UK, Deacon and Charlie
Mum's car was perfectly adequate. Charlie remembered her driving a series of smallish hatchbacks of the Golf variety, so this sleek Audi soft top was a nice surprise. It had taken them from the civilised environs of Begravia to the wilds of Gloucestershire in just a couple of hours and they were pulling into the farm yard in time for lunch.
"Potty," Nia announced and nodded at Charlie when he glanced at her in the mirror. As usual he had let Deacon deal with the motorways while he had taken over on the winding roads of the countryside. He didn't think they had suffered time wise but Nia probably did need a comfort stop.
He pulled up outside the farmhouse, dived out and investigated under the usual pail for the key.
"Here we go," he said.
Deacon had gotten Nia out of the car and was carrying her towards the house. She had that look on her face, the one that said they really might want to hurry, so as soon as Charlie had the door open Deacon jogged with her to the restroom.
"That was a close one," he said when they came out again, Nia looking much happier.
"Phew, yes," Charlie said. He was in the kitchen, already completely at home, and looking in the fridge. "Ooh we've got sandwiches all wrapped up ready for us. And beer and cans of soda and - what's that - yogurt? Yep. And fruit cake and chocolate. That's just for lunch. There's all kinds of other good things. Oh, they do take good care of us."
He smiled at Deacon and said, "Shall we have a picnic?"
"Icnic!" Nia said and clapped, wiggling until Deacon put her down. Of course once on the floor investigating the new house seemed much more interesting.
"Picnic sounds good to me," Deacon replied, watching her closely to make sure she didn't get into anything.
"Mind the fire," Charlie warned when she got close to the Rayburn and she gave him a disbelieving look. "It's there," he promised and opened the door so she could see the embers glowing. Charlie topped it up then closed the door again.
"Ten minutes explore," he said, "while I pack lunch in a basket and get our coats, then we'll go for a nice walk up to the Wood. And you can have a play."
Deacon followed Nia as she explored the house and then helped Charlie pack up their picnic. Soon enough they were strolling towards the Wood, Nia scampering ahead and checking out everything excitedly.
Deacon smiled. "I think she likes it here."
Charlie was beaming. The blustery October wind had a hint of rain in it and the clouds were racing, but the day seemed beautiful to him. The grass was sheep cropped and tussocky, though the sheep had been moved some time ago from the lack of sheep shit, and the leaves were whirling through the air. The land was all in pale greens and yellows and warm browns - nothing like the glory of an American fall - fading to a misty lavender blue distance.
"I'm glad we brought that all-in-one for her," he said. "It's so hard to tell what the weather will be. I think we might have frost in the mornings. Oh look - a hare."
Nia had seen it too and gave a shriek of glee as the bobbing brown figure sat up, pricking its black tipped ears. "Bunny!" she said, pointing and followed its white tail towards the coppice at the top corner of the field where the gate stood.
Charlie laughed, with pleasure and relief.
Deacon watched Charlie's face light up and smiled. This was right - them all here like this. He could feel it. They got to the gate and Deacon took Nia's hand.
"Now we need to wait for Daddy to unlock the gate," he said and looked at Charlie with a raised brow. Was there some special thing for this? Bringing their daughter into the Wood for the first time?
Charlie was fishing the key from his pocket, not the Key - that was only used on the special occasions, but a heavy iron one with a big ring on the top. He put it in the lock and turned it, allowing his eye to unfocus so he could see the light splashing and flowing though his hands and arms. He pushed the door open, not making a ripple himself though the iron made its mark and nodded to Deacon to take Nia through.
"Let's go," Deacon said cheerfully to Nia and lead her through the gate. She seemed quiet and thoughtful as they stepped through and Deacon glanced back at Charlie.
Charlie bit his thumb nail anxiously as D and Nia passed him then sighed because she too made never a ripple while Ceri's light folded around Deacon like arms. Nia looked up at Deacon her little mouth opening and patted the stripe of silver twining around his wrist. Her fingers went right through it and she pouted then turned away. Charlie caught his breath and swung the gate closed behind them and hurried to catch up, offering Nia his other hand.
