*They wait anxiously at the gates as a sea of children come flooding through the doors, moments later Leah appears and after a while there's still no sign of Lucas and the sea of children has slowly settled. After a bit more waiting and worrying a teacher comes out through the doors pushing Lucas in his wheelchair. Much to everyone's relief Lucas has a big grin on his face and he waves cheerfully when he sees his dads and sister waiting.*
"Did you have a good day son?" Ste asks whilst Brendan has a word with Lucas' teacher.
"Yeah it was great to be back daddy, everyone said they missed me and Rebecca in my class even cried and hugged me!"
"Rebecca eh? New little girlfriend?" Ste says teasingly.
"daaaaad" Lucas moans blushing a little.
"I'm joking but I'm so glad you had a good day. No one was horrible were they?"
"No dad"
"because if they were your dad and I will…"
"Dad it's fine no one was mean to me" Lucas says butting in.
After a little wait Brendan comes back with a grin on his face and tells Ste how the school are so happy he has returned and that he isn't letting his wheelchair limit him.
*Later when everyone has caught up and are now settling down watching TV Brendan comes in and stands in front of the TV*
"dad!" they chorus.
"I was wondering if you'd all like to go and get changed because I thought we could go and eat at a restaurant tonight seeing as Lucas' first day back was such a success"
They all give a little cheer and rush to get changed into smarter clothes. Once everyone is ready it's the usual routine of taking Ste and Lucas first before coming back for Declan, Paddy and Leah. When everyone is finally at the restaurant everyone has the laborious task of choosing what they want to eat. They finally decide and order and everyone has a lovely meal and talk although Brendan is a little bothered by the people giving sad looks at Lucas but no one else has noticed anything so he has decided that at least for now he won't react, he doesn't want to spoil things for his family. Besides he's not like THAT anymore. Under the table he unclenches his fists and goes back to eating and paying attention to his wonderful family.
When everyone is nice and full and settled Brendan takes everyone home again in two trips and tucks the little ones into bed. Leah begs for a bed time story and once Brendan is finished he sees his husband smirking in the doorway.
"What?"
"It doesn't get any less cute you know?"
Brendan stands up and wraps his arms around Ste's waist.
"I love ye yano" he says kissing him
"Course I know that"
"you changed my life Steven"
"And you changed mine"
Brendan pulls him in for another hug but Ste doesn't realise just how much he changed Brendan's life but that's a secret he's determine to keep buried until the day he dies.