?’ He smirked, kissing her neck and jaw.
‘Logan, go find something to do.’ She kissed his cheek.
He wandered around the apartment bored. He went to Robbie’s room and watched him sleep, he looked like he was dreaming. He smiled at him. He couldn’t believe he had only been in his life for six weeks. He was perfect.
‘I love you, Robbie. And your mummy too, but we can’t tell her yet. I trust you though. Our little secret.’
The doorbell rang. Show time. It was six. Logan opened the door and was attacked by hugs.
‘Uncle!’ They screamed.
‘Hello! Hello!’
Fiona and Adrian were laughing. They were both dressed up nice and look extremely happy.
‘Enjoy your night.’ Smiled Emilia, coming to the door.
‘Try and enjoy yours, if they get too much, just tell them. Don’t want them disturbing Robbie.’
‘Maybe they want payback after all his crying. It was definitely teething, he’s getting better these days.’
‘Now you just have to watch him every second for putting things in his mouth. It’s never over.’ Laughed Adrian.
‘Go and enjoy your night.’ Smiled Logan, picking himself up off the floor. ‘We have everything in hand. No worrying. I’ll ring if there’s any trouble.
They shut the door and the kids had already disappeared.
‘Ready, love?’
She nodded.
Logan spent some time playing football in the garden with James, whilst Ellie played with Roger. Emilia was watching from the bench with the baby monitor on the table.
‘I want Em to play! She’s way better than you, Logan.’ Shouted James. Robbie was inside fast asleep, none of the noise had disturbed him. ‘Come on, Emilia! Please play with me.’
‘Okay, pal. I think your uncle should go in goal.’ She smirked.
‘You’re on, lass.’ He smiled.
She scored many against him, almost taking his head off. Ellie joined in halfway through and Emilia showed her how to kick better.
‘Uncle Logan?’ Said Ellie, when they were all drinking some juice. She walked up to him with puppy eyes.
‘Yes, princess?’
‘Let me do your hair.’ He saw Emilia snigger into her drink unexpectedly. ‘Pleaasee. You normally do.’
Emilia couldn’t imagine what that would look like. He did have quite thick hair, enough to put some hair ties in.
‘Later.’
‘No now. I don’t want to play football. I want to make you look pretty.’
‘Why don’t you make Emilia look pretty?’ he suggested.
‘She already is. You aren’t.’ His niece had always been blunt, much like her father.
‘Well, now I’m upset. You just said I’m not pretty. Maybe I don’t want you to do my hair.’
‘No, you are pretty. Just not as pretty as Emilia. So, you need some more.’ She gave him a hug. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s okay. Apology accepted. Go on, get your stuff.’
‘Em, are you playing again?’ Asked James. He never seemed to tire of sports.
‘Sure, I’ll go in net.’
James and Emilia kept laughing at Logan, whose hair was being pulled hard by his niece. His hair had been put into lots of hair ties and Ellie was delighted with her work.
‘We have to get a picture of this.’ Laughed Emilia. James nodded and laughed with her. They walked over, and she took a picture, safe to say he wasn’t happy.
‘That picture best not end up anywhere, Ford. It stays on that phone and that phone only.’
‘Of course.’ She smirked. ‘Ellie, your uncle looks very pretty now. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘How long do I have to stay pretty for?’ Asked Logan.
‘All night. I think, Ellie.’ Admitted James. ‘Don’t you?’
‘Yaaay, all night!’
‘James!’ Said Logan. ‘You’re too much like your father.’
Logan started dinner whilst Emilia entertained the kids with a jigsaw. Robbie was now awake and sat in a toy chair. James went back and forth between the jigsaw and helping Robbie put the shapes in the right slot. He was well practiced at being a big brother.
‘Well done, Robbie! What’s that? A circle!’ Emilia watched from the corner of her eyes. There was a lot of Adrian in the boy, but there was a tenderness that was Logan. ‘And that one is a star.’
‘Arrr.’ He clapped.
‘Close enough.
‘Ellie!’ Called Logan. She looked up and ran to the kitchen. He picked her up and put her on his hip. ‘How does this sauce taste? Careful. It’s hot. Blow on it first.’
‘Yummy!’
‘Great! Good is nearly ready. Are you and James going to set the table?’ He asked. She nodded and ran off.
‘Jamie! Jamie! Logan said we have to set the table.’ James was till with Robbie.
‘Help me.’
‘Coming. See you soon, Robbie.’
Logan had made spaghetti bolognese with meatballs. They were all sat around the table. Roger sat by Ellie knowing she always sneaked him some food. His slobber strings had attached to the fur on his chest and he was sitting patiently. Emilia had fed Robbie just before, but he was with them on his highchair.
‘This is delicious.’ Smiled Emilia. ‘Who taught you to cook?’
‘Aunt Judy.’ She’s great. She struggles with it now though. We still let her do as much as possible, but we usually help.’
‘She makes delicious cookies!’ Shouted Ellie.
‘Indoor voice. El.’ Said Logan. Emilia tried to hide her smile. He still looked ridiculous, especially when he was being stern.
‘Sorry, she makes delicious cookies.’ She said quieter. Logan smiled and helped Robbie with a bottle. He was also staring at Logan’s new look.
‘What’s for dessert?’ Asked James.
‘Chocolate cake and custard?’ Suggested Logan.
‘Yaay! My favorite.’
They had dessert and put the plates in the dishwasher. James was watching 101 Dalmatians with Robbie.
‘Emilia, Logan? Can we play a game?’ Asked Ellie. ‘I don’t want to watch the film.’
‘Of course. What do you want to play?’ Asked Logan.
‘Emilia is a princess and you’re a prince.’
‘Em is already a princess.’ Said Logan.
‘I know, and we are just pretending you are a prince. Okay.’ Blunt once again.
‘Okay.’ He smiled.
‘You have to go hide. Because you need rescuing because you’re useless. And Princess Emilia is going to save you from the castle.’
‘Oo, I like this. Am I a warrior princess?’
‘Yeah! So, uncle…’ She whispered in his ear of where he needed to hide. He got up and wandered off.
‘And how are you in this game?’ Asked Emilia. ‘Are you a princess?’
‘No! I’m the Queen who captured him. And Roger is my dragon! You have to get him then you face me.’ She ran off and went to where she imagined Logan was too.
Emilia walked to James. ‘Are you okay watching him?’
‘Of course, I always wanted a little brother. Better than a sister.’
‘Your sister looks up to you.’ She smiled.
‘You best go find her before she kills him. She takes these games very seriously.’
‘Okay, see you in a bit.’
Emilia walked around the house in search of them. They were nowhere to be seen.
‘Prince Logan?’ She called. Maybe they were outside. Roger was lay on the grass catching the last rays of sun. She saw Logan, sitting on a chair with a skipping rope tied around him. ‘Oh my! Not to worry, I will save you!’ The Queen’s dragon wasn’t very fierce, but she would humor her. ‘Oh dear! There’s a massive dragon in the way! What shall I do?’ She approached Roger who perked his head when she approached. She started tickling his stomach and he rolled onto his back. ‘I fear this dragon isn’t very fierce.’ She saw Logan laughing. Ellie jumped out with a sword.
‘Ah ha! You may have defeated my dragon, but you won’t defeat me!’ Ellie threw a sword for Emilia. They were in fact sticks but she obliged. Emilia carefully sparred against her. She ‘cut’ the ropes, Logan had untied himself, then pulled him up.