"Want a swing?" he asked.
"Swing!" Nia said happily and took Charlie's hand and giggled happily as he and Deacon swung her forward as they walked.
"Like father like daughter," Deacon said with a warm smile at Charlie. He might be able to see the lights but he had recognized what had happened.
"Sometimes it misses a generation, or two," Charlie said. "Yay! Nia! Up she rises! Let's go to the centre. We might not see - um - anyone, but she'll see us. That's the important thing."
Deacon nodded and they headed down to the centre with lots of giggling and swinging and bouncing. When they did step into the centre Nia ran off to check out the little pond and the stone throne and Deacon chuckled as he helped Charlie set up their picnic.
"Alright munchkin," Deacon called, settling down on the blanket. "Chow time."
Nia was looking at the stone, while Charlie twitched every time she went near the water. At Deacon's call she turned and began to march towards them, red wellies kicking up the dead leaves, but she stopped, looking past them, and grinned.
"Who dat?" she said and pointed.
Charlie turned his head and grinned as well. "An old old friend," he said, the suspicion of a catch in his voice.
She was plump and red headed, wearing a green knitted sweater and a short plaid skirt and red wellies very much like Nia. She was about four.
Ceri shot Charlie and Deacon an impish grin as she trotted down the slope and held out her hands to Nia. "Wanna cookie?" she asked. "Can I have one too?"
Deacon blinked and then smiled. "Well then both of ya come on then. Got lots of cookies. But Nia has to eat real food too."
"Awww," Ceri said, and Nia giggled.
The two little girls came to the blanket, hand in hand, and sat down and Charlie offered them both sandwiches and little boxes of juice, smiling to think that he had automatically put in plenty. Nia eyed the sandwich with a pout - she knew there were other sweeter things - but took it when Ceri grabbed hers and said, "Thank you, Charlie."
"You're welcome," Charlie said and offered Deacon a much larger sandwich with his favourite filling.
Deacon took it and bit into it with relish, watching Ceri curiously. Seeing her in this form was - odd, but good he knew. For Ceri to visit Nia - well it was an approval wasn't it. And it was right and good that they be here, all of them. They were a family after all.
Filled with memories, Charlie watched Ceri lean close to Nia and whisper something, and gulped a little as he took a bite from his own sandwich. He felt - a little jealous, and was shocked at himself. Ceri had always been there for him, and where he hadn't minded her times with Deacon because two of his favourite people loving each other had to be good, seeing 'his' Ceri, beloved playmate, reminded him that he had grown up finally and irrevocably.
For comforts sake, he leaned against Deacon's shoulder, and took another bite of sandwich.
Deacon turned his head and leaned to kiss Charlie's cheek. "Every girl needs a playmate," he said softly.
"And she's such a good one," Charlie murmured, flushing and feeling that little green-eyed monster squelch beneath the weight of his love for all present.
"Couldn't ask for better," Deacon agreed and stretched himself out on the blanket, settling his head in Charlie's lap and munching on his sandwich. Snagging a piece of cheese he reached up and held it to Charlie's lips.
"Mmmyum," Charlie said, taking it, and ate it. Once the makeshift meal was over he too leaned back, smiling down at Deacon and across at the two little girls, each of whom had a cookie.
Ceri giggled and whispered to Nia again. "Can we go play?" she asked. "I promise we'll be good."
"Well," Deacon said, glancing at Charlie then back at the girls. "I don't see why not. Just not to far."
He knew Ceri wouldn't do anything to hurt Nia but still - better safe than sorry.
"Not out of earshot," Charlie said, knowing that hiding from Daddy would be huge fun.
"Promise," Ceri said again and jumped up, holding out a hand to Nia.
"And not near the water," Charlie added and she rolled her eyes.
"She's still getting use to swimming," Deacon added with a pointed look at Ceri - who gave him a lovely smile and the two girls hurried off. "She's so gonna end up in the water."
Charlie chuckled. "She is," he said. "Good job we brought a blanket, isn't it?"