Coming Around Again by Billy London

Author:Billy London [London, Billy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

***

Nine years married

“If you do not stop jumping up and down your bed, Daniel and William Strøm, you are not getting a single present!”

Niels heard the bellowing command from his office and looked up from the mortgage document burning holes in his eyes. Between the emails from his solicitors and the threats from someone he used to consider a friend, his children’s seventh birthday party was supposed to be something nice. A lovely distraction from the coming Armageddon. Not according to his wife.

Without knocking, Stella threw open the door to the office and said, “The bouncing castle people are stuck on the M4. God knows why or how. A few parents are calling now asking if they can bring their kids and I need to get more soft drinks, because someone has decided they don’t like Robinsons anymore.”

Niels blinked patiently. “What would you like me to do?”

“Help? Keep an eye on your spawn so I can go out?”

“Of course.” He stood up and made to cross the room, kiss Stella goodbye, but she already dismissed him with a nod and flew out of the door. As soon as the door closed, the twins began their riot of energy. Niels deliberately and noisily made his way up the stairs and he heard a gaggle of shhhs and dad’s coming.

Leaning in on the doorway of his son’s bedroom, Niels cleared his throat. “I believe there are two gentlemen turning seven years old today.”

Danny popped his head from under the wood slat of his bunk bed. “Gentlemen?”

“I refer to a Daniel Strøm? And a William Strøm? Have you heard of those two gentlemen?”

Will giggled. “We’re not gentlemen!”

Niels crouched down and pulled Danny from under the bed by his arms, then caught Will by his ankles to do the same. Standing them side by side, Niels wondered where the time had gone. It seemed moments ago they’d been eighteen months old and mimicking each other with “I dunno!” A blink of an eye would pass, and they’d be eighteen years old. Asking for money and to borrow his car. Good lord, the horror.

“Happy birthday, my beautiful, brilliant gentlemen. May you eventually find wisdom in silence and calm, and may you never lose your joy for laughter and for fun.”

Danny and Will looked at each other in confusion. Niels sighed. “You say thank you, Daddy, and you give me a hug.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” they chorused and both threw their arms around his neck. Love overwhelmed him and he held them tighter to him. He had to do everything possible to keep them safe. To keep them secure. That was everything.

“Now, your friends are coming along very soon,” Niels said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I need you to get washed and dressed. What are you wearing?”

“Don’t you mean what will Muma let us wear?” Will said solemnly.

“It’s your birthday. You wear what you want today.”

“Pirates!” they claimed. How in unison they were. All they seemed to do was share a glance or touch the other and they knew what the other wanted immediately.

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