"Come on Ethan! Your gonna miss the bus.."
Have you heard from mum?!" Ethan put his bag on the sofa and started tying his tie in the mirror.
"Come on" Lee picked up his bag "have you got half day today?!"
"Yeh, dad, why are you avoiding my question?!"
"Daddy, can you do my shoes!" His daughter came running into the room.
"Of course" Lee smiled as he bent down to tie the little girls laces. "All done" he smiled as he looked into her innocent eyes. Its true, she was the spitting image of Lucy, long, blonde hair, and she was beautiful.
"Dad, arev you even listening?"
"Sorry?! What?!"
"Bus money?!"
"Oh, yeah here.." Lee pulled his wallet out and handes him a £10 note. Get some sweets on the way home, get lauren some too"
"Yay" his daughter skipped back of upstairs.
"So what about mum?!" Ethan asked.
"I heard from her last night"
"And...?"
Lee dropped his head.
"Shes not coming is she?!"
"She might not be able to make it.." Lee said soflty.
Ethan shook his head, "but its Christmas in 3days!"
"I know it is.."
"And mums not gonna be home?!"
"We dont know that yet... c'mon, I'll drop you at the bus stop" Lee offered him a small smile as he picked up his keys and phone.
"Sod off" Ethan stormed off, slamming the house door behind him.
Lee sighed, usually he wouldnt let Ethan swear, but he understood. He missed lucy so much.
"Daddy?! Why are you and Ethan sad?!"
Lee looked down to see Lauren looking at him, wide eyed.
"Is it because mummy's not home?"
Lee bent down in front of her, nodding his head.
"I miss her too" she said sadly.
"Come here" he smiled at her and pulled her in for a hug, picking her up. "You do know, no matter where mummy is, she will always love you and Ethan so much.. OK? Remember that.."
Lauren nodded.
"And i love you lots too!" Lee smiled kissing her cheek.
"I love you more" Lauren chorused.
"Book bag, quick, go" he said soflty placing her on the floor and watching her skip off upstairs.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket,
"call me when you get this, Lee 3"
He sent it and put his phone back in his pocket. "Ready?!"
Lauren nodded taking lees hand.
