Screeching Pterodactyl noises. A loud thump followed by a burst of manly and child giggles. Thats what I walk into after another day at the precinct. In the living room there is a cardboard made castle with toy swords and plastic dinosaurs and men laying about. A shield made out of cardboard is on the couch, and right by there is my Castle, the man I love holding our 6 year old son Kyle. Well holding isn't quite the word, more like I fell over holding my child and am currently sprawled on the floor. "Mommy!" Kyle screeches as he wiggles out of his fathers grip.
His tiny paper crown flys off his head as he runs and his blanket cape billows from the sudden wind. I smile as I pick him up and hug him tight. "It looks like the king has some jam on his face," I laugh as I wipe it off with my thumb. I look up and see Castle trying and failing to get up without slipping on the various toys laying about. After almost ungracefully falling face first onto the couch, he manages to stand and much to his dismay turns to see us laughing at him.
" I am a very strong and powerful wizard; I am not to be laughed at!" Castle says as he walks towards us. Kyle folds his arms and rolls his eyes, " If you say so" Kyle says as I laugh. Castle retaliates by tickling him while evilly laughing. Finally when he deemed his evil retaliation made him the victor, Castle stops to lean in and give me a kiss. As soon as he does so, Kyle takes the opportunity to wiggle out of my grip and run towards the castle, only stopping to pick up his crown. As he reaches the castle, paper crown on his head, he grabs a sword and raises it.
"I, Kyle, king of this realm declare myself as the victor!" He yells to the ceiling and then looks forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Castle grabs a hooded cloak that I somehow missed when I walked in, puts it on and says, "The fight is not yet over young one!" and charges forward as Kyle runs into the man made castle with screeches of laughter.
I smile as I watch my boys running around and dueling for who wins the castle. Even though I'm exhausted from a long day at work, sore from tackling a suspect and have a pounding headache I set my self down and run after them; showing them who the real victor is. This is what home feels like.